Results 19,881-19,900 of 32,726 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In 2017, the OECD were commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to undertake a written evaluation of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-16, with a view to informing future public service reform efforts. This assessment, which was published in July 2017, focused on whether the plan met its objectives; provided clear recommendations for the future direction of public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. Procurement is a key element of the Government’s Public Service Reform agenda and is a very significant portion of overall spending. The State buys everything from pens and paper, through to naval vessels and surgical equipment. In this context, it is essential that the Public Service operates in a co-ordinated and efficient...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware the unwinding of the emergency FEMPI legislation commenced with the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018 and will be completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 -2020.  The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out a specific schedule of measures and dates in respect of deductions made under the FEMPI Acts including provisions in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The recent review of the capital plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016–2021, was published in September 2017. This review: - confirmed the compelling case for increased public capital investment to strengthen Ireland’s public capital infrastructure and build the resilience of the economy in terms of significant risks such as Brexit; - emphasised...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted to addressing the impacts of Brexit. Detailed work is taking place across Departments and in State agencies to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU. This includes contingency planning for all Brexit scenarios; engagement with stakeholders; support to companies from the enterprise agencies; and work to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Based on the information provided, the person concerned availed of a marriage gratuity in respect her service when she retired in 1979.  In accordance with the terms and conditions of the payment of marriage gratuities, acceptance of a marriage gratuity is in lieu of any superannuation entitlements arising from such service.  Therefore , there is no entitlement to an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Formal arrangements to meet in relation to the matter concerned are the subject of deliberation between the parties and remain to be finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Agreements (PSAs) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the civil service and in other parts of the public service. Redeployment is primarily a mechanism for the transfer of surplus staff to areas where appropriate vacancies exist. My Department is responsible for redeployment in the civil service and non-commercial state...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question no. 54985/17 answered on 16 January 2018.

Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: He was only asking.

Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Tánaiste was not making any accusations.

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: We have our work cut out for us to maintain what we have agreed. Considerable effort had to go into ensuring that the commitments made up to 2020 were met. It would be of great help to our efforts if the institutions of Northern Ireland were in place to assist us in this work. We are working directly with the special EU programmes body, SEUPB, which oversees the implementation of these...

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As already discussed, I submitted a report examining the remaining salary scale issues in respect of post 2011 new entrants on Friday last. While I have outlined the proposed next steps on foot of the report, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the findings in that report. The Deputy asks about low pay and whether this is resulting in staff shortages, particularly in...

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: What the Deputy does not take account of is the fact that there have been significant increases in recruitment, including in frontline services since 2011. He referred to a recruitment crisis. I point to the fact that over €60,000 more public servants have been recruited. In response to his concerns about salary levels and retention he does not take account of the fact that we...

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I can quote all the figures I want, to quote the Deputy, because these are the figures. These are the changes, these are facts.

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: This is what has happened. The report takes account of change that has happened as people exit. 12 o’clock However, when I put facts to the Deputy he dismisses them if they do not fit into his narrative. We recognise the contribution our public servants have made and the concerns that exist, in particular in regard to our health service where we now have a specific module of work...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 14, 15 and 17 together. Ireland has been a significant beneficiary of Structural Funds throughout the 45 years of our EU membership. Of particular significance in the context of Brexit is the financial support there has been for the Border region of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with almost €2.4 billion of EU funding having been provided...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The way the questions were grouped probably did not do justice to Deputy Joan Burton's question about the general application of EU funds, with particular reference to ports. Our colleagues asked questions about PEACE and INTERREG programmes funding. They relate to different matters. To respond to the first question Deputy Joan Burton put to me about a focus on ports, the Ireland 2040...

Other Questions: Data Protection (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The public services card, and its online counterpart MyGovID, is the Government’s standard personal identity verification scheme, and it is core to delivering public services to people in a secure and efficient manner. My Department works closely with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection which is the lead implementation body for the production of the PSC,...

Other Questions: Data Protection (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to reiterate to the House that we have the highest level of protection in place to ensure that citizens' information and private data are safe, secure and stored and regulated in accordance with data protection law. I am aware of the issues of concern that were raised in the second half of last year. That is why we have published the document I referred to a moment ago on the website...