Results 19,921-19,940 of 32,726 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Lottery Licence Sale (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: One of the main objectives of the sale of the national lottery licence in 2014 for a 20 year period was to generate upfront proceeds for the State. Proceeds of €405 million from the sale were used to fund a range of expenditure projects and served to reduce the need for further tax increases at the time. Under the terms of the current licence for the national lottery, which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Lottery Licence Sale (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: There is a regulator in place to oversee the operation of the licence and other matters. The Deputy is correct that the regulator of the national lottery did write to Deputy Pearse Doherty stating that under the terms of the agreement it is not in a position to release the information to the Deputy because it is commercially sensitive. That said, a considerable amount of money is being made...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Lottery Licence Sale (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not aware of it. I will give the Deputy the full context of the letter. It says that this information is the licensee's confidential information and, therefore, under the clause of the licence it cannot be disclosed by the regulator.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Retirements (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, on 5 December the Government agreed that the compulsory retirement age of public servants recruited before 1 April 2004 would be increased to 70. This is the only group of public servants who currently have a compulsory retirement age of less than 70. Primary legislation is required for the change approved by Government to be implemented. The Government has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As part of the negotiations last year leading to the public service stability agreement all parties acknowledged "issues of concern relating to the increased length of salary scale for post 2011” new entrants and committed to examining these issues within 12 months of the commencement of the agreement. In general the issues of concern relate to the insertion of two lower salary...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: On overall public service pay, we are discussing an agreement, which, as of the start of this week, all unions and representative bodies are now party to or associated with. The Deputy has raised concerns with me regarding public service pay but I would suggest to the House that we now have an agreement in place that over the next three years looks to increase public service pay by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Funding (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Ireland has been allocated €1.2 billion (in current prices) in Structural Funds for the period 2014 - 2020,  which involves the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). This is comprised of: - €411 million for the two ERDF co-funded Regional Programmes, under the aegis of my Department, and delivered through...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan Data (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I should first explain that my role is with respect to determining the national capital expenditure envelope, its allocation at the overall sectoral level and to support Departments with a framework that ensures resources are allocated efficiently. I do not have a role in respect of applications or proposals for individual projects at county level. The ten-year National Development Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As I indicated in response to Priority PQ No 13699/18 from Deputy Calleary earlier, the Government agreed in December, that the compulsory retirement age of public servants recruited before 1 April 2004 would be increased to age 70.  This is the only group of public servants who currently have a compulsory retirement age of less than 70.  The decision arose on foot of a review...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Government Procurement (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for developing and setting out the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Card (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The recent concerns raised in relation to the Public Services Card have been comprehensively addressed through the provision of communications and guidance to clarify exactly what data the card contains, what it is used for, and its legal basis.  The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, assisted by my Department, published a "Comprehensive Guide To SAFE Registration...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Private Partnerships (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is an internationally recognised model to design, build, finance, operate and maintain public infrastructure. In accordance with international best practice, PPP contracts already typically include detailed provisions that apply in the event of the liquidation of a consortium member of the PPP company, or an entity under the contract, to protect the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Throughout the year, managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. There are measures in place to ensure that budgetary targets are being met.  Monthly expenditure profiles are published and the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored and reported on against these profiles on a monthly...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: A very substantial programme of work has been undertaken by my Department over the last year in relation to capital expenditure culminating in the publication of the National Development Plan (NDP) last month. The evidence-base and approach taken to the public capital investment plans in the NDP were strongly informed and guided by the assessment of key issues contained in:- - The Review...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 summarises the key findings and recommendations agreed as part of the recent PPP review - the detailed report of which will be published shortly. As noted in the NDP, PPPs have been very useful in the past in facilitating the delivery of important infrastructure projects. This was particularly the case when the Exchequer was seriously...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Severe Weather Events Expenditure (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In its role as the lead Government Department for the response to severe weather events, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has responsibility for coordinating any additional expenditure needs arising from the response. Funding estimates for the repair of relevant infrastructure is calculated by the relevant Departments in line with their sectoral...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Our Public Service 2020 is the new framework for reform and innovation in the public service which was launched in December 2017. This new phase of public service reform focuses on supporting sustainable, continuous progress across the public service. It aims to build a stronger public service and to deliver better quality services to the Irish public. Our Public Service 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Vacant Properties Data (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Commissioners of Public Works manage a large and diverse, property portfolio of over 2,500 properties on behalf of the State. Primarily these are commercial properties and range from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda stations, warehouses, etc. At present, the OPW owns or manages in the region of 96 properties (buildings) and 32 sites (land) – a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Public procurement is the acquisition, whether under formal contract or not, of works, goods and services by public bodies. National rules governing public procurement must comply with the relevant EU, WTO and national legal requirements and obligations. Under EU law, public contracts above a certain value must be advertised EU-wide and awarded to the most competitive tender in an open and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset let me say, as I have previously stated in this House on this matter, that the commitment, dedication and hard work of these organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector is very much appreciated. These organisations deliver a wide array of much needed support services at community level to a very varied range of users on a day to day basis throughout the year. The...