Results 441-460 of 1,076,666 for in 'Dáil debates' OR speaker:Paschal Donohoe in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 16. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the safeguards that are now in place to ensure large-scale public infrastructure contracts are completed on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Minister for taking this question. What safeguards are in place to ensure our large infrastructural projects come in on time and on budget? As we are about to embark on an ambitious national development plan review involving significant capital funding, it is timely that we set out the safeguards in place to reassure the public that we are managing the situation as effectively...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. My Department has implemented several safeguards and strategic frameworks to ensure that large-scale public infrastructure contracts are completed on time and within budget. The infrastructure guidelines published in 2023 set the key requirements for project governance over a project’s life cycle. The guidelines cover the evaluation of projects and their proper...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I recognise significant work has been done in this area. We are about to embark on the national development plan. The current plan involves €165 billion and there will be additionality on that, which is very welcome. We will be spending significant money on water infrastructure, energy, transport, health, housing and more. It is important we rebuild public trust in our management...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I agree. Much work has been done in recent years to embed international best practice into contract management. The wider point has to be acknowledged that if things become too risk averse and no decision is made, then we do not have any delivery and have a long list of hypothetical projects that are not delivered over time. We need a balanced discussion on delivery, in addition to that on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I accept the Minister's point on balancing the process. We cannot become too risk averse. I fully understand that. Delivery of large-scale infrastructural projects is critical but we have seen examples of large-scale projects that were 100% over budget. It is critical we do not repeat that. I sit on the Committee of Public Accounts and listened to the national children's hospital...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (17 Jul 2025)

Question No. 13 taken with Written Answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Cathal Crowe: 14. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of OPW drainage, flood protection and coastal erosion defence works that are planned to be undertaken in County Clare in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39855/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Cathal Crowe: I thank the Minister of State for taking this question. I would like to know what plans the OPW has for drainage, flood protection and coastal erosion defences in County Clare this year.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Kevin Moran: The OPW and Clare County Council have an extensive programme of flood risk management works across Clare during 2025. Clare County Council is currently leading the delivery of flood relief schemes in County Clare in the townlands of Springfield, Kilkee and Shannon, Bunratty and Kilrush. These schemes are funded by the OPW from the Government's €1.3 billion investment in flood...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Cathal Crowe: I thank the Minister of State. There is a lot of positive stuff happening in the county. I will bring the Minister of State back a bit to the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. Neither of us was around at that time but some guru decided that different watercourses would be divvied up between the Board of Works, now the OPW, and local authorities. The River Inagh in north Clare comes under the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Kevin Moran: I could not agree more. As the Deputy said, there is a lot of good and positive stuff happening in County Clare. The Department is working closely with the local authority on the local drainage scheme and it is supported by the Government, which is very important. I am looking closely at the issue the Deputy spoke about. I am looking at vegetation clearing, getting into the rivers and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Cathal Crowe: Before the Minister of State was appointed, his name was synonymous with communities fighting back against flooding. He has done stellar work in and out of politics on that. For many people in these areas, insurance is still impossible to get. The term "risk equalisation" is used when applying for health insurance. It means that all people of all ages pay a little bit of a premium so that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (17 Jul 2025)

Kevin Moran: I could not agree more with the Deputy on insurance. My job is to protect communities up and down the country. My officials and I hope to meet the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, on this. The Government is very much focused on this issue and we understand it. I get it, the same as the Deputy gets it. I get requests to write letters of comfort as well and I wonder what it is all about....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (17 Jul 2025)

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (17 Jul 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: 15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on his scoping exercise for the overpayment of civil servants and Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39499/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (17 Jul 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: My question relates to the scoping exercise the Minister and his Department are undertaking on the overpayment of pensions to civil servants and Ministers. What is the status of that, what has been identified to date and what can he tell us about it?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (17 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy said, she is referring to delay in addressing taxes due on retirement and anomalies in deductions of various pension contributions. A review in relation to Ministers who may have been impacted regarding contributions and additional superannuation contributions, ASCs, has been completed. Those identified are being contacted and engagement is ongoing. I understand from the...