Parliamentary questions

Public Expenditure Statistics

Bernard Durkan

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to discussions with the Troika and/or his EU colleagues, the extent to which it is recognised that the achievements made by his Department and the Irish people are in line with expectations and have substantially impacted on the restructuring budgetary measures required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/13]

National Monuments

Bernard Durkan

89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he or his Department is aware of the number and location of historical or heritage sites which are open to the public or are likely to become open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13365/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which cost cutting targets set by his predecessors in the context of the memorandum of understanding have been met to date; if in the course of the review of the Croke Park agreement, cognisance will be taken of previous cost-cutting throughout the sector in order to ensure fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10348/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

29. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of cost-cutting exercises throughout the public sector, he has identified any particular Government Departments or bodies under their aegis, State or semi-State, which have performed better than others in terms of meeting targets; if particular cognisance is likely to be taken of the issues in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10349/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Bernard Durkan

151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the context of cost-cutting throughout the public sector arising from the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessors, it is possible to take account of those public sector employees who are currently working the longest hours and in some situations under stressful conditions and currently under review in the context of the Croke Park agreement; if cognisance will be taken of the particular needs of such public servants in front-line services with a view to ensuring the continuity of the service in so far as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10708/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Bernard Durkan

152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of cost-cutting measures arising from the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessors, he and his Department will endeavour to maintain the integrity of frontline services throughout the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10710/13]

Departmental Staff Retirements

Bernard Durkan

153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons that have left the public service in each of the past five years to date either by way of natural retirement or redundancy; the extent to which the national pay bill has been affected as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10711/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which public expenditure has been reduced by each Department in each of the past five years to date; the degree to which identified targets continued to be met in this regard; his projections for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if she will indicate by each Department, the extent to which costs have been reduced under the separate headings of public expenditure reduction and-or public sector reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10713/13]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Bernard Durkan

156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Government Department or bodies under their aegis that have shown the least progress in terms of public sector reform in the past five years; the way this compares with those Departments that have achieved most in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10714/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which savings have been achieved by each Government Department and relevant State or semi-State bodies under their aegis; the degree to which this meets any targets set; the extent of any revision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10715/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any particular Government Department and their respective bodies under their aegis are expected to improve their performance in respect of savings, cost-cutting or reform targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of the on-going need to reduce costs in line with the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessors, he sees the need to incentivise the achievement of such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/13]

Sale of State Assets

Bernard Durkan

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the sale of State assets is proposed as a means of achieving budgetary targets in the coming year; if any such sales will have due regard for the need to preserve the integrity of the respective sectors in the national interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10718/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total extent of savings achieved to date in the past five years through the elimination of waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which insurance and procurement costs can be adjusted with a view to the maximisation of benefit and budgetary reduction for the benefit of the Exchequer over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10720/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Bernard Durkan

163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified any issues which have culminated in cost overruns in each Government Department and or their subordinate bodies and or agencies in each of the past four years to date; the action required to address any such issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10721/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to meet his budgetary targets in 2013 having regard to progress made to date and the options available to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3056/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has compared the performance of the various Government Departments and or bodies under their aegis in their respective endeavours towards public expenditure reduction; if he has identified any particular Department and or sectors capable of greater effort in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3294/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he has identified the Departments and or bodies under their aegis throughout the public sector that have so far contributed most towards meeting the budgetary targets set in the Memorandum of Understanding; if cognisance is likely to be taken of their efforts in this regard in current and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3295/13]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which pay and conditions in the public sector here have reformed in line with our EU, Eurozone and non-Eurozone partner; the extent to which cost of living comparisons have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3297/13]

Public Sector Staff Data

Bernard Durkan

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the numbers employed throughout the public sector in respect of each Government Department and bodies under their aegis have been reduced in each year to date since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3298/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the targets in respect of public expenditure reform and or the elimination of waste and duplication throughout the public service have been achieved in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3299/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reforms throughout the public service have contributed to cost reductions in each of the past two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3300/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which pay cuts, reform and the elimination of waste have each contributed to cost-cutting required in accordance with necessary economies arising from the economic situation inherited from his predecessors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3301/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the various reforms, savings and cost-cutting undertaken to date are in accord with the expectations and approval of the Troika; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3302/13]

Public Sector Staff Data

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that staff reductions brought about by compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by his predecessors with particular reference to sensitive frontline public services are not likely to damage the integrity and efficacy of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3303/13]

State Indemnity

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified various forms of insurance cover affecting the State and or its institutions as a means of achieving savings to the Exchequer; the extent to which group insurance policies can be utilised for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3304/13]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the factors featuring most prominently as being obstacles in his efforts to achieve savings throughout various Government Departments and their respective subordinate bodies or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3305/13]

Public Procurement Contracts Tenders

Bernard Durkan

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action that will be taken to ensure that subcontractors are paid in respect of State contracts when the main contractor is being paid but the subcontractor is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52088/12]

Public Sector Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department can oversee and address any impact of staff reductions on the quality and delivery of service in key areas of the public sector with particular reference to the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51910/12]

Insurance Costs

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department has examined the insurance costs, public liability or otherwise affecting the areas of responsibility governed by various Government Departments and their respective subsidiary bodies and agencies, with a view to achieving maximum benefit to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51912/12]

Drainage Schemes Status

Bernard Durkan

290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of works arising from the Boyne Valley draining scheme, he will investigate the possibility of providing a safe and reliable access to a farm in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51602/12]

Public Sector Staff Increment Payments

Bernard Durkan

391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings accruing to the Exchequer from payroll charges from weekly to fortnightly and from biweekly to monthly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47975/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his programme of savings throughout the public sector to date remains on target with particular reference to the dual and sometimes conflicting needs to cut expenditure and maintain services; if he will set out those areas which to date have achieved the best results in this regard; the areas and or sectors which require further attention; if he remains satisfied that the twin objectives of reducing public expenditure in line with budgetary and Troika requirements as entered into by his predecessors and the need to maintain frontline services continue to be achievable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43386/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his targets in terms of savings for each Government Department and any subordinate bodies thereunder for the coming year; the degree to which he expects these targets to be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43772/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has in mind particular or specific proposals to incentivise reform and the making of savings in the context of the achievement of various savings targets applicable for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43773/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will be in a position to reward by way of other concessions particular Government Departments or subordinate bodies that have achieved savings or reforms resulting in savings on or in excess of target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43774/12]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Bernard Durkan

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has by way of natural retirement achieved savings and or staff reductions required to meet targets set in the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by his predecessors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43775/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the Departments, bodies or agencies that have achieved the least progress in achieving the targets set and agreed by his predecessors in the Memorandum of Understanding; the extent to which he may be in a position to offer incentives in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43776/12]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Bernard Durkan

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the working of extra hours has been used as a means to achieve savings through reform throughout the State and semi-State sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43777/12]

Sale of State Assets

Bernard Durkan

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the sale of State assets is proposed as a means of achieving budgetary targets in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43778/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the elimination of waste has been achieved throughout the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43779/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out those Departments, bodies or agencies that have incurred cost overruns in the current year to date in 2012; the extent to which he expects to be able to encourage such Departments to operate within budget in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43780/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which insurance and procurement costs will be adjusted in order to maximise benefit to the Exchequer in the context of budgetary savings required in the coming year; the extent of the achievement in these areas in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43781/12]

Upward Only Rent Reviews

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which tenants of State owned property have requested rent reviews that may be affected by upward only revision; the number of such cases if known; the extent to which it might be intended to address the issue in view of the on-going difficulties experiences by commercial or retailing sectors; if a particular ameliorating solution has been found in such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41851/12]