Parliamentary questions

Public Sector Pay

Ruth Coppinger

194. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the need to increase public sector pay, following discussions with public sector workers and their unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18227/15]

Office of Public Works Projects

David Stanton

196. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made to date by the Office of Public Works in forming partnerships with local heritage and community groups, since the announcement of the initiative in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17538/15]

Semi-State Bodies Dividends

Seán Fleming

197. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policy that applies in respect of dividends from commercial semi-State companies; his plans to review this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18237/15]

Departmental Offices

Brian Stanley

198. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide permanent office accommodation for staff in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Social Protection, who are now located in Portlaoise, County Laois, as part of decentralisation. [18128/15]

Pension Levy

Ruth Coppinger

199. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on abolishing the pension levy for public sector workers. [18228/15]

Economic Growth

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that targets in respect of savings and public expenditure reform will continue to be met in the context of economic recovery; if he has identified particular areas of conflict in this regard; if he remains satisfied that economic recovery and retention of public expenditure objectives are not mutually exclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18190/15]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Bernard Durkan

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the availability of adequate critical infrastructure, such as road, rail, air and sea transport; the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the availability of such facilities and plans for the future accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/15]

Economic Policy

Thomas Pringle

204. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the spring economic statements 2015, the transparency measures that will be put in place to ensure that the national economic dialogue with civil society groups will be a fair and inclusive process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18127/15]

Cycling Facilities Funding

Jim Daly

205. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to make funding available to roll out a dedicated stream of funds for community groups to apply for the construction of greenways, similar to the sports capital grant but solely dedicated to greenways, noting their importance, popularity and contribution to people's health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/15]

NAMA Operations

Mary Lou McDonald

206. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will take the necessary steps to bring the National Asset Management Agency under the remit of the freedom of information legislation. [18245/15]

Departmental Properties

Brian Stanley

207. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to locate staff in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in either of two locations in Portlaoise, County Laois; and his Department's plans regarding the site purchased for a new Department building at Mountrath Road, County Laois. [18126/15]

Public Procurement Contracts

Seán Fleming

208. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will legislate for a social value clause in public procurement contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/15]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

209. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the reversal of pay cuts and an increase in pay will be discussed with the relevant trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18242/15]

Aer Lingus Sale

Clare Daly

210. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the fact that he is responsible for the sale of State assets, if he will provide an update on the discussions and the report of the interdepartmental group that is considering the potential International Airlines Group takeover of Aer Lingus. [18223/15]

Public Procurement Contracts

Mick Wallace

211. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 9 October 2014, if his Department has carried out further research to ensure that transparency and accountability were applied at all times in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18260/15]

Shared Services

Terence Flanagan

212. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the efficiencies being achieved in the Civil Service regarding the use of shared services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18125/15]

Public Service Reform Plan Measures

Denis Naughten

213. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mechanism in place to address cross-departmental barriers to reform, and saving of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/15]

Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations

Róisín Shortall

298. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Government's response to the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; if he will provide details of actions already taken and those proposed to be taken, and the timescale for same. [18135/15]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Olivia Mitchell

299. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of representations from a company (details supplied) in County Cork, his plans to allow for a revaluation of commercial property rates in the council areas of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18443/15]

Public Parks Access

Eric J. Byrne

300. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will arrange to have appropriate lighting installed in the car park and drive between the gates of the park and the boathouse of the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge in Dublin 8, to help ensure the personal safety of those who use the park when it is dark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/15]

Departmental Agencies

Michael Creed

301. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline progress made by the agency rationalisation programme; the number of agencies which have been merged or abolished since the Government came into office and the remaining issues to be addressed during the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18132/15]

Freedom of Information Remit

Micheál Martin

302. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government regarding extending the Freedom of Information Acts and the Ombudsman Acts to ensure that all statutory bodies are covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/15]

Departmental Records

Micheál Martin

303. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government to end the unacceptable practice of not keeping a record of ministerial involvement in an issue and the resulting decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12699/15]

Public Service Reform Plan Update

Micheál Martin

304. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he and his Department are implementing the Civil Service renewal plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15213/15]

Departmental Bodies

Maureen O'Sullivan

305. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of any boards or agencies presently unable to function because they do not have sufficient members appointed for a quorum; and if he has a role in rectifying that situation. [18196/15]

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme

Mick Wallace

306. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recent finding by the Global Competitiveness Report, which ranked Ireland's public infrastructure as thirteenth out of the EU-15, ahead of only Italy and Greece; if, in view of these findings, he is satisfied with the proposed 50:50 ratio of tax cuts to public services investment, as announced in the Spring Statement 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/15]

National Monuments

Mick Wallace

307. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department plans to allocate funding to Duncannon Fort, County Wexford, which recently closed due to funding issues and which is an important source of local revenue due to its historical significance to the area; if he has been in contact with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport or the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to possible actions to reopen Duncannon Fort, which has in the past been the recipient of public funding grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18129/15]

Parliamentary Party Allowances Expenditure

Alan Shatter

308. Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in detail, the sums paid in respect of each allowance to each non-party Independent Member of Dáil Éireann, since the general election held in 2011; and the annual sum in respect of each allowance so paid, including the Leader's allowance. [18274/15]

Public Sector Pensions Levy

Billy Kelleher

309. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the restoration of pensions for retired public servants is being considered by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18314/15]

State Bodies Abolition

Fergus O'Dowd

310. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within his Department, funded or established by his Department, which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18439/15]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Timmy Dooley

311. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will sanction funds for storm damage repair projects (details supplied) submitted by Clare County Council under the minor works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18488/15]

Public Procurement Contracts

Finian McGrath

312. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding tendering of Government contracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/15]

Government Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains confident that public expenditure and reform expectations remain in line with previously identified targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/15]

Government Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he may be in a position to facilitate the funding of strategic infrastructural requirements, in line with economic growth expectations in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/15]

Government Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which Government policy in respect of public expenditure and reform remains in line with original expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/15]

Haddington Road Agreement Implementation

Bernard Durkan

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all aspects of the Haddington Road and Croke Park agreements have been successfully complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18659/15]

Public Procurement Contracts Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which procurement has featured in a positive way, in the context of achieving savings, in the course of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18660/15]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Bernard Durkan

318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects recruitment throughout the public sector to take place in the course of the current year, with particular reference to areas currently experiencing pressure as a result of the embargo on public sector recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18661/15]

Public Procurement Regulations

Bernard Durkan

319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which suppliers of goods and services remain on a central mailing list for referral in the context of procurement, with the objective of achieving best results for the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18662/15]

Sale of State Assets

Bernard Durkan

320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full extent of the disposal of any State assets in the past ten years; the degree to which such disposals have been concluded; the benefit to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18663/15]

Government Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have identified various Departments, currently experiencing difficulty, remaining within expenditure guidelines; if he proposes any particular action in such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18664/15]

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Bernard Durkan

322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which voluntary retirements, ordinary retirement or redundancies throughout the public sector has impacted, particularly on the ability of some Departments to deliver their services; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to address this issue in the course of the current year, and thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18665/15]

Public Sector Reform Implementation

Bernard Durkan

323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform, as a component of economic strategy, continues to achieve savings in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/15]

Government Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which ongoing analysis takes place, throughout each Department and-or its subsidiary bodies, to identify where any adjustments may be possible to encourage economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18667/15]

Public Procurement Contracts

Brendan Griffin

75. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when competition for permits (details supplied) will be initiated; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17902/15]

Pensions Legislation

Seán Kyne

76. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans regarding the rescinding of measures in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, with particular reference to the impact of the legislation on pensions currently in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/15]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Billy Kelleher

77. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of applications for increases in remuneration for any person or persons received by his Department from public service employers since 1 January 2014; the details of the applications for increase, that is, the posts and levels of increase involved; whether the applications were approved; and if he will clearly indicate the number of these applications involving persons in agencies that were funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. [17975/15]

Public Sector Staff Increments

Eoghan Murphy

78. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the Exchequer of the payment of increments to all public sector staff under his remit per year since 2008. [18336/15]

Office of Public Works Projects

Seamus Healy

177. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the proposal by a former Minister (details supplied), whereby the Office of Public Works would take charge of the Bolton Library, Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17861/15]

Departmental Contracts Data

Pearse Doherty

178. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department. [17217/15]