Latest news with #PublicExpenditure
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Patrick O'Donovan admonished for bringing ‘substantial' issues to Cabinet without telling colleagues
Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan was admonished by Department of Public Expenditure officials for bringing 'substantial expenditure' issues such as the failed Arts Council IT project to Cabinet without sharing details with colleagues in advance. A senior official in Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers's department complained that, under Government procedures, such important policy issues should be flagged and seen 'well before' these are considered by Ministers. Marianne Cassidy, an assistant secretary at the department, said this was the second time Mr O'Donovan brought a major item to Cabinet 'under the arm', meaning it was not shared in advance with other colleagues. The abandoned project, which led to more than €5.3 million being written off by the State , first came to light in February when Mr O'Donovan brought a memo on the matter to Cabinet. He was only weeks into his new role as a senior minister, and it soon emerged that his predecessor, Catherine Martin , was aware of the matter since summer last year. READ MORE The Department of Public Expenditure became aware of Mr O'Donovan's intention to bring the issue to Cabinet five days before this occurred. On Friday, February 7th, Ms Cassidy wrote to the Department of Culture to say her team understood Mr O'Donovan's memo 'will bring serious issues to the attention of Government'. She said the Department of Public Expenditure still had not seen the memo or been made aware of its detail, despite it appearing that these issues had been under consideration by the Department of Culture 'for a while'. 'As a result, it will not be possible to consider them and advise our Minister in relation to them,' said the letter, released under Freedom of Information laws. The letter noted Mr O'Donovan's proposal to spend €10 million bringing an NFL American football game to Croke Park in September had also gone to Cabinet that same week 'under the arm'. It said this practice 'makes it very difficult for this department, and indeed for Government generally, to thoroughly and properly consider issues and their implications, particularly regarding substantial expenditure implications and serious governance issues'. 'This Department should be allowed time, in compliance with government procedures, to properly scrutinise important policy issues ... well before they are table [sic] for consideration by Government,' it said. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer at the Department of Public Expenditure had been liaising with the Arts Council throughout the project. At one point, this office had raised concerns that a key person involved in the project seemed to have 'little to no relevant expertise in this particular area'. In a statement, Mr O'Donovan's department said in the case of the NFL and the Arts Council issues 'there were time pressures involved which required the issues to be brought to Government at short notice'. Codec, the international IT company, has confirmed to The Irish Times it is one of four contractors now facing legal action initiated by the Arts Council over the botched project , which led to €6.75 million being spent on a new grant processing system that never materialised. The firm has strongly rejected an Arts Council briefing paper, shared under Freedom of Information laws, that alleged Codec did 'substandard' work on the project and was 'difficult' to engage with. Codec, one of the main contractors, has defended its work on the project. It said it 'fully delivered' on the scope and deliverables and built a system that was 'high quality, fully functioning according to spec'. 'Codec denies that it has any liability to the Arts Council for any alleged losses which the Arts Council claims it may have suffered,' the company said. It said it has received a notice of intent from the Arts Council to commence arbitration and has confirmed its intention to participate. 'Despite several requests, the Arts Council has been unwilling to provide Codec with the report prepared by an auditor examining the project on its behalf,' it also said. An Arts Council spokeswoman said it has 'commenced proceedings against two companies and we are in pre-action stage with two further companies'.
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Council buy 20 homes in Ardee under Housing for All scheme
Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation, officially opened Louth County Council's new housing scheme at Quarry Court, John Street, Ardee on Friday, 6th June 2025. The scheme, consisting of 20 new A2-rated residential homes, was purchased by Louth County Council's Housing Delivery Section, utilising Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP) funding as part of the Government's Housing for All plan. Located at the junction of John Street and Stoney Lane, and close to Ardee town centre, the development was built by Currabeg Construction and consists of 11 three-bed houses and nine one-bed and two-bed apartments. The homes are all A2-rated and highly energy efficient, which will significantly reduce energy costs for residents. Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation, said: 'I am delighted to officially launch these 20 housing units in Ardee. Housing is the Government's top priority, and this project is a clear, demonstrable example and symbol of precisely what can be achieved when public and private work together in partnership to deliver state-of-the-art homes for people and families in our communities. I commend the Department of Housing, Louth County Council and all those involved in the delivery of this development.' Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: 'Louth County Council is leading the way nationally in terms of the quantity and quality of units that are being delivered across various schemes, including this fantastic turnkey development in the centre of Ardee. These apartments and houses will provide much-needed homes to the future residents. As Cathaoirleach, I have been very heartened by the dedication and hard work of our housing team in bringing projects like this to fruition, and I look forward to continuing significant housing delivery in the years ahead.' David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said: 'Under the Housing for All programme (2022–2026), Louth County Council is committed to delivering 1,323 social homes through a mix of direct-build projects, partnerships with Approved Housing Bodies, and Part V and turnkey acquisitions. We are also increasing the roll-out of Affordable Housing Schemes, and we are currently building a pipeline for future delivery. We are projecting delivery of more than 2,000 homes over the programme's duration, and at present, we have 440 homes under construction across eight sites. 'I wish to commend the developer, Seamus Rogers of Currabeg Construction, for delivering this high-quality housing scheme at a reasonable cost. These new A2-rated homes offer both comfort and energy efficiency, and we wish future residents every happiness in their new homes.' Funded by Local Democracy Scheme.
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Government urged to act on miscarriage leave after Foley support
Children's Minister Norma Foley has been accused of 'kicking the can' over paid leave after miscarriages, as she expressed support for the measure but said it was a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure. Currently, women are entitled to full maternity leave if they have a stillbirth or miscarriage after 24 weeks. Advertisement However, the Labour party said that many women and men are familiar with the devastation that results from an early miscarriage, adding that women have had to take annual leave to 'recover from the heartache and the physical effects of this experience'. It has brought forward a Reproductive Health Related Leave Bill, which would provide for any woman who suffers an early miscarriage to have paid time off to recover. In March, the UK government agreed to ensure bereavement leave covers miscarriage, after a 'gap in support' was identified for those who experience pregnancy loss. Asked if she would support paid leave for women who suffer miscarriages, Ms Foley said: 'Absolutely.' Advertisement However, the minister said it was not within her gift to grant. 'I absolutely would but I respect that a minister has to go to the [Department of Public Expenditure and Reform] in relation to that and that argument has to be brought out. The Fianna Fáil minister added: 'We are seeking, from a gender point of view, to give maximum opportunity to all, including women. 'So that's in terms of employment, in terms of their health, that's in terms of supporting them in every opportunity. Advertisement 'So obviously I would be very supportive of that but it would be a matter for another minister to get that one over the line, but I would be very supportive of it.' Labour TD Marie Sherlock. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Asked about Ms Foley's comments, Labour health spokeswoman Marie Sherlock said: 'The amount of can-kicking when it comes to providing what is ultimately compassionate leave for women in the workplace is unbelievable. 'Labour published a Bill to provide paid time off work to recover physically and emotionally from pregnancy loss. 'Rather than the Department of Children kicking it to the Department of Public Expenditure and so on, why can't Fine Gael and Fianna Fail just make good on their commitment to women to progress Labour's Bill?' Advertisement She said the previous Fine Gael and Fianna Fail Government commissioned a report in January last year which recommended the introduction of policies to provide time off work following pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. Ms Sherlock added: 'How much longer will they make women wait? 'Yes, offering paid miscarriage leave supports gender equity, but crucially, specifying miscarriage leave is an acknowledgment of this enormous loss that so many women experience. Ireland Convicted rapist who harassed three female journal... Read More 'It will reduce the silence around pregnancy loss and ensure that women have access to leave when it matters most. Advertisement 'Since the introduction of the Labour Party Bill, I have been inundated with women sharing their experience of loss. 'The majority of these cases are unexpected. It is a profoundly sad and devastating experience and it demands attention from this Government.'
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come
The Samoa Electoral Commission show votes being tallied during the general election in the capital city of Apia Photo: AFP or licensors Its official. Samoa's parliament will be dissolved next week and the country will have an early return to the polls. The confirmation comes after a dramatic day in Parliament on Monday, which saw the government's budget voted down at its first reading. In a live address today, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa confirmed the dissolution of Parliament. "Upon the adjournment of Parliament yesterday, I met with the Head of State and tendered my advice to dissolve Parliament," she said. Fiame said that advice was accepted, and the Head of State has confirmed that the official dissolution of Parliament will take place on Tuesday, 3 June. According to Samoa's constitution, an election must be held within three months of parliament being dissolved. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa in parliament on Tuesday. Photo: Samoa Government Fiame reassured the public that constitutional arrangements are in place to ensure the elections are held lawfully and smoothly. In the meantime, she said the government will operate in caretaker mode with oversight on public expenditure. "There are constitutional provisions governing the use of public funds by a caretaker government," she said. "Priority will be given to ensuring that the machinery of government continues to function." She also took a moment to thank the public for their prayers and support during this time. Despite the political instability, Fiame said Samoa's 63rd Independence Day celebrations will proceed as planned. The official program begins with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 1 June at 6pm at Muliwai Cathedral. This will be followed by a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, 2 June in front of the Government Building at Eleele Fou. The dissolution of Parliament brings to an end months of political instability which began in January.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Dublin TD Sinead Gibney replaced as Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson
The TD has been replaced by Senator Patricia Stephenson. Ms Gibney confirmed this morning that she is no longer the party's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs. She was appointed the party spokesperson for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Defence after the general election. However, she is now no longer the spokesperson for the brief. Party sources said TDs were reshuffled spokesperson positions as they were assigned committee roles in recent days. Asked at Leinster House today if it was true she was no longer Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ms Gibney confirmed: "Yes, and there will be a statement from the party." She would not answer questions on whether she is leaving the party. Social Democrats stand-in leader Cian O'Callaghan said today: "I'm not aware that she's cheesed off, or anything." He said Ms Gibney would have three other roles as spokesperson for the party, on Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Arts, Media, Communications and Culture; and on Defence. Asked if there was any reason she had been reshuffled out of Foreign Affairs, he said: "No. She has been excellent in the role." "We are readjusting our senior roles," Mr O'Callaghan said. Senator Patricia Stephenson was taking over the role and joining the Dáil Foreign Affairs committee "because of her background in peace-building." Gibney has been vocal on Gaza and last week would not rule out resigning form the party if Eoin Hayes was readmitted. Mr Hayes was suspended from the party pending an internal review, after it emerged he sold his shares in a US software company that supplies technology to the Israeli military following his election as a councillor last year. An internal review in February, which examined both the suspension of Mr Hayes and the party's candidate selection process, decided to uphold the indefinite suspension of the Dublin Bay South TD.
