Today I expressed my concern at the widespread perception among civil servants that their work was not valued by the public. Responding to yesterday’s publication of the Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey, which found that just 15% of civil servants believed the public valued their work, and warned that this could have a “corrosive effect” on staff morale and public service delivery.
The closure of Stepaside Garda station – one of 139 stations to close on foot of An Garda Síochána’s 2013 policing review – was regrettable.
Speaking at the launch of the 2016 Better Energy Communities grant scheme, which will distribute €20 million to community-based energy efficiency projects this year, I outlined that better-than-expected public finances will allow the Government to review its capital plan earlier than the proposed 2017. Large-scale capital investment is essential in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green transport.
I visited St John of God in Stillorgan last week (Friday 8th January) to congratulate staff and management on their energy efficiency programme, which cut the hospital’s energy bills by almost a fifth last year.
Today (Tuesday 22 December) I formally opened the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband nationwide by 2020 - this is a defining moment for our citizens, the telecommunications sector, and for our economy, which marks the beginning of the largest and most significant broadband intervention ever in Ireland.
16/12/2023 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Minister for Energy, Alex White TD at the launch of the Energy White Paper in Dublin’s Mansion House. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
I welcome today’s announcement that Leopardstown-based SSE is to become the first large business in Ireland to become a ‘living wage’ employer. From New Year’s Day, the energy utility will guarantee to pay all its employees at least €11.50 an hour.
Recently I met with Helen and Des Fox in Broadford, Ballinteer. Their participation in the Better Energy Homes scheme allowed them to undertake energy efficiency improvements
I campaigned against the eighth amendment to the constitution in 1983, and I look forward to the day it is repealed.
