Results 81-100 of 34,364 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Durkan for his ongoing interest in Castletown House and estate. He has raised this issue on a number of occasions in the House, representing the local community and the people affected by the situation. In October 2023, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy O'Donovan, initiated a working group to progress the reuniting of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Mairéad Farrell for raising this issue and offering the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. First of all, tá brón orm a rá nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge agam agus gur mhaith liom an cheist a fhreagairt as Béarla. With State funding in early learning and childcare at an all-time high, and set to reach €1.109 billion this...

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to respond. I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate and their constructive engagement on this legislation. First, I acknowledge the final point made by Deputy Alan Farrell in respect of what many would see as double taxation. People are taxed on the income that helped to contribute to their pension and then they are taxed again when they receive the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Senator Denis O'Donovan for raising this issue. It is obviously an issue which is close to his heart. He represents people in his area when he raises it here in the House. It is an issue that is cropping up in every county in Ireland. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister. The climate action plan and the national retrofit plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I listened carefully to what Senator O'Donovan said and I absolutely take on board the point he raised concerning the limited number of people who can provide BER certificates. This can cause a logjam. I will take this point back to the Minister and ask if additional people can be added to that list to ensure people's applications can be dealt with earlier. I think this is a fair point and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Senator for tabling this important matter for discussion here in the Seanad. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Catherine Martin, who cannot be with us. The Senator has a long and deep knowledge of the area. It is a matter he has been following for a lengthy period. That is why it is good to have a debate on the matter this morning.Internationally, in recent years,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: In recent times, this issue has become prominent in many other countries, many of which are developing and issuing national policies in this area. The Heritage Council is supporting the committee in its work. Other countries that have restitution committees include Australia, France, Germany and the Netherlands. We can deal with the panel involved in the UK to obtain advice on how it went...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is not isolated. Every Oireachtas Member has encountered a difficult case in his or her constituency regarding this matter. The issue raised by the Senator affects people all over Ireland. It is important to put that on the record so people listening will understand it is not just a local issue. Primary weekly social welfare payments from...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Senator for highlighting this particular case. The neighbour was only performing an act of charity and should not have been penalised for it. I do not know anything about the circumstances of the case. I can understand that the issue probably depends on how long the people were living there. I know that rent was not being charged but it would be important in the case to know...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: On behalf of the Minister I want to thank Senator Sherlock for raising this matter this morning. A priority of this Government is to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that necessary supports are provided to our schools to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs. It is important to remember that the vast majority of children with special...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I agree with the Senator's remarks on the feeder school. The child is attending a school that is not in his locality and when it comes to secondary school it becomes an issue. I am aware of that issue myself. Much of the focus in recent years has been on primary schools and the focus now needs to be on secondary schools as well because we have lots of children leaving primary school and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (7 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ireland is a long-standing and consistent supporter of the work of UNRWA, which is vital for the welfare of over 2 million people in Gaza. The work of the Agency in providing basic services to the population has never been more important than in the current appalling circumstances. The allegations that 12 members of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza may have been involved in the horrific...

International Court of Justice and Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: The situation in the Gaza Strip is deeply shocking and I echo the comments of the Tánaiste and Deputies here in this House in decrying the appalling conditions in which the people of Gaza are now living and the terrible loss of life. The Government's priorities are clear and consistent. It is clear that a durable ceasefire is needed immediately and that there needs to be a drastic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ireland's embassies and consulates undertake a wide range of diplomatic activities as part of their work to maintain Ireland's positive international profile and to support issues and initiatives which are of particular interest to us. In that context, Ireland's diplomatic network has been to the fore in efforts in recent years to raise awareness of St. Brigid's Day and to establish the day...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: 452. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of blind persons in receipt of the blind welfare allowance which is a means tested payment; the number of persons in receipt of less than €50, between €50 to €100, between €100 to €150; between €150 to €200 and over; if the means test for this payment...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Direct Provision System (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: 460. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in direct provision centres in County Laois as of 22 January 2022; the number of such centres; the location of such centres within the county; the number of persons in each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3767/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parliamentary Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: 482. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an answer to a Parliamentary Question (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4070/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: 542. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the current service in relation to the provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in a location (details supplied) for adults and separately for children; how many wholetime equivalent staff are providing this service; the number of people on the waiting list; the time of the longest waiting on the list; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Service Executive (30 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: 548. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the actions being taken by the HSE to protect its assets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4111/24]