Results 1-20 of 25,249 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: State Properties (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for his comments. As stated, there has been engagement . We would like the community groups to come forward with more details on how they propose to use the building, and how they would fund any development and continued maintenance of the property. I ask that they contact our offices immediately in order that we can consider the matter again. The OPW wants assets to...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Flood Relief Schemes (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, I thank Senator Lombard for his comments and insights on this minor works relief application for Ring village submitted by Cork County Council to us in the Office of Public Works. I know the work to date that Senator Lombard has done on this in terms of campaigning for it with the local residents and obviously with his colleagues locally, Councillor John O'Sullivan and Mr. John...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: State Properties (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important matter today. By way of background, the Office of Public Works has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties nationally. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Flood Relief Schemes (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter today. At his invitation and that of Councillor John O'Sullivan and the local election candidate, John Michael Foley, I indeed visited Ring. I met with the residents. On the night in question, the sun was shining and it was, as Councillor O'Sullivan described it, the equivalent of the Italian Riviera. However, there is a very...

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join my colleague, the Cathaoirleach, in welcoming the Malaysian delegation, led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. bin Abdul, and the Malaysian ambassador to Ireland. I also welcome the former members of the Catalonian Parliament. They are all welcome to Ireland. As I told the Malaysian delegation, I hope the former members of the Catalonian Parliament get the...

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I acknowledge the eight contributors: Senators Dolan, Murphy, Boyhan, Chambers, Black, Kyne, Joe O'Reilly and Carrigy. The comments were very constructive. For me, this is about two aspects. It is about the people of Lough Funshinagh primarily and it is about the SAC of Lough Funshinagh. On a human level it is predicted that the water levels will be higher next winter than now. In...

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes. I am aware of what has happened to these people. Ultimately, however, it comes down to finding solutions we can implement. It is about ensuring that what we do does not put this longer term goal at risk. I understand people's frustrations, but I ask them to stick with us so we can work on this problem by adopting a whole-of-government approach involving the Taoiseach, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs. To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Office of Public works (OPW) was not involved in the provision of the new Patrickswell Community Centre, and did not provide funding for same. During the construction phase of the Community Centre, OPW staff provided advice to the community group’s design team, specifically regarding the boundary treatment to the rear of their development. The new Community Centre shares a boundary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Between 2002 and 2021, three separate flood relief schemes were designed and constructed in Ennis: the River Fergus (Ennis) Upper Certified Drainage Scheme, the River Fergus (Ennis) Lower Certified Drainage Scheme, and the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme. The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme represents the final of three flood defence schemes throughout the town. The Ennis...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Issues (25 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Ballincollig Weir, which is part of Ballincollig Regional Park, is in the ownership of Cork City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and City in June 2019. The Weir had apparently been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in extremely poor condition. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Erosion (25 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s National Flood Policy. To facilitate the progression of the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme, Wexford County Council has agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead this scheme, and both parties are committed through its Project Steering Group to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I undertake to work with the Deputy to see who is responsible. I am not sure if the OPW is involved. The Deputy wants a resolution and I will work with him in that regard. We may have some involvement but regardless of that, I will work with the Deputy on behalf of the Taoiseach and Government to find a resolution.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: As Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, I was very keen to take this Commencement matter myself. I have been in this role for a relatively short period, but I know this subject is of huge importance to the Senator. Progress has been made and I would like to update him on it today. I thank him for raising this important matter and I am pleased to provide an update. I know he...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I give that assurance. The mechanism may be that we will update the Department of Transport, which will update the Coast Guard because that is the line Department. I hope the Coast Guard in Courtown is listening to today's debate. The next step requires completion of a due diligence acquisition for the preferred site. Once a suitable site is acquired the OPW will assign a project team to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join with others in welcoming the múinteoirí and their students. It is great to see them. They are wearing their school colours.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: OPW are currently undertaking the building of a Divisional Headquarters on behalf of An Garda Síochána (AGS) at Gurteenroe, Macroom, Co Cork The accommodation is provided in a 2, 3 & 4 storey building around a secure courtyard with adjacent secure car parking on a green field site. The OPW are preparing tender documentation for Site Works and the Main Contractor and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will say two things about dealing with this. It is about protecting homes and also, as Deputy Kerrane referenced, the SAC which is currently being seriously damaged because of the levels of the lake. My main focus here is the people who are living around Lough Funshinagh. I have met them and seen what they are going through. It is all about finding a solution and I accept we all know...