Results 2,041-2,060 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (10 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Cappagh hospital is located not far from where I live and it has been an iconic facility for many years. Undoubtedly, there is an urgent need to address these waiting lists, as well as the under-staffing. Although the Minister of State said the staffing levels did not change much, there was a 40% increase in demand last year. In addition, a number of people are due to retire in the coming...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (10 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Cappagh hospital is a fantastic facility, with the best of staff, including nurses and surgeons. People who have availed of its services have nothing but praise for it, although there has been a 40% increase in the number of patients, coupled with a reduction in funding because of recent budgets, as well as a cessation of the funding from the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Increased...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Pyrite Remediation Programme: Pyrite Resolution Board (10 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Mr. O'Connor and his staff for their presentations. As Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing I have been monitoring and working with the PRB since its establishment. Why do we accept only certain areas or counties are affected? There are issues also in Louth and Donegal but we have specified certain areas. I find that unusual and the Minister has included other areas in Rathdown...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments (10 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 585. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that the current rates of housing assistance payment are below market rent in many areas, the action he is taking to ensure that those on the housing assistance payment are not forced to top-up the payment to meet their housing need. [5909/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Project Funding (10 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 631. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is funding available, this year, for communities to attract tourism from the Irish diaspora; if so, the amount which will be available; the way it will be allocated; and the criteria required by applicants. [5836/15]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: To refer briefly to section 9, this refers to pension rights, redundancies, unfair dismissals and so forth.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: My query is about the loss of staff. I understand there will be no loss of staff in this merger.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There are no massive numbers; there is only a small number involved.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: While I understand what the Minister is saying, what protections has a third party who may be affected? An Bord Pleanála is going to engage with the NRA on whatever project it is. The Minister is saying that An Bord Pleanála will have to record all this and note it carefully. There is a danger that An Bord Pleanála would be accused of interference. We need to be very...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 274. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-introduce the scheme whereby older persons could give up their home to a local authority in order to be placed in housing for the elderly; and his plans for similar schemes to free up local authority or private housing while supporting care for older persons. [5318/15]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I do not have any questions.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I have a question about the PSO subventions. The Minister stated that he will maintain them at the same level. I ask if he can ensure this can be achieved. It is a vital service.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: In respect of the national sports campus in Abbotstown, will the national indoor arena be completed or is there sufficient funding only to continue with the work? Has there been a drop in the sports capital funding? How is the funding of local clubs distributed? The Minister made an announcement on the drinks industry sponsorship of sport. I think the decision was sensible in light of a...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: We are continuing to apply 9% VAT rate to hospitality services. That has been a great initiative in terms of creating employment and the catering industry has benefitted. The number of tourists coming to the country has increased dramatically. Now that we are coming toward 2016, I would like to see more emphasis on the preparation for some of the event that will take place. We need to...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for attending and the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. By definition, tenants are not the owners of a property. They may have rights in a property, but these are limited and only for the period of their tenancy and with the agreement of their landlord. They are far less powerful in this regard than those who own their homes, ignoring the fact that...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is important to realise that the local property tax has only been frozen until 2016 and that after that date, we will see a huge jump in the charge across the country. This will affect everyone but, in particular, the least well-off in society, local authority tenants. It is not good enough to say it is at the discretion of local authorities as to whether the charge should be imposed....

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Deputy knows the truth. Labour Party councillors voted against the proposed 15% reduction.

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The programme for Government promised additional resources for mental health services. It also contained a commitment to undertake a full review of the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change. However, this appears to have been taken off the agenda. Almost 1,000 nurses will leave the health service this year, including a substantial number in the mental health service. The Government...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I will do that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There has been a huge increase in rail passenger numbers, with great potential for further increases. However, rail services are lacking in several parts of the country. For example, in the north east the rail system is practically non-existent. In regard to connectivity in our main cities, I hope that the Minister shares my vision regarding the need for rail connectivity between Dublin,...