Results 2,441-2,460 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The answer is "Yes, it does", and we will get the Deputy a written response. It is pretty straightforward. If the ground floor of a building is used for retail or as a shop and if the overhead has been vacant for more than two years, the overhead will qualify for Croí Cónaithe. It will not qualify for the higher grant of €50,000, given it will not qualify as derelict...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy raises a very important point. We want all local authorities to build under the affordable housing programme using the local authority affordable housing fund. We will encourage all local authorities, including that in Mayo, to put applications to the Department and we are very receptive of that. The original assessment was based on whether a second-hand house for sale within a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. This year, the Department of Education will spend in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of its budget, on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, I thank Senator Lombard for bringing up this important matter. For parents and everybody else, our children's education is probably the most critical thing in their lives. By way of overall summary, the schools get ICT funding and broadband funding. They are supposed to cater for the needs of the children in their school. There may be situations where it is not possible to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Welfare (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Boylan for affording me the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, on this matter. I acknowledge the effort and commitment of the animal welfare organisations involved in the care, welfare and re-homing of horses, which often operate in challenging and stressful circumstances. With regard to equine welfare, the Department of Agriculture, Food and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Welfare (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Boylan for raising this issue. She has pointed out in a cogent way the issue with section 38. I will follow up on section 38A and I will ask the Department again to follow up with the local authorities on this. There may be a specific reason for it. I find that in the main those working in this area in local authorities do their job in a very deliberate and compassionate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator has raised a very good point. I will take this debate on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin. The Senator has been in contact with the Minister, and obviously both the Minister and her officials will keep a very close eye on this debate. The role of the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I reiterate that Fáilte Ireland is recruiting an inclusive tourism manager to oversee the new Fáilte Ireland inclusivity programme. The key priorities of the role will include developing a medium- to long-term plan for Fáilte Ireland to support the development of an Irish tourism sector that is inclusive of all tourists...

Seanad: Naming of National Children's Hospital for Dr. Kathleen Lynn: Motion (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. There were 13 contributors, which shows the great interest in the national maternity hospital. I acknowledge the relatives of the 1916 Relatives Association. The people who were involved in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence were an amazing group. My grandmother was a member of Cumann na mBan. I come...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Whitmore. As I have stated, the National Ambulance Service is constantly monitoring its resources, with patient safety its key consideration. Areas identifying a need will be supported as new service resources are developed and become available. Arklow and Baltinglass will be considered in that regard. This is a matter I will bring back to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have committed to bringing the matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin. Obviously, Greece is a sovereign nation. However, it is a matter I will draw to the Minister's attention. I see the Deputy's genuine passion in this regard. On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I again thank Deputy Hourigan for her engagement on this matter....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, I thank Deputy Whitmore for the opportunity to update the House on the ambulance service in Arklow and elsewhere in County Wicklow. The National Ambulance Service, NAS operates a 24-7 response from Arklow ambulance base excluding, as Deputy Whitmore stated, Tuesdays, when there is no cover from the base between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service (24 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. I note the point she has raised. It was not the title of this Topical Issue matter. Nevertheless, I will make reference to it. The Deputy's request is that there be a follow-through with the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of Mr. Binder and his family. I will commit to taking the matter up with the Tánaiste and his office. What I will now discuss is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government is very committed to bringing vacant sites back into use for residential housing. I am taking a tour of all the local authorities. I have asked every single local authority to set up a specific vacant homes unit, which will deal with derelict and vacant sites. It will deal with the Croí Cónaithe scheme, which has proven to be hugely successful. There have been...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: This a matter in which the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, is taking a personal interest. He is aware of the particular issues the Deputy has raised and it is a matter I will take back to him. We very much value the work of the fire service and the retained fire service so it is a matter we are keeping under constant observation.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. We value the role of staff in all local authorities, especially those who are employed in the water services area. I will take up with both the LGMA and the CCMA the issue the Deputy raised, see exactly what the position is and get the facts of the case. Maybe we could have a discussion afterwards with regard to Tipperary specifically.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Deputy is probably aware, under the RAS scheme, it is the responsibility of the councils to keep people housed, even if a RAS tenancy has been terminated. That appears to contradict what the Deputy stated, so we might discuss further the details of the case. We want to keep people in their homes and certainly, as the Deputy is well aware, under RAS is up to the local authorities to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Department takes this matter very seriously. I read the reports in the media over the weekend. Additional resources have been provided. However, the Department will discuss with the National Building Control Office the matter of its additional resourcing requirements.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have given a commitment-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have given a commitment to take up the matter with them. I will discuss it with them in great depth. That is what is now required.