Results 2,701-2,720 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (15 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Chambers for the opportunity to address this issue. I would first like to outline the Minister for Transport's belief in the potential of rail. The Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and the rail network plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. As the Senator is aware, the Department of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (15 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator's first question was about the approval process. As I said, a draft report is being finalised. The Minister expects to receive that within the next month. The draft report will be submitted to the Ministers for approval, as well as the Irish Government. The necessary approvals, based on what has been provided to me today, would be from both Executives, that is, the Government...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Staff (15 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it affords me the opportunity to outline the position with regard to teacher redeployment schemes operating in post-primary schools. I am responding to the matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. I note the points the Senator has raised about redeployment. I will bring those back to the Minister and will highlight the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Staff (15 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Cummins again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the position on the different redeployment schemes operating in the post-primary sector and how the voluntary transfer scheme helps to deliver on the important objective of successfully redeploying surplus post-primary teachers to where they are needed most. I note the point he has made in respect of the...

Emergency Housing Measures: Motion [Private Members] (9 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have listened to the entire debate, though I was not here physically for it all. Many constructive points were made. I may not agree with them all but they had merit. Before I go through the script, I will deal with a number of points raised. Deputy Bacik and Labour referred to HAP. “Tenant in situ” is a term used by Dublin City Council. In layman’s terms, it is...

Council Development Levies: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the members of the Independent Group for bringing forward the motion. We have heard from Deputies Collins and Connolly and no doubt we will hear from others. It is clear from this motion it is in everyone's interest that proper planning and development ensures community services and infrastructure are funded, if and when such new developments arise. We all agree on that.

Council Development Levies: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will arrange for that. The Government shares that interest and, therefore, will not oppose the motion. I will share with Deputies an outline of the existing measures in place in addition to those further proposed measures that are in line with the spirit of the motion, namely, that the uplift in funding derived from new developments benefits those affected communities. The Government...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue. In accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, local authorities are legally responsible for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. They also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the specific issue raised by the Deputy, Dublin City Council has received State funding. In respect of the energy efficiency schemes in phase 1, with funding from my Department, it saw 8,057 housing units upgraded with cavity walls and attic insulation. In phase 2, a further 1,110 units had their facades wrapped and windows upgraded. Some 80% of the council housing had been upgraded by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: When was the letter sent?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Representation Allowance (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: This is my second visit.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Representation Allowance (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: This visit is just as important.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Representation Allowance (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Acting Chairperson for his words of welcome. As a former Member of this House I am always glad to come back here for its excellent debates on various topics. I thank Senator Davitt for raising this matter. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to come before the House today to speak about the important issue of councillors' security. Local government plays an...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Representation Allowance (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Just directions.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Representation Allowance (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: To give clarity to the Senator, under the current directions, statutory instruments and guidance issued last September, councillors are entitled to get the full cost of an installation of a CCTV camera system in their home. They are entitled to 20% of the annual running cost thereafter. I take on board the Senator’s point. They will be issued with revised directions for expenses of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Development (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Boyhan very much for raising this matter. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040 and was established to support more compact and sustainable development through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland's five cities and other large towns. The Senator noted that is based on populations exceeding 10,000. The fund...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Development (31 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As I said, many of these projects are now coming to fruition. The Senator will see much more of that €1.5 billion in funding being drawn down. As I outlined earlier, a key action in supporting the Government's vacant homes action plan is the third round of URDF support, which will be specifically designed to address long-term vacancy and dereliction across our URDF cities and towns...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (26 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I think that covers the range of issues that were brought up. This is a great scheme. We want this scheme to work. We want to work in tandem with local authorities. The Deputies, as public representatives on the ground, are a key element of this. If there are any tweaks that are required to the scheme, funding is not an issue here. We want take-up. The town centre first policy is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (26 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: No, applications.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (26 Jan 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Going through the questions in the order raised, in response to Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, the Croí Cónaithe scheme only came in for the cities in November. Certainly, we are only looking at the period to the end of December and it is a short timescale in terms of Cork city. I refer to the vacant homes officers. Deputy Stanton raised it as well. If Cork county, Cork city...