Results 2,861-2,880 of 26,228 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 121, 139, 141 and 146 together. It is great to see so many Deputies here on this particular issue. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Housing for All sets out a suite of measures to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Significant progress is being made and I welcome the opportunity to mention...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Building Regulations (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The answer to both questions is "Yes". The most important thing here is to get this right. Deputy Ó Broin referred to the number of appeals. However, I point out that the An Bord Pleanála figures are of the order of approximately 15 to 25 appeals per year, and less than 1% of fire safety decisions are appealed. Generally, the level of appeals is low but I take the Deputy's point...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Section...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Section 16 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawful or contravene any other enactment. Typically, these may include electricity, gas or other utility charges. Will the Deputy provide the details of the specific case he raised to us? Typically, if a system has been in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the first point the Deputy raised, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is not in the Chamber-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: -----but I will take up with the Minister the issue the Deputy has raised about sex-for-rent exploitation. On the particular matter the Deputy raised regarding student accommodation, send the issue into us. We will follow up on it and look at it in our Department and at the RTB. If changes need to be made, we will make them, but the RTB is the body charged with this. I take the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Building Regulations (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Ó Broin. On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the building regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the reuse of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying, and rationalising fire safety requirements. This public consultation is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for his congratulatory comments and I thank him for raising this very important issue. The policy paper on water sector transformation, as published in 2021, set out the Government's vision for the development of water services in Ireland based on the full integration of water services under Uisce Éireann as a single national water services authority in public...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator has made clear points. He understands the issues at hand in Clonmel. I understand that my Department and I will make direct contact with Uisce Éireann to ask its officials to engage directly with the Senator, and councillors John Fitzgerald and Michael Murphy in Clonmel, on this particular issue. Ultimately, we all want to improve the quality of the water supply, which is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I will speak on CF overall and go into the details. Is the patient to whom she referred a woman?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: If we can do anything for that lady, I ask the Senator to provide me the details and I will follow up on it. I know many people who have CF. They are a group I admire. Many of them are highly successful. A member of my extended family who has CF is a credit to her parents and leading a very full life. I fully support the provision of any supports that are required in the context of CF....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I make the point to Senator Seery Kearney, soon to be Deputy Seery Kearney, that although it is regrettable that recruitment for a consultant respiratory and lung transplantation physician in the Mater hospital has been delayed, the HSE ODTI is working to recruit to the position as soon as possible. Once in place, this consultant physician will provide greater support to lung transplant...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Senator and I are colleagues in Limerick and I am fully aware of this issue. Senator Gavan will know that I, along with colleagues, have looked to highlight the issues at UHL with overcrowding. I intend to explain the difference and then I will deal with the more local, substantive...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I acknowledge the phenomenal work being done by front-line workers. I acknowledge the difficulties being experienced by patients who are presenting in UHL. Staff are doing their utmost. We have a capacity issue and we all accept that. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is fully aware. These are two different metrics. If someone presents to UHL, I would prefer for them to be in a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The Department of Health recognises the key role of pharmacy services in the community and the ongoing significant contribution made by the sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic. The potential role pharmacy services can play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator again for speaking on this topic. The Department of Health appreciates the expertise of pharmacists and the valuable contribution they make, both in working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals as part of a team and working independently. By leveraging their knowledge, they make a significant contribution that adds benefits to patient outcomes. I...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, each of which are 80% funded by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Donnelly might bring the specifics of the point he raised to me. I am not aware of it but we can look at it. We want people to be able to remain in their homes. That is certainly the intention. In response to Deputy Leddin, we are on track to have the legislation for a directly-elected mayor published in April. It is a priority for this Government, particularly for the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy for raising that point. He might give us the specifics of that case, but the point he makes is valid and is one we in the Department will look into under the tenant purchase scheme. He raises a point on which there appears to be an anomaly. He might bring forward the specific case so we can look at it in the context of the overall policy.