Results 3,341-3,360 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 1568. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline of payments to farmers across all agri-schemes under the remit of his Department for 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/23]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 1569. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of the areas of natural constraints scheme will be made to applicants in 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13392/23]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 1570. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of the basic income support for sustainability will be made to applicants in 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as its predecessor the basic payment scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13393/23]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: I fully accept that the area is complex, and I have stated as much in discussions with Ministers over the past two days. Nevertheless, a danger exists, as was highlighted in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. Somebody who is holding themselves out as having a qualification can give a written report that can be used in planning out the programme of care for a young person or child, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: The need for a discussion on the regulation of psychologists was precipitated by an RTÉ programme by Barry O'Kelly in recent days which raised serious concerns about what is occurring. There is no regulation or State registration. We set up CORU in 2007 for the regulation of healthcare providers and, unfortunately, psychologists do not at present come in under its remit. Clear...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Next week is national brain awareness week. I take this opportunity to raise need for neurorehabilitation facilities in the nine community healthcare organisation, CHO, areas. My understanding is that funding for this year has been set aside for the facilities in CHOs 2 and 4. When will the programme in this regard be rolled out in those two areas? When will neurorehabilitation teams be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 11. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the latest developments regarding ACRES applications to date; when it is envisaged that ACRES applicants will be informed as to whether they have been accepted for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11237/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Will the Minister of State provide an update on the latest developments regarding ACRES applicants? When is it envisaged ACRES applicants will be informed as to whether they have been accepted into the scheme?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: In respect of payments to issue in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Minister of State referred to set periods. After the initial payment, for what kind of period will farmers be required to deal with the scheme?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: In regard to the set period, that engagement will continue after the fourth quarter of this year. What kind of plan does the Department have for continuing that process after the fourth quarter?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: My apologies for not being at the earlier presentation; I had a question in the Dáil. On the retrofitting of houses, where someone who is in a semi-detached house has applied, is any mechanism in place - it is easy to do two houses together, especially semi-detached - whereby there is engagement with the adjoining property owner?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: I am talking about, for instance, a particular area in Cork where houses were built with cavity blocks, not cavity walls, so it is not an ideal situation. I have seen houses where the outside layer has been put in place and homeowners have got full SEAI grants but I was intrigued that there was no engagement with the adjoining property owner. It would have been easier to do two houses...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: It would actually work out cheaper for everyone in real terms to do two adjoining houses together. I wonder whether that issue might be considered, especially where external wraparound of houses is occurring. In fairness, the SEAI has been supportive of the type of houses where if the internal work is done, it does not work out perfectly, whereas the wraparound does.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: I will move on to another issue. The SEAI stated it supported 2,500 businesses in their energy transition. Will Dr. Byrne outline what level of supports the SEAI is talking about? What kind of employee numbers are involved in those companies? Out of the 2,500, are we talking about very small operations or big companies? A figure of 2,500 does not give us an idea of what the SEAI is...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Could a lot more be done on that? Many businesses are not aware of what could be done. Could we be more proactive on that? We are talking about a huge use of energy in offices and manufacturing facilities, and trying to improve the use of energy and getting value for money at the same time.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: That is correct.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Moving on from private businesses, what about the area of Departments and State enterprises as regards the efficient use of energy? We are doing very little within the public system. It is fine for new buildings but there has been very little movement regarding existing buildings, which are either owned or rented by State companies or Departments.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Leinster House is a typical example of the greatest waste of energy of all time. It is the most inefficient place as regards the use of energy.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: They should not be relying on the SEAI, but do we need to get a message out there in order for that to happen? Taxpayers' money is being spent in meeting the cost of that energy. Are we getting value for money? Could we be doing a lot more in a far faster timescale?