Results 3,621-3,640 of 4,723 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Business of Joint Committee (14 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I would welcome if that meeting could be arranged before Christmas. It is a big issue.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Resolutions (14 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the upcoming UN resolution on Observer State status for Palestine, which is likely to occur this month; and if he has discussed this resolution with other EU States. [50106/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Report of Pyrite Panel: Discussion with Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his comments and I know he accepts there is a real urgency involved. I hope we are putting real pressure on these organisations and that we will not have to wait two, three or four weeks. We should come to a solution as soon as possible. In all these negotiations, have we ruled out up-front Government funding? A levy will take a long time to be effective. Are the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Report of Pyrite Panel: Discussion with Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: As regards the time factor, will we be using emergency legislation? What way would that work?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: We are not attacking that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I said to the Minister that now-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: What about the money NAMA is supposed to have?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: That is fine but has the Minister sought to get the legislation changed to allow us access some of the money?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister and Minister of State for their presentations. The direction in which we are going with housing is a big disappointment. I question the economics of it because we are moving away from the delivery of social housing. I do not just mean building social housing but acquiring it in various areas at current prices which would be far more attractive than the costs involved...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I am coming to the question but I must outline the position first. As outlined by the Minister, we are spending approximately €635 million. A total of €135 million is spent on RAS. How much have we saved on it compared to the rental subsidy scheme in the past year? Is it planned to cut rental subsidy further? Landlords are refusing to co-operate and we are creating a new...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I have a few questions. The Minister referred to 2,000 NAMA properties but he recently referred to 3,800 units. Last Christmas, we were supposed to deliver 2,000 units. We delivered approximately 130.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: The recent figure is 3,800 units and we have identified approximately 1,200 of them for use. They should be used to take people off rental subsidy or the RAS. We should be trying to target the area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Is it true that NAMA is holding substantial funds of approximately €2 billion in cash? Apart from the assets it is holding, is it possible to put pressure on it to access funding? If the funding is just sitting there then it makes sense for us to chase it. What level of local government cuts will be introduced in the coming year? Reference was made to the amount previously. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: It makes sense to invest more money in local authorities for improvement works.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: It is important that houses are returned to a fit state. We must invest more in the area. If local authority houses are renovated, then it will ensure more money is available to local authorities from rent.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will direct that all unsuccessful applicants for social welfare payments be given their complete file including comments of deciding officers automatically, to aid in their appeals thereby avoiding the expense and inconvenience of having to go through the Freedom of Information procedure. [49854/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on any progress made and the nature of negotiations that she has had with energy and other suppliers with a view to receiving greater value under the household benefits package without cutting the scheme. [49855/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures she will take to resolve the issue where taxi drivers who are unable to work due to an injury for an extended period of time are asked to give up their car insurance and so lose their license in order to meet the requirements to be considered unable to work even if they present their meter print outs which prove they are not operating the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (13 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Health his plans for a health centre (details supplied) in Dublin 9 which has had a reduction in services recently causing many residents to fear there might be plans to close it [49726/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (8 Nov 2012)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Health if and when the signalled package of supports for children who contracted narcolepsy associated with the Pandemrix vaccine will be made available; the other measures that will be undertaken in this regard;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48963/12]