Results 21-40 of 137 for speaker:Tony McCormack

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I now turn to the issue of high-street retail, which is in serious decline. In towns like Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry and similar towns all over Ireland, we see more and more shops closing. Footfall is down, rent and staffing costs are up and the result is that once thriving town centres are slowly emptying out. This is visible, urgent and deeply worrying. The reality is that this cannot...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 16. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports being provided to SMEs to address rising costs and staffing challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 58. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures his Department is taking to support the economic rejuvenation of towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33030/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (19 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 155. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the means by which his Department is assisting businesses to plan for auto-enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (19 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 178. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the introduction of the automatic enrolment retirement savings system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32980/25]

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the witnesses for the opening statement. It is great to have the witnesses here. If we look at Europe, and the regulation and red tape we have, I hear from business and farming that we always seem to be the first country to implement whatever has been brought in, whereas other countries do not do so. I would like to know from the witnesses whether I am right in thinking that SMEs...

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank Mr. Verdon. It gives some comfort that the smaller companies are not involved. Companies with 1,000 or more employees have the wherewithal to be able to look after the reporting and put together processes and procedures for recording this information and passing it on. It is similar for companies with 500 employees or more. I am delighted for the SMEs which are below the cap, that...

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the witnesses. I might come back in with a couple of questions afterwards if we have time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (17 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 82. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on her Department’s work on the implementation of the UNCRPD. [32481/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (17 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I welcome the Department's leadership in advancing the national disability strategy. The shift towards to a whole-of-government approach embedding the UNCRPD into policy across Departments is critical to making rights real for people with disabilities. The move of disability policy from the Department of Health to the Minister of State's Department was a significant step towards a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (17 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I appreciate the update on the Department's engagement with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UNCRPD is not just about legal commitments; it is also about meaningful lived change for people with disabilities throughout the country. The first report in 2021 was an important step but real transparency and accountability come from continuous engagement with the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 87. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the implementation of pay increases for staff in the childcare sector. [32480/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: The capitation grant is no longer fit for purpose. I know it has been brought up in the House quite a lot, even earlier today, but I add my voice to that. I have met with the INTO and spoken to principals from Bracknagh National School, High Street National School in Belmont, Scoil Mhuire in Tullamore and the Offaly School of Special Education, to name but a few. Schools are under serious...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (12 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the proposed new school building for an educational facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29526/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Youth Services (12 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: 144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will prioritise Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, ETB, for new UBU projects in 2025, given its status as the lowest-funded ETB under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the urgent need for improved youth services in the region. [29525/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I am looking for the Taoiseach's support for a new school building at Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa in Clara, County Offaly. The existing school building is simply not fit for purpose. It is outdated, overcrowded and lacking in proper facilities. The school community, including teachers, parents and local residents, have been calling for a new building for years. There is a proposed site...

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (11 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the witnesses for the insightful look at this matter. Unfortunately, I had to go to the Dáil with some questions earlier, so I was not here for their statements. I did read them, however. I have a couple of questions. I will put them together. How can Irish companies, especially SMEs with limited resources, effectively identify and manage human rights or environmental risk...

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (11 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I will explain where I was going on that question. I was wondering how Irish companies can effectively identify and manage human rights and environmental risks deep within their supply chain. I am looking at smaller companies when I talk about that. It can be quite hard for them to be able to follow back where they got their inventory from. I refer, for example, to small parts for a...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Planning, Approving and Delivering Transport Infrastructure Projects: Discussion (11 Jun 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the witnesses for coming in and for their opening statements. Deputy Clendennen and I are from the constituency of Offaly. I will not say that Deputy Clendennen has jumped the gun, but he has jumped in before me on a couple of different issues. I will try to be as quick as possible. I cannot leave the N52 and the N80 alone. The N52 link road is important. I know we are being...