Results 421-440 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Dessie Ellis: In today's housing crisis it is clear that many people, as things stand, will probably never be in a position to own their own home. House prices have risen so high that many people find it difficult even to put together a deposit. I hear regularly in my constituency office how a professional couple earning what would otherwise be regarded as good incomes are struggling even to get a...

Employment Support Services: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: The Government's proposal to consolidate the community-based local employment services into regional employment services will have a devastating impact on existing local services. In my constituency of Dublin North-West, local employment services are provided by the Ballymun Job Centre and similar services are also provided by the Dublin North West Area Partnership in Rosehill House in...

Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (25 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: The introduction of strategic housing developments was a cause of major concern and anger in the community. Local authorities have been bypassed in the planning process for large-scale developments of 100 or more units and also with large-scale student accommodation. This has led to a less than democratic decision making process in large-scale planning applications, with local residents...

Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: It is impossible to calculate the trauma experienced by those who resided in many of the mother and baby homes across the country. To understand the emotional, psychological and physical distress the survivors still experience is something that can only be comprehended by those who lived through the awful experience. We can only attempt to grasp their suffering by listening to their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Review of Traveller Inclusion Policy, Education and Health: Discussion (18 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his attendance. We have all seen the different sites and we will see more. We have been around for many years dealing with Travellers' issues. However, not very much seems to have changed. The standard at sites depends on the different local authorities. The lack of spending by the local authorities has been well highlighted. What actions is the Minister taking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Review of Traveller Inclusion Policy, Education and Health: Discussion (18 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: Regarding what the Minister said, monitoring is key to keeping on top of this. As we have seen over the years, when revisiting issues on Traveller sites innumerable times, especially regarding accommodation and education, there are issues when we take our foot off the pedal. I agree that we need to make sure we have robust monitoring. That is key to keeping an eye on the local authorities...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Review of Traveller Inclusion Policy, Education and Health: Discussion (18 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Ms Cregg and Dr. Doody for their presentation. I was curious about the work under way in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, arising from the audit of the curriculum, on Travellers' culture and history. Is there any scope in that for training for teachers, to teach them best practice in dealing with Travellers? Is that part of it? Many teachers are very well in...

National Ambulance Service: Motion [Private Members] (16 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: For some time now, our ambulance services have been under considerable strain. It is not unusual to receive complaints from people who have had to wait for long periods for an ambulance, even after calling the emergency numbers. People have to wait up to an hour or more for an ambulance to arrive. In some cases, on arriving at the hospital, an ambulance has to wait outside with the patient...

Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I introduced legislation similar to this on several occasions over the past five years to tackle the problem of illegal use of quads and scramblers. It was opposed by this and previous Governments supported by Fianna Fáil. On each occasion the Attorney General was indicated to have opposed it so what has happened since? How many deaths and injuries could have been avoided if the...

Nurses and Midwives: Motion [Private Members] (2 Nov 2021)

Dessie Ellis: Anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of having to spend time in a hospital or those who have a relative in a hospital will agree the one thing that stands out is the dedication and care that young student nurses give to all of their charges. The burden of work and responsibility that is laid on their shoulders is immense, and it should not be underestimated. They face huge...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Travellers' Experiences in Prison and Related Matters: Discussion (21 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for their contributions. I found them to be interesting. There is much food for thought. One of the big problems, based on the comments of Ms Joyce, is the follow-up services and having a proper case worker following this up. That applies whether it is in the prison itself, as people may not be engaging properly for different reasons, but especially when they get out. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Travellers' Experiences in Prison and Related Matters: Discussion (21 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the witnesses for the presentations, which give an insight into what is happening. I am curious about the training of staff in the Irish Prison Service, which was mentioned earlier. Do they get special training to deal with ethnic minorities such as Travellers? Is there a special training course or do staff undergo some sort of a process like that? There were some notable...

Rental Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: This Government had the opportunity to seriously tackle the crisis in renting in budget 2022. However, it chose not to do so. It is hard to imagine a Government would knowingly and willfully ignore the obvious plight of thousands across the country who are forced each week to put aside greater and greater percentages of their income as they struggle to pay ever-increasing rents. While the...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: The constituency of Dublin North-West, which I represent, is a diverse constituency with varying needs and requirements among the constituents. It has its share of social problems, yet with a sizeable population, Dublin North-West is one of the most under-resourced constituencies in the country. We have a growing young population in the constituency. With that comes a need for increased...

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. When was Cena established? I had a look at the summary map and there are approximately nine areas where Traveller housing is being built by Cena. I acknowledge the definition of Cena and that it is as an AHB. It is great that it is engaging and working with Travellers on the work that needs to be done. There is a problem regarding...

Childcare Services: Motion [Private Members] (5 Oct 2021)

Dessie Ellis: Good childcare is an essential cog in the social and economic structure of a country and is essential for a proper functioning society and economy. Proper childcare facilities allow parents to pursue employment, for example, with the knowledge that their child or children are being safely looked after. People need an income to pay for bills, rent, mortgage and healthcare etc. Without the...

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Dessie Ellis: The Housing for All policy was launched by the Government to a big fanfare. However, the policy would be better called "Housing for the few and not the many". Since the policy launch, people and independent experts have had a chance to examine the details of the proposals and concluded that those proposals are problematic and, in areas, do not add up. For example, Social Justice Ireland...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (21 Sep 2021)

Dessie Ellis: Dublin Airport is one of the few large airports in Europe without a direct rail link to the city centre and its suburbs. The metro north project has a history of promises made and broken with delay after delay in its construction start time. Millions of euro have already been spent on consultations, designs, compulsory purchase and so on. Any further delays will add substantially to the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (21 Sep 2021)

Dessie Ellis: I have taken into account everything the Minister of State has said in that we need the railway order and business case. These were all included to finish by 2027. The report we are getting is that MetroLink will go on until 2034. We have no clarity on that. The Minister of State has avoided the whole issue of telling us - I appreciate she is acting on behalf of the Minister - if there...