Results 6,161-6,180 of 6,565 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It has already been said that we have outdated income levels. We need this review. We need to ensure we have reasonable income levels. We have people who are caught in the middle and they are suffering. We need affordable cost-rental, affordable mortgages and council houses. We need to take into account not only income levels but also that people have increased costs. I am talking...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I am somewhat surprised and glad. It is much appreciated. It has already been said that there are eligibility issues. The income levels simply do not cut it. In fairness, it has been said in the House that people may find themselves in situations where the family income supplement or something else puts them a little above the criteria. We need to have some element of flexibility. I...

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It has already been said by many that our numbers are still too high. We have had the terrible news of six more deaths in the past 24 hours, which means there have been 2,028 deaths during this entire period. It is an absolute tragedy for a huge number of families. There is a severe impact on our lives and our economy. We all have to do what we can to bring the numbers down, particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the driving theory test backlog will be managed with reference to the experience of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38129/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in primary school mainstream classes in County Louth that have ASD and associated needs in which there is no ASD special class provision in their school. [38144/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (24 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in primary school mainstream classes in County Louth who have ASD and associated needs in which there is no ASD special class provision in their school and would require access to ASD special class in post primary school. [38145/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response Final Report: Motion (19 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have said a number of times here that Covid has been absolutely dreadful. In addition, it has shown up certain weaknesses in society, particularly in the areas of healthcare and housing. It has put a strain on a system that was already strained. I thank Deputy McNamara, the secretariat of the committee and all the members, including some of my Sinn Féin colleagues. The committee...

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (19 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I wish the Ministers well in this necessary Department, which all of us want to see do very well. A number of Members have already spoken about the fact that we have some staffing issues in third level. A number of people would be on precarious contracts. That must be brought to a head from the point of view of sustainability and ensuring that people can put in all the effort and time they...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The Irish Dental Association stated within the past fortnight that 260 dentists had removed themselves from the scheme. It has already been said that the PPE issue was the straw that broke the camel's back. The DTSS is not working. A large number of medical card holders will not be able to avail of proper dental care. A review of the dental care system is required. I raised this matter...

Community Safety and Preventing Crime: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this matter. I welcome the earlier contributions of the two Ministers. All the right terminology was used, reflecting the requirement for a multi-agency response. They talked about the necessity for family supports. A synergy between all the stakeholders involved in community development and the justice system is needed. I welcome the discussion...

Rural and Community Development: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have already spoken to the Minister of State about supports for community centres. Obviously, I welcome the stabilisation fund for those that received a significant amount of funding from Pobal but we need to look at many of these facilities from the point of view of the money that will be lost in the context of the social economy. I know that work-arounds and solutions have been sought...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank the witnesses for their engagement. I wish to say that I might have to leave early. It will not necessarily be because I do not like their answers. It has already been stated that people see the necessity for harmonisation in pandemic supports, and in some cases want to see such harmonisation. Those supports may be followed by a Marshall Plan-type fiscal stimulus. That will go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank the witnesses for participating. The crux of the matter has already been addressed in the many questions that have been asked. Some 132,000 premises have been surveyed, there have been designs in respect of 92,000 premises and network is currently being built for 19,500 premises. What are the possible timeframes from survey and design to build? In terms of the build phase, it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That relates to survey, design and, in particular, build.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That is accepted, and everyone who wanted it wants it even more now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: In fairness, if we could have more information on that, particularly with regard to permits, that would be good. Mr. Malone spoke about technical and commercial obstacles. Are there other obstacles in the way at the minute?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: If we could be kept up to speed on anything with which we could help, that would be very useful. Mr. Hendrick said that within 12 months we will have a notion but if we could have an area timeline for roll-out, including the worst-case scenario, that would help and it would be all the better if that gets improved upon. We will have some idea of where we stand in early 2021 but we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have a question but I am not sure if the witnesses will be able to answer it. There have been two state aid complaints to the European Commission regarding the national broadband process. Does the company anticipate that this will cause delays or operational changes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We spoke about short-term fixes and a number of people spoke about the fact that it might be possible under the contract to look at those. The Department probably needs to examine that and determine whether there are technological short term fixes. I do not know if that falls within the remit of the witnesses but if so, I would be grateful for an answer on it. The broadband connection...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: So in regard to the broadband connection point programme and also to the schools, NBI's piece of the work is done.