Results 881-900 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Durkan for his long-time commitment to Castletown House and estate. Everybody recognises the efforts of the OPW and the State in the care and preservation of Castletown House. I will say that the OPW wants to continue to welcome visitors to Castletown House. However, the impact of the protest is that the refuse cannot be collected, staff are working without heating, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I reiterate what the Deputy and I have both said about reporting any crimes. It is important to always say that. Such reports will be treated seriously and sensitively. I will pass on the points the Deputy made to the Minister.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Children in Care (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He speaks for all of us when he praises foster parents and families for all the work they do. Foster care is the preferred model for the care of children in care who cannot live with their families of origin. In recognition of the importance of foster care in contributing to positive and improved outcomes for children in care, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Children in Care (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said. I also acknowledge that what the Minister has done has been significant, although it is not exactly what everyone wants. However, he is committed to working with everybody, including Government partners, stakeholders and Tusla to continue to improve the supports for foster carers.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge the community response. People tend to look after one another in a situation such as this. Politicians work together. The public certainly want to feel that people are there responding to the immediate need. The community has done that. I know that Sarsfields GAA club in Glanmire, for example, prevented further flooding from happening.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: To be fair to Cork County Council, on foot of the warnings, work was done in anticipation of the flooding and I am sure that protected some people as well. As regards the Department of Social Protection, community welfare officers have been on the ground in the Deputy's constituency, in Midleton and Youghal, today. I am sure he has been touch with them and with other people all day. I can...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: The information I have is that people are on the ground. There is a humanitarian assistance scheme in place. There is a €10 million fund in place for that. Separately, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is ready to activate the flooding support scheme for small businesses and sports clubs that are unable to secure flood insurance and are affected by the flooding....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I apologise for the absence of the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I understand she is at a Justice Council meeting in Luxembourg at the moment. I sincerely apologise that she is not here to answer this. Deputy McAuliffe will be aware from previous responses to parliamentary questions submitted to the Minister that records indicate that two allegations of child sexual abuse have been made in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Buckley. I acknowledge what his constituents are going through today. He is doing his job on behalf of his constituents here. I also spoke to Deputies O'Connor and Padraig O'Sullivan, Billy Kelleher MEP and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, about various aspects of this matter. I thank all the public representatives for the information they are getting. I...

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: Of the 33 LSSIF grants that were awarded in January 2020, two or three of them are open at this stage. It is a few. We looked at the issues there. The pandemic and construction inflation were the issues. We opened up a top-up process to those already been awarded grants.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: Almost all, 28 or 29, applied for it. In the coming weeks, I hope to be announcing the top-ups. I have to engage with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on this but I hope to open a new round of the LSSIF as well. When the top-ups are announced, people will say they did not get the chance, and they did not because they did not make an application originally. However, I want to be able to open...

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: Are you talking about Kildare or Louth?

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I thank everybody who took part in the debate. The programme generates enormous interest and the Government is doing a lot for sport, as has generally been acknowledged in the Chamber. As people are wishing their local teams well, I have to mention some of my own because there are a number of Leinster games this weekend. Interestingly, Kilbride is playing Amsterdam in the junior Leinster...

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: It has been really good. We have worked with it to make sure that happens. I pay tribute to it. That was not always the case with the FAI. I am not saying it is all its fault, but it is not all the fault of the Government either. I do not know how many football clubs applied for the LSSIF scheme. Finn Harps FC was granted €3.99 million. I want to give that money to it and for...

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: The chairperson of the club is well known in County Meath.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: That never happens here.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: They were on to me as well.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: I will.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: It is.

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Thomas Byrne: It will be here before Christmas. I guarantee that.