Results 11,301-11,320 of 14,886 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: Yes. Deputy Kirk and I have seven and a half minutes each, with five minutes for Deputy Troy. I welcome the chance to speak on the Social Welfare Bill, but first I will pick up on something mentioned by Deputy Timmins and a number of other Deputies. This is madness. It is the same every year, regardless of who is outside the House. On this occasion we will spend only two days talking...

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: The Minister might share the idea with her colleagues. It sounds like a good scheme, one that would give skills to those who want to use their talents and who, because of the construction collapse, can now give their skills to the community. That scheme needs to roll out quickly. Flexibility is needed in such schemes in order to respond to demand. One of the difficulties in JobBridge is...

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: This is where one must think outside the box, which brings me back to my opening point. The carers, small farmers and parents of this country are paying because of the Minister's inability to think outside the box. She is doing it the easy way, with cuts, instead of re-imagining the system. She has had 18 months to do that - to come forward, reposition and re-imagine social welfare - but...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Delays (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when students (details supplied) in County Mayo may expect to have their higher education grant applications processed; the reason for the delay in making a decision made in respect of their applications; if he will now expedite these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55733/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Delays (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has been awarded and paid the higher education grant has yet to receive the confirmation letter that they require for their college from Student Universal Support Ireland stating that their tuition fees are covered. [55822/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Computerisation Programme (12 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make funding available for computer upgrading or replacement to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55842/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: I have a somewhat similar issue to that raised by Deputy Tóibín and Deputy Lawlor. The delegates said they have a database with 225 contractors on their list for building works. The meet the buyer events conducted by the Office of Public Works are excellent but I suggest it speaks to the buyers about the design of contracts and the 225 contractors. I appreciate one has to visit...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: In the case of the 15 schools, if I were to lose my seat and set up as a subcontractor, would the State guarantee payment to me in the event that the principal contractor on a project managed by the Office of Public Works went bust owing me money? In such circumstances, I would have paid my suppliers and workers and carried out work or installed equipment in the building. I would be then...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: On the OPW not having any issues with subcontractors, a case concerning a school arose recently in Limerick, and that is replicated throughout the country. In some respects the OPW is the facilitator for the contract and many people consider that to provide security. Does the OPW have a policy in terms of providing information to tenderers that the OPW is not the payer and that it is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: This could apply to any number of public works contracts in recent years where the OPW might have facilitated a contract. The OPW might not have awarded of the contract but it was seen to be behind the development.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: I will email Ms McGrath some of the specific contracts. The issue of subcontractors is important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: While I thank the chairman and her officials for their attendance, when members invited them to appear before the joint committee, it was to participate in a broader discussion on procurement and small firms. I am unsure whether the scope of today's discussion can be extended or whether the witnesses can be invited to come back. I have some issues in respect of construction but members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: Perhaps we might have a discussion with the procurement service in the new year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: I again welcome the chairman. Her organisation is one of the hidden assets to this country, particularly regarding the work it does on heritage sites and State buildings. While I have local arguments with the Office of Public Works on the manner in which it deals with flooding, that is a matter for another day. On heritage services, I have a non-construction-related question. Does the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Eligibility of Small Firms in Tendering for Capital Projects: Discussion with Office of Public Works (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: Is this done annually?

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: That is the wrong figure.

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: The Minister of State should check the PSO.

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: I thank Deputy Collins for sharing time with me. I have serious concerns about this proposal on the basis of its affect on the future of Ireland West Airport at Knock. It appears once again that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is determined to proceed with protecting the monopoly that is the current State airports at the cost of airports which are community-owned and have...

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: The Government has not done a great deal with it since taking office.

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Dara Calleary: The reality is-----