Results 1,521-1,540 of 5,844 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Minister. Mayo County Council has in the past made applications for funding but if we look at the number of playgrounds that need refurbishment and enhancements, I suggest that we should have a dedicated programme in place that would not only be designed to maintain inclusive and accessible equipment for children of all abilities but would also ensure that local authorities know...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: 10. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to consider establishing a dedicated grant scheme for the maintenance and upgrading of community playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49654/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Across Mayo, one prevalent issue concerning our town playgrounds is their maintenance. Over time, after several years of use, the equipment and surfaces within many playgrounds deteriorates and sometimes poses safety hazards. As a young father, I spend much time in playgrounds with my two-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old. A dedicated grant scheme would ensure that our playgrounds are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flexible Work Practices (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Yesterday, I listened in to the Western Development Commission meeting, which recently had research completed by the University of Galway where 44% of respondents said that remote working was key to their future employment. Remote working and the hubs have been a game-changer, especially in rural Ireland. It has repopulated many towns and villages. In a relatively short time, when...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I appreciate the Minister's response and her hard work in securing the €205 million in budget 2024. Mayo County Council has shortlisted several projects of significant importance in the 2023 scheme and I brought one such project to the attention of the Taoiseach last week with regard to the urgent need of the Order of Malta in Castlebar to demolish and rebuild its headquarters. It...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: With regard to the Minister's support, last year another €1.1 million was delivered for seven projects under the Mayo town and village renewal scheme. I vividly recall the Minister visiting the old courthouse building in Balla with me during her visit to the Connacht Gaelic Athletic Association centre of excellence in the county where a big dome was delivered under the rural...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Mayo relies heavily on the local improvement scheme and we have a diverse road network like those of County Cork and County Kerry, and I am sure it is the same in the Minister's constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. This is a really important issue that councillors raise with Oireachtas Members. I support the call for the Department of Transport to match-fund any funding that is presented by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: 6. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the status of the town and village renewal scheme, TVRS, and inform us when successful applicants can expect to be notified about the outcomes of their applications in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49653/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: The town and village renewal scheme has played a crucial role in breeding new life into numerous towns and villages nationwide, and this transformation is particularly visible in my constituency of Mayo. In July of this year the Minister introduced the 2023 town and village scheme, which presents a significant opportunity for communities to secure investment in their local towns and...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I welcome the witnesses and thank Dr. Brooks for her opening statement. This session supports last week's session. I am sure the officials were tuned in to last week's session, when some of the challenges, issues and opportunities were raised. I am interested in the Department's engagement with representative bodies and the composition of groups and organisations it is involved with...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: In terms of feedback from the providers, does the Department take their issues on board? Has the Department made any amendments to policy in recent weeks or months? If so, can Dr. Brooks provide any examples?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: The issue that was apparent last week was around the fees being capped since 2017. Certainly, with rising utility bills and inflationary costs, there is a huge fear about survival among many of these providers. As local public representatives we hear this on a daily, if not weekly basis. What are the Department's intentions? There certainly is an imbalance in the system at present for...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Does the Department accept the difficulties being faced by some providers now who have fees which are frozen at present and that are finding it very difficult to keep their doors open?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: There are some providers who possibly will not make it to the third year.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: What does that entail?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: How many cases has the Department dealt with today as regards that funding model? How much has it actually-----

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Yes.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Relatively, there is a very low uptake on that.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Really, it is not working. If it was working then multiple service providers would look for it.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Can I ask-----