Results 161-180 of 4,009 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I will raise a few issues. The first relates to carers. I have been contacted by several people who applied for the carer's allowance over the past year or 18 months. They found it difficult because their lives have been dominated by a person in their home to whom they need to give almost 24-hour care, yet they get nothing. They have not a hope of getting anything because another person...

World Mental Health Day: Statements (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: World Mental Health Day brings into sharp focus the problems we deal with all the time throughout the country regarding mental health issues. Practically every family, to some extent or other, is affected. As public representatives, we deal with this on an ongoing basis. When I was a councillor, we used to say we were counsellors as well as councillors. When people came into our offices...

World Mental Health Day: Statements (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I accept that. The big issue we have in many areas is that people feel left behind because they do have access to the teams they need and that the CAMHS or other teams simply do not have the resources to provide the necessary services. At the end of the day, all of this is down to funding and resourcing. Many of the problems we come across with CAMHS and adult mental health services arise...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I take it that the Minister of State was not expecting us to reach Question No. 91, which relates to participation in libraries around the country, the number of people who are members of our libraries and how much they are used. What can be done to get more people to use our library facilities, which in many areas are excellent? We spoke earlier about needing more investment. We never...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Insurance is the problem.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Income is an issue for people living on many of the islands. They must have an opportunity to make an income. They are surrounded by the sea and, for many of them, fishing is one of the few ways they have to get an income. Many of the small fishing communities that live on the islands have great problems in getting quota, in particular for the inshore sector. There must be a focus on that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I commend Údarás na Gaeltachta, a body that has done tremendous work. It has been a shining example of what can be achieved when proper investment is made in an area or sector. Such bodies can deliver and not just pay for themselves but give rise to a multiplier effect in rural communities. They generally work in Gaeltacht regions. The other issue that must be addressed is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: We know and appreciate that some advances are happening in many of these areas and that is very welcome. We are still in a situation where we do not have people living in these areas. I appreciate that derelict site notices are up and that is a help. It is the big stick with which to beat people to try to force them to do something. However, there need to be more initiatives on the other...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I want to get an update on the strategy for Gaeltacht and island communities. Deputy Ó Laoghaire tabled this question because a lot of people who live on the islands are that bit apart from the rest and certainly need extra investment, especially with communications, transport facilities and ways of making sure they are connected and have opportunities equal to those who live on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I ask for an update on the Department's plans to address dereliction and vacancy in our rural towns and villages. When we travel around the country, we see that many rural towns have a lot of buildings that are closed, including old shops, bars and once-thriving businesses. A lot of houses are also closed up, many of which are derelict. We have an unusual situation whereby there is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I thank the Minister of State. 11 o’clock Much work is happening in towns and villages where new footpaths and public areas and so forth are being provided, which is all welcome and positive. People cannot live on footpaths or in regenerated areas; they need homes in which to live. Many of the houses and old buildings in the towns are privately owned. While the Croí...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: 67. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the way her Department is implementing the published guidelines on "rural proofing". [40853/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I wish to raise with the Minister of State the issue of rural proofing. It is something I understand the Minister said last year would be published. The question refers to the "published guidelines" but I understand that they are not yet published and are still in draft form. I have had a read through them. We have many areas of the country where there is a decline in population and rural...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I welcome that. We need to see progress on all of this. There are many areas where we can see problems with rural areas being left behind and not getting the kind of investment they require. The glaring example, for those of us who live in the west of Ireland, is certainly the western rail corridor. For years, we have been told it is going to be developed and yet, they continually look at...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: On the issues of planning, and the Minister of State mentioned the big infrastructure projects, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has said he will not build the western rail corridor from Sligo and Collooney right the way down to Galway. That is a huge problem, and this is a Green Minister telling us he wants to invest in rural Ireland. It is not happening. It is not happening in our road...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I ask about capital funding for new library buildings. I understand approximately €100 million was to be allocated over five years. Unfortunately my colleague, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, cannot be here this morning. I am taking the question on his behalf. He has a particular interest in a proposed library in the Mahon area in Cork. Capital funding was announced last year. When...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: We understand that work is being done as we see it in many places around the country. I understand that 33 smaller projects are happening and the fear is that when they are all funded, there will not be enough left for the larger capital projects that are required. The one in Mahon is an example of that. It is an entire district without any library facility and we need to get one built...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: From the notes I have, I am aware that a site has been identified and the preliminary application has been placed with the Department. I understand that more work remains to be done. We need to see movement with haste on Mahon. At locations around the country library buildings are in poor repair and also need investment. A commitment to that would be a commitment to the communities in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: 126. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work that has been undertaken by his Department and the agencies under his remit to address the issue of fibre broadband connectivity blackspots in commercial areas; if his Department has quantified the number of premises impacted by this issue; if not, when this will take place; if he envisages that State aid or...