Results 1-20 of 6,812 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Driving Test Wait Times: Statements (14 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The RSA has a statutory maximum target of ten weeks from the time a learner driver books their test until they are given a date to sit the test. The last time that target was reached was in July 2022, almost three years ago. Since then, as is evident across the State, things have got much worse. There are extended waiting times, a shortage of testers and a system that is failing both those...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2025: First Stage (14 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2025: First Stage (14 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to give the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) the legislative remit to develop a code of practice for water service outages and to amend the Water Services Act 2014 to establish a dispute resolution mechanism for customer complaints regarding service interruptions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 117. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people issued with a home care package but unable to fulfil it due to staffing shortages, or other reasons, in 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23593/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to ask the Minister the number of people issued with a home care package but unable to fulfil it due to staffing shortages or other reasons in 2024 and to date in 2025 and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: It is significant. It is acknowledged that the figures are always very high. We are talking about millions of hours of home care packages and these are real services and important ones. We must always think about these things, though, in terms of unmet need. The system does not work if these services are not in place. Is there an analysis of whether there are specific geographical...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes, I am.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Some things are coming through these figures consistently. There is a pattern within them. I expect this would be the case if we were to look at the geographic variation. I know much of the challenge in CHO 8 concerns the fact that it is very difficult to get staff because it is exceptionally expensive to live in Dublin or the greater Dublin area. There is then a variation across the...

Housing and Critical Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I am a TD for the Meath East constituency. As long as I have been there, which is my whole life, a permanent feature has been Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government here and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government in Meath County Council. We have seen nothing but failure in terms of forward planning for critical infrastructure. For as long as I was a county councillor, and since...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I commend the work of Dunboyne College of Further Education and the Youthreaches in County Meath. I am familiar with a number of them, including in Kells and Ashbourne. Along with Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and Councillor Maria White, I visited Laytown-Bettystown Youthreach last Friday and saw the really important work it does to...

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to share time with colleagues.

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion. Sinn Féin has a long-standing policy on choice and diversification within our education system. We reaffirmed that position in our 2024 general election manifesto and I do so again now. Children have a right to an education in a school that matches their and their family’s values. Sinn Féin firmly believes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 162. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17085/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Will the Tánaiste outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: That investment is welcome. It was welcome news in February. It is also welcome that the work is under way. It will be this time next year when it will be ready. Does the Tánaiste have an indication of when it will be operational or the numbers of people that will pass through it? I understand that it is for all units of the Defence Forces to use as a training camp. I wish to get a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Tánaiste. As I said, it is a welcome investment. I recognise the security considerations and other considerations, but is there an opportunity for the local community to access, in some shape or form, the likes of those facilities? We recognise that there are security considerations and other considerations, but if, for example, there were a transition period during...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister is absolutely right. We look to the monastic settlements, the round tower, the high crosses, St. Columcille's House and the Spire of Lloyd. The Minister mentioned those. There are incredible sites of historic significance. The Minister will know, and I suppose it is the point he is making, that local individuals and communities through their effort and initiative have made so...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: No, no, no.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 99. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the initiatives he is implementing to promote tourism in Kells, County Meath, to enhance the town’s appeal as a destination for visitors. [22820/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (8 May 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 111. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the initiatives he is implementing to promote tourism in Meath and enhance the region’s appeal as a destination for visitors. [22819/25]