Results 2,081-2,100 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Participation Networks (9 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Public Participation Networks (PPNs) were established under the Local Government Reform Act of 2014. They provide representation for the community sector in local policymaking, giving local groups a greater say in local government decisions which affect their communities. Membership of a PPN is open to all volunteer-led/not-for-profit groups in a local authority area, and almost 20,000 groups...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector (9 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The first National Volunteering Strategy was published in December 2020. The strategy, produced in collaboration with the community and voluntary and business sectors, provides a vision and road map for both volunteers and those organisations who benefit from the work of volunteers. The Strategy comprises five high level objectives, with 56 associated actions, and outlines a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (14 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I would like to refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ 9425/24 of 28 February 2024.My Department launched an application window for funding additional staff posts for existing Community Services Programme (CSP) funded organisations on 29th September last.Pobal, who manage and administer the programme on behalf of my Department, received 137 applications from CSP supported organisations under...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (16 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Last December, the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) was launched, with capital funding of €6 million to assist community groups across the country. The LEP is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most. The Programme also included a special ring-fenced fund of €1,000,000 to support...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators Ruane and Black for their question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members of the House today on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I tried to get myself up to speed on this issue before the Senators' question. I do not know all the ins and outs of the Act in question or what level of information the Senators have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Absolutely, I will follow up on it. My understanding through a conversation less than an hour ago is that no formal application has been received. I wish to take the opportunity as well to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the International Criminal Court. I welcome the decision by the chief prosecutor to pursue arrest warrants. We also hold steadfast in our commitment to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waterways Issues (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising matter and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to update the House in relation to the Ballyteague blueway.Waterways Ireland is a North-South implementation body established under the British-Irish agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by the Department...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waterways Issues (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her contribution. The Ballyteague blueway initiative is designed to promote well-being through opportunities for walking, cycling and enjoying the water on paddle boards and powered craft. That needs to be available and accessible to everyone. Apart from increasing people's well-being, a greater level of use of the waterway and its towpath by visitors to the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for this question. I acknowledge the efforts of the people of Borrisokane over the past four or five years in helping people feel at home. Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking international protection. The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first 20 weeks of 2024, nearly 8,000 people...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Notwithstanding the letter the Deputy has, unfortunately there have been other situations around the country where, because international protection applicants have been in IPAS accommodation and because the community have been supportive, the community has not been happy when we have had to move them.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I heard about the letter in question and I tracked it down today. I am glad it was the Deputy who read the piece into the record, rather than me. My analysis of that commitment was that it showed an incorrect understanding of the different between our mainstream housing supports and IPAS housing supports.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Nevertheless, that is my interpretation of what was written there. That is unfortunate. Notwithstanding that, I understand how the community feel about this. We will endeavour to talk to the resettlement team. There is potentially a role here as well for the new local authority integration teams. There is potentially a role for the programme I oversee, the social inclusion community...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (21 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons. CE is delivered through CE sponsor organisations...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for the question. As soon as a Government decision was made last week, the community engagement team informed local TDs and councillors in Dublin Fingal. The site is close to me. I will check to see what was done there. We are operating on the basis that we give representatives all of the information when we have it. The reality of the situation is that it is a staged...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to bring the Bill to Committee Stage. I thank members of the committee for engaging in pre-legislative scrutiny and for the committee's report, which has been extremely useful. The Bill will enhance the civil registration process in the State. It will provide the opportunity for bereaved parents to register a birth, death or stillbirth...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank members for their work on pre-legislative scrutiny and their co-operation today. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the staff on the Bill. It is important legislation to progress the civil registration service in the State and I am very pleased we have been able to bring it through Committee Stage. I look forward to Report Stage. I believe the changes proposed in the...