Results 2,301-2,320 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter in the House. I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minster for Justice, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. As the Deputy will be aware, by law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda members and resources between the various Garda stations and divisions....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy again on behalf of the Minister for raising this important matter. When I take a Topical Issue, I look at the question and try to understand what is behind the issue.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The question was fairly broad in that related to Tipperary and Clare, which is a big area. I will take back the specific issues the Deputy mentioned around Nenagh, Roscrea and Newport and long-term sick leave. The issue around leaving stations vacant comes up in my area as well. Sometimes, the senior garda in the area says they are between a rock and a hard place. People want to see...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Direct Provision System (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Applicants for international protection who are awaiting a decision on their application are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Those who accept such accommodation are provided with material reception conditions, including food...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Direct Provision System (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I cannot think of too many policy areas that are more important than trying to tackle child poverty, both for the here and now and into the future as well. In terms of the Minister for children's role in that regard and the White Paper, he has secured the budget. We have had engagement with the Department of Social Protection on what the rates of payment would be like for each child but we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address this issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and addressing our climate action challenges. This Government is committed to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. The Minister for Transport considers it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Byrne. I am not going to rehash what I have said already. I will emphasis one point, however, which may give some hope in this connection. For people living south of Wicklow, the provision of a diesel shuttle service between Rosslare and Wicklow could create potential for a more frequent train service along the southern sectors of the south-east line.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Garvey for raising this Commencement matter. The Government is very conscious of the importance of the tourism sector, not only in Clare but throughout the country. For this reason, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Government have been proud to support the sector in recent years. Ensuring we have the right tourism product is essential if we are to achieve the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Garvey again for raising the matter in the House today. I trust that my earlier response sets out how it is planned to ensure that all regions of County Clare can continue to benefit from tourism in the years ahead. The new tourism policy framework being finalised by the Minister will be critical in ensuring we have a thriving tourism sector in the period up to 2030. While...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Schemes (22 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, the review of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was published and officially launched on the 24th July 2024, which coincided with a visit to the South West Mayo Partnership Company, to view first hand some of the work that is undertaken on the scheme. The report includes 19 recommendations (see list of recommendations in Appendix 1) to address the sustainability of the...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2024: Second Stage (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: It is a pleasure to bring the Bill to the Seanad today. The BiIl is the latest in a series of measures that have been enacted to modernise and improve public accessibility of the Statute Book and secondary legislation. It is vital that laws and regulations in Ireland are both fit for purpose, and regularly reviewed and updated. The statute law revision programme is Ireland’s...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2024: Second Stage (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senators for their contributions. I can confirm that the Geological Survey Act is not impacted by this. The Bill we have been considering today proposes the revocation of all statutory and prerogative instruments made before 1 January 1861, except for six instruments, which will be retained. More than 40,000 secondary instruments were reviewed by the Law Reform Commission to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (22 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Funding provided by my Department supports the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector (23 Oct 2024)

Joe O'Brien: In May 2021, my Department entered into an agreement with Pobal to conduct a scoping exercise on the potential for a ‘National Funding Platform’ of community and voluntary organisations which have a funding relationship with the State. The overarching purpose of the scoping exercise was to explore options for a funding platform that would reduce the administrative burden on...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The Government is not opposing the motion. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the important issue of carer supports provided by the Department of Social Protection, in particular, the carer's allowance payment. I thank the Deputies for bringing forward the motion. On a personal level, I know that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has always sought to make sure the interests of carers are...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: It is a pity Deputy Murphy had to take a cheap shot at jobseekers. She made some good points but that was unnecessary. That is why I was not looking at her.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: 365. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for clarification on the planned capacity of a school (details supplied) to provide dedicated ASD classes, and the expected timeline on that; and for an update on extension works for the school. [44018/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: 454. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the new site for a school (details supplied); and the indicative timeline for completion of the new school. [44747/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (5 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together. Community Employment (CE) schemes play a vital role in the training and development of those who are long-term unemployed and who are furthest removed from the labour market. CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. The terms...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (5 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Community Employment (CE) schemes deliver important locally based community services, while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those furthest removed from the labour market. The Deputy will be aware that CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that...