Results 25,241-25,260 of 26,185 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Flood Relief Schemes (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter today. At his invitation and that of Councillor John O'Sullivan and the local election candidate, John Michael Foley, I indeed visited Ring. I met with the residents. On the night in question, the sun was shining and it was, as Councillor O'Sullivan described it, the equivalent of the Italian Riviera. However, there is a very...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Flood Relief Schemes (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, I thank Senator Lombard for his comments and insights on this minor works relief application for Ring village submitted by Cork County Council to us in the Office of Public Works. I know the work to date that Senator Lombard has done on this in terms of campaigning for it with the local residents and obviously with his colleagues locally, Councillor John O'Sullivan and Mr. John...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: State Properties (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important matter today. By way of background, the Office of Public Works has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties nationally. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: State Properties (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for his comments. As stated, there has been engagement . We would like the community groups to come forward with more details on how they propose to use the building, and how they would fund any development and continued maintenance of the property. I ask that they contact our offices immediately in order that we can consider the matter again. The OPW wants assets to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs. To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Office of Public works (OPW) was not involved in the provision of the new Patrickswell Community Centre, and did not provide funding for same. During the construction phase of the Community Centre, OPW staff provided advice to the community group’s design team, specifically regarding the boundary treatment to the rear of their development. The new Community Centre shares a boundary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Between 2002 and 2021, three separate flood relief schemes were designed and constructed in Ennis: the River Fergus (Ennis) Upper Certified Drainage Scheme, the River Fergus (Ennis) Lower Certified Drainage Scheme, and the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme. The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme represents the final of three flood defence schemes throughout the town. The Ennis...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Stanton very much. I am aware of his continuing campaigning interest in this particular issue. Under the OPW's minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, the OPW provides 90% funding for localised flooding and coastal protection measures undertaken by a local authority. To date, five projects have been approved for a total of €245,892 for Youghal,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: To give the Deputy an update on the Pilmore Cottages erosion issues, following the visit to the site in 2022 by the then Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy O'Donovan, Cork County Council applied for funding under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme to carry out a coastal erosion and risk management study. The core study area covers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Stanton's point is well made. There is a specific study on the way on Pilmore. The question is about how we can get that completed as quickly as possible, while ensuring the study itself is robust and stands up. That is number one. Work is ongoing. The OPW is carrying out a pilot coastal monitoring survey programme. Between the Department of housing and our Department, we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 100 together. I thank Deputy Stanton who raised this issue during oral questions last week. I visited Midleton with the Deputy during Storm Babet and I am fully aware of how important it is, both to the Deputy and the people of the wider area. By way of background, the 2018 flood risk management plans provided the evidence for a proactive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank both Deputy Stanton and Deputy O'Connor. I appreciate they are both valued representatives for the Midleton area. Having visited Midleton in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for local government at the time, I am aware of what occurred on the ground. I did not have direct involvement but I wanted to see what happened. There is a body of work under way. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I note the great interest in this topic from TDs both locally and nationally. We are talking really about east Cork, Glanmire and other areas. I have been to Midleton. What we want to do here is protect people's homes and businesses. Wherever flooding takes place it is devastating. We are putting in place a comprehensive scheme in Midleton. It has taken a bit longer than we would have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is currently being worked through. The intention would be to get it in within the timeframe that is legally possible.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The megalithic passage tombs of Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery are an extraordinary part of our national heritage that are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management. In recent years structural concerns have emerged at Cairn T. Visitors are not permitted on top of the cairns, due to concerns for the structure). OPW held constructive meetings on site and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Rattoo Round Tower, National Monument 55, is part of an ancient monastic settlement and is important from a national perspective in that it is a fine example of a Round Tower that stands complete, except for a small piece of restoration work in 1881 to repair lightning damage. The project currently being undertaken at Rattoo is for the conservation of the Tower itself. Pointing works...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Ennis Friary, Ennis, Co. Clare is in State Ownership under National Monument number 170. Ennis Friary was vested under the care of the Office of Public Works in the late 19th century. The Friary, founded by the O’Briens of Thomond, dates to the early 13th century and is home to a unique collection of stone panel carvings dating to the 15th century. The building contains an exceptional...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (2 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am aware of the devastation caused by flooding to people, families, businesses in Midleton and East Cork during Storm Babet. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme provided the Government with the evidence necessary to launch a national programme of 150 flood relief schemes in 2018 funded by €1.3bn from the National Development Plan. Major flooding...