Results 2,661-2,680 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (13 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 298: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his review of the community support for older people scheme has been completed; the findings of this review; if this scheme will be recommenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35484/09]

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (13 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 409: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding his proposals to introduce new noise pollution regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35763/09]

Local Authority Funding. (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure that outstanding development levies are collected from developers by local authorities; the moneys outstanding in total; the moneys outstanding in respect of each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36054/09]

Local Authority Funding. (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister for his response. I note he has not yet received the information regarding the amount that is owed to the local authorities for development levies. That is worrying in some ways because many newspapers have carried partial information that suggests the amount of money is considerable. In February, The Irish Times wrote that the four Dublin local authorities are...

Local Authority Funding. (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: This will become a major issue. We may find that local authorities turn out to be insolvent because development levies were a major source of funding for local authorities. If they do not collect these levies over the next few years, local government funding is reduced and they have difficulty collecting water charges from businesses that claim they cannot pay they will be in big trouble....

Local Authority Funding. (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: It is welcome that local authorities are pursuing these development levies from the developers and that extra staff have been assigned to this. What if the local authorities are not able to collect the money? Is the Government examining this problem? At the Green Party conference at the weekend the Minister referred to how we will fund local authorities in the future. Local authorities...

Other Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister referred to 28 heritage officers and I resume this refers to 28 local authorities. Are these local authorities at city council and county council level or are some town councils? Is there anything in train to ensure the other local authorities have heritage officers? The Minister made the point that there is a need for a more sustainable planning. From the point of view of the...

Other Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: The point made by Deputy Hogan is very important. Local authorities will not need as many planning officials as they did because there will be fewer planning applications to administer. People in planning might be the right people to put into the roles of heritage officers. It is important that rather than stating this as an aspiration, the Government implements it. This is the most...

Proposed Legislation. (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister made the point that the mayoralty is only part of what he hopes to do for local government. It will be welcome. A directly elected mayor is an idea worth trying, especially for Dublin, to see how it will work out and evolve. That said, we should not lose sight of the importance of the role of the ordinary county and city councillor. These people are at the coal face and are...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 146: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding his statement that there is enough land zoned in parts of the country to provide for housing needs up until 2075; if he will take steps to ensure that further land is not rezoned in upcoming development plans for the local authority areas concerned; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 150: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by each local authority in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the number of staff cuts in each local authority area since the 2007 general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35797/09]

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (14 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 270: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has hired an economist to conduct an analysis of the contract for the Poolbeg incinerator, Dublin; if the analysis revealed that the contract was anti-competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36138/09]

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I do not agree with Deputy Deenihan's claim that the FÁS brand is fatally damaged. It may be damaged but not fatally. Most unemployed people look to FÁS as the main public employment service. As Deputy Deenihan himself said, FÁS has provided many good initiatives. For example, last year electrician apprentices were facilitated by the agency to finish their training with the ESB. My...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I accept that point but we should not think of the term "brand" in this context.

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I know it comes down to language. There is a tendency to talk about brands in this context. There is too much bringing in of free market concepts into the operation of the public sector. I do not agree FÁS has been fatally damaged but accept Deputy Deenihan acknowledges the good work it has done. Many current public sector jobs were initially provided through FÁS schemes such as special...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I was not sure. How much time do I have left if that is the case?

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: I will finish up. My main point is that the energies of FÁS need to refocus on job placement and matching people with jobs. That should not happen at the expense of training which is good. It suggests instead of greatly increasing the number of community employment schemes, we should consider dole to work schemes such as are used in Australia. I am open to any suggestion because it is...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the 5,000 farmers excluded from the farm improvement scheme in 2007 will be given priority in the recently announced new grant schemes. [36232/09]

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (15 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the swine influenza virus in pigs here in view of the recent reports of an outbreak at a farm in County Cork. [36233/09]

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (20 Oct 2009)

Joanna Tuffy: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made with regard to the renegotiation of the indemnity agreement 2001 signed between the State and the 18 religious teaching orders to cover the expenses covered by the Residential Institutions Redress Board; if he will publish the findings of the audit into the assets of the 18 religious teaching orders; and if he will...