Results 2,701-2,720 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: Households are facing annual gas and electricity bills of €6,000 from early next year if prices keep increasing at the current rate. The Government, which has a controlling shareholding of 95% in the ESB, fails to protect consumers by explicitly directing the ESB to either cap prices or not proceed with any price increases at this time. Such action by the Government is possible. It...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: We never said any such thing.

Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (11 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: The shortage of respite services for children and adults with disabilities in west Cork is having an impact on carers who have had no break in recent years since the onset of the pandemic. Carers go through hell a lot of the time. The budget has let carers down. In what world should it be acceptable that someone who works and cares for another person should be means tested? After all,...

Community and Voluntary Sector Workers: Motion [Private Members] (12 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: I was talking to some of my constituents in recent days and they are furious at the rate of pay for CE supervisors, which has not been revised for more than 15 years. The Government and the Dáil are aware of the contribution that these projects make to CE participants and communities throughout Ireland. Generally, a supervisor needs a car to complete his or her work on a daily basis....

Community and Voluntary Sector Workers: Motion [Private Members] (12 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: Some of them are only getting €20 more a week for working in their local community. I know that myself. In Goleen we have CE workers in community and voluntary organisations, and with the Goleen and District Community Council. We have rural social workers, Tús workers and HSE employees in section 39 organisations, who are providing meals on wheels. These workers are carrying...

Employment Permits Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: The explanatory memorandum states that: "The purpose of this Bill is to consolidate and update the legislative provisions that regulate the Employment Permits system, namely the Employment Permits Acts of 2003 and 2006". I want to take the opportunity to thank the staff in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I do not want to single out anyone but there is one specific lady...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (11 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: 506. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare offices in west Cork; if it is correct that Bandon and Castletownbere community welfare offices have been closed and that all correspondence is now being directed to Abbey Court House, George's Quay, Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49801/22]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: With fuel prices at an all-time high, many in urban areas like Dublin and its surrounds have turned to public transport, since the costs of owning a car have gone out of ordinary earner's reach. This cost has multiplied considerably in rural communities, especially since the introduction of carbon tax. Owning and running a car for young people, in particular, has become the same as owning...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. He stated that half of carbon tax revenue comes from fuel, but 90% of that has to be coming from rural Ireland.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: Is he saying that there is no difference between somebody coming in from Wicklow to Dublin and an individual travelling from Goleen to Cork? There is a massive difference. There has to be. However, we have a serious crisis on public transport west Cork. It is astonishing that for some reason the NTA refused the offer of an on-the hour service from West Cork Connect, thus leaving adults...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: A 96-year-old lady my constituency was admitted to Bantry General Hospital on 9 September after a fall. Prior to going to hospital, this lady was receiving 8.5 hours home help a week with no cover at weekends. She was ready to be discharged two and a half weeks later. It was recommended by the hospital that she would require additional home support from the HSE. The family was told that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: I welcome the witnesses. I share their disappointment with the three Departments involved, the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Environment, Climate and Communications, and Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: Sadly, one has refused. It might have cleared up a few matters today. It might have put in a foundation to save these horticulture jobs, which are vital in rural communities. That may be why those officials are not here today. It might have its own meaning. I will lay out all my questions because different witnesses may want to answer them. From what I can gather, there are major...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: Zenith Energy Bantry Bay Terminal Ltd. proposes the redundancy of its entire permanent employed maintenance workforce at the Whiddy Island oil terminal, comprising three plant operators, three craft positions and the only higher craft role in health, safety and environment operations, to be replaced with outside contract workers. The breakdown of much of the work being done by the existing...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: And of course west Cork. I am glad to have an opportunity to speak about the Bill. I met the Minister several years ago in Ballydehob. I hope she enjoyed her break in west Cork at the time. A holiday in west Cork is a unique tourism experience. We have places such as Kinsale, Clonakilty, Bantry, the Beara Peninsula, Baltimore, Union Hall, Schull, Skibbereen and the stunning islands. We...

Domestic Electricity and Gas Disconnections: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: The most frightening thing for families is not being able to pay a bill, especially an electricity bill. Not paying such a bill could lead to the power being switched off in anyone's home. In these times of bills being recklessly hoisted upon households due to the Government not taking control of the problem from the word go, €200 here and €200 there is not going to solve this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: 477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) who has always travelled with their twin siblings on the bus to school can continue to travel with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51963/22]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: 867. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to reduce organic nitration limits from 250kg to 220kg which effectively would mean reducing the stocking rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51546/22]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: 868. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the reports regarding the reduced stocking rate limits which are causing much worry among farmers, is arguably not being led by science (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51547/22]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (18 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: 869. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the main effect of the reduced stocking rate will increase the cost of rent as farmers try to rent more land to reduce their stocking rate rather than reduce cow numbers (details supplied); if he will provide reassurance that he and his Department will continue to back an economically viable dairy industry; and if he will make a...