Results 3,041-3,060 of 26,225 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 556. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24644/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 557. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 558. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 559. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 560. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24648/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 573. To ask the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24799/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Delays (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 561. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth. [24665/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Committee (10 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I propose Deputy Kevin Humphreys.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason certainty over funding was not clarified in advance of the commencement of Limerick’s year as the city of culture; the amount of funding allocated that has been spent to date; the amount of funding that is still to be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24538/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This question is posed against the background of general public and political support for the Limerick city of culture initiative and seeks to establish certainty around funding. At the outset of the project there was uncertainty about the funding available and we wonder what the situation is now regarding funding spent and whether there will be adequate funding available to see the project...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: While I agree that the time for effective evaluation will be at the end of the process, we must take into account the fact that those directly involved, including the county manager, to whom the Minister referred, expressed concern at the delay in announcing the initial tranche of funding. Some expressed the view that difficulties ensued in attracting the sort of philanthropic investment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I take it then that the Minister is giving an assurance that the budget of €6 million will not be exceeded. A criticism of the Department is that the selection of Limerick as city of culture arose in the absence of any competition whatsoever, meaning there was no opportunity for other cities to compete for the position. I also hold the view one has to start somewhere and that...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 23. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress being made in preparing for the centenary anniversary of the 1916 Rising; the number of times the commemorations committee has met since its foundation; the dates these meetings took place and the locations of same; if he was in attendance at these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/14]

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I support the amendment. Deputy Dessie Ellis is correct in what he says. The people with whom we are dealing are often vulnerable and feel a need for support. They are frustrated by the system and, in many instances, believe this measure would be helpful. Deputies Dessie Ellis and Bernard J. Durkan may agree with me that, on rare occasions, we engage with local authority bodies and are...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I appreciate the Minister of State has said it is the desire of every Minister and every Member to ensure that local authorities follow best practice and that if they do not follow it currently, they will establish it. However, the amendment put forward by Deputy Ellis proposes a tenant can "request" the presence of an authorised advocate. What in the name of God could be wrong with putting...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am happy to support Deputy Thomas P. Broughan's proposal which makes good sense for local authorities and the country's many voluntary housing associations. In County Kildare rent collection for the local authority is conducted by its revenue collectors who were previously rate collectors. While they do a good job and are, in all instances, supportive of the tenants with whom they deal, I...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I support the point made by Deputy Broughan. The Minister has expressed the view that there are guidelines in place and that local authorities are implementing them. The reality is that if the practice is enshrined in legislation, it will have far more effect in local authorities than it is having by virtue of simply being a guideline that is issued to them. I envy the position the Deputy...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am generally supportive of more time being made available. That is a good idea, but I am concerned about one aspect of the amendment which refers to the District Court being required to have due regard for the ability of the tenant concerned to find alternative accommodation. All of us can speak only from our own experiences. The move by a local authority or a voluntary housing...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: In principle, we would support the amendment put down by Deputy Ellis. If anything, he has been generous in the timescales he is allowing. I want to ask a very specific question. Is it the case that the Department is currently or was previously operating a scheme whereby local authorities could apply for funding to the Department for a house, provided it was vacant for six months? Was it...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: It is a little bizarre that the Department which I do not exonerate is expected to come to the assistance of local authorities which have large stocks of social housing and large incomes deriving from the rents paid. It is my experience as someone directly involved in voluntary housing provision that we do not have to turn to the Department or the local authority to seek funds to refurbish...