Results 37,881-37,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: It is intended to support, in particular, farmers and a variety of initiatives relating to microgeneration.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very fair issue. As she will be aware, we have increased the fuel allowance over the past 18 months or more, from approximately €600 to more than €1,000, and we have added the €200 electricity bill cut, which will also apply. The cost of disability report has been referred to the national disability inclusion strategy steering...
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy made a very fair point - and has made it consistently - in respect of the school transport scheme. As the Minister for Education has indicated, she is undertaking a review of school transport. In my view, going back to the issue of climate change, if we want to get people out of cars, it makes sense that we would broaden the remit of the school transport scheme to facilitate...
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: I will revert to the Deputy after talking to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about this. The progress of legislation is important and is a welcome first step, but we certainly need strong regulation to ensure the quality of building materials and of building are what they are meant to be, that people get value for money in respect of what has been constructed and that...
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: Information in relation to which?
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: Block-buys?
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy did well there. My view is that we consistently apply the sanctions. Trade has not been banned in its entirety by the sanctions. One has to acknowledge the rights of companies in that framework. That said, many Irish companies have pulled out of Russia, adding to the pressures the sanctions are creating. The EU is seeking to reduce its dependency on Russian gas and oil....
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: No, there are a number of hubs, including one in Limerick-----
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: -----that represent the State and provide all that information, including on PPS numbers and so on to enable them to get social welfare income.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: They are there. I will follow up on what the Deputy said. Reception facilities are there as well. Thousands of PPS numbers have been issued. It has been rapid. A total of 19,200-odd - I think I gave the figure earlier - have arrived into the country. I accept many people are working quickly on the hoof in a fast-moving crisis. The public servants are working. I will take the Deputy's-----
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: We will have to work on transportation for schools. It cannot be the school transport system as normal but I take the Deputy's point on the need for transport, of course.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: The Central Bank is responsible for the regulation of banks. Many reviews are under way by the ECB and central banks generally on the phenomenon of cryptocurrencies. It is an unregulated area and people need to be cautious and careful in the utilisation of such channels.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: The Government has taken significant measures on energy security and costs, particularly for those on low incomes, pensioners and those on the fuel allowance. It will continue to do that. If the Deputy wants to send further proposals to us, we would be glad to receive them.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: There has been a significant increase in investment in early learning and childcare and in core funding. I will talk to the Minister on the points the Deputy has raised, particularly in regard to the group of childcare providers she met. There has been significant ongoing investment, particularly in the most recent budget.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: That is a new definition of 30 seconds. I say that in jest.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: I endeavour to be comprehensive in my replies.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: In reply to Deputy Naughten, that issue is under review. There have been a minor increase in the threshold in some counties but the more general review is still under way.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: We want to continue our support for the post office network. We have provided supports. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, has provided those resources. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is very aware of the pressing issues. I will engage with the Minister and we will revert when that is concluded.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: I obviously cannot deal with every single scheme but I appreciate the point that the Deputy has raised. I will speak to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this and ask him to engage with Irish Water in terms of coming forward with some solution, perhaps in conjunction with the local authority.
- Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Apr 2022)
Micheál Martin: I am very conscious of the schooling issue in east Cork and the huge pressures because it is a demographically expanding region. Historic funding is going into the Carrigtwohill campus but Midleton has challenges as well. I will certainly engage again with the Minister in that regard.