Results 38,881-38,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are currently 218.9 whole-time equivalent staff employed in my Department. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of the staff of my Department have been working from home since March 2020. A phased return to the workplace has been underway since the easing of restrictive measures on 21 January 2022. The current working arrangements require staff to attend on site at least 2...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Inquiries (28 Jun 2022)

Micheál Martin: The table below shows the number of actions defended by the Chief State Solicitor in which the Minister for Education is a named party which commenced in 2019, 2020, 2021 and year to date in 2022. Year Number of actions 2019 45 2020 95 2021 52 2022 to date 17

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Sector Staff (6 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are no former county managers or CEOs of local authorities working in my Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Appointments to State Boards (5 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are no former county managers or former chief executive officers of local authorities currently serving on State Boards under my remit. There are two former civil servants currently serving on the National Statistics Board which is under my remit.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (5 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: No bodies under the aegis of my Department are currently, or have been, registered as a charity.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Neither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, fund PhD positions. Staff of my Department and NESDO are encouraged to avail of the Refund of Academic Fees Scheme which facilitates them to undertake third level academic courses relevant to their roles. The scheme meets the cost of the course including...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides for the completion of outstanding FEMPI pay restoration for public servants with a salary in excess of €150,000. These rates which apply to the civil service grade of Secretary General are to be restored by Ministerial order by 1 July 2022. There are no persons working in the National Economic and Social Development Office...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Legal Services (5 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the performance of her functions in accordance with Section 2(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974.  This statutory independence is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system.  State Solicitors are appointed by and enter into a contract for service with the DPP to provide legal services...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Admhaím go bhfuil géarchéim ann ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta. Is príomhaidhm an Rialtais é i bhfad níos mó tithe a thógáil agus a chur ar fáil. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil deacrachtaí faoi leith ag múinteoirí agus ag an-chuid daoine eile maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá plean...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I did give my assessment. I have made it consistently clear that housing is the number one priority. The Government is two years in office. It has produced a very comprehensive Housing for All strategy designed to ramp up house construction in this country, particularly social housing. We will have a record number of social houses built in 2022.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will also provide additional affordable homes. The first home shared equity scheme will help teachers.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: It will help many people in terms of affordability. The scheme has been launched. Many people are already applying to join the scheme. The help-to-buy scheme has also been very effective for many people who have genuine, challenging situations with regard to affordability. It is not just teachers. It is many other professions and workers as well.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know you did but I am making the point. This is a broader issue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have to solve an issue with housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know there are similar problems in the North.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin's housing Minister in the North said it would take ten years to resolve it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: That was Sinn Féin's position in charge of housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. The background is very clear, as she will be aware. In May 2018, the Irish people voted, overwhelmingly, to repeal the eighth amendment. The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was introduced in December of that year, in line with the amendment and the debate. It is important to make that point. An...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is important that we examine the review in its full context and take on board all of the research that will be undertaken to feed into the review. There is further work to be done. I am satisfied the Minister is bringing forward the general scheme of a Bill on safe access zones. That is important, but getting it legally right was also important, as was getting the template right from a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is no surprise to me that Sinn Féin and People Before Profit together will work very hard to have a motion of no confidence passed. They are working hand in glove on many of these issues in opposition to the Government. I put it to the Deputy that People Before Profit's economic platform, and Sinn Féin's, is one that would undermine the capacity of many working people to afford...