Results 39,461-39,480 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy talking about where there are multiple flats?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is not that simple to get a totally universal system for the energy credit. That is why we have brought in other measures, in addition to that credit, to provide supports to others. There is, for example, the extension of the free fuel eligibility threshold which helps many people over 70 who would not have heretofore been entitled to it. We will talk to the Ministers concerned to see...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: LEADER is a great scheme-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, was successful in getting additional funding for it this year.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is not. I will ask the Minister to engage with the Deputy on the additional funding under this CAP strategic framework which he achieved for LEADER, as compared to the previous CAP. There is increased funding for it-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: ----and for investment in rural Ireland more generally. This budget has an allocation of €376 million.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is an increase of €35 million on the Department of Rural and Community Development 2021 budget.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know, but it is doing an awful lot of work for the rural towns the Deputy spoke about.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will let the Minister talk to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I understand it is not as simple as Ireland not applying. Some of that funding was already under the recovery and resilience plans that each member state submitted. In our recovery and resilience plan we made submissions in respect of energy, particularly in terms of public buildings. We had specific projects under the recovery and resilience plan that we submitted and that we will be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The debt warehousing scheme was very effective during Covid-19. About €2.9 billion of debt was warehoused during that period, as of the end of April 2022. Over 90,000 businesses availed of debt warehousing. However, it has not been considered yet in the context of the current energy crisis. There is a State aid temporary crisis framework put forward by the European Union that we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am always reluctant to deal with an individual case because I do not know the background to it and so forth, but no child with special needs should be expelled from school. Obviously, there could be circumstances that I am not aware of. However, what should happen immediately is that the various support services and special education needs organisers should be consulted first and measures...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is examining this matter. He has the report, which outlines the scale of the issues. Approximately 100,000 apartments are impacted. The Minister, in consultation with colleagues, will develop options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in difficulty or in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own before the end of this year....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister announced the scheme in the budget in respect of companies in trade. He did not deal directly with the professions. There has to be an approach to this that is proportionate and so on. We are open to engaging with various different sectors, but the funding has to be targeted at those most in need to protect as many jobs as possible. However, there are also implications for...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is a fair point. Sometimes we make policy that is positive and popular and has the desired outcome in increasing the use of public transport. If we were to consider every eventuality, however, we would never make a decision in the first place. I make that as a general point. The NTA should make very quick decisions in terms of additionality. The capital is there to buy buses and to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister for Finance on that and ask him to check it out. I am not familiar with the individual case of property owned by NAMA, but I will certainly follow it up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Overall I would favour more modular housing as another form of house building that would help with the overall housing supply. We need to broaden the types of houses we build to accommodate people. These are good quality houses.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The modular houses that are being built cost up to €360,000. They are good quality houses that can last about 50 years. In the UK modular homes are being built.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have no issue with that. We need more supply. I am with the Deputy on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not know the background to the entire case other than to say that such a development has a chilling effect on public debate and on democracy. Of that there is no doubt. When the national broadcaster is sued by any organisation of considerable clout and heft, obviously the national broadcaster is taking a cautious position here and because of the fear of being sued will not broadcast...