Results 40,121-40,140 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have repeatedly made it clear in this House that housing is the single most urgent and important social issue facing our country. The Government has brought in a range of actions in terms of increasing housing supply, and it is about housing supply. The targets this year will be exceeded but we need to do far more. The Deputy used the phrase, and I will take her up on it because I have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy knows well that, every year, every Department carries over 10% of its budget because schemes are not completed before the end of the December deadline. In addition, there will obviously be money allocated towards the end of the year again in terms of housing initiatives. The housing in situscheme is one the Minister himself initiated. It is up to 600 houses now that have been or...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I also thank him for his initial kind comments, although I felt a sting was going to come at some stage towards the latter end of his contribution. I will make it very clear that the Government is absolutely committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all our citizens, regardless of geography or where people live. We are particularly...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy referenced my geographic origins earlier. I did acquire that land for Waterford Institute of Technology back in the late 1990s. This was the land that made all the development on the campus possible in Carriganore. At the time, a lot of people questioned the wisdom of that but in the long term, it proved to be a fairly far-sighted measure that facilitated the expansion of the...

Visit of US Ambassador (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I join in welcoming the US ambassador, who has been such a great friend to our country since her appointment and has strengthened the relationship between the US and Ireland.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising the question of Sligo University Hospital. The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, met with the consultants from the hospital yesterday. I believe it was a constructive meeting. The Government is committed to the development of regional hospitals, such as Sligo University Hospital. There has been a significant increase in the funding allocated...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I hear the Deputy in respect of her concerns about Saolta being too Galway-centric but in the discussions yesterday between the Minister and the consultants, it seemed that the emergency department surgical block was the key issue. The issue from hereon in is delivery and whether we can accelerate the timeline in terms of its construction because health capital projects, by definition, tend...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy McDonald's issue I want to put on the record of the House my thanks to our public servants and my recognition of the work they do across government and the massive effort that has and continues to go into making sure those who have come to our country seeking refuge have speedy access to the shelter and support they need. We do not have an option but to avail of all offers of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----the Deputy is familiar with it. Ultimately we have to be fairly straight with people. We have international obligations and with regard to fulfilling them the pressures are enormous because of a number of issues such as conflict, famine, drought, climate change and the war in Ukraine itself. The Minister and the Department are engaging with local representatives to provide the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is examining the situation. The tolls for private cars on most toll roads, if the increase is to go ahead, would increase by 10 cent. Some of these tolls are collected by private companies. What Deputy Carthy is asking is that we would subsidise private companies in this respect to deal with the issue.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is examining these issues in terms of how best we can deal with that situation. Toll revenue is generally used for motorway maintenance and maintenance of the wider national road network. The Minister told me this morning that many Deputies have requested an increase in resources for roads in Cavan-Monaghan and the entire country. It is a balancing of that. The other point is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: This Government is not neglecting childcare. We are investing approximately €1.25 billion in childcare. This means the first of five investment targets, €1 billion by 2028, has been achieved five years ahead of schedule. This year's budget allocation will support a reduction of up to 25% in childcare fees. This measure will put close to €2,100 every year back in the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: This is a bit confusing because the Deputy just said the RSA stated it was not closing the centre but then asked me to clarify the matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The RSA is not closing the centre. Does the Deputy accept that?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not know who is creating the speculation. The Deputy could be creating it himself.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: God forbid, I would suggest the Deputy is doing so.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: How many people work in the centre at present?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is one person gone?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Okay, but the centre will get a second person. We will talk to the RSA about that. It is a two-person centre at present and one person has moved on for other reasons. The more critical issue the Deputy has raised is of whether we can get the tests accelerated. We do not want people to wait that length of time for tests.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know she has been a great supporter of St. Clare's food kitchen and has worked to highlight the service it provides in Carlow on a continuing basis. The Minister and the Department of Social Protection have provided significant additional expenditure in respect of the school food and meal programme. We will continue to do that. We have expanded...