Results 5,381-5,400 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I reiterate my view that we are dealing with two Bills in one. In the context of child maintenance, it is a really good and positive piece of work and I commend all those involved. It will make a significant difference. I reiterate our support for that aspect. As regards the other side of things, I agree with it being brought in line but the inside-outside distinction will create problems...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is my point - consideration of this should not take place down the road. We need to be------

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: A year can go quickly, particularly if people are applying for IPAS. There are plenty of people waiting far more than a year for an IPAS determination. A year is not a lot of time in this context.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate that. The point I am making is that it needs to be talked through now for several reasons. The first reason is that the decisions made in this jurisdiction in respect of social protection are not necessitated by the directive. These decisions have been taken independently here. Similarly, the decisions on the elapsing of that can be taken here as well. The Minister suggested...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There is no disputing that many of those who have come from Ukraine are already making a significant contribution. As I stated, many of them will contribute for many years to come, be central to many communities and make their home there. The point is the war in Ukraine may last beyond the temporary protection directive. Whether it lasts another month or another ten years, the directive...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: From a legislative point of view, that is very thin. In practice, these will be oil and water. I cannot see how that can be delivered. A new category of accommodation is being created. It speaks to the whole issue of planning. We have no idea where these will be or how many of them there will be. We do not even have an example, not to mind the list that is supposed to be designated off...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Hear, hear.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is impossible to find a childcare place at the moment in Cork city and county, even if one has the money to spend what is effectively a second mortgage. Current figures released to Mr. Peter Horgan, which are reported in The Echotoday, show that some 130 children were affected by the closure of 30 after-school facilities last year. That is just after-school care. Add to that countless...

International Court of Justice and Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will pick up where the Tánaiste finished and share concern at the allegations made against UNRWA staff that they participated in the appalling attacks on 7 October. I echo what has been said in that the role of UNRWA is absolutely crucial. The threats that have been made and followed through on regarding funding by some donors are extremely worrying and are not at all proportionate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 68. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the need to provide capital funding for new library buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4303/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As the Minister will be aware, I raised this issue with her previously. It potentially relates to a number of locations. I have a particular interest in the proposed library and youth centre that is proposed for the Mahon area in my constituency. When the library capital funding was announced late last year, there was approximately €100 million to be allocated over five years. That...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Our libraries do a great deal of work and much of it is unheralded. People think of books and so on but it is often the place where people who do not have access to printers have their forms printed out. People have access to e-books and audio books, which is crucial thing. They are unsung heroes of the public service in many ways. There are a number of locations across the State where...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: While the capital funding that is available is welcome, if the number of projects that are needed come in for a certain amount of funding, they will not get anywhere near what they require because of the level of need that is there. That is particularly in areas where there is no provision whatsoever, in those four or five communities around the State where there is no provision whatsoever...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Offshore Islands (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 70. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to discuss the provision of subsidies for the transportation of freight to the offshore islands, the maximum cost of same and the oversight mechanisms that exist. [4304/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Offshore Islands (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I put in some written questions on this. I understand Our Living Islands proposes to review the freight contracts to our offshore islands. If we are serious about ensuring they have a future, living on an island should not be significantly more expensive than it is on the mainland. That is not only the case for online purchases but also for things like building a home. We need to address...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Offshore Islands (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: From speaking to some people who live with the reality of life on the islands there are a couple of difficulties as things stand that need to be taken into account with this review, which needs to be very rigorous. First, maximum pricing and precisely what that means must be considered. The Department talks about maximum pricing and provides these tariffs. In practice that is very often...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Offshore Islands (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: To give another example, some of the lists that have been given can be a bit arbitrary. Apparently, it costs €18 per tonne of gravel but €10 per tonne bag of sand even though they are precisely the same weight. There is a difference in price even though it involves the same mechanism and that surprises people. One of the key findings on the future of the islands relates to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 74. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the community centres investment fund; and if there is any scope to extend the scheme in the future. [4041/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This is something I raised again recently. I know Deputies are continually raising it. The previous funding scheme was welcome but many community organisations perhaps did not have things lined up in time or were not in a position to make the application, between land, funding and other issues. I regularly receive questions about when there will be another call and what it will look like.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is all very good news. I am sure lots of organisations will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of that process. What the Minister said is very positive but it is slightly different from the information I sought. Perhaps what she said answered other Deputies' questions. When resources are limited, it makes sense to prioritise shovel-ready projects. For organisations that are not...