Results 5,661-5,680 of 6,846 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: What about the performance of the machines themselves? There were initial teething problems with reading barcodes, largely to do with the database. Has the database been updated? Is the Minister of State satisfied that there is no longer a significant problem and that there have been improvements?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The points about accessibility have been well made. I would also raise the issue of language. The signage is only in English. Gaeltacht areas, of which I have two in my county, have reasonably raised the question of the Irish language. I will leave this matter with the Minister of State. I believe colleagues have-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There are gaps there. I just wanted to bring that to the Minister of State's attention. It is something we would all like to see progress on. I will jump to another area, that of illegal dumping and littering. Does the Minister of State have an assessment of the extent of the problem? Is it worsening? Is it getting better? What are the underlying causes? I am thankful that there has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: We will have different opinions on the root causes. The Minister of State will be aware it has been argued that, because of our waste collection model and the costs associated with it, people are avoiding their bin charges by dumping illegally. Others might argue a different point. It is very difficult when we do not have good information. That would be helpful. Food waste is one of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State will find that the French example, and it is welcome that model is being looked at as regards packaging, also has a piece in respect of obligations around minimising food waste. It is to be hoped the Minister of State will turn that up and have a look at it when he is looking at that model.

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The scourge of institutional abuse is a stain on our collective history. As former Bethany Home resident, Patrick Anderson McQuoid quoted in The Journal yesterday said, it is the "shame" of Ireland. It is also shameful that Patrick will be denied redress by the Minister. Under the auspices of the State, thousands endured pain, abuse, trauma and neglect. This suffering produced a lasting...

Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The planned increases on taxing fuel are not sensible or fair. Fuel prices have risen a staggering 30% over the past three years. If the Government proceeds with its proposals, these tax hikes will result in Irish households paying among the highest prices for fuel in Europe. Once again, Ireland is an outlier for all the wrong reasons and the Government has done absolutely nothing to get...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 86. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown of the staff numbers and grade in each of the CDNTs in County Meath in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19187/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am interested in the strength of those teams and the vacancies there as it relates to the huge demand for services.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is difficult capture all the details and I would appreciate getting the tables. I asked the same question a year ago. Similar to the picture across the State, there is a significant vacancy rate. Whatever about posts being allocated, 36% were vacant, which is more than one in three. CDNT2, which covers a large urban area, had 49% vacancy. I recognise that funding is provided for posts...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State and I look forward to getting those figures. It is the exact same paragraph as I had from last year on the significant recruitment challenges. Will the Minister of State speak to the issue of recruitment and retention? She may be checking figures. While I do not want to put her on the spot, they are a long way off what I have here. If she has clarification...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue for debate. It is a very important matter, not just the delivery of the new school building for this community but also the contingency in the meantime. That is something I hope the Minister of State can discuss. I commend the whole school community at Dunshaughlin Community National School, including the principal, Ms Slevin,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: On behalf of the parent's association, I want to read a number of questions into the record. The Minister has received these questions and I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could also raise them with her. What is the duration of the rental contract between the GAA and the Department? Are there plans in place for accommodation during the academic year 2024-2025? Will the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Parliamentary questions are already in.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 96. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the number of children deemed at risk who have not been allocated a social worker in County Meath in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed broken down, by scheme, to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide a breakdown of overall number of heat pumps installed to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19194/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the National Broadband Plan and its roll-out; if there will be further works in the Ashbourne LEA areas of Kentstown and Skryne; what plans there are to improve broadband access to those households who have not yet been covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department’s preparations for the switch-off of copper based broad band services; the measures he is taking to ensure that all services have migrated to fibre based networks in advance of the switch off; the percentage of households currently still use copper based services; the percentage of businesses...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 176. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on connectivity blackspots in terms of Ireland’s broadband network; the breakdown of postcodes that are not included in the national roll-out nor commercially available; his plans to address these blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/24]