Results 58,621-58,640 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 256. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her office have identified areas of social and economic deprivation in both urban and rural areas nationwide with a view to putting in place supportive measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24563/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 263. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to evaluate the emerging needs of urban Ireland with a view to coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity arising from various reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24570/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Priorities (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 257. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her priorities for rural development in the coming months and years; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to address issues that have arisen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24564/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Job Creation (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 258. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to encourage job creation in rural areas nationwide; the degree to which she has in mind specific targets in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24565/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 259. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to address issues affecting the inhabitants and their quality of life on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24566/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Programme (17 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 262. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has evaluated issues affecting rural Ireland such as isolation and lack of connectivity with a view to making a positive contribution in line with local requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24569/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Team Sport in Ireland (18 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I will take five minutes to give everybody a chance to speak. I am easy. I welcome our witnesses and thank them for coming before the committee. I compliment them on the role they have played over the last six months. They have shown leadership and encouraged people both directly and by example. All they have done to contribute to the fight against the virus is greatly appreciated. My...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Team Sport in Ireland (18 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: My last question arises from simply recognising the points that the organisation representatives are aware of and have made. They have recognised that social distancing is an important factor in curtailing the virus. For example, the 2 m distance is far more effective than 1 m. I recognise and accept the points made in terms of the financial situation. On what will the organisations be...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Team Sport in Ireland (18 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the witnesses.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Sport in Ireland (18 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Like other speakers, I compliment our witnesses for the work they have done and are doing in promoting sport in general, particularly at a time of crisis such as that we are going through. I have just a couple of questions, which have also been referred to by previous speakers. In respect of the major capital grants programme, some grants have been awarded and, in the case of swimming...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Sport in Ireland (18 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I visited a leisure centre during the week. There seemed to be increased emphasis on the need for swimming facilities, as some conditions do not allow people to run or to walk. The capital programme on swimming pool projects is due to take off again shortly. What stage is this at? When is it likely to be concluded?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the processing of applications for various social welfare payments can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25025/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: There has been an improvement in the processing times. There were differences in the times taken to process claims. Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that it does not always apply that a payment will issue to a person while waiting? There are some circumstances where long delays take place. Due to the hardship this causes, I would be grateful if that were looked at again.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which progress is being made towards the reduction of emissions in line with EU and international targets without negative impact on the agrifood sector; if it is possible at this stage to identify enhanced progress in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25026/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: This question is self-explanatory. It seeks to identify the extent of the progress towards emission-reduction targets in line with EU and global targets without damaging the agrifood sector.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he indicate whether he intends to review progress towards these targets regularly? One of the mistakes we have often made in trying to meet targets has been the reluctance, inability or lack of opportunity to review progress regularly. That was often not done even on a biannual basis.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: We must remember that the Irish agrifood sector feeds almost 42 million people, something no other agrifood-producing country in the world is capable of doing in proportional terms. I ask that special attention be given to the amount of food produced by the agrifood sector in this country and the contribution it makes to feeding other nations as well as our own. That must be borne in mind...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Just Transition Commissioner (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: We are way over time. Question No. 70 is in the name of Deputy Catherine Connolly.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: As just a minute and a half remains, I will take a written reply to Question No. 78 and perhaps Deputy Ó Murchú might forego his introduction to Question No. 79.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (22 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: The Deputy will get a very extensive written reply I have no doubt.