Results 41-60 of 64 for 5 million speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Report on Local Public Banking: Discussion (23 Oct 2018)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...terms of the capacity of the credit union movement to lend to both the SME sector and the home loan sector. Mr. Molan referred to a point they made, which is that there is a capacity to lend up to 50% of the credit union regulatory reserve, which is just short of €1 billion. Currently, 90%, or €900 million, of that is being lent. They believe there is also capacity in...

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...on the elderly. The same circumstances still apply. In pointing out that at the time only 30,000 people did not qualify for a medical card, the then Minister, Deputy Martin, said: "More than 1.15 million people in the country have a medical card so 30,000 is not an enormous figure". A figure of 20,000 is even smaller and is still not an enormous figure. The Minister, Deputy Harney, has...

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...games in the UK which will have a significant impact on people's lives on this island, both North and South, and in the UK. If there is a hard Brexit, it is critical we can move quickly. Under the €1.2 billion fund, €650 million has been allocated for a contingency fund with €220 million to be spent with immediate effect across a range of areas. On top of that,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (23 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...making a difference. In 2023, the HSE national service plan provides for an additional 43 residential places as well as 23 residential care packages to young people ageing out of Tusla services. In 2023, €6.7 million new development funding was made available to further expand respite services. I note Deputy McGuinness's strong advocacy in the area of respite. The Minister of...

Transport, Accelerating Sustainable Mobility: Statements (31 May 2022)

Kieran O'Donnell: .... We need to see a plan from the DAA as to how it will ensure that passengers can get through Dublin Airport on time before the upcoming bank holiday weekend when the numbers will double from 50,000 to 100,000 passengers per day into the summer period. We need to understand how this situation arose last weekend. Was it simply rostering? I accept there is a mismatch with the staff...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vacant Properties (22 Feb 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...that certain properties will take time but we will certainly follow up the case he highlights in Tobar Naofa with Kerry County Council. The process has started this year and a further €5 million in funding has been ring-fenced for planned maintenance under this year's planned maintenance-voids programme to support the implementation of an ICT asset management system for the...

Seanad: Budget 2019: Statements (9 Oct 2018)

Kieran O'Donnell: .... Second, it is about improving living standards and dealing with the vulnerable in our society. The Government has raised the point at which people start paying the top rate of income tax by €750 to over €35,000. We have also reduced the 4.75% rate of USC by 0.25%. We are increasing the minimum wage and are making sure that those earning that wage remain outside the tax...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed). (8 Apr 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...ceiling increased and mortgage interest relief is gone, a matter about which I feel very strongly. In the last budget, mortgage interest relief for non-first time buyers was reduced from 20% to 15%, and now it is being fully abolished. That will mean €900 per year to the average family. The reason given by the Government is that interest rates have decreased. In 2002 interest rates...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Road Traffic Offences (8 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published in 2021 which included a number of key recommendations including a reduction of the speed limit in the Park from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour. The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety. There has been a reduction of speeds within the Park with a noticeable change in driver...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (2 Dec 2020)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Minister for his reply but I must take issue with it. He referred to delay of the project. There is €5 million allocated to the project for this year. There is no issue with funding here. This is an issue of sign-off from the Minister to allow this road project to go ahead. He stated it is now getting to construction decision stage. If he walks the route, he will see...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Dec 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: .... I welcome the fact the rental income for the rent-a-room scheme is being increased. I note that the mortgage interest relief for landlords of rental properties will systematically increase by 5% over the next five years. The rate is currently 75%. The key point is that we must be vigilant to ensure this does not give rise to an increase in rent. This is the underpinning control...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society involved funds being moved between both balance sheets over a two-month period. People find this impossible to understand. A total of €80 million in directors' loans were kept off the balance sheet of Anglo Irish Bank at the year-end. Professor Honohan said yesterday that he would apply the public sector pay cuts to staff at the...

Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2020)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...to enable the people to start living in the city. It needs to be looked at again to see how it is working. It is a tax-based scheme. It would be hugely important. I welcome the fact that €10 million was given towards Shannon and Cork airports in the budget. Shannon is vital for the region. I also welcome that funding has been provided for transport initiatives and it would be...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...Another question put by the Taoiseach was whether the budget is fair. It is not fair. Let us consider the issue in terms of the public sector. Regardless of income, public servants will be paid 5% less straight off. There are 55,000 people in the public sector earning €30,000 or less. When the banks were handing out mortgages it was said these people were gilt edged and many such...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Welfare Services (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...Education, Deputy Foley, and the Government are absolutely committed to doing. That has been acknowledged by the Senator. In June 2023, after coming into government, the Minister launched a €5 million pilot scheme of counselling and well-being supports in primary schools in selected counties, complementing the excellent work that schools already undertake in the area of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...arisen over the years, the existing rights of individuals, as well as the lack of significant scientific and environmental impact data on the natural resource. Prior to the commencement of Part 5 of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 and the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority or MARA on the 17 July 2023, Section 3 of the Foreshore Act provided for the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...for consideration is Frankfurt, to which Shannon Airport operates flights in the summer months. My view on the matter at this point is that it is imperative that this hub is put in place. In 2005, Dublin Airport had 72% of the air traffic. It now has 87%, Shannon Airport has 4% and Cork Airport has 5%. It is imperative for the employees of Shannon Airport and the people of Limerick,...

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...and State significant amounts of money, with the amount quantified at approximately €2.8 billion per year. Coming back to basics, the Government will take €8 per week from the carer, or €35 per month and €416 per year. That is a significant amount. We can think of the cost in terms of nursing home and hospital expenses and how these are saved. In addition, the sick person is...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Dec 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...the first €30,000 of income of public servants should be exempt from the cut so that anyone on less than €30,000 would not suffer a pay cut. Anyone earning more than €30,000 would suffer a 5% cut on what they earn over the €30,000 threshold, with the percentage cut increasing as the earnings level increased. This would mean the lower paid would suffer a lesser burden. Many...

Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am glad to hear that. As the Minister of State will be aware, it is estimated that there is currently enough land zoned for residential purposes to accommodate just short of 1 million housing units. At 50,000 units per year, that is the equivalent of 20 years' supply. Much of that land will end up in NAMA. It will be nothing more than agricultural land. How can NAMA be justified on pure...