Results 641-660 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Other Questions: Taxi Regulations (4 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I take the Deputy's points on board. We will raise the matter with the NTA. I will discuss it with my ministerial colleagues.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: At 12.37 p.m.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: At least we will have done the right thing.

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Social Housing Provision (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I thank Deputy Seán Kenny for raising this issue. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government works closely with NAMA, the Housing Agency, local authorities and approved housing bodies to deliver social housing. As of the end of quarter three of 2014, more than 2,000 available units identified by NAMA have been confirmed by local authorities as suitable for social...

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Social Housing Provision (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I understand the frustrations the Deputy is experiencing. I also understand the frustrations faced by the people he is trying house. It is very difficult when one is on the list and one knows there is the promise of accommodation, but it is out of one's control because so many other people must get their ducks in a row. I do not like to use that phrase but that is what must be done. I...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. The hen harrier and freshwater pearl mussel are endangered species protected under EU nature directives. The objective of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is to ensure that these important species are protected while, in parallel, ensuring that the work of farmers and...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: We are introducing the GLAS scheme.

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: As I said in my statement, these areas will get priority.

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: All I can do is reiterate that I understand the Deputy's concerns and I met the smaller farmers. I understand the difficulty they face and how their incomes will be extremely difficult. As I am not the Minister with direct responsibility for it, I have conveyed my concerns to the Minister and will again. This is part of the GLAS scheme, which will prioritise these areas. On the other side...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I am pleased today to provide to the Oireachtas the Government's response to the recommendations of the fourth report of the Constitutional Convention. The report is about the Dáil electoral system, one of the topics listed for consideration by the convention in the Oireachtas resolutions of 2012 approving the calling of the convention. The Government acknowledges the interest of the...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: The pre-legislative phase for the electoral commission begins in January 2015. The preparatory work for this task has commenced in the Department and the Government's legislation programme provides for the publication of an electoral commission Bill in 2015. I have listened to the debate in the House and, while everyone is talking about electoral and political reform, nobody really wants...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local and Community Development Programme Planning (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I thank Senator Daly for raising this important issue. My Department's local and community development programme, LCDP, is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current programme officially ended at the end of 2013, having operated for four years with funding of €281 million over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Palliative Care Facilities (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator for raising what is an important issue, not least for the south east. I am aware of the related matters that he raised. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. The HSE is progressing with plans to develop a 20-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit as part of a €20 million redevelopment at University Hospital Waterford. The new unit...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Palliative Care Facilities (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I will raise the issue with the Minister for Health. The palliative care service is being developed in partnership with the Waterford hospice movement, which is the correct partner and which has generously undertaken to raise €6 million to cover the capital cost of the unit which is in line with other palliative care units proposed. This is a very important issue and I understand...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Schools Recognition (18 Dec 2014)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator for raising this matter which, as he said, I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. It provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position on the recognition process for Mol an Oige Steiner national school, Ennistymon, County Clare. As the Senator will be aware, Mol an Oige Steiner national school...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Supply Contamination (14 Jan 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. I thank the Deputy for providing me with an opportunity to outline the current status of water services in Williamstown and the plans to address the issue that has led to a boil water notice. Modern water and wastewater services infrastructure is vital to...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Supply Contamination (14 Jan 2015)

Ann Phelan: I again thank Deputy Michael Kitt for raising this extremely serious issue. Addressing boil water notices is a key priority for Irish Water. It has published a capital investment plan for 2014 to 2016 and this is available online on Irish Water's website. The plan includes projects which will address the needs of customers who are subject to boil water notices. One of the primary reasons...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (14 Jan 2015)

Ann Phelan: For the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) was contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Programme in the Gaeltacht areas. However, the company liquidated in 2011 and, following legal advice and discussions with the European Commission in late 2012, the areas which had been previously served by MFG were transferred to the contiguous Local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme (14 Jan 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department's Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281 million over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis until March next, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (14 Jan 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 883, 911, 915 and 929 together. My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with...