Results 8,441-8,460 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Business of Committee (20 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Agreed.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Business of Committee (20 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have agreed that if they want to give us a document in advance, that is fine. However, when they come before us, we will ask them what we need to change or do to make the issue resolvable. They are to provide proof as to how they see it. It is our job to ensure we can implement the practical suggestions we hear.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Business of Committee (20 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Chairman may want to use his discretion, given the references he already has.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (21 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 46. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and rank of gardaí in the Drogheda district for each year since 2010; if in view of the significant increase in population she will allocate additional gardaí to the Drogheda district area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7901/16]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (21 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 48. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that burglaries in the Drogheda, County Louth, area have increased by 8% in the past year; the steps that can be taken to assist the Garda in dealing with this issue; the additional resources that can be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7947/16]

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: We lack knowledge as to which local authority has the best performance and where is the most innovative and proactive council. I would like to find out which one it is, so maybe we should ask the county managers if they can help. I know what my own council does, but I do not know what every other council does. It is important to look for leadership within the local government structure,...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not agree that there is nobody. I do not know that that is the case, but we should ask them how we can bring about real change.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, but we should ask the local authorities to add to that list.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: This relates not so much to a policy issue in terms of housing but rather to a practical matter that is hugely important, namely, the way applicants are dealt with by local authorities. It is about the protocols that should be in place. One of the key issues I find, which other committee members may have come across, is that if a person is on the list for a significant period - say, five to...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a query regarding the Department of Social Protection. I presume the reference was to community welfare officers.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is crucially important because they know better than anyone what is the level of supply and demand in their areas. They deal with the matter every day. There are differences, based on geographic or city location, as to the amounts that may be given. They relate to, say, rents in a city versus rents in a rural area. However, one of the key things I feel could make a significant...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Hold on a second now, Chairman. I might very well be getting into the substance of it but that is why I think it is important that when we are getting someone in from the Department of Social Protection, we get someone who actually knows the position and can talk about it. I appreciate that it may be detailed but, if we do not get that information, we will be missing a potential plus.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think, Chairman-----

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----this needs to be looked at before they come. They need to have the answers.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Of course, yes.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sure. If, however, the Chairman ensures that witnesses know exactly what we - as best as we can tell them beforehand - are going to ask, it would make much more sense.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would hope there would be so many questions for NAMA it would go on for two days.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: It goes back to the point made earlier about the way social housing applicants, and homeless people, are treated. I agree strongly with the Deputy that we must articulate a process by which people are treated with respect across the board. It is unfortunate that sometimes people who were homeless are not treated with the respect to which they are entitled. A way of doing that is if they...