Results 981-1,000 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Monaghan General Hospital. (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: The steering group's recommendations were accepted by the executive board of the former North Eastern Health Board in late 2004. The HSE has informed the Department that it does not intend to review the steering group's recommendations in respect of surgical services. The steering group recommended that major and emergency surgery should be carried out in Cavan General Hospital and that...

Ambulance Service. (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the facts relating to this issue. The Deputy mistakenly alleges certain failures on the part of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. It is important,...

Ambulance Service. (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Tánaiste's actions were fully in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 2004, particularly subsection (4) of section 7 which expressed the decision of the Oireachtas that the executive "shall manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services".

Ambulance Service. (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: The executive has its own Vote for which its chief executive officer is the Accounting Officer. In that context, it must make its own decisions on the use of resources and the setting of priorities for service development in Mayo or anywhere else in the country. The Tánaiste has put particular emphasis and importance on the executive providing timely replies and information to Oireachtas...

Schools Building Projects. (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am pleased to outline, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, the position regarding the proposed amalgamation of St. Colman's boys national school and Scoil Náisiúnta Chlochair, which are the two primary schools in Kanturk, County Cork. St. Colman's boys national school, which had an enrolment of 106 in 2004-05, is staffed by a...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Commissioners of Public Works are aware of the current state of this building and have arranged a detailed condition report to be prepared. Remedial works have already been undertaken to the roof so as to minimise any damage to the building. The commissioners hold this building by way of lease with only a short period to run. It is intended to surrender the lease on the due date. In the...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I extend my sympathy to the Fine Gael party and to the members of former Deputy Liam Burke's family, who are here today. I did not know him, but based on his reputation, I feel that I do. Certainly warm tributes have been paid to him on all sides of the House. As Deputy Rabbitte said, the fact that he apparently did not have an enemy in the House is a...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 90 together. I would like to emphasise once again that the Government is committed to the full implementation of the decentralisation programme. This programme is a major undertaking involving the relocation of 10,300 civil and public servants, 60 Departments and offices and more than 56 different locations around the country.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: It is probably one of the biggest infrastructural projects undertaken by the State in recent times. From the OPW's viewpoint there are two main aspects to the programme: the identification and procurement of suitable sites and the construction and fitting out of buildings on these sites. Overall, the programme of site identification and acquisition is progressing satisfactorily. To date,...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: Contracts for sale have been received in a further 11 locations including Carlow, Donegal, Dungarvan, Killarney, Knock, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Thurles, Tipperary, Carrick-on-Shannon and Thomastown. Other locations at which site acquisition is at an advanced stage are Cavan and Trim. The total purchase cost for the 18 non-OPW owned sites, together with the building in Tullamore, is...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: As regards the price I indicated, which was an average between €60,000 and €3.8 million, it reflects almost exactly the market situation. I recommend the Deputy to travel around the country to see what is happening in rural towns.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: Perhaps she should be more up to date, as indicated by the fact that she is surprised by the figure of €430,000. One of her Labour Party colleagues in the Seanad referred to the God-forsaken places down the country that some Departments are being sent to. I have not heard the Deputy withdraw that particular statement on behalf of her party. There is a vibrant property market in the country...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Deputy mentioned the Thornton site, which comprised 150 acres within ten miles of O'Connell Street, as recommended by experts, and bought for development. That was the market value of that particular site.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I have listened to the Deputy's questions. I would like the opportunity to answer them. As regards the 150 civil servants that will be decentralised before the end of this year, those are people who have gone as advance groups. I cannot click my fingers and create buildings. Also, it is a voluntary scheme and we are involved in intense negotiations with the trade unions representing the civil...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: Some 9,000 have applied to go. A further 13,000 have applied to decentralise since the closing date of the early move, or since the end of September.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: There will be 1,000 by the end of 2006. I can go though the figures for 2007 because we have laid down indicative dates. As soon as the buildings are complete the people will be ready to move.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: In addition to property considerations, there are many positive reasons for taking the decentralisation route. The purpose of the programme is to promote essential balanced regional development. Given that the Government encourages incoming multinationals to locate throughout the country, there is no reason it should not put its money where its mouth is. Decentralisation will provide a...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I answered the Deputy's earlier questions. As I stated, the decentralisation implementation group, an independent body chaired by Mr. Justice Fergus Flood, has indicated there will be no difficulty in terms of factors such as the loss of skills. The reason certain Departments have been included on the early mover list is that no difficulties are envisaged and a large number of staff have...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: Of the 10,600 civil servants affected by decentralisation, approximately 1,000 are specialist staff while the others are ordinary civil servants from various grades. Transfer to other Departments does not present a difficulty because civil servants currently transfer between Departments all the time. It will not impinge on efficiency by virtue of the fact that members of staff choose to move...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Parlon: I anticipate that the ability of staff to work in a Department of their choice in a location close to where they live will have a positive impact on efficiency and eliminate the need to commute for five or six hours per day.