Results 981-1,000 of 4,899 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (17 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, but we were told that there would be another criterion and a second round. We were told that here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (17 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, we were. I wish to clarify that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (17 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Is the repair and lease scheme operating in all local authorities now? My understanding is that the uptake is not as good as it should be because of the criteria that must be met. I mentioned the criteria that were causing trouble last time, which is a concern. The Minister has sought a report on vacant properties from local authorities. Has he said to each local authority that there is...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil also pays tribute to those who have died. What happened to those young ladies was horrific and our sympathy is extended to their families. On education and the priority we place on it, I want to discuss investment in education before the next budget is decided. I agree with Senator Ardagh that we need to have the Minister for Education and Skills attend the House in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome everyone, particularly Ms Mary Mulholland and Ms Kathleen Holohan from my area. I will go easy on Ms Mulholland. The lack of housing supply is the biggest issue facing us. While I welcome the housing assistance payment, HAP, there are major problems with the scheme and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS. Last week I asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will be two minutes more.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Okay. I will ask about caravans in housing estates. Is there a policy in place in this regard? If a caravan is on a green area, for example, what is the story? Is there a policy and if there is not, could we look at getting one? I have many more questions but I will get back to them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It relates to housing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: To correct the witness, sometimes if there are ten houses, 20 names could be given. Those 20 people would be interviewed and then there would be a decision. That is great and I welcome that but it can be confusing for people who are longer on a list and do not understand the process. I can see that sometimes there could be ten houses with 20 names going forward before a decision is made....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is good to know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: There are also the housing assistance payment and rent pressure zone matters.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: HAP is very low in Carlow. It is €600 per month for a person with two children and €700 for two adults and two children. That is low because rents have gone to €1,000 per month. People are not able to meet the €300 differential. They also pay the council €70 or €80 per week. People are falling behind so it should be examined.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know but it is all they have.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: They are not. That is the problem. If a person is taken off the local authority housing list and gets back on the list a few months later, he or she starts from the beginning. I have had many experiences of this. The previous record of six or seven years on the housing list is not recognised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The issue is that the income limit for eligibility in County Kilkenny is €33,500 whereas the income limit in County Carlow is €27,500. There is no comparison. There are people who are not on the list because they do not qualify on the basis of income levels but who should be on the housing list. I thank Ms Mulholland for clarifying the information but the system is just not...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I second Senator Rose Conway-Walsh's proposal that the Minister for Health be brought to the House, with particular reference to the report on valproate, a drug women were taking during pregnancy. It is important that the Minister explain the position because many women have been affected. I need to raise an important issue that is being raised by many. We have all become involved in...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know, but it is serious.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Minister needs to attend the House. We have a very-----