Results 1,101-1,120 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which I will answer on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I was pleased to see continued improvements in the quality of our bathing waters, especially those that meet or exceed the minimum water quality requirements, in the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2020 report published by the Environmental Protection Agency,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: As I already mentioned, officials are currently examining the most suitable options to provide for safe bathing water during the winter months and to improve dissemination of information on bathing water quality. We look forward to the recommendations of the expert group in the coming months. The Government is committed to substantial and sustained investment in our water infrastructure...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Car Test (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I am replying on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The operation of all roadworthiness testing in the State, including the National Car Testing Service, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. It is important to highlight that quarter 1 is always the busiest time of the year...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Car Test (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. The backlog for the NCTS has undoubtedly been frustrating as the Covid-19 restrictions have eased and many people are now returning to their offices and workplaces. The Department of Transport is very aware of the challenges faced by the NCTS and the RSA as they work to manage the extremely...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Strategies (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 - 2025 is a whole of Government strategy that aims to reduce consistent poverty and improve social inclusion in Ireland.  The Roadmap contains seven high level goals with 22 specific targets, which will be delivered by 66 unique commitments.   Implementation of Roadmap commitments is underway with a number of commitments fully...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, these Community Employment (CE) drug rehabilitation schemes have a very significant social inclusion focus, are well embedded in our local communities nationally and are generally engaged in significant levels of local service support and delivery. The role of the service support worker is crucial in providing these services. I refer to your question...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 631, 632 and 633 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme. Agreement was...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme. This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the CE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 990. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered the recommendations of the International Covid Blood Cancer Coalition impact statement; if these will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14634/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 991. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Sotrovimab to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14635/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 992. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Paxlovid to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14636/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 993. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Evusheld to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14637/22]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Traveller Community (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I can confirm that I received a copy of the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community on 14 December 2021. My Department has recently provided an update to the Joint Committee on the recommendations outlined in the report as relevant to my Department. I have provided the updates requested on the relevant recommendations as follows: Recommendation...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ukraine War (22 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Government is working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response to people fleeing Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well-co-ordinated and seamless approach. I recognise that the capacity, willingness and expertise exists at local level to co-ordinate...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together. As the Deputy may be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Fórsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department provides a range of supports which Men's and Women's Sheds can avail of depending on the works being completed. Since 2018,the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)provided capital funding for community groups which included €0.5m that was ring-fenced for Men's Sheds and again in 2019, €0.5m was ring-fenced under the programme for both Men's & Women's...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (29 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Charities Regulator is fully independent in its day to day operations, and it is a matter for the Board of the Regulator to decide on its appropriate organisational structure within the allocated Vote funding. The estimated full year cost of recruiting two additional full-time senior case managers at higher executive officer level for the Charities Regulator would be €101,696,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Oil Reserves Agency (30 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the National Oil Reserves Agency will be requested to maintain a reserve supply of AdBlue for hauliers in the event of a major interruption in supply due to current events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16845/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Energy Prices (30 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the rapid increase in the price of AdBlue for hauliers in recent weeks and if steps can be taken to assist hauliers with this cost increase. [16841/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Mar 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring organisations that operate in the community and voluntary sector. CE...