Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Development Companies (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department supports Local Development Companies (sometimes referred to as 'area partnerships') via SICAP, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration. SICAP actions are delivered by 46 local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Refugee Resettlement Programme (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: A whole of government approach is being adopted to support the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP), which is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department, currently supports over 420 community organisations nationwide, to provide an extensive range of local services and facilities within local communities, through a social...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: In 2021, my Department provided €6.5 million to the North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC) and I am pleased that the funding has been increased by a further €1 million in 2022. This year under the NEIC Initiative, my Department will be providing €7.5 million towards the regeneration of the Dublin North East Inner City area to help ensure that the recommendations of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Funded by my Department, the Place-Based Leadership Development (P-BLD) Programme is being delivered in Darndale and Drogheda further to recommendations from the Nolan and Geiran reports. The Programme is an investment in local leaders to help them address the challenges experienced in those areas. The P-BLD programme will strengthen the capacity of those already working hard to improve...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 555. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown including by gender and nationality of the number of single persons who have entered the International Protection Process in 2022, presenting with a date of birth which would make them under 18 years of age at the time their case was opened but are living in International Protection Accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Participation Networks (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: A “root and branch” review of Public Participation Networks (PPNs) structures was conducted in 2021 by an independent contractor to ensure that the structures continue to be fit for purpose and support the ongoing development of PPNs. The purpose of the review was to assess how the existing structure of the PPNs has facilitated the operation of the network against the overall...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Funding of €2 million was secured to design and implement a new Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) in 2022 aimed at specifically targeting area-based deprivation through a community development approach. This initiative, in part, stems from a Programme for Government commitment to expand the Dublin North East Inner City model and will be informed by other initiatives such as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: In 2019, my Department published Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities - A five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024. This Strategy is important in seeking to strengthen the community development, local development and community and voluntary sectors generally. The strategy reaffirms the Government’s commitment to supporting the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department is in ongoing contact with local and community groups through the local structures such as Public Participation Network (PPN). The focus of the PPN is to empower and assist groups to participate in local decision making. This facilitates a two way flow of information between the Local Authority and community groups. We also remain in close contact with bodies that represent the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Funding (6 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Community Employment (CE) supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons to assist them entering the open labour market on exit from the CE scheme, while at the same time providing valuable community services. The programme is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector. CE sponsor organisations receive annual...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Child Poverty (7 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The cost of living, having remained relatively flat for a number of years, has seen an increase in recent months. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of Government strategy, which aims to reduce consistent poverty and improve social inclusion in Ireland, with specific commitments focusing on children and families. The Roadmap recognises the importance of child related...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Minister for Transport thanks the Senator for raising this matter. Driving licences are usually issued for a ten-year period at a cost of €55. An applicant may be issued with a one-year or a three-year licence for medical reasons. The fee for a three-year licence is €35. There is no fee for a one-year licence. To drive a vehicle, a driver must meet strict medical...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: To reiterate, there is no fee payable for a one-year driver licence for a person who must renew it annually due to a medical condition that must be assessed regularly. The fee for the three-year licence is €35. The community welfare system is available to anyone struggling with specific costs including those related to their transport needs. I very much take the Senator's point....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and I utterly condemn the deplorable violent attacks that took place in Dublin city centre over Easter and wish the victims of these incidents a healthy recovery. People should be able to feel safe and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin, or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: It should be on the way. I apologise that it is not available now.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputies again for raising this matter in the House this morning. I will take their messages back in terms of visibility, resourcing and gardaí on the beat. The Minister is determined to continue to drive the implementation of the range of community safety policy actions to combat criminal activity and antisocial behaviour. We are very conscious of the effect these...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy O’Rourke for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I understand that the Deputy’s question is with regard to the inclusion of private bus operators in the young adult card and other fare-reduction initiatives. From the outset, I would like to assure the Deputy that I have been advised that it has always been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I will bring the Deputy's message to the Minister. I think the school bus transport issue may go to the Minister, Deputy Foley. I take the Deputy's point, however. I would like to reassure him that both the NTA and the Department of Transport have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators to help inform policy decisions with regard to the public transport sector, particularly...

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the carbon tax is not behind the current spike in energy prices as the annual rate of consumer price inflation, as measured by the European Union's (EU) Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, picked up sharply over the course of last year, and stood at 6.9...

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: For instance, the budget 2022 carbon tax increase, which came into effect in October last year, added approximately 2 cent per litre in tax to petrol and diesel. The increase in rates for home heating fuels such as kerosene, gas and solid fuels was delayed until 1 May 2022 to mitigate impacts during the winter heating season. The May 2022 increase will add approximately €21.56 to the...