Results 1,161-1,180 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Minister for the discussions here today. It is important that this topic is being put front and centre. Last year, the first quarterly report of the Housing for All plan showed that, last year, building commenced on 30,000 homes. That was a high since 2008. There were 39,000 planning permission grants for homes. They are really important figures because they show that the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: The Minister ran out of time. I am only joking. The question relates to the affordable housing regulations, which I know are coming down the tracks. I stress that as we are putting together these plans, we do so in a way that allows couples to plan for their future in order that they can aspire to purchase a home that they would be purchasing on the open market at an affordable rate. I...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Minister. The message that this Government backs homeownership is critical. I began earlier by talking about the need for a plan, for political will and for investment. It has been made utterly clear this evening that we have all of those. We have a costed plan, the level of investment that we need, and the political will to tackle this and deliver real change for families who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction (15 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 834. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to introduce financial supports for persons receiving IVF treatment in the assisted human reproduction Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8162/22]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I would like to ask about the medication, Cariban, which is used to treat the condition of hyperemesis during pregnancy. Hyperemesis is a very debilitating condition in which women experience almost constant vomiting and nausea for the duration of their pregnancy. Cariban has proven to be very effective in treating it, but it can cost up to €45 a week, or between €1,500 and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 66. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local development strategy for the Leader programme; if this will include a review of geographical boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8606/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 107. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minor naturalisation applications that are currently waiting to be processed; the current waiting time for an application to be processed; the estimated length of time that it will take to clear the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8598/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions that are being taken to tackle illegal drug dealing in Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8599/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 193. To ask the Minister for Finance when the tax exemption limit for persons aged 65 years and over will be reviewed in order that it increases in line with the increase in the old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (22 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when national motor tax offices will reopen for in-person customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9335/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 236. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering reducing the VAT rate to 9% for dry-cleaning businesses in line with all other sectors of the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9429/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (22 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 357. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he plans to extend the rates waiver to dry cleaners that are struggling financially as a result of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9430/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (23 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: 253. To ask the Minister for Health if an analysis of the total cost of cancer treatment has been calculated; if so, the total annual costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10378/22]

Town Centre First Policy: Statements (24 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: The ideas and aims contained within the town centre first policy are positive. I am particularly struck by the level of cross-party support that has been expressed today, which I hope is a good omen for the success of this policy. Our towns and villages have shown remarkable resilience throughout the recent crisis. The move towards remote working has changed how many people not only...

Committee on Public Petitions: Election of Vice Chairman (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I echo those sentiments and thank Deputy Devlin for all his assistance to me as a new member of the committee.

Committee on Public Petitions: Annual Reports of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman: Press Ombudsman (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the ombudsman for his time and his comprehensive opening statement. I was particularly interested to hear about the service his office provides in terms of addressing individual complaints, and his comments in regard to the ability of social media to, as he put it, tarnish debates. I am keen to understand his perspective on the online safety and media regulation Bill and, in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Aligning Education with the UNCRPD (Resumed): Discussion (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Ms Lawless. That is very valuable feedback. I do not know if is symptomatic of the agenda we set but, unfortunately, it is that kind of experience we hear about at this committee more than anything else. We feel she is certainly not on her own.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank all of the witnesses. Hearing Mr. Keaney's voice brought me right back to 2019 and sitting in South Dublin County Council chamber at marathon meetings debating Clonburris strategic development zone for weeks on end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (17 Feb 2022)

Emer Higgins: This is what my question is about. It is about the development of housing and how it integrates with the general scheme. I would like to hear the perspective of each of the witnesses on this. I welcome the threat of significant sanction where our heritage and monuments may be undermined. With all of the housebuilding going on throughout the country, how will developers know when they have...