Results 1,321-1,340 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (4 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My Department fully implements the Government's policy on the employment of people with a disability. The number of people with a disability currently employed by my Department represents more than 4% of the total number employed, which is in excess of the agreed national target figure of 3%.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (4 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Schools may only apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must show a clear need for the proposed...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (4 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The following table shows, in so far as my Department is aware, the number of local authority swimming pools in the country, broken down by county council, city council, borough council and urban council. In addition, there are a number of swimming pools which are in private ownership and are open to the public. New locations for local authority pools, where projects are under construction or...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (5 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Deputy should stop insulting the greens.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (5 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November last. The closing date for receipt of applications was...

Written Answers — National Archives: National Archives (6 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The need for a new building for the National Archives has long been recognised and is at this time being actively addressed by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Office of Public Works. Modern technology is used extensively at present in the production of finding aids to the archives and to control the provision of archives to the public. However, it is available for use by the...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My Department is carrying out an expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is examining, among other things, how it has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built under the programme and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. On completion of this...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: At present, at least 15% of the staff of my Department are able to provide services through Irish. This percentage does not include the staff of the National Archives who form part of my Department but which is designated as a separate public body in the First Schedule to the Official Languages Act 2003. The main focus for staff is the provision of verbal services through Irish to telephone...

National Institute of Sport. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: As the Deputy is aware, one of the key recommendations of the Athens review, which was published last year, was that the structures necessary to establish an Irish institute of sport should be put in place to deliver optimal support services for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and sports. It was envisaged that the institute would form the basis of a long-term and sustainable high performance...

National Institute of Sport. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Deputy has correctly stated that the establishment of an institute of sport has been recommended by a number of bodies. There is no point in seeking to establish such an institute unless the funding for it is available and, happily, I have secured the funding for this year. Therefore, the institute of sport will be established. I will have to bring a proposal to the Government very...

Greyhound Racing Industry. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 62 together. I received the independent report into matters relating to Bord na gCon from Mr. Tim Dalton on 5 April last. As Deputies are aware, on 1 February last I appointed Mr. Dalton, who is a former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to carry out an investigation into issues relating to corporate management in...

Greyhound Racing Industry. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I said that I do not intend to comment at this point on what is or is not contained in Mr. Dalton's report. I also said that I intend to complete my consultations with the Office of the Attorney General on the matter before bringing it to the attention of my Government colleagues. All I will say about the matter raised by Deputy O'Shea is that, as he is aware, I have asked all parties...

Greyhound Racing Industry. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I assure the Deputy that all the issues dealt with in Mr. Dalton's report, which will be published in due course, will be debated in the House or in a committee of the House. I have said from the outset that everybody involved in this matter will receive due process. The Deputy will understand why I do not intend to depart from that promise at this late juncture.

Greyhound Racing Industry. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: It is my intention to have the report published. All the questions Deputy O'Shea asked will then, hopefully, be answered. On the press conference, the Deputy will be aware that I stated at the time that people should desist from public comment pending completion of the investigation by Mr. Dalton. That was my position then and is, still. Everybody involved will receive due process. It is...

Greyhound Racing Industry. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My intention is to publish the report when the consultative process has been completed and when it has been brought to Government. I assure Deputy Deenihan it will be published at the earliest date available after that.

Sport and Recreational Development. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: In November 2005 the Government gave its assent to the commencement of phase one of development of the national sports campus at Abbotstown. The estimated cost of the project is €119 million with a four to five year delivery schedule, 2006-10. To obtain guidance on the planning issues involved in such a major project, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development, CSID, met Fingal County Council...

Sport and Recreational Development. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I understand how Deputy Joe Higgins might be concerned about this issue, since he is a representative for the area. The need for an inter-agency study arose from the commitment in the Fingal county development plan to undertake such an exercise. The aim is that all the planning and development issues and options should be considered by a group comprising the relevant experts and...

Sport and Recreational Development. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I assure the Deputy that the views of the local people, through their representatives, will be fully taken into account. Neither I nor the Department wish to superimpose our will. We will be proactive in seeking to accommodate where we can possibly do so. I am really pleased that the sports campus will get under way this year. That will please the people in the general locality as well. It is...

National Aquatic Centre. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I assume the Deputy is referring to a report prepared for CSID, the landlords of the National Aquatic Centre. My Department has been in touch with CSID and has been advised that the facts in the report do not support the conclusions the Deputy has drawn from them. I understand from CSID that it is standard practice for a property survey to be carried out each year by the insurer prior to the...

National Aquatic Centre. (25 Apr 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Various questions have been asked during the past year and prior to that about the National Aquatic Centre. I have answered questions on this subject on numerous occasions. I attach no blame to Deputy O'Shea in that respect. He is entitled to ask any question he wishes. However, I wish to make clear that the National Aquatic Centre is a world class facility which is being enjoyed by tens of...