Results 1,381-1,400 of 7,163 for speaker:Cian O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 138. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to increase public transport options for those who work after midnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (6 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 364. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is possible to receive the pandemic unemployment payment retrospectively in cases in which a person did not claim the payment at the time despite being entitled to it; if so, the process for making a claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36402/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (6 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 548. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the 16-week delay for those aged between 60 and 69 in getting their second dose of a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29934/21]

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, lines 9 to 23, to delete all words from and including “(1) Notwithstanding” in line 9 down to and including line 23. Rushing through this legislation and using the guillotine has consequences. This has been done previously with planning legislation and has resulted in a Bill being rushed through before Christmas with changes to substitute...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (7 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 143. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays faced by cohort 7 in getting the Covid-19 vaccines; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30452/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (7 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 144. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons on national panels for psychologist staff grade posts have not been made aware of the new recruitment campaign and change in the panel process; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30453/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (7 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 152. To ask the Minister for Health the policies in place to protect patients from adverse effects including stress in cases in which their debts for hospital charges are passed on to debt collectors; if he will consider removing these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30461/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Parking Provision (7 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 153. To ask the Minister for Health if the recommendations of the 2018 Hospital Car Parking Review will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30462/21]

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: The Green Party in government is supporting a model of cost rental that involves profit returns for investment funds. That is what is happening. Last night, the Government voted to provide tax exemptions for cuckoo funds to buy up homes. In addition to these tax exemptions, the State is incentivising the bulk buying of homes by investment funds by copper-fastening guarantees of rental...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: It is completely unacceptable that the Government has allocated only three hours for almost 100 amendments to be taken and to use the guillotine in this way. This Bill deserves proper scrutiny, engagement and oversight. It is quite appropriate we are starting with amendments looking for proper scrutiny, accountability and oversight. The key flaw in this Bill is that it leaves much up to...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: We absolutely need affordable housing for those on average incomes. This is what is needed. We have reasons to be concerned that this is not what will happen. The Minister and the Government have given us those reasons because there has been talk about price limits for affordable apartments of up to €500,000. There has been talk of cost rental being set at a 25% discount off the...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, to delete lines 28 to 33 and substitute the following: “(3) All proposed regulations to be made under the Act shall be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas for consideration. No regulations shall be made until they are approved by both Houses.”.

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I support these amendments as well. The role of community-led trusts needs to be supported and if it is not fully incorporated into the Bill, we need to do that. Not only are they to be found in other parts of Europe, they are in Scotland as well. In recent years, the Scottish Land Commission has done significant work on this. It has a good alternative role in providing housing which is...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: The issue I have with this Bill, as with much of the Government's approach on housing and certain other areas, is that it is based on very good social democratic ideas, which are supported by progressive parties if not taken from them, but those ideas are, in effect, undermined and subverted by trying to put for-profit models onto models that only work because they are successful...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I am speaking to my amendments Nos. 12 and 24 in this group. When it comes to why housing is unaffordable, private developers are at the heart of this. Turning to them to try to deliver affordable housing when they are the ones who are pushing up prices, which we all understand is part of their business model, is a completely flawed approach. Public private partnerships will mean so-called...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, to delete line 4. This amendment is grouped with amendments Nos. 35 and 41 and they would all have the same effect, which is to remove open market dwellings as an option for providing affordable housing. My issue is with the Government potentially buying houses on the open market for the provision of social and affordable homes, thus reducing the...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: Those are the reasons I tabled the amendments.

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I welcome that the Minister has given some clarification on that. As we all understand, there is a significant difference in rural and urban areas, and this changes the kinds of interventions that need to be made in some circumstances. We must look at the legislation in front of us. The Minister spoke of some exceptional circumstances and some limited circumstances, and said this would...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will press the amendment.

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will speak briefly to my amendment No. 32, which is similar to Deputy Fitzmaurice's amendment. It seeks to limit eligibility to purchase affordable homes to intending owner occupiers.