Results 1,561-1,580 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Right to Housing: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the representatives from Home for Good and Professor O'Cinneide for being with us. As Senator Fitzpatrick said, it is timely to have this discussion now because the Housing Commission recently launched its public consultation process seeking the views of the public on this issue. It runs throughout the summer until 2 September and it is important that people engage with that...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Adding Chefs to the Critical Skills List Now to Save Irish Hospitality: Discussion (7 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Chairman. I thank Mr. Lynn for giving of his time and sharing his ideas and expertise with us. This is something I am really in favour of. We need to be exploring this much more quickly because, as we all know, there is a shortage of workers in the hospitality industry right across the board, and that includes chefs. Adding chefs to the critical skills list would mean we would...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion. (7 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I support what the Chairman has said about bringing in the HSE, and also what Senator Buttimer said about bringing in the Mental Health Commission. That is a good suggestion. My heart goes out to Dr. Kelleher. It is clear that she is passionate about this and loves her aunt dearly and wants her to be cared for. That is what we all want. We want her aunt and all the other residents to...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion. (7 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Dr. Kelleher. That was very helpful. It will certainly be helpful to get the view of the HSE on costings and whether there is scope for an independent evaluation to be carried out. We may have a better sense of the issue once we hear from it on that particular issue. As Senator Buttimer stated, the Mental Health Commission will add value to this discussion. I thank the witnesses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Chairman and the officials for being with us again to discuss this fifth element of the review. Strategic environmental assessments, SEAs, EIAs and the assessment on habitats have never been a more important component of the planning process as we all work to deliver action on climate change and to protect and enhance the natural habitats and biodiverse landscapes that exist...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Emer Higgins: I really appreciate Ms Graham's response. I will go to the Dáil Chamber for the no confidence debate. I thank our witnesses for being with us again this week.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Support Services (14 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: 366. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that South Dublin County Partnership has been successfully awarded lot 15 under the procurement competition for the new nationwide Intreo Partner Employment Services and as a result will be enforcing compulsory redundancy for 37 staff members; and if she will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: 441. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to calls from an organisation (details supplied) to expand the stamp 1G visa to a spouse, de facto partner of a general permit holder or an intra-company transfer permit holder, instead of limiting it to graduate student or critical-skill permit holders and researchers; her views on the matter;...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: 442. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to calls from an organisation (details supplied) to introduce a five-year visa to allow former Irish residents whose family still reside in Ireland to return to Ireland for regular family visits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44782/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (14 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: 463. To ask the Minister for Health the details of all Irish hospitals that currently provide a childcare facility for staff; the hours that each childcare facility is operational in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44390/22]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: I raise the case of people living in 32,000 apartments built with defects. It is something I have personal experience of. The report of the working group has been really widely welcomed by many of the constituents I am dealing with who are in this situation but it is not helping them foot the bill. Many cannot afford the remediation work and they are worried; they are worried about their...

An Bord Pleanála: Statements (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: I welcome these statements. It is something both Government and Opposition Members called for before the recess and I am glad we are making the time to have this debate. I welcome that the report outlining the practices of An Bord Pleanála has been referred to the DPP, the Garda and to the Standards in Public Office Commission for them to make their judgments on. The report should...

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. O'Connell for being here today and outlining the rationale behind the decision. The committee has discussed Owenacurra a lot. Throughout I have been reminded of a healthcare facility in my constituency. It gave incredible care, had amazing staff and undying community support but it simply did not have a building fit for purpose. It failed HIQA assessment...

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: Am I right in saying that because a brand new roof is being provided, a new facility is effectively being provided and must comply with current regulations?

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: It must comply with current building regulations and fire safety requirements.

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: It must comply with the energy performance requirements. That will then have an internal impact on the requirements in respect of bedroom size and en suites.

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: Okay. I thank our guests.

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee
Consideration of Public Petition on Saving the Services of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: Okay. I understand.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I raise with the Taoiseach the serious backlog in national car test, NCT, appointments. The Covid-19 lockdown obviously had a part to play in creating the backlogs, but these do not seem to have been caught up with. The fastest appointment it is possible to secure at my local testing centre in Fonthill is in March 2023, some six months away. People are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Emer Higgins: 91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the provisions in place for Budget 2023 to include a windfall tax on energy providers profiteering from the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45750/22]