Results 161-180 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I wish to raise the issue of the N5 project between Ballaghaderreen and Scramoge. It is positive that An Bord Pleanála has given approval for this project, which has long been needed. It will involve alignment of approximately 15 km of existing roads and a new carriageway of approximately 35 km. It is important because this is a dangerous stretch of road. Motorists travel at high...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development
Common Agricultural Policy: Discussion (22 Jan 2019)

Maura Hopkins: A lot of the issues I wanted to raise have already been dealt with. In respect of young farmers, it is positive to hear that the officials are trying as best they can to support young farmers. In the plan that is to be submitted before January 2020, what extra additional plans are being put in place to support young farmers? We know there is the national reserve and the TAMS, which have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Joint Meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development
Common Agricultural Policy: Discussion (22 Jan 2019)

Maura Hopkins: A lot of the issues I wanted to raise have already been dealt with. In respect of young farmers, it is positive to hear that the officials are trying as best they can to support young farmers. In the plan that is to be submitted before January 2020, what extra additional plans are being put in place to support young farmers? We know there is the national reserve and the TAMS, which have...

Seanad: Housing for Elderly People: Motion (30 Jan 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Like other members, I thank Senator Reilly for putting forward this motion. It is certainly one I am happy to support. In my previous life before becoming a politician I was an occupational therapist, so I am well aware of the challenges in housing and working with older people to facilitate living at home for the longest possible time. Like Senator Reilly in his general practice, I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Abbey Theatre: Discussion (30 Jan 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. In her presentation, Ms McBride mentioned a report commissioned in 2013 that contained specific recommendations. She then said that the group has continued on an ad hocbasis. If these recommendations on the operating model, increased production of new work - both commissioned work and work by visiting companies - and a system for monitoring...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I seek an update from the Minister of State on the planned new 50-bed unit for Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe. I have been raising this issue for some time. I first met the then Minister for Health and now Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, in 2015. It is important this project is funded under the 2019 capital investment plan. These are much-needed facilities for the hospital to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospitals Building Programme (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: As the Minister said, work on the projects to be included in the plan is currently being finalised. I emphasise the need for urgency on this issue. I am happy that the HSE has informed the Department that tender documents are being prepared with a view to progressing the procurement process and commencing an enabling works contract in 2019. It is important we would see enabling works...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Like other Senators, I have received much correspondence and calls from many concerned parents about this Bill. As my colleagues, Senators Noone and Conway, said, I appreciate that the Minister of State is working exceptionally hard to find consensus on this important Bill, to try to support working parents. The contribution, which I have carefully listened to, is working towards reaching...

Seanad: Community and Rural Support Schemes: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State. I shared a platform with him on the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development. I am aware that he is a champion for rural Ireland. I commend him on the work he is doing to ensure that the maximum investment possible is delivered to rural areas. Last year alone, the Department of Rural and Community Development delivered almost €22 million...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Smart Community Initiative: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Apologies, I was a bit late. I had another meeting. I got a lot from the questions and answers section. I will speak about my own experience in Roscommon-Galway. I attended the launch of a digital hub attached to the library in Ballinasloe at the end of January. Obviously, it is a positive development. Ballinasloe Area Community Development, BACD, is proactive in encouraging the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Smart Community Initiative: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Approximately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Smart Community Initiative: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank our guests for their comments. In the context of what the Minister of State indicated earlier, it is very positive that companies providing foreign direct investment are asking questions about, and seeing the potential of, working from home. We want to benefit from that potential in rural areas. The Minister of State mentioned a sort of directory and the broadband officers. That...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (13 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for coming to the House this morning. As he will be aware, I have raised on several occasions the N5 project between Ballaghaderreen and Scramoge. We have had a positive announcement in terms of the project being approved by An Bord Pleanála. That is a very good step in the right direction in terms of delivering this project....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (13 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: The Minister mentioned this project is part of the national development plan within the framework of Project Ireland 2040. We are mindful of the fact that the project needs to go through necessary approvals and that there are definite stages that need to be progress for us to physically see work progress on the project. The Minister has clearly outlined that work is under way to secure...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Not yet.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: It is true. Anyway, Senator Leyden would say what he is saying.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: In respect of the issue Senator Leyden raised this morning, I would like to emphasise strongly that funding is being put in place this year to commence the design process of the Sacred Heart Hospital project.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: It is really important that we see progress on it, and I am very happy to stand over my work on this issue.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise a very serious issue. This morning we heard that a further 57 families have received an apology from the HSE in respect of audiology failures. I have been working very closely with a number of the families affected. Some 49 families got an apology last June. Some 106 families have been affected by audiology misdiagnosis. I know many of these families because they have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Feb 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, for coming to the House this morning to address this matter. I seek an update on the development of a primary care centre in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. As a person from Ballaghaderreen and as a healthcare professional, I cannot emphasise enough the need to develop this primary care centre in our town to deliver enhanced health services...