Results 1-20 of 4,645 for speaker:Seán Canney

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank Deputies Ó Muirí and Heneghan for raising this important issue regarding the staffing of primary schools, particularly the teacher allocation to Belgrove infant girls' school and Scoil Mhuire in Howth. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Staff (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: The Minister for Education and Youth is considering how best to make further progress as part of the annual budgetary process in reducing the primary pupil-teacher ratio in the context of the programme for Government. With regard to the appeal for Belgrove, the primary staffing appeals board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. I do not know if there is an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I assure the Deputy the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658 million in funding, an increase from €613 million for 2024. This funding supports the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Funding (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I know Deputy Mitchell said I had two or three lines in relation to Kilmore. Deputy Ellis has hit the nail on the head. If an application comes in to a Department, it will be dealt with. Deputy Heneghan, who is present, has spoken to me about this before. The Department cannot provide funding until an application comes in. Two application processes have been gone through and there will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: The Deputy has spoken to me before about this issue. I really appreciate his bringing it to light. From the outset, I would like to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I have been to Killarney as well, like most people in Ireland, on a number of occasions and had good memories coming away from it. The N22 project is included in the national development plan, NDP, and has received a significant funding allocation for 2025. As I said, approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funds was provided to TII for national roads this year. In line...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Funding (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: First of all, I am shocked to hear that girls and boys have to change their clothes out in the open. It is fairly archaic and dangerous. The Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. Over the past four years, the Department...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this matter. The new programme for Government acknowledges "that good connectivity within the country ... is essential to foster continued economic growth, for communities, and our tourism industry". We have committed to investing in all road projects in the current national development plan, NDP, and to work on improving infrastructure to key tourism...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I am flabbergasted that a school project could be going on that long. From my background as a quantity surveyor working in construction, there is something amiss. We will get to the bottom of it. I am giving the Senator this answer on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is an all-Irish national school serving the heart of Dublin city and is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: Of course, I will do that. The Department of Education and Youth remains committed to continuing to provide enhanced support on this project, including the retention of the project manager until the school is completed, and is in regular contact with the school authorities, meeting approximately every six weeks or more frequently when required. While it is not possible to put an accurate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care of the Elderly (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is something we all need to be aware exists. A lot of us do not know about it. The boarding-out scheme offers an alternative care option for older people who are no longer able to live independently in their own homes and wish to remain in their communities where they may otherwise be accommodated in residential care. The boarding-out...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care of the Elderly (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: As previously noted, the boarding-out scheme facilitates older people to remain in their communities, which is important, where their level of care or needs do not require them to enter residential care facilities. It is all about getting some support locally. While the use of the boarding-out scheme by the HSE has traditionally been small, the potential of the scheme merits consideration...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank Senator Crowe for the question. It is an issue which we have discussed within the Department. It is an important issue because, for me, the experience of a passenger on public transport is key to getting them to repeat using it and trying to reduce the number of cars. I would like to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: As I have said, the Department has engaged with the NTA and Iarnród Éireann on the matter of restoring catering services on intercity services and, where possible, services have been restored, with catering now available on the Belfast and Cork lines. At present, due to funding constraints, there are no plans to reintroduce catering services on all other rail lines as funding is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I apologise as well on behalf of the Department. I do not know what happened. I was chosen today to do Front Bench cover, but it is unacceptable that the Senator cannot do her job to raise an issue with the Government. I apologise on behalf of the Government. I hope she gets priority number one at the next Commencement Matters session.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I am all too aware of recent fatal collisions on Irish roads involving e-scooters. I am happy to clarify that an extensive suite of regulations governing the legal use of e-scooters on public roads was introduced by my Department in May 2024. These regulations include provisions for a minimum...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (26 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I have responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard and the SAR Aviation Contract. Coast Guard Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) services are provided under contract, which is currently transitioning from the incumbent contractor, CHCI, to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL). As with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (25 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service, which includes licence application matters. My Department does not have access to individual driving licence exchange applications and may not intervene in that process....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Primary Medical Certificates (25 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: Following a review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (DDS) Scheme, as part of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy review of Government-funded transport and mobility supports for those with a disability, it was recommended that the DDS should be replaced with a modern vehicular adaptation scheme, in line with international practice. On foot of this recommendation, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (24 Jun 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Deputy very much for the question. The Government is fully committed to tackling climate action with practical, innovative solutions that support our economy, communities and future generations. Promoting EVs is a central pillar of our strategy to reduce transport emissions, along with proposals to increase the use of active travel and public transport, reduce overall car usage...