Results 1-20 of 2,152 for speaker:John Cummins

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I welcome the opportunity to come before the House to discuss and seek approval for the final draft revised national planning framework, which was approved by Government on 8 April 2025. As already outlined by my colleague the Minister, the approval process for the finalisation of the revised national planning framework plays a key role in delivering on our broader objectives across...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Derelict Sites (30 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Deputy Brennan. I addressed the URDF, CPO and the derelict sites register in my opening remarks. The other strand is obviously the vacant property refurbishment grant, which has been a hugely successful scheme. Towards the end of Q1 of 2025, more than 12,400 applications have been received under the scheme, with more than 8,600 approvals and 2,000 grants paid out to date, giving...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Derelict Sites (30 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this. It gives me the opportunity to address Members on this important issue. Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority of mine and this Government. To address this, a number of structures have been established, including a dedicated vacant homes unit in my Department, a full-time vacant homes officer in each...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Promotion (30 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Acting Chairperson.

Seanad: Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (29 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: It is great to be in the Seanad this evening. I spent four and half good years here as a Member, so it is always a pleasure to be back in the Seanad. I welcome the opportunity to discuss and seek approval for the final draft revised national planning framework, which was approved by Government on 8 April 2025. The finalisation of the approval process for the revised framework plays a key...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Renewable Energy Generation (9 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: As I said in my opening statement, and as I know the Deputy knows, there are no regulations currently in place but on foot of the programme for Government we are in the process of developing those. It is important to say that they will involve a public consultation element which people will be able to feed into. It is also important to mention that the planning system as a whole is subject...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Renewable Energy Generation (9 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Deputy O'Connor for raising this important issue, as I know he has done on many occasions in this Chamber. It gives me the opportunity to update Members on the development of solar farms on agricultural lands in Cork and across the country. I highlight first that the recently published Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reaffirms Ireland's ambitious target...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (1 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Senator O'Donovan and congratulate him on his appointment to the House. It gives me a good opportunity to update the House on the wastewater treatment plant in Dunmanway. At the outset, I must advise the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2020 set out the arrangements that are in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (1 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I reiterate that there are investigations to determine what will be possible in respect of an interim solution to bring the plant into compliance and potentially to allow for the expansion of capacity. Those investigations will be completed by the end of quarter 2. To reiterate, we want to continue to invest in Uisce Éireann to facilitate the maintenance of the network and to ensure...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Communities Abroad (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for his advocacy in this area. Any time we get a chance to talk about the diaspora in this Chamber is welcome. We can see the value of sustained investment in our communities abroad. I had the opportunity to visit Thailand and the Philippines where I saw at first hand how our diaspora engage in their local communities and the value that they add in those countries, as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I will take his points back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. It is important to say the Government is committed to further increasing the number of safe crossing locations for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. We need to provide additional options that are not reliant on those connections because of the capacity constraints and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Communities Abroad (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I’m answering on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. I am fully committed, as is the Department, to strengthening the bonds with all Irish communities overseas. Central to this work is the emigrant support programme, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its inception in 2004, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank both Deputies for their advocacy in this area. As I stated in my opening remarks, I do understand it. I taught in the education system myself. I have met children who are similar to the children in the examples given by the Deputies. It is important to also put in context that the Department will spend €2.9 billion this year on special education, one quarter of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I apologise as I have a cold, but I will try to get through the reply. I thank Deputy Shane Moynihan for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport today. As the Deputy rightly points out, in 2022, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland sought to investigate the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I want to stress that enabling students with additional educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for this Government. I taught in the education system and taught students with additional needs, so I understand the issue. It is the Government's priority to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Senator very much. I know the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has spoken to him on this matter. I thank him for raising the wider issue. As he will appreciate, I cannot speak to the individual case he referred to. However, I reiterate the Government's commitment to ensuring ongoing improvements in paediatric orthopaedic services to ensure that children with scoliosis and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I again thank the Senator for raising this matter. I take on board the points he raised. The programme for Government commits to a number of measures, including additional staffing and resources to ensure there is sufficient capacity in the system, and using private capacity both at home and abroad. The Senator's points are very well made. I understand that behind every number is a family...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Coillte Teoranta (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Senator Noonan for raising this important matter relating to Coillte's organisational structure, which I will address on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I welcome the opportunity to answer the questions the Senator raised and to update the House on recent developments. Coillte was set up as a commercial State body under the Forestry Act 1988 and, therefore, is independent...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Coillte Teoranta (27 Mar 2025)

John Cummins: I note the concerns the Senator has raised but, as stated, the Minister is committed to addressing the issues that are within his remit in accordance with the provisions set out in the Forestry Act 1988. The most important part of the response from Coillte is that the reorganisation will allow a more integrated approach to all nature and biodiversity projects. As stated, Coillte has said...

Housing Commission Report: Statements (27 Feb 2025)

John Cummins: I join the Minister in thanking the Housing Commission for its work. I commend each member of the commission on their efforts by any objective measure. The commission's report is an impressive piece of work and is having the intended impact on informing the policy debate and providing innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges we collectively face in the housing space. The...