Results 181-200 of 477 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Paul Donnelly

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (2 Mar 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I will use this chance to raise the situation of the urgent care centre, that is, the walk-in service at Connolly Hospital and its transition to an appointment-only facility. I know that many parents in Dublin West and the wider community were delighted to hear we had got an urgent care centre in Blanchardstown and a place to which they could drop their child, if the child was ill. There...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Mar 2023)

Paul Donnelly: A new floor of apartments has been added on top of an apartment building in Mulhuddart. There is a replacement heating system for the building because the existing one broke. Nothing else was done in the apartment block and the landlord has now increased the rent by 103%. A number of those tenants have now been given an eviction notice following an increase that they were not even informed...

National Ambulance Service: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: The simple fact of the matter is that, as Minister has acknowledged, the ambulance service is under huge pressure. Nobody outside of the Chamber would ever criticise any of the workers. In fact, we have all been exceptionally supportive of them and that is why they have engaged with us on this matter. When a person fell ill recently in this building, I called the ambulance service at 11...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (28 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I welcome the Taoiseach's response that the referendum on housing is coming. Will he consult the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek its opinion on the proposed wording? A constitutional right to housing will not guarantee every person in the State a home but it would place an important legal obligation on current and future Governments to progressively realise...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: The opening of the Children's Health Ireland, CHI, urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital was hailed as a major milestone in the new children's hospital project. The walk-in service providing urgent care for children with minor injuries and illnesses was a critical component of the new service, not just in providing immediate care but in taking the strain off CHI at Temple Street and CHI at...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (28 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: In response to the European Commission's proposals for a green deal industrial plan for a net-zero age, EU leaders called for further work to be undertaken in several areas, including state aid. It appears that leaders have limited the Commission's state aid work to consider the procedural issues in minor temporary support. As a small member state with significant domestic supply and export...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Strategy (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: As the Minister of State knows, I have been involved in the local drugs task force since the beginning, back in the late 1990s. The role of community representatives on the task force is critical. I know this has become a huge challenge for the community in recent years. There has also been something of a pushback from certain Departments against community involvement. Basic respect for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Strategy (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: This is deeply worrying in the community. Over the past couple of years, I have attended a number of meetings with Citywide and community representatives on the respect that people are not getting in the interaction with and implementation of the national drugs strategy. I commend the Citywide drugs crisis campaign. I know a call has gone out for participants in the provision of level 5...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Strategy (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: Will the Ministers outline the Department's role in the implementation of the national drugs strategy?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: The facts are there. It is clear that the funding gap is approximately 12% to 14%, depending on which project is involved. There are section 10s, sections 56s and section 39s, in addition to programmes that are directly funded by the Department. This funding is critical for community development because it is a very specific sector and role that covers a plethora of different services,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: 3. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to deal with the retention of staff in community development projects in view of the fact that large numbers of staff are leaving to fill roles in the HSE and in local authority-run projects; and if there is a plan to introduce pay parity to encourage more people to join the sector. [9207/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: What steps are being taken to deal with the retention of staff in community development projects in view of the large number of staff who are leaving to take up roles with the HSE and local authorities? Is there a plan to introduce pay parity to encourage more people to join the sector and, importantly, to retain those currently working in the community?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (23 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: That is part of the problem. There is no one Minister with an overarching role for in respect of community development. Anywhere we go, we hear about the deep concern regarding job recruitment and retention. The simple fact, however, is that funding provided for salaries in the community development sector simply do not match what the State, through local authorities and the HSE, is...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: The Bill is welcome. We need to acknowledge and streamline the difficulties at all levels of the Garda Síochána from Commissioner down and build on what is going well. The level of confidence in GSOC presents an issue, with some investigations taking too long. With Deputy Paul Murphy, I raised this matter last week as it related to the ongoing investigation into the death of...

Eviction Ban Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I welcome this Bill and thank the Deputies who brought it forward. Given that Sinn Féin tabled a motion on the matter to which it relates last night, it is a sign of the really deep concern that we all have about the ending of this eviction ban and the cliff edge that people will face. There is no doubt that the Government has lost control of the homelessness crisis. That is obvious...

Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Motion (21 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I welcome the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. It is something that has needed to happen for many years. I commend all of those who campaigned and worked hard to get this far. I acknowledge there is no one voice on this issue. While we are speaking about a citizens' assembly I call on the Government to stop dragging its heels and establish a citizens' assembly on Irish unity as soon as...

Co-ordination of International Protection Services: Statements (16 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: Ireland has a history of forced emigration through the brutal occupation of our country and the failure of this State to be able to provide work to generations of young men and women. We all know some were welcomed and others were met with signs that said "No blacks, no dogs, no Irish". The immigration, refugee and asylum seeker crisis of today is a space we should not be in. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (16 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: This incident happened in my constituency, not too far from my home, and I have asked consistently about the GSOC investigation. To be honest, I listened to the reply and it is pretty much identical to what we heard before Christmas, the Christmas before that and in the summer. It is pretty much identical to the previous statements. If an investigation was being carried out by An Garda...

Cost-of-Living Supports: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: There is one part of the Minister's statement I agree with. I am glad she pointed out the notorious failure of the British state to look after the citizens of the North it has ruled for 100 years. The Minister makes a powerful case for a united Ireland. Workers and families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, despite what the Minister said over the past ten minutes. I ask...

Emergency Housing Measures: Motion [Private Members] (9 Feb 2023)

Paul Donnelly: Despite the claims of the Minister of State and the Government that Housing for All is working, it is clear that it is not. Every metric we have heard today shows that it is not. The social and affordable housing targets, even with them being too low, are being missed. It is now the third year in a row they have not been met. We all know that is completely unacceptable. We must increase...