Results 181-200 of 1,995 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: As the Tánaiste knows, the escalation of decarbonisation brought forward the closure of the Lough Ree power plant in Lanesborough, County Longford to 2020, resulting in a five-year loss of rates in the region of €1.2 million per annum to Longford County Council. Thankfully, in each of the four budgets since, central government stepped into the breach and provided €1.2...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I will be the first from the Government benches to put my hand up to acknowledge we have been far too slow to respond to the immigration crisis. We entered Government in early 2020 with fewer than 3,000 arrivals per annum and a commitment to end direct provision as part of the programme for Government. Over the intervening four years, numbers have soared and we have peppered the country...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (19 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a minor works grant application to repair a roof by a school (details supplied). [26415/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I want to raise a few local issues but first, before we go into that, in relation to the transition from local authorities to Uisce Éireann, it was announced in February that there would be 700 new jobs across Ireland. Has Uisce Éireann started to recruit for those yet?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: In that regard, has there been a recruitment campaign since the press release in February?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I have a few local issues. While this issue is local to me, it is probably a broad issue for many of the members here, namely, the change in the criteria for taking in charge group water schemes. l will speak specifically about the Forgney group water scheme in Longford. When it began with the first expression of interest, it had 14 households. That has now grown to 17 but they were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I am happy for Mr. Gleeson to come back to me in writing about the others. Were he to bring a take-away from today's meeting on the group water schemes, it seems a no-brainer to take these schemes into charge. There is a local committee there that has been working assiduously on trying to get this scheme in charge since 2018 or 2019. They have done everything possible to get it to this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate him standing in on behalf of the Department of housing. It is somewhat disappointing a Minister was not available to take the question but I am sure the officials will relay my dismay and frustration with this grant scheme. The reality is that in the case of County Longford only a small number of inspections, possibly three, are carried out over...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Like many of my rural colleagues, I was giddy with excitement at the 2023 Ard-Fheis when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, announced changes to the septic tank grant scheme-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Indeed. I have been living ever since with disappointment and a feeling of being unfulfilled, however, given numerous constituents have come to me and pointed out the shortcomings of the scheme. Just 19 grants have been paid out this year by the Department to householders with septic tanks and the Department is coming under increasing pressure to revise the eligibility and application...

Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I was in the Chamber this morning when Martin from the usher's team was congratulated on his retirement. I did not get an opportunity to speak then, but I want to congratulate you. You have given exemplary service, as do all the ushers. Twenty-two years here is a long time. If I get 22 years here, I will be very happy, but I think it will be harder for me to stay the 22 years. I welcome...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: It has been nine very difficult and worrying months for staff and the families of service users associated with St. Christopher's Services in Longford. The service has been historically underfunded and issues have been compounded by its section 39 status. I appreciate that the HSE has forward-funded the service since October, but it still needs an additional €140,000 per month to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Ukraine War (11 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 633.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an accommodation offer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24984/24]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education Policy (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State very much. It is safe to say there was nothing in that reply that will send me home with the wind in my sails this evening. Notwithstanding that, I note there are probably young secondary school teachers who will tell me they were in junior cycle when it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP as part of the implementation of the framework for junior...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education Policy (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I want to speak to the issue of the extension of access to the junior cycle schools programme, JCSP, digital libraries to all schools, particularly DEIS schools. Notwithstanding a proud literary tradition and as a son of a county that gave us Maria Edgeworth, Goldsmith, Padraic Colum and, more recently, John Connell and Belinda McKeon, it is regrettable that our schools network is strangled...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 80. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of homes currently in construction nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24315/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of the actions or recommendations in the recent report of the Housing Commission that have already been implemented, underway or partially underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/24]