Results 2,021-2,040 of 3,310 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: We hear that loud and clear. I thank Mr. Gloster for the information; it is very helpful. The next issue I wish to raise is much more serious. The State is under enormous pressure around dealing with the war in Ukraine and also around the current ongoing situation with inbound migration. It is something that is extremely difficult for the Government to manage. Of course, it falls under...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: We are obviously having an in-depth look at 2021 in addition to the ongoing circumstances at the moment. In 2021, prior to the war in Ukraine, was there a projected increase in this area from the Department? Was it expecting a huge increase in the amount of inbound migration when it came to people who would be accessing the direct provision system in Ireland?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: There has been considerable discussion about targets or putting caps and limits in place. I am not expressing a view but I am trying to get a better insight for the public in this area. Is the Department reaching a tipping point when it comes to what it will be able to handle? I hear, off the record, from people who are working with local authorities that they are at breaking point when it...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: We would want to be very careful because I have very limited time. I am sure he can see the clock behind me winding down. I asked a very clear question. Does Mr. McCarthy have concerns about the rate the numbers are growing? I know we have international obligations. I do not think any of us in elected office, to be fair to us, is trying to step away from those obligations but...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. McCarthy is not answering my question. He is either concerned or he is not. I would prefer to get an answer from him.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay. This is going-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I do not think-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I am very sorry-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I am conscious of the time and I have to ask other questions. I wish to develop an understanding of the acquisition of property. I am from Youghal and I am sure the Deputy is aware that the former Quality Hotel in Redbarn was acquired by a private company which is now providing one of the largest centres in the country, outside of Citywest in Dublin, if not the largest. I wish to...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I have a final question.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Feeding into what Deputy Carthy has just raised, this is all about the public's confidence in this system, which involves extremely large sums of public money. The idea that the owners of centres that are hosting refugees and operating direct provision services are not required to provide a tax clearance certificate when in some cases they are in receipt of millions of euros of taxpayers'...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I am talking about nursing homes that are closing down because there has been a lot of discussion about that.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Does Mr. McCarthy have that figure available?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: How many are involved?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay. I am going to stop-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Please stop. I am sorry. I have a time limit. I do not like what Mr. McCarthy is doing there. Is there a policy to ensure a regional balance of centres so that each geographical area has an even balance in respect of what is projected to be required for the next six months?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. McCarthy has spoken about being conscious of, and trying to avoid, the interruption on other sectors. I spoke at the start about public cohesion and buy-in, which is essential for this to work. The consequences of it not working are very serous for the political system and our democracy. The people of this country have been extraordinarily generous and have worked diligently in many...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: I did not ask Mr. McCarthy about that topic in my question.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. McCarthy-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Chapter 13 - Guardian Ad Litem Follow-up Report (27 Oct 2022)

James O'Connor: Is the cost €150 per night per room? What is the rate at the moment?