Results 2,301-2,320 of 25,975 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (6 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The Act provides that housing authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I refer to the reply to Question No. 99 of Wednesday 21 June 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are instructing all the local authorities to carry out vacancy surveys. We have put dedicated teams into each local authority around vacancy. Those teams are conducting surveys street by street of all vacancies in core areas so we will come up with a detailed register for each local authority to complement the work of the CSO in that area. This body of work is underway. We hope to have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. It is clear from recent EPA reports that water quality trends need to change, particularly, but not solely, in respect of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, being lost from farmlands into our rivers, lakes and coastal areas. I concur with the Senator's view in respect of the farming community, the members of which are doing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator. We will continue to engage with the CCMA. I undertake to work with my officials to engage with the CCMA. The CCMA review identified a requirement for 57 additional posts. Funding has been provided for 21 of those. As part of the Estimates process, I will be looking to increase that. I take the Senator's point that there are 31 local authorities in total. We will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): School Facilities (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join with my colleagues in welcoming the Kennedy family. I represent the city of Limerick. John F. Kennedy visited Limerick in 1963 at what was then the old racecourse. The racecourse has moved but the structures are still there. At the time, the mayor was female, which was very unusual. Both of my parents were there. My dad has passed away but my mother is still alive and remembers...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): School Facilities (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The notes say 589 but we will take it that 620 students were enrolled in the school for the 2022-23 school year. The Department’s planning and building unit recently received an application from St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School seeking funding for a new PE hall and social space for students. This is in addition to funding that was approved under the additional school...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): School Facilities (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank Senator Joe O'Reilly for allowing me to outline the Department of Education's position to the House. As the Senator will be aware, St. Aidan's Comprehensive School is currently advancing an additional school accommodation project which is delivering additional specialist classroom and ancillary accommodation. This project is currently at design stage, stage 2(b). As I stated,...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am delighted to be invited to speak about local government and planning in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for that area. I was delighted to accept the invite. As a former Member of the House, I am aware that Members have a huge interest in local government affairs and are fierce advocates for strong local government. As Minister of State, that advocacy and support are...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It has been a very informed debate. I wish to respond to the points raised. I propose to give a general overview and then go through the specific points. I thank Members for their incisive and progressive contributions. Some of my points will touch on items raised. In April, Ireland welcomed a monitoring mission from the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: One of the key features of the Croí Cónaithe scheme is that it is relatively straightforward. It provides for €50,000 for a unit built prior to 2008 that has been vacant for two years or more. The figure is €70,000 if it is derelict. It is very straightforward. With regard to the over-the-shop scheme, if a retail unit or office is downstairs and the upstairs has...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are in the process of finalising the legislation. I am looking to have it prior to the summer recess as quickly as possible. I cannot be more honest than that. That is my intention.

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Senator Gavan also spoke about social and affordable housing. I want to see more of that. He made reference to Castleconnell in Limerick. The local authority is looking at an affordable cost-rental scheme of upwards of 20 units in Castleconnell. I do not know the number of tenants in situ as that is private information. I want to see Part V applied in new estates, with 10% social housing...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Fundamentally, the directly elected mayors will be underpinned by the legislation. Like everything in life, there probably will be elements in respect of which people will have questions but I am determined that we get legislation that is fit for purpose. It will be then up to the Government to decide when the election will be held. It will be held. Senator Hoey referred to local...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: -----the margin was very narrow. Our margin was very positive in the other direction. I am conscious that, whatever we bring forward, we are in a new phase and need to ensure we bring people with us. There will be a review after three years of the role. That was built into the general-----

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I did. I will mention it again.

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Senator is aware, as matters currently stand, councillors can claim for the installation of a security scheme under the local representation measures that are available to them. In addition, they can get a percentage of monitoring costs thereafter. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission came forward with its own stand-alone scheme for which Deputies and Senators now qualify. That...

Seanad: Local Government Matters: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Members for their insightful contributions and look forward to continuing to work with them.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I want to thank both Deputies Sherlock and Duncan Smith for raising this matter, which I will take on behalf of the Minister for Climate, Environment and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I want to outline the position on this matter, which deals with the current increases that are formally due. Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (28 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputies Sherlock and Duncan Smith for raising these matters on behalf of the An Post pensioners. They will appreciate that there is a process. New Era is part of that process, and the issue is currently with New Era. However, I do take their point that this process should be concluded as quickly as possible. I undertake to go back to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to make that...