Results 2,321-2,340 of 10,778 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is in my area of responsibility and I am glad to be able to answer it. The Office of Public Works, OPW, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is co-ordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s national flood risk policy across three areas of flood risk management, which takes the potential impacts of climate change into account under the headings...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh. I have been in Crossmolina on a couple of occasions. I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for the support associated with this. She is conscious of the fact that Mayo County Council is the applicant to the planning authority and, under the Arterial Drainage Act, the Minister is the consenting authority. We cannot predetermine the outcome of a planning process which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not disagree with Deputy Conway-Walsh. If we had a magic bullet to circumvent the regulations we must go through, we certainly would be using it. Many towns, villages and cities such as Galway are under constant threat. When people are living under a psychological threat such as this, it causes a lot of mental trauma. It is not for the want of energy and enthusiasm from our point of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget Process (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I said to Deputy Conway-Walsh earlier, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. is out of the country and I will take all of the questions. A 5% growth rate for core expenditure was set out in the 2021 summer economic statement as part of our medium-term expenditure strategy. This strategy aims to align core voted expenditure growth with the trend growth rate of the economy as measured by GNI*....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh. I apologise for the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who is overseas. The total resources available at Union level for ERDF were determined as part of the overall negotiations of the multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. The resources allocated to each member state were based on the amounts calculated for each of the individual regions by...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. As I said at the outset, the metrics are set out by parameters from places other than the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I will finish where I was with regard to PEACEPLUS. The northern and western region is also able to avail of other supports. The new EU co-financed PEACEPLUS programme for 2021 to 2027 will invest...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pensions Reform (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 31 together. Auto-Enrolment is a Programme For Government commitment and a key priority for Minister Humphreys and the Government. In March 2022, Government approved the design of AE and implementation of the AE system is underway. Under AE, employees will have access to a workplace retirement savings scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The conservation and protection of An Blascaod Mór continues to be of great importance to the OPW.  Visitor access to the island has resumed since April 2023, and a guide service is available on the island every day that boats can safely depart from Dun Chaoin pier. OPW reached an agreement with a local landowner to provide toilet facilities for visitors for the 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The statutory role of the OPW in relation to the conservation and protection of National Monuments in State care is defined under relevant National Monuments Acts 1930 – 2004.   While the primary focus is clearly on the conservation of National Monuments, the Office of Public Works holds as a central part of its mission in respect of National Monuments in their care that they...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works, Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM process investigated possible structural Flood Relief measures for both Annagassan and Termonfeckin. However while CFRAM did not identify economically viable schemes...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Oldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is engaging internationally with colleagues in other jurisdictions on the mutual challenge of managing flood risk. Last November, I and my officials visited a number of areas in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium to witness at first hand the impact of flooding and to see how measures to manage flood risk are being delivered. Record-breaking rainfall over...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am advised that Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All local authorities may carry out flood mitigation or alleviation works, within their own capital works programme and using their own resources, or by applying for funding under the Office of Public Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am advised that Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. The primary objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: In 2018, the Government's Flood Risk Management Plans recommended some 118 additional flood relief schemes to manage Ireland's flood risk. The delivery of these schemes is funded through €1.3bn from the National Development Plan to 2030. Since 2018, the OPW has trebled the number of schemes, to 90, in the pipeline being designed and at construction. There are a number of flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) that the following Garda Stations are surplus to requirements in counties Sligo and Leitrim: County Property Current Status 1. Sligo Former Garda Station Cliffoney Intra-State Transfer to Sligo County Council 2. Sligo Former Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Hill of Tara is a unique and significant landscape of international significance and it is the role of the Office of Public Works to preserve and protect it. In addition it is responsible for the promotion of an appreciation of the site through the development of a strong management framework. The Conservation Management Plan for the site was published in September 2022. The Office of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together. As indicated in the Oireachtas last week, the OPW is in the process of appointing a professional Design Team to begin the process of resuming work on the Moore St 1916 Commemorative Centre. It is expected that a formal announcement will be made in relation to this within the next few days. The proposed project at 14–17...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As it pertains to the High Crosses at Monasterboice, the role of the Office of Public Works is one of conservation and preservation as these National Monuments are in the ownership of the State. It is worth noting that all cut stone located outdoors without shelter is exposed to the elements and is gradually weathering over time. To protect the High Crosses of Monasterboice, Office of...