Results 2,361-2,380 of 5,659 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (26 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: I will read the transcript. Deputy Ó Broin and I will also discuss the matter and hopefully come back with more questions next week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (26 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: I heard a reference to the three pillars and access to justice. We will read the responses and hopefully we can work together. We will talk again next week.

Ceisteanna - Questions: North-South Implementation Bodies (25 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: To follow on from my party colleague, Deputy Ó Murchú, there is an opportunity here and we hope the Taoiseach, having returned to the office, will grasp it with the shared island unit. We call on the Government to consider a citizens' assembly on Irish unity because we believe we need to plan for this. We are not looking to push any community to where they do not want to go. The...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (25 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: 16. To ask the Taoiseach the proposed running order of citizens' assemblies. [60892/22]

Forestry Sector: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Once again, Fine Gael has shown its true colours. It is the party of privatisation, its political allies are rich investment funds and the only reason it cares about the environment relates to whether it can make a euro out of it. I am deeply concerned, as are many of my constituents. I recently dealt with Coillte in regard to a forest near Watergrasshill that has been sold to a private...

Forestry Sector: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Hear, hear.

Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022: Second Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: This Bill is long overdue. The consequences of the delay have been significant for many families. I commend the proposed soft opt-out for organ donation. It is positive and could be hugely beneficial, provided we see enough resourcing. Often good policies fail because of poor implementation or support. I do not want to see that happen here because this Bill can make a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: 348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) still has not obtained school transport despite approval for the scheme. [2840/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Wastewater Treatment (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: 359. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new percolation area required for a school (details supplied). [3153/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: I thank the Chair. I appreciate that. I thank the witnesses for joining us here and online. I will pose the same question to them as I have asked every local authority. When a person goes into recovery, is their time on the housing list suspended? I have asked other local authorities this question. If a person spends three, six or even 12 months trying to get on their recovery journey,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Great stuff. Unfortunately, I will have to agree with my colleague Senator Cummins, which does not happen too often,-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: -----on the point he made about choice-based letting. We have seen the success of this system in Cork. I believe every local authority should be operating it because it gives choice back to the people when it comes to applying for homes available in local authority areas. Also then it would help local authorities to see where people are interested in living. That gives local authorities...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Does that include people who are on HAP and the RAS?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: That is the total figure. I thank Mr. Brannigan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: In regard to voids, that is, council properties that are boarded up, what is the timescale for turning those around?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Depending on the age of the housing stock and how it was looked after when people were living in it, are there blockages? Are there things that the committee could bring forward or raise with the Department, which could help speed up the process? Are there issues with getting resources to turn these properties around, in particular those that would be more complicated or older?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: Before Longford County Council responds, would the councils consider taking on additional staff to establish their own teams to tackle voids? I have spoken to other local authorities about having a designated team whose job would be to turn around voids. Waiting nine or 12 months to have a void made ready is a problem in the middle of a housing crisis when every day counts. I encourage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Thomas Gould: I would say we do not get value for money because we have to calculate the loss of rental income that arises when a property is left idle for 69 weeks. That applies to every void, not just one property. That is a rolled loss. In addition, those vacant properties are magnets for antisocial behaviour and dumping and they bring down the environment of the whole estate. In regard to...