Results 2,461-2,480 of 10,964 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I wish to inform the Deputy that Clyde House will accommodate two Garda Bureaus that were based in Harcourt Square. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has entered into a lease of the building which will commence when the fit-out is completed by the landlord. The Landlord fit-out commenced in September 2022 and Substantial Completion is planned in Q2 2023. The two units will be relocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coast Guard Service (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Transport Coast Guard Service, is investigating all potential site options and, in particular, any State owned or similarly vested lands in the area that may meet requirements. Officials from my office are engaging with Wexford County Council and other landowners and, once a suitable site is identified, the necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works has no immediate plans to install public toilet facilities and information signage in the vicinity of the car-park at the Grianán of Aileach as the area is not in the remit of the OPW. The Local Authority owns and maintains the car-parking facility in this location. However, I have asked my officials to review the current interpretative signage at the site...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation and management of Iveagh Gardens along with a number of other parks and gardens including St Stephens Green Park, less than half a kilometre away. The majority of OPW parks and gardens open at 8:00 and close at various times throughout the year. Closing time is determined by a number of factors including seasonality, number...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Water levels on the Shannon River are managed in accordance with agreed protocols between Waterways Ireland and the ESB and there is daily communication and a co-ordinated approach in this regard. The ESB manages the water levels for electricity production, ensuring the safety of the embankments and dams and assisting Waterways Ireland with navigation levels. Waterways Ireland manages the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Oweynagat Souterrain is one of a number a National Monuments in State Ownership or Guardianship at Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon and in the care of the Office of Public Works. It is the understanding of the OPW that the Manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre put forward a proposal in relation to the site which drew attention to a number of issues. The proposal, which was forwarded to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (16 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: A breakdown by county is provided below in relation to the revenue generated through visitors' entrance fees to OPW heritage sites in 2022 and to-date 2023 in tabular form below. County 2022 2023 Clare €30,380 €5,616 Cork €487,492.00 €80,062.00 Donegal ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Summer Economic Statement (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for the question. It is going to form not only a part of the summer economic statement but more broadly a part of the national economic dialogue. Returning to what the Deputy said a while ago in respect of open government, I think he will appreciate that the national economic dialogue is yet another example of such open government and the open government partnership....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shared Services (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I will address the points the Deputy raised regarding the individual waves. Eight Departments or offices were part of wave 1 and the second wave will see a further 14 clients on-boarded. On the timeframes, wave 2 Departments have started. Based on the expected timelines, it is hoped the second wave will go live in the latter part of 2024 or as soon as possible. On cost, some €73...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. As I said, I am taking these questions on behalf of the Minister. Project Ireland 2040 sets out the Government's overarching vision for the provision of infrastructure in order to better cater for the needs of the State’s existing population and to accommodate projected population increases in a balanced and sustainable way. Project Ireland 2040 includes the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. To be honest, I do not disagree with anything he said. It goes back to the question raised by Deputy Conway-Walsh with respect to changes that have been made to the public spending code and the manner in which the gateways will change. As well as that, the Minister has made changes to the delivery of the NDP around the delivery board, which was the preserve of civil...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I said, I do not disagree with what the Deputy said. In a roundabout way, what I get from his contribution is that the plan, the delivery board and those charged with making sure it happens need to be more flexible and adaptable, in respect of the changes in weather, climate, economics, demographics, and everything else that is out there. Nobody thought, 12 months ago, that the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Summer Economic Statement (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I said, the summer economic statement will be published in the coming months. It sets out the key anchor for budgetary policy each year and outlines the parameters within which discussions will take place for budget 2024. Each year, the summer economic statement sets out our plans for sustainable expenditure growth to provide for the delivery of investment in public services and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy asked the same question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I think that the most important line in the first reply I read out to the Deputy is in the last part. By the way, it was not the same reply both times because the questions were different. It is a pity they were not grouped together because it would have avoided me having to stand up a second time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Well, maybe. The most important line is that referring to independence as a pillar in the unit's contribution to evidence-based policymaking. It is almost like the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. It provides evidence and, sometimes, contrarian views but, ultimately, it is for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a determination with regard to housing policy. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: In the real world, planning objections make a difference and ultimately prevent people from getting on with the job of delivering the housing we all want.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: In fairness to him, the Deputy gets away with a lot of things in here but to compare the planning processes in train in Longford to those in Dublin, where the majority-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Will the Deputy let me finish? I imagine the majority of planning applications in Longford are for one-off houses or small schemes. The Deputy is comparing bananas to pineapples. There is no comparison. Let us look at the greater Dublin area, although I know the Deputy did not want to refer to this. The report states: Counties in the [greater Dublin area], and those containing large...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (11 May 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: We are finished.