Results 261-280 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: To summarise before the meeting concludes, the report states the budget is progressive and there were higher gains for those on lower incomes compared with those higher-income households. There were higher gains for households with disabilities compared with those without disabilities. It was gender neutral, with a 2% gain for males and females in terms of disposable income average....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Some people would tell you they would do away with the first home scheme and the help-to-buy scheme. With those in place, we are at full capacity. Without them, if we are not at full capacity, we are losing ground and many would say we are not making enough ground in housing. People talked about this not being a housing budget. The biggest obstacle to housing targets being met, or being...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: If there were enough being constructed----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: -----but they are not being constructed because the capacity is not there in employment and the planning issue is a logjam that is holding back on the provision of much housing. I do not know what the budget could have done per seas a financial measure to address the issues that are there.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Exactly. I thank the representatives of the ESRI for their time. I thank them for responding to the various queries and questions, and comments. As always, we appreciate their expertise in these areas. I look forward to the other responses that are in the offing, in reference to Dr. Tuda.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Tánaiste and his officials for making themselves available. Notwithstanding the welcome updates on Ukraine and the initiative in respect of our security, including our future security, and the mention of the various progress and potential as regards the future of Northern Ireland, I will focus on the immediate issue of the Middle East. I have talked to people in my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: No one agrees with that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: The Tánaiste does not. We do not. No one does.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: He has said it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Deputy Carthy has his clip now. He is happy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I join others in thanking the Tánaiste for reiterating his appreciation and that of the Government for the work done by our peacekeepers throughout the world but especially at this time in the Middle East. I commend him also on noting the role their families play in their duties. The peacekeepers’ present circumstances are particularly worrying for them, and that reflects much...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: On that point, I do not wish to be political but it is incumbent on members of all parties or none to be conscious in the year that is approaching, when an election may be in the offing, that if they wish to go over and above the commitments contained in level 2, they should account for the manner in which they will be able to do that and where and how any money beyond what the Government has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 43. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how much the increased capitation announced in Budget 2024 will be worth to schools in each of Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44922/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (17 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her estimate of the number of secondary students in each of counties Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath who will benefit from the introduction of free school books next year; the number of primary students that are currently benefiting from free school books in each of the counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44921/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (12 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 23. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress in the implementation of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan; the potential future funding for the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44197/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (12 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 44. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what action he is taking assist SMEs with the cost of doing business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44198/23]

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I am glad to have the opportunity to acknowledge the Government's achievement in delivering such an extensive and expansive budget. This happens not by accident but by design. It happens when there is constant and ongoing international investment and a progressive taxation system which rewards work and generates revenue. Those have put us in a position to deliver this budget. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (5 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 129. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on a county basis of the number of people in Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath who are currently availing of the rent tax credit, in tabular form; if he has plans for any changes to the credit in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42869/23]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (5 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 130. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on a county basis of the number of businesses in Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath that successfully applied for inclusion under the temporary business energy support scheme, in tabular form; the estimated value or worth of the support in each county; if he has plans for any other similar scheme in the near future; and if...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 79. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the Defence Force's training engagement with the EU Military Assistance Mission in Ukraine and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/23]