Results 261-280 of 5,674 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Refurbishment (8 Oct 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Senator. She has made a compelling case in advocating on behalf of Coolmine Community School and the students, teachers and staff who have to deal with this on a daily basis. I will take all the information that she has presented back to the Minister, Deputy Foley. As we move into the winter months, it is obvious that this case is exceptional. There is a need to rectify the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (8 Oct 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter. I have listened to him many times raise it previously and I know how passionate he is about it. I am sure that many of the 13,000 students want to see the same change sought by the Senator. It is time for action. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Department of Education....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (8 Oct 2024)

Alan Dillon: In once sense Senator Lombard's frustration is justified. I will absolutely relay his sense of disappointment regarding the timeline. We need an accelerated delivery programme on this reform. That is really important in the context of what he has advocated on behalf the young people who have special education needs and who in the future will sit their State examinations and need that...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Alan Dillon: I welcome budget 2025, which was announced yesterday by my colleagues, the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers. It will make an enormous difference to people's lives, particularly to those of many families. Turning to my own Department, budget 2025 provides very important funding in areas under my responsibility. In the area of planning, budget 2025 makes provision for the largest...

Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank Deputy Troy for proposing this Bill. We must put the citizens relying on local government and those we represent at the heart of everything we do. The desire here is to ensure the large range of services provided by local government can be delivered more effectively and efficiently. This legislation is to be welcomed in that regard. I am also sure, and I am sure my colleagues in...

Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank Deputy Troy, a person who has, as he has said, vast experience in public life, for proposing this important draft legislation. I also thank the other Members who will contribute to this debate for their interest in the question of local authority public administration. As Minister of State with responsibility for local government and planning, I am particularly interested in this...

Planning and Development (An Taisce) Bill 2024: First Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: The Government is not opposing the Bill.

Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Leaders' Questions: Motion (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 16th December, 2020, or the Order of the Dáil of 15th May, 2024, the sequence in which Leaders shall be called upon to put questions between 2nd October, 2024, and 16th January, 2025, inclusive, pursuant to Standing Order 36(ca), shall be in accordance with the rota contained in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders...

Carer's Allowance Means Test: Motion [Private Members] (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. The Government is not opposing this motion put forward by the Regional Group and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. The Government is very aware of the valuable work being carried out by family carers and this is evidenced by the extensive measures that have been taken to support carers in recent years. The approach to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will refrain from reading the scripted closing statement. I agree with some of the points the Deputy made. He has a very strong argument in respect of the issue at hand. I will go back to the Minister and her officials on it. We need proper usage of State land when it comes to the provision of services. As already stated, we are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I again thank Deputy O'Sullivan for this important matter and providing us with the opportunity to respond with the script that has been provided by the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her Department. While it is extremely regrettable that a number of contractors had issues delivering a service at short notice, Bus Éireann is prioritising the establishment of a new service for the small...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. I know how passionate he is about the delivery of sporting facilities in conjunction with the schools building programme. I thank the Deputy for allowing me to provide information on the provision of sports facilities at the Carrigtwohill school campus in east Cork. The Carrigtwohill school campus project, as the Deputy said, is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (25 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023 - 2024 school year over...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: These references must be updated and the Department has undertaken significant work in recent months, in consultation with other Departments with responsibility-----

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I will address the Aarhus Convention again later.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Senators for their input. I will first address amendments Nos. 26, 27, 31 to 38, inclusive, 42, 43, 50 and 51, tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn, which all relate to Part 2. Amendment No. 26 seeks to amend section 7, which relates to change of use. The amendment seeks to provide that a change in use of an artistic or cultural premises to a primarily retail or...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: It is great to be back in the Seanad. I hope everyone had a lovely recess. I will address amendments Nos. 1, 6 and 16, as tabled by Senators Boyhan and McDowell, and amendments Nos. 17 and 22 to 25, inclusive, as tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn. These amendments all relate to Part 1, which contains the general provisions, including the Long Title, commencement and...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: These references must be updated and the Department has undertaken significant work in recent months, in consultation with other Departments with responsibility for each enactment identified, to finalise the required amendments. These consequential amendments are to maintain the status quo by the insertion or substitution of references to the relevant provisions of the Bill and do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (19 Sep 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputy for his question. We understand the importance of housing adaptation grants for people with disabilities, mobility aids and housing aids for older people. These grants are 80% funded by our Department. The Exchequer funded the provision of €74.5 million for the housing adaptation grant for older people and people with a disability scheme, which has increased by...