Results 2,861-2,880 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I do not think I am answering questions on this topic.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I am here for this topic.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Services Provision (22 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: As the pandemic draws to a close, I hope that one of the things which will continue is that people will go out in large numbers to their local parks. Many people have been forced to explore their 5 km range and have discovered all kinds of natural things in their local areas from which they have gained great pleasure. I expect that there will be more people outdoors and that this will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Services Provision (22 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he said, this is not trivial at all but a matter of basic public health. The level 5 restrictions have had the side effect of bringing more people out from indoor amenities to public and natural outdoor amenities, with the consequence of preventing people from using toilets they would have used in commercial facilities like pubs, restaurants...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers Conciliation Council (21 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 1060. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will bring in an appeals process for those teachers seeking incremental credit for working in schools outside of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20106/21]

Project Ireland 2040: Motion [Private Members] (1 Apr 2021)

Ossian Smyth: My sincere thanks to Deputy McGrath and the Rural Independent Group for bringing forward this debate. It was interesting to hear the contributions from all the Deputies. I think we can all agree that we had an insightful and constructive debate today. As my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, said at the outset of this session it is only right...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (31 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 610. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has considered sites to accommodate a school (details supplied) for the 2021-22 school year; if her Department is working with the local authority to secure a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17124/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (31 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 611. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has considered sites to accommodate a school (details supplied) for the 2021-22 school year; if her Department is working with the local authority to secure a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17125/21]

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Higgins for her detailed engagement with me and my office over recent months on this legislation. I also thank all Senators here today. I found that the contributions were instructive, thoughtful and constructive, and I am delighted to see a consensus emerging across all parties. I will explain the reasons the Government has tabled a time-limited amendment of 12 months to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (24 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 933. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made to accommodate a new school (details supplied) for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15595/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Site Acquisitions (24 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 934. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made to accommodate a new school (details supplied) for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15596/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: 935. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the design and build process for the permanent site of a school (details supplied); if the premises will comply with the provision of open space for children to play; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15597/21]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Eating Disorders (5 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I am here this morning on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, to answer Senator O'Loughlin's questions. I welcome the opportunity to speak about Ireland's model of care for eating disorders, particularly during eating disorders awareness week. Eating disorders have the highest mortality and morbidity, as the Senator said, of all mental health...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Eating Disorders (5 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. Everyone wants the best outcomes for people who are affected by eating disorders. It is clear that progress in establishing the clinical programme has not been as rapid as we wished, but this does not mean that nothing has happened or that there is no work in progress. Considerable work has been undertaken and the programme continues to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I take the Senator's points about rateable businesses. I will describe the supports targeted specifically at the live entertainment sector and the arts. It is true that not every business will have a premises these days. Covid-19 restrictions continue to have a devastating effect on the live entertainment sector. Restrictions on mass gatherings are necessary to prevent the spread of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator. I take her points on board and will convey them to the Minister, Deputy Martin, whom I meet regularly. This year, we are doing something which is ten times larger than what we did last year. I cannot pre-announce what the Minister will announce but I know this issue is very dear to her heart and she is very keen to deliver on her commitments. I draw the attention of...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 11 - Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Chief Government Information Officer (Revised) (2 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The first thing to say is that the Office of Government Procurement is not a policing or regulatory body. It is a policy body that provides advice on how State money should be spent along with guidelines and suggestions for suppliers that have been vetted to contracting authorities. I understand that the body that purchased these ventilators is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 11 - Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Chief Government Information Officer (Revised) (2 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The total volume of goods or services that were obtained outside of a contract or normal procurement rules is known by each of the contracting authorities. The OGP does not keep track of each individual procurement contract that is taken out. Even in the case where an emergency procurement is done because the contracting authority is in an emergency situation, they are still required to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 11 - Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Chief Government Information Officer (Revised) (2 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I would love to be able to answer the Deputy's questions but the details of a particular contract between the HSE and a private company to supply equipment is a matter for the HSE and Department of Health. I suggest the Deputy directly address his questions to the HSE and I am sure it will be able to help him. I regret that I do not have details on the contract. In general, the Office of...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 11 - Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Chief Government Information Officer (Revised) (2 Mar 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The Deputy is right. It is of primary concern. Each contracting authority - each Department - is responsible for its own expenditure. It has an Accounting Officer and is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Accounting Officer appears before committees and is cross-examined by Deputies, including Deputy Tóibín. That is the chain of command. I am very happy to...