Results 2,861-2,880 of 5,809 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Alan Dillon: 55. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans for adequate resourcing of frontline gardaí in the context of the recent upsurge in criminal offences such as burglaries and assaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18060/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Apr 2023)

Alan Dillon: 542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 29 March 2023, as a public representative for the Mayo constituency and in the context of withheld information, if she will confirm with regard to relevant matters (details supplied), the school building projects that are currently on hold or paused due to capital funding pressures. [17341/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Health Services (18 Apr 2023)

Alan Dillon: 1247. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide additional funding to the MS care centre to provide an additional 1.128 bed-nights per year for people with multiple sclerosis in Ireland, to allow residents to learn more about their MS and find ways to self-manage their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17326/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (18 Apr 2023)

Alan Dillon: 1789. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the current Covid vaccinations programme advice for vulnerable people and the elderly and those who required future boosters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (18 Apr 2023)

Alan Dillon: 1790. To ask the Minister for Health the assessment that has been undertaken by his Department on the proposed "Europe's Beating Cancer Plan" that would impose EU-wide labels on alcohol products; if these measure will impact any unilateral measures proposed under the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18304/23]

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I would like to address a pressing concern I have that has the potential to reshape the very fabric of our rural communities. I refer to the question of who will farm the land if our sheep farmers, faced with a sectoral crisis and low incomes, decide to abandon their farms. Can the Minister imagine a future where the sheep farms that once dotted the picturesque countryside of my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: 65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to support the number of college entrants to speech and language courses in the disability and mental health sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15668/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: The limited availability of speech and language courses that are specifically focused on the disability and mental health sectors makes it difficult for prospective students to find a course to meet their interests and career goals. As a result of this limited availability and the many students applying for a small number of places, competition is fierce. This makes it difficult for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Minister for his response. I know he is committed to addressing the challenges and shortage in our therapies and practitioner sector around health. As a former Minister for Health, he will be acutely aware of the challenges being faced within the different sectors. It has been widely reported that access to speech and language therapy is essential. I know of one community in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: The solution to this problem is to provide readily available access to courses in speech and language for students. This would give parents access to early interventions through the HSE and not cause those parents to have to fork out hundreds if not thousands of euro privately for these services. I talked to the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists, which recognises...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is welcome to hear that additional resources have been allocated to his Department in order to ensure that these payments can be made more swiftly. It is also positive to hear about the automated process. Some accommodation providers should receive their payments via an automated system. If contracts are being paid monthly, that should be automated...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I will touch on the long-term strategic plan to accommodate refugees, and Government’s plans. We had the key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sector before the Oireachtas committee yesterday. Tourism operators cannot be asked to be the primary accommodation providers to the detriment of the broader industry. Currently, 32% of tourism beds have been given over to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: 8. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the improvements his Department has implemented to improve payments to hotels offering accommodation to refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15666/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: Hotels throughout the country have played a central role in assisting the Government on the accommodation of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, along with international protection applicants. However, I know a number of hoteliers who are still owed large sums of money by the Department, which has accumulated in recent months. This is having a disastrous effect on their cash flow and it cannot...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I welcome our guests. I acknowledge the tremendous work being done by the Department of Rural and Community Development and its officials. Some of those are based in Ballina and are here with us today. All members would agree with regard to the essentialness of the Department's function in building and strengthening rural communities and making them more vibrant and welcoming places for...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: Nothing related to capital projects.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: Regarding SICAP and the €37 million surrendered, at what stage was the Department informed it had to do that in respect of the programme?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: Has that money been used for 2022 or will it be in future? Was that a once-off or is it an annual payment?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: I thank Mr. Geraghty for that clarification. Regarding my local authority in County Mayo, I raise the issue of the €1.2 million that was repaid in respect of five separate grants. This caused major issues in the communities impacted in the context of these projects. I refer as well to the suspension of funding for additional programmes. In April 2022, for example, €11...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development
Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2021
Chapter 6: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Alan Dillon: The frustration for a lot of communities arose because this occurred through no fault of their own. It was an issue around governance and administration by county council officials. This impacted on applicants seeking to get roads upgraded or a recreational walking trail or cycle track delivered. Consequences arose because of officials and their negligence in respect of their duties. I...