Results 2,881-2,900 of 10,569 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (5 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW employs approximately 2500 staff across a wide range of craft, technical, administrative, and management disciplines.  All staff have important roles to play that bring great value to those availing of OPW services.  While there are many different grades and classifications of employee involved, the OPW values all of its staff equally and works hard to minimise the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (5 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Emo Court was acquired by the State in 1994 and since then the estate has seen substantial improvements through the efforts of the OPW and their team on the ground. Recent developments at the site include the installation of a new car park, the opening to the public of the eastern walled garden, the defoliation of the lake, and the improvement of the site-wide path...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (5 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: In 2020, arising from the COVID19 pandemic, the OPW closed its heritage visitor sites to the public, in line with Government guidelines. Kilkenny Castle remained closed during this time and this offered a unique opportunity for the OPW to upgrade parts of the Castle interior while there were no visitors in attendance. These upgrades included painting, necessary maintenance works, and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (4 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The use of heritage sites managed by the Office of Public Works, for the support of cultural, artistic and recreational purposes, has always been a part of the OPW’s remit.  Our responsibility, in relation to Historic Properties and National Monuments, is to protect, conserve and present these properties on behalf of the people of Ireland. Where a wholly commercial use of these...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (4 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: A draft of An Garda Síochána Capital Building Programme has been issued to the OPW for review. OPW is finalising its comments. It is a matter for An Garda Síochána to confirm when the An Garda Síochána Capital Building Programme 2022-2026 will be published.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (4 May 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The mission of the Office of Public Works is to manage the State property portfolio, Ireland’s flood risk and our national heritage – all in a sustainable manner.  The organisation maintains and presents Ireland’s most iconic heritage properties, including Ireland’s two World Heritage Sites, 800 National Monuments, 32 National Historic...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Office has no record of an approach by Kerry County Council in relation to the provision of walkways and cycleways along the River Maine levee system. The provision of walkways and cycleways is a matter for local authorities and the Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have any statutory function or remit in this area. The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of embankments that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works endeavour to integrate best practice into every aspect of our building compliance requirements. We aim to redefine and encompass techniques, where the best solutions for the buildings within their specific context are identified. This approach benefits all of society and re-frames and prioritises the work of OPW architects, engineers, surveyors, district inspectors,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been engaged in a number of activities to assess and develop nature-based solutions that can have benefits for Water Framework Directive, flood risk management and biodiversity objectives. In 2019, a four-year research project, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research programme, titled ‘A Strategic Look at Natural Water Retention...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork County Council are engaging to progress a preferred option for a viable flood relief scheme for Baile Mhuirne/Baile Mhic Íre that will protect 90 properties from significant risk from flooding. The OPW is aware of the ‘high’ water quality status of the respective water body in the area around Ballyvourney and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The Womanagh River does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme. Therefore, the OPW has no responsibilities for the maintenance of the river. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works received representations on behalf of Meelick GAA club on 25thMarch 2022 regarding lands owned by the Commissioners of Public Works adjacent to the Meelick GAA grounds at Knockalisheen. The property in question is currently occupied by the Limerick Regional Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My officials will consider the most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Oldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been engaged in a number of activities to assess and develop nature-based solutions that can have benefits for Water Framework Directive, flood risk management and biodiversity objectives. In 2019, a four-year research project, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research programme, titled ‘A Strategic Look at Natural Water...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been engaged in a number of activities to assess and develop nature-based solutions to flood risk management. In 2019, a four-year research project, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research programme, titled ‘A Strategic Look at Natural Water Retention Measures’...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (26 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.   Under the OPW...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ukraine War (26 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) were tasked by the Department of the Taoiseach to look at a modular accommodation response to the current Ukraine refugee crisis.  The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) approached the OPW with a representative sample of modular accommodation manufacturers.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Advertising (26 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) were tasked by the Department of the Taoiseach to look at a modular accommodation response to the current Ukraine refugee crisis. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) approached the OPW with a representative sample of modular accommodation manufacturers. The meetings...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The evidence provided by the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, launched in May 2018, supports the Government’s €1.3bn planned investment in flood relief through the National Development Plan, as part of Project Ireland 2040.  One key output of the CFRAM Programme was the Flood Risk Management Plans that contain proposed flood relief measures -...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ukraine War (26 Apr 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW is actively engaged with a range of Government departments and agencies as an integral part of a whole of Government response to supporting new arrivals from the Ukraine to the State. A recent review of the property portfolio has been undertaken to establish the potential availability of accommodation for such use and the measures that would need to be taken to render them...