Results 2,961-2,980 of 10,569 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: On behalf of the Office of Public Works, OPW, which does a great deal of work with Wexford County Council on the issue of flooding, I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sympathies and those of the OPW to the family of the late Billy Kinsella, his wife, Rita, and his son, Conor, on his recent passing. He was working in the aftermath of a recent storm. Wexford County Council has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I made clear at a meeting convened by the chairman of the Enniscorthy municipal district of Wexford County Council, Councillor Cathal Byrne, and as the Deputy will have heard on the quays in Enniscorthy alongside the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, and others, this is not a question of money, so it is not fair to refer to it as such on the floor of the Dáil. The Deputy and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I wish to outline to the Deputy the steps that are currently underway in relation to accessibility for all. The OPW's ambition is to endeavour to integrate best practice into every aspect of our technical compliance requirements. We aim to redefine and encompass techniques which are both compliant as well as being the best solutions for the built environment encompassed within our area...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Data (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: As Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) I can provide information in respect of leases held by the OPW only.    These leases are mainly in respect of office buildings and the OPW does not hold information on leases that other State bodies may have entered into directly themselves. A key function of the OPW is to provide accommodation for all...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Judicial Reviews (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am advised that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme, with an estimated cost of €20.5m, in March 2021, and construction was expected to commence in early 2022.  In June 2021, the community group, Save Our Bride Otters (SOBO), was granted leave to apply for a Judicial Review of the decision of the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Projects (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Firstly, I’d like to thank Deputy Stanton for his question in relation to Annes Grove House and Gardens, in Castletownroche, Co. Cork. The gardens at Annes Grove are of international significance, primarily because of their famous plant collection which contains an outstanding range of rhododendron species. The Grove Annesley family nurtured and developed a unique landscape over...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 100 together. The Government has noted the study by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that supports a programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the River Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. On the 30th November last year, I visited Galway City and met with representatives from Galway City Council and the OPW, who are working on the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can confirm that The Office of Public Works is advancing plans to refurbish the existing visitor centre at Dun Aonghusa.  The scheme include provision of new visitor interpretation of the monument, upgrading of ancillary facilities within the building and some landscaping works around the visitor centre. The wider project also provides for investment in new signage...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Land Issues (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 110 together. Engineering and environmental consultants appointed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and local authorities, under the current national programme of major flood relief schemes, as part of the National Development Plan, do assess the potential to enhance local public realm and environment within reasonable costs as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I would refer the Deputy to the Department of Justice for current information on the status of this project, which, it is understood, is to be procured under a Public Private Partnership arrangement (PPP). OPW prepared a design for the project, which was the subject of a Part IX Planning consultation in 2020/2021.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: In relation to works at Carlow Castle, OPW have just completed the structural remediation works to the south eastern tower following storm damage and the site has been open once again to the public since October 2021. Additionally, some localised fencing has been placed on site to keep visitors back from the face of certain walls within the castle complex. These areas...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Centres (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Céide Fields Visitor Centre highlights the internationally significant, unique Neolithic farmed landscape preserved beneath the blanket bogs of North Mayo. Over the last eighteen months the OPW has been working on an important project to renew the visitor experience at the centre which has undergone an entire transformation. The all-new exhibitions,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Projects (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Each year, the Heritage Services division in the Office of Public Works carries out a programme of international and domestic marketing actions to promote all heritage visitor sites in its management and care. The megalithic tombs of Loughcrew are an extraordinary part of our national heritage which are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I recently visited County Donegal and met with County Council officials where I was apprised of the ongoing progress in relation to Flood Relief Schemes in the County. As I am sure the deputy is aware, fifteen projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018.  Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Each year, the Office of Public Works carries out a programme of international and domestic marketing to promote Ireland's national heritage estate and to attract visitors to the portfolio of State heritage assets in its management and care.  The Hill of Tara features prominently in all such campaigns and it is true to say that the Hill of Tara and its unique heritage is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works allocated a Capital Grant amount of one million euro to Fota Wildlife Park during 2021, this followed the decision by Government to provide capital grants to both Fota Wildlife Park and Dublin Zoo in recognition of the particularly adverse impacts of Covid 19 on their operations and the need for investment in their infrastructure. The grant provided to Fota...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork County Council are engaging proactively 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Reviews (1 Mar 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 made provision for the drainage and improvement of land through the delivery by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland of arterial drainage schemes, for entire catchments. Increasing urbanisation led in 1995 to an amendment of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, that permits the Office of Public Works (OPW) to implement localised flood relief schemes to...