Results 3,181-3,200 of 10,778 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

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...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: Ballincollig Weir is on the River Lee and is adjacent to the Regional Park in Ballincollig.  The original weir was built in the 1790’s in order to divert water to the Gunpowder Mills, but appears to have had work carried out in more modern times.  The weir had apparently been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works has facilitated limited, controlled access to St Laurence Gate in recent years, for community events such as the All-Ireland Fleadh, Heritage Week and the Drogheda Arts Festival. On these occasions, access was strictly by ticket only which had to be booked in advance due to the physical constraints within the monument and the significant health and safety...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Schemes (24 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under this scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Archaeological Sites (24 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I would be happy to visit Árann to visit Dún Aengus to see the site and I look forward to doing so, Diary permitting, before the summer recess.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (23 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The status of schemes currently being implemented, as well as those proposed, for Cork County, is set out below. In respect of the Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty Flood Relief Schemes, which have all reached substantial completion, I refer the Deputy to the responses issued to questions 251, 252 and 253 on the 9thSeptember 2021. Bantry The Bantry Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising this issue. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I should clarify the respective roles of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and its agency Fáilte Ireland in respect of national tourism development. The Department's role lies primarily in the area of national...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy answered his last question himself. He asked what the Government's role is and if it relates to policy. I answered that question. The first sentence in my initial response was that the role of the Department relates primarily to policy. I am a former Minister of State in the Department with responsibility for tourism. The role of the Department is the formulation of policy and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Island Communities (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: Unusual.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Island Communities (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: In the Minister's original response, it is clear that whether by cable car or by boat, Cork County Council has a responsibility to provide access to the island. It is not acceptable to just cut it. Cutting it without consultation is not acceptable. It is the statutory authority that is obliged under the law, which we passed in this House, to provide access to that island for those...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Island Communities (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: That is in the Minister's response to this as well.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Water (22 Feb 2022)

Patrick O'Donovan: I will certainly raise the issue the Deputy has articulated with the Minister of State, Deputy Burke. I recall that when the issue of group water schemes being taken in charge was discussed in a previous Dáil, a lot of the issues raised by the Deputy I also raised as a Deputy on the Government side. It is a pity that the Deputy's party was not as supportive of group water schemes...