Results 3,441-3,460 of 3,648 for speaker:Michael Collins

Money Advice and Budgeting Service and Citizens Information Centres: Motion (28 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I also thank Deputy Willie O'Dea for bringing forward this vital motion. The CIS and MABS play a significant role in the communities in which they are situated. I am aware of this not only in a personal and political capacity but also as a former voluntary member of the board of management in our local CIS in west Cork. The proposal by the CIB to abolish the 93 CIS and MABS boards and...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Review of the Capital Plan: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (22 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: Like Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, I am not here to bash anybody. However, as politicians, we are getting a serious bashing with regard to our roads, particularly in west Cork. If we want to create employment and bring jobs to rural communities, we need good roads, but the roads in west Cork, to be honest, are in an appalling condition and have been for quite some time. I am talking about the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Insolvency Arrangements (22 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider reducing the personal insolvency arrangement time period from six to three years for persons and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14474/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insolvency Payments Scheme Payments (22 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 103. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider increasing the amount of the reasonable living expenses, in particular for rural families for whom costs are higher; if she will consider allowing the cost of a second car to be included for rural families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14484/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Contracts (21 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the reasons teachers employed on a full-time basis for two years or more under a fixed-term contract fulfilling a job share post are not eligible to apply for a contract of indefinite duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13963/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: An Bord Pleanála (21 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 465. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the body or person to which An Bord Pleanála is responsible; the number of An Bord Pleanála's decisions which were overturned by judicial review in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Psychological Services (21 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 815. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only one child psychologist is employed by the HSE in Cork south to deal with over 200 referrals per year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 4. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken at EU level to highlight the problems caused by tariffs and taxes on fertilisers (details supplied); the results he has achieved; and the timeframe for when these issues will be resolved. [12572/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I am sure the Minister is aware that nitrogen fertiliser prices in Ireland have increased by up to seven times since last June. As a result, nitrogen prices are approximately €60 per tonne more expensive that they were last summer. Tariffs and taxes on fertiliser in Europe are costing Irish farmers approximately €32 million per annum. This is making Irish commodities...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: While I appreciate some of the steps that have been taken, this issue is unfortunately taking many farmers who are purchasing fertiliser at the moment right over the edge. I also appreciate the steps the Minister has taken to provide cheap finance to farmers, but I am aware that some farmers who are looking for such finance are being turned down by banks. While the provision of €150...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: The Minister has said that giving farmers relief in respect of the increased cost of fertilisers caused by tariffs "does not have widespread support" in Europe. This is one of many serious issues for Irish agriculture at present. What steps are being taken by the Minister to deal with those issues? It looks to me that something is being done this year, but what has been happening in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I welcome the witnesses to our meeting. I could be seen to have a slight conflict of interest here because I served on the west Cork citizens information board a number of years ago. I do not really understand where all of this is coming from and I fully agree with many of the sentiments expressed earlier. In terms of the service in Cork, in 2015 there were 10,834 callers and 18,635...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will announce details of an aid package to be paid to grain farmers in counties that had suffered from serious weather conditions during the harvest of 2016, further to a vote in Dáil Éireann vote on 19 January 2017 in which a majority of the members of the Dáil voted for such a package to be put in place....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: 145. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason there was no environmental impact assessment or public consultation carried out by his Department before issuing a ten year kelp harvest licence to a company (details supplied) [12664/17]

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I fully support the Bill, which will allow for some the provisions of budget 2017 to be introduced. I fully support the provision of a medical card to all children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance. Domiciliary care allowance is granted to children aged under 16 years with a severe disability who require ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention...

National Educational Psychological Service: Motion [Private Members] (8 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I support the motion before the House. It is long established that early intervention is crucial to give a child the best opportunities. For early intervention, we first need an assessment of needs. Otherwise, we are putting the cart before the horse. Early assessment means that the children will be offered suitable resources and supports that will enable them to reach their full...

Insurance Industry: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for bringing the motion to the House. The increase in motor insurance prices over the past three years is unjustified and unsustainable, and is placing major financial stress on citizens and businesses. Up to July 2016, motor insurance costs had increased by 38% year-on-year. The CSO figures over a three-year cycle show an increase in the range of 70% in some...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: The Minister of State said to join him on a journey. I have been on many journeys through rural Ireland in my lifetime. The last journey I joined was Mr. Pat Spillane's journey. It did not work out, though not through any fault of his. He was passionate, wanted it to work out, but it did not happen. I am worried that this plan is very much a copy and paste or whatever it is called. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Michael Collins: JobPath, Turas Nua, or whatever it is. They all have fancy names. The bottom line is that it has been the ruination of community and voluntary groups in my area. If somebody is in JobPath, Turas Nua or whatever we call it, that person is firstly taken off the live register but still does not have a job. Secondly, that person cannot take a community employment, CE, job, a rural social...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2017)

Michael Collins: In the past couple of years the State has blocked a mother's efforts to keep her daughter alive and free from suffering. Vera Twomey will reach the border between counties Cork and Tipperary today. She is highlighting this issue at a critical time. I ask the Taoiseach to personally intervene in the matter.