Results 21-40 of 2,564 for speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Supply (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I again thank the Deputy and echo what he said about Uisce Éireann staff on the ground. The rate at which they respond to leaks is extraordinary. They are on the ground straight away, repairing leaks and for some of them it is almost all they do. I guess that comes back to the Deputy's point about a proper strategy for replacing old pipes and longer lengths of old pipes. We mentioned...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: They are representing their constituents.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (25 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It is great to see this issue being raised in such a specific way and the urgency across both Houses, which is necessary. I will try my best to give the Senator updated timelines. Perhaps these will not be exact dates, but I hope to shed some light on the timelines he is seeking. The national planning framework 2018 is the 20-year strategy for strategic planning and sustainable...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (25 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I will bring back to the senior Minister and the Department the Senator's suggestion to release lands that are zoned, serviced and ready to go in order that local authorities might be in a position to deliver much-needed housing on those. I take the Senator’s original point about the speed at which this has moved. It could have happened faster and it needs to happen faster. I spoke...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Maritime Jurisdiction (25 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 617. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of plans to reintroduce a ban on pair trawling by large vessels within six nautical miles off the Irish coast (details supplied). [13782/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this issue. I know that in his term in the Dáil and prior to that as a councillor, he has very much been an advocate for community hospitals in Kerry, in particular the West Kerry Community Hospital. We know how important the community hospitals are. They are fantastic in the level of care and service that their patients and residents get. We need to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Cahill again. There are 46 beds registered in West Kerry Community Hospital, 42 of which are currently open and occupied. West Kerry Community Hospital cannot admit more resident at present, as the opening of additional beds is dependent on staffing levels. West Kerry Community Hospital has experienced some difficulties with staff shortages, but all efforts are being made on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Stanley. He has highlighted well the challenges they face in Rathdowney fire station. It sounds like they have a fantastic crew and great equipment but they need a new building. The first half of my response will be focused on Stradbally. The Deputy will be wondering why the hell I am focusing on Stradbally, but I will put it in context in the second half of the response,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I outlined Stradbally because it is now earmarked for being delivered in 2025, which very much opens the way now for Rathdowney.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: In December 2024, Laois County Council submitted an updated preliminary appraisal for a proposed new fire station at Rathdowney, noting several issues with the existing station, including, as the Deputy highlighted, the accessibility of the site for responding firefighters due to its central location on a narrow street within Rathdowney, the station's limited size and poor layout and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Wall for raising this issue. Clearly he is in touch with the community there and is aware of the anguish that this type of move causes, the anxiety not just among the residents and their families but the community too, as people are worried about the future of residents. I wish to assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to ensure that proper care is given and that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I presume when the Deputy says a service provider has visited the site, it is the site of the old centre which St. Vincent de Paul has given notice it is closing. I appreciate that and will get clarification on whether it is something that can happen. I will certainly ask the question. The Deputy also asked whether the Minister might be able to visit the community there. Certainly I can...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The Deputy has asked some questions that I will endeavour to get answers to, namely, how long the survey and the process of reconfiguration will take. On the unmet needs in Dublin 8, I assume it does not take into account whether there is a desire to have multidenominational education or under different patronage. We can find that out. The approach is that, if capacity of any type can be...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Cummins. The Deputy's first Topical Issue was extremely well delivered. The Deputy may have answered the question in her own statement but we will get to that later. I appreciate the comments and I will feed back a lot of that. On the provision of multidenominational education, the Government is committed to increasing the provision of education in line with the choices...

Young Carers: Motion [Private Members] (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I welcome members of Family Carers Ireland to the Gallery. I am sure there are carers here as well. We really appreciate their attendance here today. I note the Labour Party motion, which sheds light on a very important matter we absolutely must tackle and deal with. I thank the House for the opportunity to speak on this motion and on the important role young carers play in Ireland today....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Ardagh. Tenant in situ acquisitions have been an important measure in the prevention of homelessness since their introduction in 2023. Government has therefore agreed to continue such acquisitions in 2025 and has increased the funding available for second-hand social housing acquisitions from the €60 million allocated under Housing for All to €325 million. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Ardagh. In fairness to her, she is one of the many Government backbenchers who have called for both the continuation of the tenant in situ scheme and clarification in respect of it. We are glad to be able to confirm that the tenant in situ scheme will continue this year. It is important to provide clarity for people out there. I absolutely agree with the Deputy on that....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputies. Addressing Deputy Ó Murchú on the issue of flexibility, the Minister already mentioned that in the context of any circulars or correspondence to local authorities, there will be a degree of flexibility. It will be certainly up to local authorities to implement the scheme. There is nothing at all wrong with having some form of prioritisation. Most schemes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Gould for his contribution. As I said, €11,000 is not a limit - more can be put into individual houses - but that is an average. However, it can also be combined with those energy efficiency grants. Much can be done in terms of improving houses with those energy efficiency grants, which, as I said, are upwards of €48,000. If there are problem areas, I know the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (20 Mar 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I am very familiar with his passion for affordable housing. He was always an advocate for social housing of all sorts and in Cork county in particular, he has been one of the key voices in ramping up the delivery of different affordable housing solutions. There is a project to deliver 60 cost-rental homes in Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, which is very close to the Deputy's home area and is...