Results 4,001-4,020 of 6,812 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and contributions so far. I will pick up on a couple of points. The title of this session is "Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action". Regarding challenges, I am hearing about staffing issues at local government and CARO levels. What is the extent of workforce planning? There are a number of headline positions, but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Has that business case been accepted, agreed and adopted? Do our guests have an update on how many of the staff are in position? I know some local authorities are getting on with the work in the meantime but do our guests have an update in terms of the complement of local authorities? I do not know if any of our guests can address the possible need at a CARO level.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Have any of those positions been filled? In the first instance, is there agreement that they should be filled?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What is the headline figure in terms of the overall funding to populate those positions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank our guests.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Challenge and Opportunity for Local Authorities in Climate Action: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will return to the issue of planning and the relationship with the CAROs and local government. One theme that came up in various meetings was the challenge of delivering renewables at the scale that will be required. It seems to me that it is every form of renewable - onshore wind, solar and off-shore wind. One area for the CAROs is the prospect of local authority renewable energy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister of State. I know that the Minister for Education is not available, but the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, is my constituency colleague and the Minister's party colleague. I know he is familiar with this issue, but I will lay out some of the detail here. We need to discuss the need to secure the future of the site and buildings of Clonalvy national school....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I know the Department prepared some notes for the Minister of State on this topical issue. That is the bit I am hanging on for.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Enrolments (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Exactly, yes. The mood music is not great. It says that it will keep the demand under review and it mentions the potential implications of incoming Ukrainian refugees. The Minister of State knows that time is of the essence in this. If we are going to do something, it cannot be a case that we keep it under review. It will either happen or it will not. If it is going to happen it needs...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the multi-year budget allocated for the Connecting Ireland rural transport plan both current and capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27001/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of providing all 635 settlements with a population of over 300, with at least three return services per day seven days a week, which would require the inclusion of 23 additional such settlements to the existing Connecting Ireland plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27002/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of providing all settlements with a population of under 300, with at least three return services per day seven days a week, which would require the inclusion of 74 additional such settlements to the existing Connecting Ireland plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (26 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision to grant funding for an ASD extension at a school (details supplied) but not for accommodation for staffroom facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27092/22]

Strike Action by the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association: Motion [Private Members] (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for tabling the motion and commend the MLSA executive and officials on the leadership they have shown. We had some of the team in the audiovisual room last Tuesday, before the first day of strike action. Most of all, I commend medical scientists from right around the country on the resolve they have shown. Others have talked about the fundamental...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of eliminating fares for under 18 years of age on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26625/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the revenue raised by charging school transport fees in 2021; the estimated revenue that will be raised in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26624/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Medical Bureau of Road Safety: Chairperson Designate (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: In a similar manner to colleagues, I wish Dr. Bedford the very best of luck in his tenure at thank him for all of his work to date, including during Covid. I have some questions on the technology that is being used, which he mentioned in his response to Deputy Carey. Is he satisfied with the equipment? Is there a need for improvement? Is it up to the best standard possible? I assume...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Medical Bureau of Road Safety: Chairperson Designate (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I think the ISO standard for laboratories is 15189. Dr. Bedford said he is interested in bringing other areas under that standard. I realise it is an arduous job. Where does he envisage the expansion? I have a question on the positivity rates. Dr. Bedford gave us the figures. Is there an increasing number of positives or are we getting more samples per year, for example? Could Dr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Medical Bureau of Road Safety: Chairperson Designate (25 May 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: From an analytical perspective, are there emerging drugs that are proving more difficult? What is the position on the technology in this regard? Does Dr. Bedford have a perspective on the breathalyser technology? Does he have any role in-----