Results 4,201-4,220 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I genuinely thank Deputy Mythen for raising this matter which is one that many Deputies have been raising with the Minister, Deputy Foley. In fairness, she is currently undertaking a review of the school transport scheme, and I believe that is nearing completion. It is important to note that every single day 140,000 children are able to access school transport across the country, but...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy raised this issue earlier this week or last week and it is a very pertinent point. The crucial issue with right-sizing is providing choice for people so that they do not feel that they must leave their family home. I know that is not what the Deputy is advocating. It is about choice. We do have schemes running through local authorities. Earlier this week Deputy Bruton...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: First, the targets are not ceilings. Many local authorities have exceeded the targets we have set them for social housing delivery and I want them to do that. A number of affordable housing schemes have been brought forward in Ennis and Shannon and we want to see more of them. As I mentioned previously, the vacancy grant is working very well across the country and in County Clare in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Of course, given the weekend that is in it, we want to ensure there is a safe and secure water supply. Where essential maintenance is required, especially on the basis of scientific tests which show that work is required to the fresh drinking water system, that needs to happen. If the Deputy gives me the details, I can raise it directly with Uisce Éireann to see what mitigation...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter regarding Carlow, which is of no surprise to me. A matter relating to Carlow is raised every day. This is a serious issue. I do not take it lightly. If the Deputy can give me the details, I will raise the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and get him to look into it and respond directly to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: What we intend to do is to continue to build on the progress we are making. I have been in Longford and other places across the country many times. We have dealt with ten years of significant housing supply. Thankfully, since this Government came into office, we have delivered 110,000 new homes. I have been in Longford many times and have seen the fantastic new homes being built there....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy Smith on this. All of us know of children who are waiting far too long for initial assessments of need. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has brought forward a plan for an additional €12 million in funding to be able to purchase assessments through the private sector, as well as giving consideration to using the NTPF model. I want that stood...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I saw the attacks on the campaign of Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton and the racist tropes that are being at thrown at new Irish people and communities. Thankfully, more people from our diverse society are running for local authorities across all parties and none. All of us support that, and I certainly do. These types of attacks on campaigns and the abuse hurled at candidates, regardless of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I am glad the Deputy raised this issue. I met with Finola Cassidy again last week. Other Ministers, including the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, have engaged on the matter. I want the process to be restarted. Last year, the facilitation process, which is confidential in nature, made a great deal of progress. That has stalled now, however. I earnestly want to see it restarted....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I will get further clarification for her directly from the Minister for Health. My understanding is that there will be 300 individual inpatient en suite rooms, each of which will include a place for parents or guardians to sleep. In addition, there will be 60 critical care beds and 20 child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, beds. That...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Thank God the Deputy is not the only workers' representative here. All of us represent workers. We do so in a country where 90,000 new jobs have been added to the economy over the past year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Éist liom.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Relax for a second. I am trying to answer. Just relax. There are 2.7 million people at work, and we have to ensure there is an economy there to support good jobs for people. I am a firm believer in and always have been an advocate for workers' rights. The decision to increase statutory sick leave is not required until quarter 4 of this year. We have already made significant changes in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: ICOB grants support small businesses that employ people right across this country-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: -----and I am assuming the Deputy agrees with me-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister with responsibility for planning, I cannot address specific planning applications in there because I am precluded from-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the Deputy's concern, particular as brought forward the Marine Planning Act that was passed by this House. The Deputy is right there are great advantages for this country. There is a real need to expand our offshore renewable energy, ORE, capability. Indeed, there are very clear benefits for our communities and for our country. Public consultation with stakeholders is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy may have missed my earlier response regarding the health budget. There are 3,000 additional staff are being recruited this year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will raise the point the Deputy raised directly with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. Everyone understands that in order to fill posts across the sector, it can take some time because, effectively, we have full employment.