Results 4,881-4,900 of 5,875 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: -----because a HAP property is not proper social housing. There is no guarantee of tenure. People have no confidence in the HAP scheme but when there is nothing else there they have to use it. It would be a lot better for both the State and the people trapped in this housing emergency for us to spend that €500 million. Instead of giving it to landlords and making them rich, we...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: It is not about-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: Thank you, Chairman. I will be brief. We are in the middle of a housing emergency. We are the committee that has oversight over housing. It seems simple to me that if we do not build houses as quickly as we possibly can, the emergency will continue to get worse. That is why we are tabling amendments. Deputy McAuliffe made a comment about the State being back into building houses. In...

National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Statements (2 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: It is all well and good for the Minister and the Government to talk about what they are doing for the State and to slap themselves on the back. Unfortunately, this announcement of a recovery and resilience fund does nothing to reopen the out-of-hours GP service for the people of the Cork North Central constituency, SouthDoc Blackpool. Three times this year SouthDoc has told the people of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: 88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband in Blarney, County Cork. [29422/21]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: 98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to four waste management facilities in a location (details supplied) which are surrounded by residential properties and sporting facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29423/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: 311. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications submitted and approved, respectively by quarter, month and local authority in 2020 and to date in 2021 in tabular form. [29119/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: 388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consultation process required when an application for amalgamation of schools has been made; and if there is a statutory duty in this regard. [29121/21]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: The wording of legislation is very important. The people who live in social and affordable housing or private rented accommodation are not all necessarily from different areas. It is important that we do stigmatise or label areas. I come from Knocknaheeny, which is a major social housing development on the north side of Cork city. I own my own home now. Some of the guys with whom I went...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: I move amendment No. 12: In page 8, line 18, after “schools” to insert “, road, cycling and other active mobility infrastructure”. There is a lack of cycle lanes, greenways and roads on the northside of city. I have posted a map of this on my Twitter page so people can see the difference between the southside and northside of the city. It means that people on...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: The LDA has a site at St. Kevin's in Cork which could have up to 240 units but which has no public transport, no cycleways, greenways or infrastructure. I made a submission on the site, and this goes to the whole heart of ensuring that when we build and develop communities, they are sustainable. I am concerned there will be a lack of infrastructure if the description is too broad. Deputy...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: If the Minister is willing to look at our proposal and take it on board, I will withdraw the amendment and we can look at the issue again on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: I will be brief. I wish to reiterate the points made by Deputies Ó Broin, Boyd Barrett and Cian O'Callaghan. With the policy under this Government and the previous Government, which the Minister's party supported, we have seen house prices increase, rents increase and the housing crisis get worse for people trying to get affordable accommodation either to purchase or rent. These are...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2021)

Thomas Gould: I support the contributions by Deputy Ó Broin and other Deputies. Affordability is at the heart of where we need to be, not a market discount. A market discount means we are going by market prices, which are not a true reflection of affordability. Affordability should be based on income. Regarding what Deputy Boyd Barrett said earlier, numerous people have contacted me who have been...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Thomas Gould: A lady contacted me who is in desperate need of gastric sleeve surgery. She saved for four years for the surgery in Turkey. She forwarded to me a letter from her surgeon which states that this surgery is time-sensitive and necessary. I contacted the Department of Health and was informed that only a liaison officer can tell her, when she returns to Dublin Airport, whether she is exempt from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (27 May 2021)

Thomas Gould: 171. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the number of countries that have defaulted on their payment commitments to the UN; and the approximate sum owed in tabular form. [28960/21]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (27 May 2021)

Thomas Gould: 188. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount Ireland is owed by the UN for the Defence Forces being deployed on peacekeeping duties all over the world. [28959/21]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2021)

Thomas Gould: Is there any chance I could come in before Deputy Ó Broin. I am actually in the convention centre now. I will be speaking in the Chamber in the centre in a few minutes. If a vote is called on these amendments, I am going to have to fly over to Leinster House. The whole operation of trying to speak in the Chamber - I get limited speaking time as it is because of the restrictions - has...