Results 4,921-4,940 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Adjournment Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I am inordinately disappointed the Minister of State did not respond accurately or effectively to the questions on the issues raised by me and Deputy Nolan. Previously, we would have been allowed make a second contribution.

Adjournment Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I commend and thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing Deputy Carol Nolan and me to ask the Minister of State questions on this issue. I join Deputy Nolan in making representations on behalf of the Laois-Offaly Families for Autism, LOFFA, whose members number 400. Fifteen years ago when the organisation was founded, members of LOFFA did not expect to be pleading for the rights of their...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Insolvency Service of Ireland (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: Many of us were disappointed that the issue of bank vetoes was not included in the initial legislation to establish the Insolvency Service of Ireland. Eventually there was a change to that legislation which allowed the courts to consider and make a judgment on the proposals that were forthcoming, but there was a delay with the court rules on the provision of that authority to the courts....

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Insolvency Service of Ireland (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I do not want to cry over spilt milk but it is unfortunate that the same provision was not in the initial legislation in order to assist families which were not satisfied that the bank had exercised fair play in enforcing their power of veto.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I thank Mr. Hall for his contributions. I know he has said, and many people agree, that the mortgage-to-rent scheme had the potential to be a reasonable good scheme to address the difficulties which existed for many people. Unfortunately however, the way in which it has been administered leaves a lot to be desired. I hear what Mr. Hall is saying with regard to the contributions he has made...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Residential Tenancies Board (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I have a brief question on staffing levels within the Residential Tenancies Board. They have been reduced in the past five years despite the fact that the workload, I am sure, has increased very much, particularly in the past two years. Could Ms Carroll comment on what would be the position if, for example, the committee recommended improvements in staffing and resources to deal with the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: 413. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which approved housing bodies had a role in determining the suitability of properties the National Asset Management Agency offered to local authorities for social housing, given that most residential properties leased through the National Asset Residential Property Services Limited or acquired from the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Provision (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: 885. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that psychology services for school-age children with disabilities in County Laois have been suspended; the action he will take to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10420/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Support Services Provision (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: 886. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are almost 1,000 school-age children on a waiting list of approximately 47 months for occupational therapy in counties Laois and Offaly; the action he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10421/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Assessments (17 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: 887. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that in the second quarter of 2015, the Health Service Executive in counties Laois and Offaly had a 9% compliance rate with its statutory obligation under the Disability Act assessment of need for children with suspected disability; that 259 assessments of need were overdue for completion; the measures he will take to address this; and if he...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: National Asset Management Agency (12 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and the clarity contained within them. However, it would be necessary in future, if at all possible, for us to have more detail about the fact that local authorities are refusing units and the reasons for this. Picking up on the points made by Deputy O'Dowd, I sought further information recently from Dublin City Council about offers that NAMA...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: National Asset Management Agency (12 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: That is the point I am making and the point I want addressed.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: National Asset Management Agency (12 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: NAMA has entered into many long-term leasing arrangements with local authorities and housing associations. How does that sit with its lifespan? How does that sit with the dividend that is to be returned to the State? When is it expected there will be an interim dividend? When is NAMA's lifespan due to end and what dividend can the State expect? While I respect and acknowledge that the...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: I thank Mr. Honohan for his presentation. My question relates to buy-to-let properties and to those who are caught in the sandwich. Does Mr. Honohan believe there is any potential or possibility for legislation to safeguard the interests of tenants to allow them more time to find alternative forms of accommodation in the event of the properties they are living in being taken over?

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: When Mr. Honohan spoke earlier about the public interest in the context of the emergency that currently exists, he suggested that forthcoming legislation which would not be judged to inhibit that right could be introduced on a temporary basis until this crisis has passed.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: If you had taken half as long a few years ago you might have a few more around you.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: In the Deputy's dreams.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish League of Credit Unions (5 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: Like previous speakers, I welcome Mr. Farrell and Mr. Knox to today's meeting. I agree with the previous speaker that one simple solution would be the setting up of housing associations, whether it is by local authorities or local communities. That would get around the problem. I do not have a question as such but I have a statement to make. It is of great disappointment and annoyance...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (5 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: 84. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a case (details supplied) including when the person will receive a hospital appointment. [9313/16]

Climate Change: Statements (4 May 2016)

Barry Cowen: Apologies for being late earlier. I was not delayed in any of the establishments referred to by the Minister, Deputy Kelly. As a party, Fianna Fáil has had a strong record in introducing progressive measures to tackle climate change, which is, perhaps, the single greatest threat to our children's and our grandchildren's future. We are committed, along with other parties, to...