Results 501-520 of 1,725 for speaker:Paul Donnelly

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: How much funding has been drawn down from the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, in each month since the Minister took office?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: This issue is incredibly important. We see it especially as we travel around many of the towns and villages. Certainly when I travel around the country, I see quite a number of areas with a lot of dereliction where a lot of structural work is needed. I therefore welcome the Minister's work. Local authorities are important in the cross-collaboration of different agencies for delivery. Is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I can see those projects being delivered. It is important to get the infrastructure in place so other developments can take place. Sometimes a blockage can prevent other projects from progressing. Category 2 is important because sometimes organisations or communities do not have the €10,000, €20,000 or €50,000 it costs to do a feasibility study or get a project up and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: Will there be another round of the community recognition fund in 2024?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: It is a really good scheme and it is very welcome in all the communities that have welcomed people into the country. There has been feedback that the timescale was tight. I understand that is so of necessity. There will be a split, with €30 million this year and €20 million available next year. Will the scheme for the €20 million be open towards the end of this year...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: As I raised previously with the Minister, it may be that unexpected hiccups are encountered, particularly in the case of community centres. There needs to be fluidity in the movement towards getting those projects up and running. Has the entire €30 million been allocated to the 800 projects? Do the applications that have come in account for the entire €30 million? Can...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: Ivan Cooper, the CEO of The Wheel, recently talked about that service. He said that having lost 40% to 50% of its staff in the last year alone, it is struggling to find experienced people to replace those who have moved on. Less experienced staff cannot reasonably handle as much work as experienced employees or provide care to the same high standard, so the service is forced to reduce the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I welcome the fact that it is now open. In the previous discussion that Deputy Ó Laoghaire may have had, it might not have been officially launched. If I am correct, I think it was launched in July. It is a really good idea. I notice the ring-fenced projects for the offshore island communities. As the Minister knows, we had an historic moment last Friday when we were on Árainn...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I did.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I met Jerry Early, who brought the Minister around the island on the day and probably brought her on that bumpy road to ensure that the funding came through. I would like to ask one question. The press release at the launch also had a statement on refurbishment of existing community centres. Is that in addition to the existing community centres fund? Can someone apply for both or is it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: 48. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development given that the community, voluntary and charity sector have expressed deep concerns about the recruitment and retention of staff, the measures that are being taken by her to deal with this crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41496/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I ask the Minister about the community and voluntary charity sector, which has expressed deep concerns about the recruitment and retention of staff, the measures being taken to deal with the crisis, and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I acknowledge the work that the Minister of State and his Department have done on this. It is critically important for the Government and Ministers sitting around a table to address this issue at a governmental level across the board. When we talk about community-led projects, many would involve sections 38, 39 and 56 organisations in towns. When we talk about the community, voluntary and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: How will the Department work with local authorities to encourage them to apply for new funding for the town and village renewal scheme? Will there be a minimum submission requirement for each local authority? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

Children's Health Ireland - Patient safety concerns and reviews in paediatric orthopaedic surgical services: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: This matter has shocked the entire country. The reports we have are truly shocking. The failure of the system's checks and balances to ensure appropriate treatment is, again, shocking. The use of non-medical springs is quite unbelievable. Children with scoliosis expected, sometimes after being on a waiting list for years and after disappointments, cancelled appointments and cancelled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities: Discussion (22 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: It is a pleasure to be here today to see this historic moment. It is the first time a committee is meeting outside the Dáil and on the islands. As someone from Dublin, as I said earlier, the only islands we have are traffic islands so it is a deep learning experience. We were on Bere Island last year and took away so many positives from that experience. My role within Sinn...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities: Discussion (22 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: There are a couple of issues I would like to address. One relates to AHBs. We have a lot of experience in my constituency with AHBs. They are buying and building vast numbers of homes. We have seen how it has worked in the area. It is a really good suggestion. I like the idea that it is a community basis coming from the islands themselves because they are the ones who understand and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities: Discussion (22 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: To clarify, underoccupancy or over-occupancy is entirely voluntary. In our local authority, it is for a person who chooses to downsize. There is nothing compulsory about this. It is not about forcing people out of their homes and into smaller homes. People are choosing to do that. There should be an option somewhere that if people wish to move to a smaller property, then that option...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities: Discussion (22 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. It is absolutely fascinating to see technology being used in this way. I have a specific question on mental health. Are there any specific e-health programmes or projects on mental health to support people on the islands or in rural communities? Would there also be anything specific for children with additional needs? As we know, whether one...

Mortgage Interest Relief: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Sep 2023)

Paul Donnelly: People are struggling to pay bills and for the basics. Luxuries are something they look forward to in the future. For now, however, it is about surviving from paycheque to paycheque. People I have spoken to on the doors want the Minister to introduce targeted and temporary mortgage interest relief to support homeowners facing significant increases in their mortgages. They want fairness...