Results 41-60 of 2,750 for speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospice Services (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: We will get clarity on whether it will be a review or a brand-new policy. The Deputy mentioned some good examples. He has been an advocate for all of the organisations he mentioned. We know he has been championing the highlighting of rare diseases, especially among children, over this term and the previous term. I refer again to Cancer Connect. A number of years ago it received no...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Wall for raising this issue. I have taken a couple of Topical Issue matters from him and Athy seems to feature fairly prominently. Fair play. He is representing the place well. It is interesting that he is providing a bit of a taxi service for anybody who misses a train. That is the right thing to do. Fair play to him. Funding and policymaking for public transport is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That is a point well made. Athy is obviously a growing town. It is an important commuter town, not just for people to work and commute but also for people to study and commute, so it is important that we facilitate that, take cars off the road and provide as much public transport as possible. The investment in the extra carriages, as outlined, on the Drogheda line will free up carriages....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Eligibility (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: As I referred to in my opening statement, the social system operates on the general principle of one person, one payment. This approach is a standard feature of social security systems throughout the world. It means that, generally, the bereaved partner's pension cannot be received at the same time as illness benefit. I know it is probably no comfort, but my earlier contribution also...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Educational Disadvantage (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I reiterate that the Government is committed to tackling child poverty and it sees education as a key enabler to achieve that. The development of the DEIS plus scheme will be a further positive step in this commitment to lifting more children out of poverty to give them the futures they deserve. Since its introduction the DEIS programme has tackled the impact of poverty through supporting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Eligibility (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputy for addressing this. She has certainly outlined a hardship case. It is hard to disagree with her description of it as a gap in the system that needs to be addressed. I will just outline the current situation and then perhaps from there we can bring this back to the Minister for Social Protection to ensure he is aware of anomalies. I will first provide an overview of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Educational Disadvantage (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputy for speaking on this issue with such passion. He has a lot of knowledge in this area. He has seen the benefits that DEIS has provided with those extra supports in terms of schools where there are a variety of challenges. There are disadvantages areas and students from all different backgrounds. I have also seen first-hand in my own constituency the benefits those extra...

Community Pharmacy Agreement: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: They must have been over for the Steelers game. To answer Deputy Toole's question at the outset, the chief pharmaceutical officer commitment will be fulfilled. I do not have a timeline on that but it is absolutely a commitment that we will follow through and fulfil. I would like to thank the Deputies for their contributions today, especially those who spoke in support of community...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir for advocating for the people and students of Ballincollig and those who wish to send their children to a multidenominational school to be educated as Gaeilge. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who could not attend. I will try to outline where the process lies and where there might be opportunities to engage and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: If there is a chink of light for the Senator and people in Ballincollig in the response, it would be that upon receipt of all statutory approvals including planning permission, the Department will review and advise the patron and school authorities as to whether phase 2 will be included as part of the current project. It is not ruling out that they will progress together. I agree with the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I will read out a detailed and lengthy reply. If the Senator wants to collaborate more, please request that at the end. In line with the climate action plan actions, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment published the electricity storage policy framework for Ireland in July 2024. The policy framework, through ten Government actions, supports the incorporation of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: According to action No. 4, in terms of participation and those who are supposed to be consulted it says that included in this are relevant statutory, bodies, leading industry representations and academic or interest groups and representatives of the public. I suppose the interpretation of that needs to be delved into further. What covers representatives of the public? Surely, one would...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hedge Cutting (2 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Under the Wildlife Act 1976, there is a general prohibition against destruction of vegetation between March 1st and August 31st. However, there is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation for health and safety reasons, and for cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons. Section 40(2)(c) of the Wildlife Act provides that it shall not be an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (1 Oct 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The National Parks & Wildlife Service led the response to the recent Asian Hornet operation, which led to the location and safe removal of two Asian Hornet nests. Monitoring is still being carried out to ensure that the immediate threat has been neutralised. A workshop with beekeepers is planned in the coming weeks to discuss the lessons learned from this first nest and to determine...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The proper operation and maintenance of domestic wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks, is the responsibility of the property owner. Owners must ensure that their systems are working effectively and do not pose a risk to human health or the environment. Grant assistance is available in specific circumstances to support householders where defective systems pose the greatest...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Investigations (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together. The River Allow is within the Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Under Regulation 27 of the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations (S.I. 411/2011, as amended), the competent authority in relation to fin fish species in the first instance is Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Under my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides two main grant schemes to support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures. These include capital grants for conservation works as well as financial assistance for owners to obtain conservation advice for their historic structures. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 264 of 18 September 2025 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rural Recreation Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative that will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the canal-side works elements while the roadside works elements are being undertaken by Kildare County Council. Kildare County Council is...