Results 701-720 of 2,964 for speaker:James O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Archaeological Sites (23 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: 229. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will carry out an assessment of a recorded archaeological monument in County Cork (details supplied); if this structure is suitable for a future planned works programme owing to a decline in the structure of same; if it would be possible for the local authority to apply for funding under the community monuments fund for repair...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: I welcome everyone here this morning and this afternoon. The first question I want to ask is about the overpayments. Looking through the file and chapter 15 on the rising social welfare payments, there seems to be a consistent issue where around €100 million to €125 million has been paid out. It is put down to further evidence being gathered and people owing money back. I...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: The Department has accrued a debt then of €495 million, which is what is owed in outstanding welfare payments and overpayments. One could argue the point that those who are in receipt of it are also in most need. It is regrettable that such an issue should occur in the first instance because, obviously, we see it in our constituency meetings with constituents where this type of...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: It is €25 billion; I apologise. That is why it does annoy me. I think the euro is very cruel. I know we have to draw a line somewhere, but it keeps coming up. If you go through the representations from Members of the Oireachtas and how many responses have been sent back - a single euro - it is so mean. It is wrong.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: I will accept that-----

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: One of the most breathtaking statistics of 2022 was around immigration and payments for Ukrainians. I know it has been a difficult task for the Department but there is one irreconcilable statistic, which is that the EU average for the increase in migration from Ukraine from September 2022 to September 2023 was 7.2% while in Ireland, it was 72.1%. I think Elaine Loughlin of the Irish...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: It is relevant to talk about our distance from Ukraine. Obviously Poland and neighbouring countries have taken in huge numbers and we acknowledge that.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: We have to be realistic here. The financial incentive is also something that is worth asking a question about.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: One of the reasons I am raising it is because it is deeply disturbing to see the rise of the far right and the political and social effect this is having. What has happened for the past couple of months is not in our nature. Obviously it does not relate to the 2022 accounts. What does relate to them is that staggering increase from September 2022 to September 2023 and, for want of a better...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: Were there discussions within the Department when this amount was being settled on - that it was too high or too low? How did the Department come to that decision in terms of advising the Minister and, ultimately, Cabinet? What was the background to that discussion?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Social Insurance Fund 2022
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 13 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 14 - Ex gratia Payments of €1.4 million to Social Welfare Branch Managers
Chapter 15 - Raising Social Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 16 - Recovery of Welfare Overpayments
Chapter 17 - Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: What is happening is that bypassed accommodation is coming in to replace it. We have had instances in some constituencies. It is concerning when tensions are so high. I wanted to ask the questions because it is important that they are asked.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: 27. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update in relation to the HSE Capital Plan to provide a primary care centre in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2072/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: 50. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to the reduction in waiting lists for elective medical procedures in relation to cataract procedures and orthopaedic procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2073/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (17 Jan 2024)

James O'Connor: 731. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an assessment will be carried out of a recorded archaeological monument (details supplied) in County Cork to assess if the structure is suitable for a future planed works programme owing to a decline in the structure; if the local authority can apply for funding under the Community Monuments Fund for repair works under...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (14 Dec 2023)

James O'Connor: 280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an ASA application lodged by school (details supplied); if consideration is being given by her Department to the request by school that the proposed extension be included as part of its Adapt 18 programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55973/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (5 Dec 2023)

James O'Connor: 63. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on discussions with RTÉ. [53643/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (5 Dec 2023)

James O'Connor: 65. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on the sports capital grants and to state how many clubs in Cork have applied. [53642/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (5 Dec 2023)

James O'Connor: 222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in providing transport to a pupil attending an ASD unit (details supplied); if she will expedite this transport provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53187/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Dec 2023)

James O'Connor: 226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD places available in secondary schools in Midleton, County Cork for September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53206/23]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

James O'Connor: I rise in support of a point Deputy Kerrane made. I am from a community where we have taken in almost 1,000 Ukrainian refugees from war. It is a town of 10,000 people. Obviously, there are stretches on the capacity of local services and education supports. I know the Tánaiste is aware of this because he came to see it. Youghal, in my constituency, has lost two out of its three...