Results 841-860 of 1,729 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: The regeneration project has been ongoing for quite a while. I know Mr. Delaney is on the line. There are so many brownfield sites within the old regeneration areas. Are there any plans to build on some of those? While a lot of houses were taken out, there were not many to replace them. The plan was that some would be replaced. Communities would like to find out if there are any plans.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am very aware from reports to do with Limerick City and County Council meetings that it recently repurposed a loan for refurbishment and retrofitting. Will the officials comment on that? On the long-term leasing scheme, are there many contracts the council has entered into or is looking at into the future?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I have one final question relating to the LDA. While no one from that body is present today, in negotiations and any conversation I have had with its members to date, they have said it will definitely be 2026 before we realistically see any of its first homes in Limerick. Have there been any negotiations or conversations with the LDA? Is there any hope of bringing that date of 2026 forward?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses again. I have a few questions, starting with the help-to-buy scheme. Have the local authorities had many applicants for the scheme? As was referred to already, some people find themselves slightly outside the limits. They fall between two stools, in that they also do not qualify for a mortgage. Is there any degree of flexibility to help people in that situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: That is grand. My next question concerns units for people with disabilities. There was a big push for sheltered accommodation at one stage, but there does not seem to be as much of this type of accommodation coming on stream. Are there schemes in place in either of the local authorities concerning the provision of sheltered accommodation, especially for older people?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: Can I ask about the rental accommodation scheme, RAS? We do not hear as much about it. I know there are still RAS contracts out there but is there much emphasis on it nowadays or is it more on social housing and the housing assistance payment, HAP?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Maria Byrne: Okay, I thank Ms Curley.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I raise an important issue that came to my attention this morning relating to the removal of a road project from a report. This is the second time the project has been removed. The Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport report was launched during the week. The northern distributor road has miraculously disappeared from the agenda again. It was previously removed but, following...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (25 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for being here on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, to discuss this important issue. University Hospital Limerick, UHL, is in the headlines again today. It is the most overcrowded hospital in the country, with over 80 people waiting for a bed. There are approximately 670 people waiting for a hospital bed across the country but...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (25 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for her response, although I am disappointed that is a standard response. I am not blaming her for that. As the Minister stated in the report, he only met the team ten days or two weeks ago. The issue of an elective hospital was highlighted in the report commissioned by UHL and its CEO, Professor Cowan, and Professor Lenehan reiterated that when they were...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I will also raise the regional film uplift because we have film in Limerick as well. We have Troy Studios, Odyssey Studios and Film in Limerick. The regional uplift is due to be phased out by the end of December. I support the call by Senator Malcolm Byrne. I have already written to the Minister of Finance about this and I hope something might come forward or be introduced in the Finance...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I raise two issues, the first being driving tests and the long waiting times for tests. Recently, I was contacted by a person who is dependent on the use of a car for their job. They had a mishap on their first test and failed it, yet they had to wait 12 weeks for a second test. That meant three months of someone having to drive them to and from working and being on call to drive them to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I also wish to raise the proposed closure of the post office in Castleconnell in Limerick. Residents have contacted me. It is not easy to get from Castleconnell to Newport. Residents are reliant on getting lifts. Many older people use the local post office for their banking facilities so I encourage the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to come to the House for a...

Seanad: Report of Commission of Investigation (IBRC) into Siteserv Transaction: Statements (12 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the important issue of the IBRC commission of investigation. The report was published on 7 September 2022. I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Justice Brian Cregan. He had a major task in terms of the work involved. The commission was established in June 2015 to investigate certain transactions, activities and management...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. Every time we turn on the radio these days, people are talking about mental health issues. If we go back to what happened in Creeslough on Friday, we can see the outpouring of support for residents. I compliment the Government for coming out and offering support. This is going to have an awful effect, especially on students who went to school with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise a number of issues. First, I congratulate the artist Mr. Roger McCarthy, a Limerick-born Cappamore artist, on his contribution to the Limerick Art Society on its 80th anniversary. He was awarded a silver medal recently at the society's 80th birthday celebrations for his contribution not only to life in Limerick but also to the greater mid-west and to Ireland. He had a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise two matters. First, I welcome that nine primary schools in Limerick have been accepted into the Creative Schools initiative, namely, Castleconnell National School, Donoughmore National School, Presentation Primary School, Limerick city, Scoil An Spioraid Naoimh, Scoil Áine Naofa, St. Canice's Special School, St. Clement's College, Thomond Primary School and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Oct 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise to acknowledge the fantastic work done by carers. I do not know if any other Senators heard "Drivetime" on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday, where they interviewed a number of carers. We have to remember that one in every four carers is in receipt of carer's allowance or benefit. All the rest receive nothing. There are so many carers within the home who do not receive any payment.I think...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise two matters. First, I welcome the business supports that we are putting in place in the budget to tackle the high energy costs and rising bills and other costs for small businesses. I know that they have to go to the Revenue Commissioners. I am going back to an old chestnut that I have raised here. The Leader wrote to both the Minister and the Revenue Commissioners...

Seanad: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (29 Sep 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss this all-important topic. That Ireland is a strong supporter and is able to contribute to the IMF fund to help out other countries is an important message. As Senator Casey has said, this is a very technical Bill. It makes sure we are in the right position to be able to give support to countries like Somalia that are in need. The...