Results 861-880 of 1,827 for speaker:Chris Andrews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: I am interested in the phasing out of the use of private emergency accommodation because in a way, its use is like privatising homelessness. Ms Hayes has said she agrees with that. Where is the obstacle in that case? Where is the block to that happening?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: Ms Hayes mentioned senior citizens becoming homeless. I acknowledge the work done by the team in Dublin City Council, including Cathal Daly and Paul White. That team is strong, decent and humane in its actions with people who find themselves in that position at that age. It is important to acknowledge the work it does. What is being done to ensure that local authorities are sharing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: Do the relationships and communication between the local authorities need to be improved?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: The number of service users accessing emergency accommodation for over two years is quite high. Mendicity did a survey which showed that 70% of service users in this city have been in emergency accommodation for over two years. What initiatives are there to tackle-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: What initiatives are there to address that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: Very briefly, I know Brendan Kenny has retired. I acknowledge his work and the contribution he made with everything he has done within housing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Interim Report on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: On the Housing First national implementation plan, there was mention of when a service user has a choice as to whether they are willing to engage with the Housing First plan and the services that are offered to them. I see in inner-city communities that what very often happens is that the person disregards any work they are doing when they get a flat in a particular flat complex. This can...

Freedom of Information Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: I commend my colleagues, Deputies Mairéad Farrell and Clarke, on the work they have put into the Bill. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of any modern democracy and in the pursuit of transparency and accountability, the freedom of information process plays a vital role. Since the formation of this State we have seen Governments go to great lengths to hide official State...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: The rising cost of energy and the overall costs of living are on the minds of everybody. When meeting residents and community groups, whether it is in Donnybrook, the inner city or Rathmines, we see that everybody is feeling the pressure as costs continue to rise. In the 12 months to December, inflation reached its highest level in 20 years. These high levels of inflation impact heavily on...

Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (2 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: It is great to be able to speak about the easing of Covid restrictions. It is a real boost to everybody. It has given everybody a lift and it is welcome. The sporting community probably welcomed the easing of restrictions more than most. Sport plays a large part in our lives. It strengthens communities, teaches young people about health and well-being, and boosts the morale of the nation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (1 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: 262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of traffic light pedestrian crossings without audio signal technology in Ireland. [4571/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (1 Feb 2022)

Chris Andrews: 419. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received a stage 1 application for the regeneration of an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5023/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: 364. To ask the Minister for Health if the staff in a service (details supplied) will receive the €1,000 bonus payment for frontline healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4142/22]

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: This Bill is welcome. It is long overdue. I understand it was proposed back in the 1970s. It is particularly welcome now. The Construction Federation of Ireland, CIF, has a voluntary register known as CIRI. Credit to the federation for setting up the register in the absence of action by Government. However, when you see the extensive list of building defects around the country, you...

Youth Mental Health: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: This is an opportunity to speak about mental health, which is important to us all. We were in a mental health crisis pre-Covid and now this crisis has evolved into a mental health emergency. Jigsaw, an organisation which we all agree carries out amazing work on mental health among young people, has seen the realities of this at first hand. It has experienced a 42% increase in demand for...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: It is hard to know where to begin, because the plight of Palestinians grows bleaker each week. Ireland has been a leader in the pursuit of justice and fairness around the globe, and we have long recognised the importance of Palestinian civil society in pursuing justice and peace. Ireland's lack of action following the recent attacks on Palestinian NGOs is concerning. Last year saw...

National Maternity Hospital: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: I commend the Independent Group on tabling this motion. The ownership and governance of the new national maternity hospital are issues of national importance. They are also of great local interest to the community in Dublin Bay South. For decades the National Maternity Hospital has been based in Holles Street, in the heart of inner city Dublin. The local community has an enormous sense of...

Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: I welcome the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, to the House, and I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I recognise and acknowledge the hard work done by my colleague Deputy Kathleen Funchion in ensuring that the Bill and the process has been thorough, efficient and the best it can be. Since the formation of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jan 2022)

Chris Andrews: Figures secured by Involve Autism show that up to November 2020 a staggering €63,579 per day was spent on taxis and buses to take children with autism to school in south Dublin. Up to November 2021, that figure increased to €72,704 per day. That is an increase of 14.4% in the cost, so every journey is costing more as the children travel further. That is €72,704 being...