Results 81-100 of 165 for speaker:Tony McCormack

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Uisce Éireann: Future Work Programme (28 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: This brings me back to value for money, which is very important to us as a Government but also to the public. We have seen situations where we did not get value for money. The fact that Uisce Éireann is looking for an extra €2 billion means it has more money in the coffers, but it will still only have the same number of suppliers or contractors doing the work for it. How will...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Uisce Éireann: Future Work Programme (28 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: Contractors will say they are making single-digit profits but sometimes it is probably a bit more than that in real terms. We will not get into that. Big salaries and so on. The project to take water from Parteen as far as Dublin is huge and very much needed. My ask is about the spurs relating to Tullamore and Mullingar. Uisce Éireann mentioned Mullingar. It is absolutely...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Uisce Éireann: Future Work Programme (28 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: The reasons for the issues with TB is because of moving soil and badgers’ dens. Badgers that have TB move around. When they do so, the disease spreads. That is what is happening. We have experienced this a lot with, for example, the installation of the greenways. In the 12 months after a greenway is installed, people in the relevant area would have had problems with TB. It will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: I welcome the Government's plans to make it easier and quicker for new teachers to become permanent - that is a positive step - but I ask the Government to also look at bringing in a rule that new permanent teachers must wait five years before taking a career break. Principals and teachers I have spoken to in County Offaly are very clear on this. Early career breaks are causing problems...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: I wish to highlight one example which reflects the broader issue. I refer to the sharp decline in the number of young farmers. Farming is still the backbone of rural life, in particular in Offaly, yet fewer young people see it as a viable future. They face high entry costs, housing challenges and limited local supports. This is not just about agriculture, it shows how rural Ireland is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 72. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to address rural depopulation and encourage young people to remain in or return to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25970/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: What steps are being taken to address rural depopulation by encouraging young people to remain in, or return to, rural areas?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: The continuing loss of young people from rural areas like Offaly is deeply worrying. The truth is that we are educating our children to live elsewhere. We equip them with the skills, ambition and drive but the jobs, housing and services they need to build a future in the locality are not in place. This trend is affecting everything - from school enrolments to local businesses and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 69. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategies being implemented to combat rural isolation, especially among the elderly population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25971/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the Minister for his response. I acknowledge the valuable progress made through initiatives, such as the Local Link service which has provided vital transport connectivity for rural communities and older people in particular. Rural ageing, however, must be placed more centrally within the Minister's Department agenda. Rural Ireland is ageing at a faster rate than urban centres...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: Following up on this, I wish to highlight the decline of rural services such as shops, post offices and pubs has done more than hurt the local economy. It has deeply affected the social fabric of rural life. These were not just businesses but gathering points and places where older people in particular had a chance to interact, feel valued and maintain a sense of belonging. This role has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Construction Industry (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 20. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is taking to increase training capacity in modern methods of construction nationwide to meet housing and infrastructure targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25972/25]

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Business of Joint Committee (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: Like everybody else, I wish the Chair well in his stewardship of this committee for the term of this Government. I am a first-time TD from the constituency of Offaly. There are a lot of Travellers in the constituency and they have their issues. I worked with them previously as chairman of the local Traveller accommodation committee. I look forward to working with everybody here to try to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (22 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department plans to expand access to traditional third-level education in counties such as Offaly, which currently do not have a university or institute of technology campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25973/25]

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Business of Joint Committee (21 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. I wish you well in your stewardship of this important committee. I was delighted to be nominated by our party to be on it. It fits in very well with my position as spokesperson for small- and medium-sized enterprises and retail. As my colleague Deputy Dolan said, it is very important we look at small- and medium-sized enterprises and at ways to help...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Business of Joint Committee (21 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: I wish to convey the apologies of Deputy Shay Brennan and Senator Davitt. Both are attending another meeting and may attend here if they can.

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Large-scale Capital Projects: Discussion (21 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: The questions I was going to ask were asked by previous speakers but I will make a bit of a statement. First, I am delighted the group was set up. It is fantastic. The fact that it will look at what is delaying projects and pull whatever is delaying projects out of the whole system. I am also delighted to hear about the group looking at bottlenecks and bringing in specialists to see where...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the planned works for school buildings (details supplied); the current stage each project is at; and the expected timeline for completion. [26200/25]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: Like my fellow Deputies, I congratulate the Offaly minor football team on its great performance last night. Commiserations to Louth. It has had a fantastic year and it is not over yet. Best wishes to the team in the all-Ireland. There was a fantastic finish to the game and it was a fantastic game of football. I thank the Taoiseach for his response. As he knows, many rural...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Tony McCormack: 25. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with rural affairs and community development will next meet. [22657/25]