Results 10,561-10,580 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I happen to agree with Deputy Cathal Crowe. It is a very fair point. We need integrated information systems in our health service. The HSE is working on that very piece but it is about how we can share information between our GP and the local hospitals as well. Much of it is paper-based and the systems do not speak to each other, where there are systems. It is something that is being...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Is it good?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will tell the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. On his last point, I will very shortly be announcing the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. It will focus first on the centre of towns and villages. We will see how well that works. What this will do is provide a grant in the region of €30,000 to people who want to buy properties that are either vacant or derelict to help defray the cost of doing...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers was, as the Deputy rightly says, due to end at the end of June. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is working with the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to address the issue before the end of next week and we would like to see that extended. On the fact that only a third of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Carey raises a very good point. It is about the resource of An Bord Pleanála to ensure it has the people it needs to process the work it has. I provided for an additional 42 posts over the last number of months at inspector level and senior level in the board to beef up the team there and speed up that work. I have received another workforce plan from the board for further...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this point. On 14 June, the Government approved a package of measures to secure electricity supplies and to help mitigate rising household electricity bills. The ongoing supply of fuel, gas and oil is something that has been discussed at Cabinet level. We are confident the situation is stable at the moment but it is something we must continue to watch....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: First, I assure Deputy Cannon that I will make contact myself with Irish Water on behalf of his constituents in Gort. I can give him an update on it that the filtration system has been replaced and both filters are now in place. They have been linked to an automatic alarm system. There is a three-day sampling and testing programme that commenced in conjunction with the environment...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising the matter of the mobile cath lab at Sligo University Hospital. As the Deputy knows, it is operated by a private company. The company concerned has advised it is to cease its provision of mobile cath lab services at Sligo University Hospital, and other hospitals in the Irish market, at the end of June. As a result, the Saolta University Health Care Group...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I guarantee the Deputy I will do that. I know this is a serious matter for her constituents and for Sligo University Hospital. I will ask the Minister to respond directly to the Deputy on this serious issue to see what else the HSE can do to ensure the provision of services continues.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Leddin. There is no question but that there are benefits to improving our infrastructure across the country and ensuring it supports regional development, in particular. That is why we have taken specific measures around the urban regeneration development fund. Almost €2 billion has been provided to our regions to provide compact urban growth. We need to improve our...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I have met groups in my own constituency of Dublin Fingal, including Prosper Fingal. They have been encouraging and I know a campaign is under way within those companies to address pay, in particular. It is a matter the Government will consider seriously. The provision of these services is crucial and the work these tutors do on behalf of vulnerable adults and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. We certainly need to ensure we vindicate the rights of those people. I know the Deputy has raised the issue of Dealgan nursing home directly with the Taoiseach in the past. My understanding is that it is intended that the group set up to consider the issue will formally submit its report to the Minister for Health shortly. I will raise the matter directly with the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: There is no question but that there have been issues in the Passport Service. I have experienced that myself through contacts I have received from my own constituents. There have been improvements in recent weeks, as I think the Deputy will recognise. One of the particular issues relates to first-time passport applications where errors may have been made and not picked up soon enough....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Bacik for her question. Obviously, the independence of the board and the position the board has are of crucial importance. I take the allegations very seriously in that regard. That is why a number of reviews and investigations are happening, including the specific one by Remy Farrell SC. I have not yet received the report. I know there was a vote in the Dáil...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: There have been some comments that the terms of reference for the senior counsel review are somewhat restricted. They are not at all. Term 5(a) states the senior counsel "shall exercise such discretion in relation to the scope of his examination of the matters of concern as he considers necessary and appropriate". Term 5(b) adds further to that. Where other allegations have come into the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Of course, it is not the apartment owners' fault. I assume the Deputy is aware that I established a working group on fire defects for apartments that has been working over the course of the last year. Most importantly, included in that have been the residents represented by the Apartment Owners Network and the Construction Defects Alliance. They put together the terms of reference; that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has asked the HSE to prepare a comprehensive emergency department plan to address the issues in individual hospitals. He visited the emergency department in University Hospital Galway earlier this year. With the increase in the number of Covid patients over recent weeks, the consequent ongoing...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Mattie McGrath is well aware, this was discussed yesterday and earlier today, of the measures we have introduced to help different sectors. If there is a specific request with regard to any sector, I will certainly raise that with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Forestry licensing in 2021 was 56% higher than in 2020. It is a very important component and part of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I respectfully suggest that the Deputy's comments this afternoon pose a risk to social cohesion. I want to be very clear on behalf of the Government.