Results 1,101-1,120 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Certainly, we can feed that very practical point back into the task force. I will give the Deputy a flavour of some of the actions that are currently agreed. The Department of Rural and Community Development will continue to refine and enhance the broadband officer roles across local authorities in alignment with the implementation of the EU connectivity toolbox and the development of the...

Rising Food Prices: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputies for an engaging discussion on the important issue of rising food prices. As was already outlined by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, I assure Deputies the fundamental objective of the Government's policy approach to this issue is to take action, monitor the impact of those actions, consult bodies such as the Low Pay Commission, take the suggestions of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and the delivery of local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, provides €32,000...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department provides a range of supports which Men's Sheds availed of in 2021 and 2022, depending on the works being completed. For example, in 2021, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provided funding of €4.5m for small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities. To date, 68 men’s sheds have received funding to the value of €126,804 from the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: In November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.  The fund supports groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.  Groups were also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the procedures that are in place to ensure that wastewater treatment plants do not operate over their relevant population equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28086/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 357. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the Israeli government to halt its plans for a mass expulsion and forced transfer of Palestinians from Masafer Yatta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28088/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 378. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will be submitting a new planning application for the site of a new school (details supplied) in Malahide-Portmarnock; the estimated timeline for when this application will be submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27329/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Community Employment (CE) programme is a community centred labour market initiative established for the purposes of social inclusion and activation, to help long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment. CE projects are sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (31 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and the delivery of local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each fulltime equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, provides €32,000 towards...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I, too, welcome our guests from Ardgillan Community College. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, and his Department are committed to providing every support possible for Ukrainian citizens who are seeking the recognition of their qualifications in Ireland, be it to further their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Senator for his contribution on this issue. As I said, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to providing every support possible for Ukrainian citizens who are seeking the recognition of their qualifications in Ireland, be it to further their education, to pursue employment opportunities or to practise a profession that is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: On behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, I welcome the opportunity to update the House on this topic. As Members may be aware, Shannon Group informed the Department in summer 2020 that it was necessary to consider a comprehensive and radical adjustment to its structure to secure the long-term future of the business and its employees. A number of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, I reiterate that the Government recognises the importance of Shannon Heritage to the mid-west region. During the Covid-19 pandemic the Government showed its commitment to Shannon Heritage through the provision of supports, allowing the sites to remain open when restrictions permitted. Even with these supports, the impact of Covid-19 has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Conservation (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. I will begin by outlining recent price developments and the Government response and then I will discuss smart metering, EV policy and the Government's Reduce Your Use campaign. The most immediate factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland is the continuing upward trend in international gas prices, where we are a price taker. Gas...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Conservation (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for introducing increased urgency into our challenge. The Government accepts that consumers are currently facing volatility in energy prices due to a particular spike in international gas prices. It has taken action to address this by using the tax and social welfare system. This includes measures such as the fuel allowance increase,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities.  The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market.  CE placements are intended to be temporary...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Legislative Measures (25 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Following Government approval, the Charities (Amendment) Bill was published in April 2022 and proposes to update existing charity law to improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions and ensure greater public trust and confidence in the sector. The Bill will now progress for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social...

Journalists in Conflicts across the World: Statements (24 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Ireland has responded in an open and generous way to the people fleeing the war in Ukraine. In three months, the State has provided accommodation to 23,000 people fleeing the war. Private citizens have accommodated thousands more, and communities across the country have stepped up to the plate in welcoming Ukrainians and helping them to settle in. We would not have had this response were...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (24 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. Participation on the scheme is part time - 19.5 hours per week. The payment rates on CE are related to the underlying...