Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Food Poverty (12 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: There is no official food poverty indicator in Ireland. However, in 2012 the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) developed a measure which defined food poverty as the inability to have an adequate and nutritious diet due to issues of affordability or accessibility. This measure is derived using data collected as part of the annual Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). For...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Food Poverty (12 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025, which is a whole of Government strategy to reduce poverty and make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU, includes a commitment to ‘Develop a comprehensive programme of work to further explore the drivers of food poverty and to identify mitigating...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Ukraine War (11 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide long-term unemployed people, who have been out of work for a year, with an opportunity to engage in useful work experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment. While the duration on CE can vary...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (10 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, following complex and detailed discussions between the Department of Social Protection and unions representing CE supervisors and a subsequent ballot of union members, an agreement was reached late in 2021 that resolved issues arising from a 2008 Labour Court recommendation on CE supervisor pensions. Both Minister Humphreys and I were very pleased that this settlement...

Accommodation Needs of Those Fleeing Ukraine: Statements (5 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: Prior to being elected to the Dáil, I spent many years advocating for change in how we facilitate immigration in Ireland, how we allow migrants to enter, what rights we grant migrants who enter and how we help people to become and feel part of society. In the past ten weeks, 28,000 Ukrainians have come to our shores seeking refuge from war. We have provided accommodation to all who...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects (4 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, Community Employment (CE) drug rehabilitation schemes have a very significant social inclusion focus, are well embedded in our local communities nationally and are generally engaged in significant levels of local service support and delivery. The role of the service support worker is crucial in providing these services. I refer to your question on behalf of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Sector Staff (4 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: My Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP), which is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department, currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model.  As part of their contracts with Pobal, CSP-funded organisations agree to comply at all times with the rules and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (4 May 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Charities Act 2009 makes it clear that in order to carry on any activities, including seeking and accepting donations, an organisation must be registered on the register of charities. The Charities Regulator is responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities. Its role is to provide effective and robust regulation in accordance with the Charities Act...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (28 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: 277. To ask the Minister for Health the status of his plans to provide access to the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/22]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Fostaíocht sa Ghaeltacht (28 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I láthair na huaire, tacaíonn an Clár um Sheirbhísí Pobail (CSP) le breis agus 420 eagraíocht pobail chun deiseanna áitiúla fostaíochta agus seirbhísí sóisialta, eacnamaíochta agus timpeallachta a chur ar fáil trí mhúnla fiontraíochta sóisialta. Cuirtear maoiniú ar fiú €19,033 é...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: The Minister for Transport thanks the Senator for raising this matter. Driving licences are usually issued for a ten-year period at a cost of €55. An applicant may be issued with a one-year or a three-year licence for medical reasons. The fee for a three-year licence is €35. There is no fee for a one-year licence. To drive a vehicle, a driver must meet strict medical...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: To reiterate, there is no fee payable for a one-year driver licence for a person who must renew it annually due to a medical condition that must be assessed regularly. The fee for the three-year licence is €35. The community welfare system is available to anyone struggling with specific costs including those related to their transport needs. I very much take the Senator's point....

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the carbon tax is not behind the current spike in energy prices as the annual rate of consumer price inflation, as measured by the European Union's (EU) Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, picked up sharply over the course of last year, and stood at 6.9...

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: For instance, the budget 2022 carbon tax increase, which came into effect in October last year, added approximately 2 cent per litre in tax to petrol and diesel. The increase in rates for home heating fuels such as kerosene, gas and solid fuels was delayed until 1 May 2022 to mitigate impacts during the winter heating season. The May 2022 increase will add approximately €21.56 to the...

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I might need to go over by a minute if I am allowed.

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: This provided for a 20 cent reduction in the excise rate for petrol and a 15 cent reduction in the rate for auto diesel, with a proportionate 2 cent reduction in the excise rate on marked gas oil, MGO. These measures were VAT inclusive and were set to last until 31 August 2022. This was estimated to cost €320 million. Last week it was announced that these measures would be extended...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy O’Rourke for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I understand that the Deputy’s question is with regard to the inclusion of private bus operators in the young adult card and other fare-reduction initiatives. From the outset, I would like to assure the Deputy that I have been advised that it has always been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I will bring the Deputy's message to the Minister. I think the school bus transport issue may go to the Minister, Deputy Foley. I take the Deputy's point, however. I would like to reassure him that both the NTA and the Department of Transport have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators to help inform policy decisions with regard to the public transport sector, particularly...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: It should be on the way. I apologise that it is not available now.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (27 Apr 2022)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputies again for raising this matter in the House this morning. I will take their messages back in terms of visibility, resourcing and gardaí on the beat. The Minister is determined to continue to drive the implementation of the range of community safety policy actions to combat criminal activity and antisocial behaviour. We are very conscious of the effect these...