Results 11,861-11,880 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue because it is one that goes to the heart of the kind of society we are and want to be. The Government is very concerned with the increase in homelessness and it has a comprehensive suite of responses. We need to understand and assess the nature of homelessness in modern Ireland. It is different from what we might have traditionally perceived it to...

Creeslough Community: Expressions of Sympathy (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Hugh Kelly, 59; Robert Garwe, 50; Martina Martin, 49, Martin McGill, 49; James O'Flaherty, 48; Catherine O'Donnell, 39; Jessica Gallagher, 24; Leona Harper, 14; James Monaghan, 13; and little Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five years of age. Ten women, men, boys and girls representing everything good, kind and beautiful about Creeslough, Donegal and our country were taken away in a tragic incident...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet Committees and where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. The Cabinet Committee oversees implementation of relevant Programme for Government commitments in the area of Brexit and Northern Ireland, and ongoing relevant...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: International Protection (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 158 together. The whole of government humanitarian response to the situation in Ukraine is being led at senior level across Government at a national and local level. The national co-ordination of the Government’s response is led by the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees which I chair. The work of the Cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government has established 11 Cabinet Committees as follows: - COVID-19 - Economic Recovery and Investment - Housing - Health - Environment and Climate Change - Social Affairs and Equality - Education - Europe - Brexit and Northern Ireland - Government Co-ordination, and - Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Bodies (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, was established under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act, 2006. Its function is to advise me as Taoiseach on all strategic matters relevant to economic and social development in the State. At present NESDO has 15 employees. The rates of remuneration of NESDO staff...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Properties (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Both my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, take active steps to support staff returning to the workplace from maternity leave. In line with Circular 31/06 Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, staff returning from maternity leave who are breastfeeding are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Housing Policy (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 20, inclusive, together. Housing for All is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State and contains actions to ensure over 300,000 new homes are built by 2030, along with delivering fundamental reform of our housing system. The target to 2030 includes 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost-rental...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Housing Policy (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Regarding the increase in income thresholds, the Minister is examining that with his Department. I hope to receive a update on progress at some stage.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Housing Policy (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Did the Deputy say the person he referred to was not on the social housing list?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Housing Policy (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have spoken to the Minister on this and work is under way on increasing the income thresholds. I agree with Deputy Durkan. We should accelerate the use of modular homes and system-built housing. We need different types of housing, including increased use of timber-framed housing. Only 20% of housing here uses timber-frame construction, while it is 80% in Scotland. We need faster and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Regarding Deputy Durkan's question, the whole idea of the shared island unit is to be without prejudice to the constitutional position. That is why I think it has gained such traction, so we need to be careful. That is all I would say to Deputies who, in good faith, have put forward various perspectives. The reason it has gained such traction among civil society in Northern Ireland is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The supports cover not just those areas the Deputy has identified. Much more support has been provided in the budget over and above the specific payments that the Deputy referenced.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 17, inclusive, together. Through the Government's shared island initiative, we are engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future and delivering tangible benefits for the whole island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. In the budget last week, the Government confirmed an allocation of €100...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Tóibín as he was first to speak. In respect of the Navan hospital review, I have not seen it yet so I cannot confirm his perspectives on it as regards his view that it has many shortcomings. I will engage with the Minister for Health on the review. The issues are not simple either. Clinicians on all sides have different perspectives on this in County Meath and elsewhere....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is good. There are also a number of other recommendations we are continuing to work on. Deputy Bacik raised the issue of the expansion of GP care. This year, the Government took the decision to expand through income quite substantially thresholds the number of GP care medical cards for access to GPs. That will be quite substantial, with hundreds of thousands more. We are not...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: No. Questions on Policy and Legislation are over.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the issue raised by Deputy MacSharry, the Building Momentum pay agreement will certainly be allocated to defence staff and the broader Commission on the Defence Forces report is about making sure that we both retain staff and attract new recruits in, over and above the number of people who may leave. That will be tangible. There have been changes to some of the allowances in respect of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know that, but I am repeatedly told that the entire project is stuck in planning, more on the Northern side than in the Republic.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will follow up on the matter.