Results 1,321-1,340 of 5,638 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Mayo relies heavily on the local improvement scheme and we have a diverse road network like those of County Cork and County Kerry, and I am sure it is the same in the Minister's constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. This is a really important issue that councillors raise with Oireachtas Members. I support the call for the Department of Transport to match-fund any funding that is presented by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: 6. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the status of the town and village renewal scheme, TVRS, and inform us when successful applicants can expect to be notified about the outcomes of their applications in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49653/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: The town and village renewal scheme has played a crucial role in breeding new life into numerous towns and villages nationwide, and this transformation is particularly visible in my constituency of Mayo. In July of this year the Minister introduced the 2023 town and village scheme, which presents a significant opportunity for communities to secure investment in their local towns and...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I welcome the witnesses and thank Dr. Brooks for her opening statement. This session supports last week's session. I am sure the officials were tuned in to last week's session, when some of the challenges, issues and opportunities were raised. I am interested in the Department's engagement with representative bodies and the composition of groups and organisations it is involved with...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: In terms of feedback from the providers, does the Department take their issues on board? Has the Department made any amendments to policy in recent weeks or months? If so, can Dr. Brooks provide any examples?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: The issue that was apparent last week was around the fees being capped since 2017. Certainly, with rising utility bills and inflationary costs, there is a huge fear about survival among many of these providers. As local public representatives we hear this on a daily, if not weekly basis. What are the Department's intentions? There certainly is an imbalance in the system at present for...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Does the Department accept the difficulties being faced by some providers now who have fees which are frozen at present and that are finding it very difficult to keep their doors open?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: There are some providers who possibly will not make it to the third year.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: What does that entail?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: How many cases has the Department dealt with today as regards that funding model? How much has it actually-----

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Yes.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Relatively, there is a very low uptake on that.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Really, it is not working. If it was working then multiple service providers would look for it.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Can I ask-----

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I have a final question about the chart of accounts because it was very late when some providers were informed about the burden that was being imposed on them in respect of having to provide access to accountancy packages. What was the thought process around this? Was there any recognition from the Department relating to the additional burden that would place on providers, which may have...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: Did Ms Fleming consult the providers?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: What was the feedback?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: With regard to supports-----

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: That is fine.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Issues Facing the Early Childhood Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for letting me back in. I am not sure the area of childminders was brought up previously. We rely heavily on our childminder for our two year-old and three and a half year-old. She provides a fantastic service and we cannot speak highly enough of her. She has also expressed her concerns and fears from listening to the issues from small services and what...