Results 1,361-1,380 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy says, Fingal stands out as one of the better-off local authorities. There will be exceptions in other parts of the country as well. Community centres start up in a variety of different ways. They all have very different sorts of life paths with respect to how they started and how the initial funding became a reality as well. It is fair to say the majority of community...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: First, I wish to acknowledge the importance of community centres. They are the cornerstone of community life in many places around the country. As the Deputy is aware, a new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres featured in the national development plan and funding of €5 million has been secured for this under budget 2022. This is consistent with the programme for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Senators for their questions. The Government fully appreciates that the live performance sector, including pantomimes, is among the hardest hit by these latest restrictions. Indeed, these sectors were the first to close and the last to reopen, only as recently as 22 October. Unfortunately, the epidemiological situation is such that we are not where we expected to be and, as a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: The Minister and her Department are currently examining the supports that were in place and have been engaging with stakeholders to determine what would work best to support the live entertainment industry going forward. She hopes to make an announcement on what schemes will be made available very soon and this will include a review of the pantomime scheme. I know the she will be as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 95 and 109 together. My Department has provided supports to community and voluntary organisations in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 through a number of measures. Through the COVID-19 Stability Fund, my Department supported a total of 840 organisations in 2020 and 2021 with total funding of approximately €48m. That fund is now closed and there...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: A new €9m fund called the Community Activities Fund, was launched by my Department in November 2021 and continues into 2022 to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund will support local community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: My Department has a number of supports that communities can avail of to support the upkeep, enhancement or the establishment of community centres. For example, grants which are relevant to community centres are provided through the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) which provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance facilities. Typical projects funded include the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 712 together. The Government are aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: Under the NEIC Initiative, my Department is providing €6.5m towards the regeneration of the Dublin North East Inner City area in 2021, to help ensure that the recommendations of the Mulvey Report and the actions contained in the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 - 2022 are implemented. Funding of €7.5m will be provided in 2021. It is also worth noting that the Dublin North East...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: 206. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to delaying the planned reduction in the employment wage subsidy scheme rates in December in view of a decline in hospitality bookings due to the increase in Covid-19 cases and the clear need to reduce social contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60178/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors. This claim...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: The Government are aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restrictions...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: On the initial question from Deputy Toibin, charities legislation is not being used. Any organisation can make an application to the District Court under gambling legislation and many do. Lots of sports clubs do so as well.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: That is the brief answer to it. Charities legislation is not involved.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Local Drugs Task Forces (2 Dec 2021)

Joe O'Brien: 217. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vacant community seats on the local and regional drugs task forces nationally; and if he will provide a list of the vacancies per area. [59635/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (30 Nov 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 393 together. As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (30 Nov 2021)

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 to improve their prospect of returning to employment. Pathways to Work 2021-2025 is the Government’s national...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (30 Nov 2021)

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 to improve their prospect of returning to employment. Where vacancies occur on CE schemes, eligible candidates are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (30 Nov 2021)

Joe O'Brien: 586. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the progression of a project in view of the fact that the HSE stated a year ago that Swords, County Dublin was a priority for the development of a new primary care centre and that a preferred provider was to be in place by spring 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58707/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Employment Schemes (25 Nov 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for the question. As the Deputy is aware, 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, to improve their prospect of returning to employment. Scheme...