Results 121-140 of 502 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Joe O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: In May of this year, together with Government colleagues, I announced €50 million in funding for more than 880 projects under the community recognition fund. The fund recognises the efforts of communities who have gone above and beyond during what has been a very challenging period for our country. It will support towns and villages nationwide that have shown generosity in welcoming...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: There has been a lot going on in supporting communities with new arrivals over the past 18 months. Under my remit, social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, allocations have been increased again. The additional €10 million allocation of last year will be repeated next year. The additional €1 million allocation that volunteer centres got last year will run...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: The initial allocation was €50 million, with €30 million for this year and €20 million next year. There is some flexibility, including on timelines. Requests could be made for adaptations of particular proposals. There is a lot that is not yet visible in terms of what the community recognition fund can do. Running into November, we are now at a stage where we hope we...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Discrimination (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I do not have the specifics on that. I will bring it back to the Minister to follow up on that as well. I indicated in my initial contribution that mandatory training was part of what was required in the HSE. I have an additional interest here. I am responsible for the national action plan against racism, so I will be delving into that a little bit further to see how thorough that is and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Discrimination (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: -----to diversity are the ones who go to it. Therefore, when it is not mandatory, it is a problem. When it is stated as mandatory, I would like to see how comprehensive that is. I am committing to the Deputy that I will find out more about that. Of course, training does not solve it either. Racism is deeper than that for many people. We have much work to do in that regard. With...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Discrimination (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: Yes.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Discrimination (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I agree with that and with Deputy Barry's sentiments on how crucial migrant nurses are not only to our hospital system but also to our care system, more broadly speaking. Before I read my answer, which is important, I want to say I heard the media report this morning and it stopped me in my tracks. The small clip I heard was shocking, and I have since read the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position on the Department of Education's planning for school accommodation for children with special educational needs, specifically in regard to the application for additional accommodation made by Sooey National School, County Sligo. The Deputy may be aware that Sooey National School is a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: As I have outlined, the Department has been engaging with this school regarding its application for additional accommodation. While the provision of a general purpose room is outside the scope of the additional school accommodation scheme, the Department has liaised with the school regarding the potential provision of accommodation for children with special educational needs. As Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: The misclassification of a worker as being self-employed when his or her terms and conditions mean he or she is in reality an employee is a matter of real concern. There is no single clear legal definition of the terms "employed" or "self-employed" in Irish or EU law. To determine a person's employment status, both the written or oral contract and the reality behind the contract must be...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Supreme Court judgment in this case, the Revenue Commissioners v. Karshan Midlands Limited, regarding Domino's Pizza delivery drivers is an important decision and one which the Government welcomes. This is a complex area of employment law where the classification of some employment relationships is not easily deduced. Indeed, this judgment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Communications (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: The Department is currently dealing with the unprecedented challenge of accommodating people fleeing war in Ukraine and seeking international protection in Ireland from countries across the world. Our communities and neighbourhoods have responded with a generosity of spirit, as Deputy Dillon has said, in keeping with both our international reputation and our obligation to recognise the human...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Communications (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I want to acknowledge the co-operation of local authorities, local development companies, Deputies and Senators of these Houses and local councillors who have helped us to bring communities on board. It is a function of the community engagement team to do exactly what Deputy Dillon has described, namely, to talk to the relevant Government Departments. We have contact points in all of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Communications (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: This is a timely opportunity to mention the fact that the Department has allocated additional resources to every local authority to recruit local authority integration teams. They are all at different stages of the recruitment process. Some have finished while others are yet to start. It will lead to up to four additional staff per local authority to assist and grow into this new place....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (24 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: Being honest, I only have limited information, and the key piece of information I have concerning the questions the Deputy is asking is that the budget has been allocated. Additionally, regarding vulnerability and the vulnerability of children, the Government has co-funded family support practitioners for those families living in IPAS accommodation to support the pathway for integrated...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (24 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy Connolly for the question. Applicants for international protection who are awaiting a decision on their application are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Service, IPAS, of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Those who accept such accommodation are provided with material reception conditions, including food...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (24 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy Connolly. I understand the information she is looking for. I am here in my role with the Department of Social Protection. This Department's main role is administering the payment. I can state from my role in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that funding has been secured for a new child payment. Beyond this there is not a large amount...

Situation in the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (18 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I want to open by calling for an immediate ceasefire by all parties to the current outbreak of hostilities in Gaza and Israel; the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages taken by Hamas; and the immediate turning back on of water and electricity to Gaza and the opening of a humanitarian corridor. I also want to condemn the horrific actions of Hamas on 7 October. But the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: We are coming towards the end of a review of the rural social scheme. There has been very intense engagement on it. I have attended a number of workshops and had a lot of discussions with supervisors, participants and the implementing bodies involved as well. It is an amazing scheme. I have seen what it does. It not only provides services and gives an opportunity for people to engage in...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Joe O'Brien: As Minister of State with responsibility in three Departments, I will use my brief time to touch on some of the key budget 2024 measures in each of those Departments. Last year, with the outbreak of the Ukraine war, when Ukrainian families flowed into our communities throughout the country, the community and voluntary sector stood up to the plate. One of the key groups of organisations that...