Results 15,561-15,580 of 20,131 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Other Questions: Passport Applications (27 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: My question also concerns the long delays in issuing passports. I take on board the Tánaiste's point that there has been a huge increase in the number of passport applications, which is a positive in a way as it reflects the popularity of the Irish passport. There are problems with new applicants, renewals and children's passports, and there is still a problem with online applications....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the staffing levels dealing with passports has increased in the past two years to deal with the high demand. [27896/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Future Exploration, Energy Supply and Energy Security: Discussion (26 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I thank the witness for the presentation. It paints a good overall picture of what the situation is. It points out some stark realities about where we are going with energy use and demand, and how we meet our obligations. The witness mentioned that solar energy was one of the cheapest options. In warmer climates it will obviously be more efficient but it has been shown that in this...

Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (21 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I thank the Minister for his reply. I note that some progress has been made and we welcome the reduction of one in the average class size, although in our budget submission we proposed a reduction of two. We have the second highest class sizes in the European Union, at an average of 25, with the European Union as a whole having an average class size of 20; therefore, there is more work to...

Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (21 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I also want to raise the issue of the capitation grant. The cut in this grant is having a severe impact on schools. The amount was €200 and if my memory serves me right and it was cut in 2008 and now stands at €170 per pupil. This has cost schools an estimated €105 million per annum and has left parents to engage in fundraising. Last year, the figure raised by parents...

Health Waiting Lists: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: The two-tier health system which puts private patients first and leaves public patients to wait must end. The system is not an accident and has been overseen by successive Governments over the years. A constituent of mine in Laois contacted the HSE this month and was given a shocking waiting time of four to five years for her child to see a psychologist. The same timeframe applies in...

Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I raise with the Taoiseach the commitment to protect the environment in the programme for Government. Perhaps he saw the recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme, "Ireland's Wild Waste". It is more like the Wild West. The side by side competition and privatisation model in Ireland is chaotic and has been shown to be failing in protecting the environment. Ireland has one of the best...

Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I will conclude. We need to give powers to the Environmental Protection Agency and local councils to get on with controlling the waste industry.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Eligibility (20 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 68. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the income thresholds for local authority housing will be reviewed in view of the fact that some families that are on a low income are being prevented from applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26812/18]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (20 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 74. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to accelerate the process of approval for new social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26813/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Capitation Grants (19 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the increased cost of running schools; if the mainstream capitation grant will be increased in budget 2019 to the level of €200 in view of the fact there has been a reduction in the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26843/18]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: House Purchase Schemes (19 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 592. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when persons who are legally divorced or separated and have legally discharged their interest in the family home are applying for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme, the terms of the financial gain provisions that currently prevent applicants from applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26601/18]

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: Page 70 of the programme for Government says the Government will improve services and increase supports for people with disabilities, particularly in respect of early assessments and interventions for children. In the case of Laois-Offaly, I got figures just over two weeks ago which tell us that there are 1,850 children in the area awaiting occupational therapy. Some 1,022 of those have...

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: It is getting longer.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (13 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: 162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the commencement of the national broadband plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision: Discussion (12 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Reading the opening statements, there are some eye-opening issues, including the price comparisons for connections for fibre to the home and shortcomings in the so-called market. At the press conference at which the Minister announced he would allow Eir to cherry-pick 300,000 of the easiest to reach 840,000 premises and households, I argued the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision: Discussion (12 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: Something to bear in mind is that I am one of those Eir customers who are watching their prices increase and increase. Householders are being driven crazy when trying to contact companies about charges. Mr. Lupton represents some of those companies. I wanted to use this opportunity to highlight that issue with him. I thank him for the information he has provided. I am seeking further...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision: Discussion (12 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I have a question on the passive infrastructure. I am aware that the ALTO is in negotiation phase and I do not expect the representatives to say much, but are we talking about an annual fee for using infrastructure such as poles belonging to Eir? Even though much of it is in bad condition, Eir owns most of the infrastructure around the State. It is a private company. What protection have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision: Discussion (12 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: I ask that question on behalf of the 540,000 households that are not in the areas of rich picking. Some people might disagree about the State having to give 200,000 households to Eir, but we will park that for now. Considering the other costs retailers have, I cannot see how it would be economically viable if they have to pay €20 for each pole they pass to string cables for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision: Discussion (12 Jun 2018)

Brian Stanley: We are talking about an astronomical amount. A company may have to pass 20 or 30 poles to access the hardest to reach premises or households, that cannot be charged extra and, therefore, the costs must be aggregated across the entire base.