Results 1,541-1,560 of 9,147 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of diplomatic staff currently accredited to the Russian embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40316/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the full year cost of all home energy upgrades supports and schemes in 2024 and 2025; and the annual current and capital funding breakdown per scheme divided between Exchequer funding and carbon tax receipts, including schemes (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40866/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated annual cost of introducing loans (details supplied). [40867/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 130. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated annual cost of a scheme (details supplied). [40868/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline any analysis carried out by his Department, consultancy or State body, relating to the energy poverty action strategy and enabling smart energy service providers to divert surplus renewable energy to Irish homes, with a primary focus on those in fuel poverty or those in social housing; and to provide any...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (10 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: 197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total operating cost of town councils during their final full year of operation. [40823/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister and officials from the Department for coming before the committee. I welcome the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee. What will happen to students and their families who paid the full amount prior to the announcement in the budget? Will they be reimbursed or will it be carried over? Do they have the option?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Do they have to apply for it or will it automatically be-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: There was a good announcement in the budget about the increase in the stipend paid to PhD students. I think it is up to €25,000. When will that commence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Do they have to apply or is it automatically-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: In terms of the corporate and financial oversight of the higher education sector and technological universities, the Minister will be aware some third level institutions have got into difficulty over financial decisions. Are there plans to review oversight arrangements or is the Minister happy with them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is the Minister satisfied the existing legislation can give effect to the financial oversight?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Grade inflation in the leaving certificate is primarily an issue for the Minister for Education but is the Minister concerned that in this and previous years we have seen students who got maximum points not able to get into the course of their choosing? Does he have any empathy for them? Is there anything he would like to see developed to ensure that does not happen in the future?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: This committee was intimately involved in hearings in respect of Research Ireland and the resulting legislation. An issue arose in respect of the person appointed acting chief executive ending up in the courts. Will the Minister provide an update on the new agency? Is he happy with its direction?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish the interim CEO well. Whether it is her or someone else, when does the Minister expect to appoint a permanent CEO?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the Governor and the two deputy governors. I have a number of questions for Mr. Makhlouf. I will start by looking at the Central Bank's function, which is in respect of providing analysis on national economic policy. Does Mr. Makhlouf agree that the Irish economy is in good health at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would Mr. Makhlouf say that the factors that made him conclude it is in good health are full employment, a large surplus, which a lot of countries do not have, and lowering inflation? Is there anything else he would add to that as a symptom of the healthy Irish economy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. Makhlouf mentioned in his statement that we have stronger growth rates than expected. Why is that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: Of course. Is the large surplus we have unusual in a eurozone context?