Results 141-160 of 2,296 for speaker:Colm Burke in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Oct 2023)

Colm Burke: I fully accept what the Minister said about the exemptions that are available but it was 2003 when this was last changed. It is 20 years on and it is the time to look at this again, particularly in respect of CAT. Generally, the exemptions that were there prior to 2008 were greater than what they are now. As the Minister will appreciate, the value of property has gone up substantially and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Oct 2023)

Colm Burke: The Minister will accept, though, that there is a need for some change in CAT in view of the fact that the value of property has increased substantially. The exemptions were higher going back 15 or 18 years ago than what they are now. There have been changes in a whole lot of areas in the meantime. I am asking that consideration would be given to this.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Oct 2023)

Colm Burke: 83. To ask the Minister for Finance to confirm that consideration would be given to increasing the small gift exemption for capital acquisitions tax from €3,000 to €5,000 from each person per year, due to the increase in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43079/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Oct 2023)

Colm Burke: Will the Department consider increasing the small gift exemption for capital acquisitions tax, CAT, from €3,000 to €5,000 from each person per year? This was introduced in 2003 and it has not changed since. Will consideration be given to this? It is about the redistribution of wealth. If people find that when they give money to someone, there is going to be a liability for...

School Transport 2023-2024: Statements (3 Oct 2023)

Colm Burke: I thank the Department and the Minister, and indeed Bus Éireann, for the work they are doing in trying to resolve the difficulties. The question I have to ask is why it takes until the schools go back after the summer holidays to deal with this. The schools return in September but we are still dealing with problems right up to October and November. We surely should be able to announce...

Children's Health Ireland - Patient safety concerns and reviews in paediatric orthopaedic surgical services: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Sep 2023)

Colm Burke: There is a lot of uncertainty in the media coverage in respect of the consultants who are available in the hospital to perform these operations when one consultant is no longer available and a file has gone to the Medical Council. What consultants and teams are now in place to continue the work that is required? What effort is going to be made to recruit additional people with the relevant...

Children's Health Ireland - Patient safety concerns and reviews in paediatric orthopaedic surgical services: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Sep 2023)

Colm Burke: First of all, like my colleagues, my thoughts are with the parents of any child who has to undergo surgery. I know that planning and getting a child ready for surgery is a huge challenge in itself for every parent. It is really difficult for any family when children have to go through a multiplicity of operations and surgery. They all need our full support. The major problem we now have...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Jul 2023)

Colm Burke: It was reported this morning that a French yoghurt company, Danone, has made €3 billion profit from trading in Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. That company has strong connections to Ireland. What action is the Government taking in respect of companies that are based in Ireland and have continued to trade in Russia, in view of the commitments given that we would...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: At any one time, there are more than 500 people in our hospitals who could be discharged. What level of engagement has taken place with the private nursing home sector with a view to expediting the discharge of people from hospitals to free up hospital beds? What further engagement has occurred as regards reconciling the difference between what is paid for a public nursing home bed and a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: The Tánaiste has already announced funding for accommodation for members of the Defence Forces. Are we likely to see the roll-out of a five-year plan dealing with accommodation? While there are certain restrictions on what changes can be made, substantial change can be made in the area of accommodation to make it attractive for people to come into the Defence Forces and stay in them....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: 107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions his Department has taken since the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29522/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: I will follow on from that regarding the recommendations being put in place. Are there target dates for having all the recommendations fully in place? The Tánaiste referred to transformation. We also have challenges in retaining people in the Naval Service. Does he believe that in the next three to four years the current difficulty with retention will be resolved with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: 6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what action is being taken to improve processing times of paper-based renewal and first-time passport applications, in view that the current processing time is eight weeks, and in particular the efforts to fast-track those applications of which queries have been raised as this can often lead to extended delays in the processing; and if he...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: 63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to advise what action his Department is taking to ensure there are no delays in the processing of passport applications during the busy summer months, in particular the efforts to fast-track those for which queries have been raised as this can often lead to extended delays in processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Strategies (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: My concern is that the Irish Haemochromatosis Association's figures indicate that at any one time up to 20,000 people have not been diagnosed. That is why we have the ongoing problem of people developing health problems and suffering organ damage, as the Minister and I have mentioned. Accordingly, why not have a national strategy and a screening programme that would identify people where an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Strategies (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, for coming to the House to deal with this matter. This is about having a national strategy for dealing with haemochromatosis. It is about having equal access to testing, diagnosis, and treatment. I understand that there is a proposal to the National Screening Advisory Committee as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: In regard to the issue I raised about grants, there is a disincentive in that the grant is available for taking some postgraduate courses, whereas it is not available for studying radiation therapy. Will the Minister look at that? It is one of the key issues as regards why people are not attracted to the course. Furthermore, can we expand the number of postgraduate courses in September?...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: 93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department and third-level colleges have engaged with the HSE and the Department of Health with a view to increasing the number of radiation therapy training places, taking into account that there are only 42 places at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26602/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: I want to raise the issue of radiation therapist training. I am wondering if the Department has engaged with third-level colleges, the HSE and the Department of Health with a view to increasing the number of places. Currently, there are only 30 places per annum available in Trinity and 12 places in Cork. There are 42 in total. It is not adequate. I am wondering what level of engagement...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (1 Jun 2023)

Colm Burke: I understand there are four treatment machines currently idle because there is a shortfall of 34% in the number of radiation therapist. There was also a survey done which indicates that over 60% of the current radiation therapists intend leaving within the next five years. As regards funding for postgraduates, those who have already got a primary degree and want to go on to do radiation...