Results 1,621-1,640 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (21 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator McGreehan for raising this issue. My Department has responsibility for providing labour market services for people with a disability, assisting them with finding paid employment and preparing them for employment through training or employment programmes. Under the reasonable accommodation fund, my Department helps employers and employees with a disability to take appropriate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (21 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: Again, I thank the Senator for raising the issue. I will not ask what Department was involved but the situation she described, frankly, was unacceptable. I reiterate what I said earlier. The Employment Equality Acts oblige employers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of both employees and job applicants with disabilities, except where to do so would impose a disproportionate...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (17 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and others with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities. The contract agreement between the Department and the CE sponsoring...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: A Public Participation Network (PPN) is a structure that brings together volunteer-led groups in each local authority area to represent the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors on Local Authority policymaking structures. PPNs were established following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. My Department has engaged Mazars consultants to carry...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was first launched by my Department in 2018. The Programme provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. Funding is provided to each Local Authority area, and the programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) on the basis of local need. Between...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: It is important to say we are processing the additional €10 million for the fresh applications to the stability fund this year. Without pre-empting all of the decisions, the initial indications are that those community and voluntary organisations that are in a difficult position will be in a better position after this. I believe the Deputy's initial question was what about this year,...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: There were questions about PPNs and the Charities Regulator. I reassure the Deputy that funding for PPNs has remained the same. The change to the subhead just allows a little more flexibility for community and voluntary sector supports. This is an opportunity to highlight some of the supports we are providing to PPNs. A new handbook for PPNs was published last year, which was the first...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: My suspicion is the latter is the cause. The Charities Regulator gave me feedback that flexibility was being given to smaller groups on the ground. Those groups could not meet in person and were struggling to submit the paperwork as they would normally. I can confirm that and get back to the Deputy.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: The Deputy's question concerned the possibility of some tourism-based CSP projects perhaps having wider opening hours and functions. Is that correct?

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (16 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I take the point. There is potential this year for a lot of tourism-based projects to get a boost with people holidaying at home. We perhaps have a responsibility to push them out and encourage people to visit tourism-based community services programmes. The few services I am aware of tend to be hubs for various types of activity, but there is always scope for broadening what they do. They...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Redundancy Payments (15 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: 143. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to review the temporary changes to redundancy rules during the Covid-19 emergency period in view of the ongoing reopening of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30675/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (15 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: 575. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to review the defective block scheme specific to counties Mayo and Donegal; and if consideration will be given to co-operation with the SEAI to ensure that windows and doors that need replacing are energy efficient and affordable for the impacted homeowners. [30687/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (15 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: Tús is a targeted activation measure delivered through a network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta, collectively known as Implementing Bodies (IB). The IB is responsible for matching a participant’s skills to suit available eligible work placements with organisations in the locality of the participant. Eligible work placements must be with...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (15 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: Community Employment (CE) 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. Participation limits on these schemes are necessary to allow for the maximum utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Investigations (15 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: In February last, my officials became aware of an issue in Roscommon PPN that my Department considered warranted an independent investigation to consider whether due process and natural justice was applied. All parties to the matter were informed of the intention of the Department to appoint an independent investigator. An experienced independent investigator has now been selected...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Jun 2021)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator McGreehan for raising this issue. First and foremost, it is important to say that my answer is coming from the perspective of the Department of Social Protection, which administers the free travel scheme. The free travel scheme provides free travel on public transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are two broad categories of people who can qualify for...