Results 1,721-1,740 of 7,112 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I get that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: How many new routes are expected or intended in 2024?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister. Will the Minister point us towards the fare restructuring? It is a significant issue of importance in my county and in many regions. The expectation is that the first phase will kick in-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: September?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: To go back to the Minister's point on the need for multi-annual budgeting, at a wider level the budget plugs into the national development plan. Is there an update on how negotiations are going or when we might see an update of the national development plan? We have consistently raised the need for additional funding to 2030 and there are challenges in that regard, as the Minister has said....

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Is it a question of additional funding or does the Minister see a role for other vehicles? Is it literally a negotiation within the Government between party leaders and the Department of public expenditure or how will he get something like this over the line? Will the new climate and infrastructure fund play a role in that? How does the Minister square all this?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Coming back to Connecting Ireland, the Department will not do as much this year as it did last year. Is that related to constraints on current spend? We hear from providers that this is going to be a tighter or more difficult year. As I understand, we have changed the critical skills list and opened other avenues for drivers and mechanics. What is behind the reduction?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I take the Minister's point, but the figure was €3.88 million for the first year, €8.35 million last year and just under €10 million this year, which is year three. Of a fund of €56 million, we have spent in the region of €23 million. Is that correct?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is going to be a big final two years.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: That is what the Minister said last year. He said projects scale up. This year, however, he is saying he is going to do less than last year.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am not disagreeing with that-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I take the point, but these are fair questions. It is a five-year programme, and there is political support across the board. They are the types of projects we want. We recognise that there are challenges. I am trying to understand the assessment of the Department and the Government as to how they will grow the projects.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister would get a Supplementary Estimate.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There is now an assembly in the North and the Minister’s portfolio crosses two or three Departments in the North. Does he have plans to meet his counterparts?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 39. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to report on the findings by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study of the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme; if a report has been published or will be published in the future; how the finding of the study will inform the SEAI retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168 and 169 of 25 January 2024, his views on the particular cases in questions and whether or not they are eligible payment for the microgeneration support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the proposals to introduce later opening hours for pubs and clubs; what work has his Department carried out to assess the potential impact on night time transport; what plans have been put in place to address its potential impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4980/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 687 of 17 January 2024, the funding provided per fee paying school for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; if she is aware of funding to fee-paying schools from other Government Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5470/24]