Results 161-180 of 1,061 for speaker:Séamus McGrath

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: It is considered to be an adequate separation distance. Was an issue ever raised in terms of exempted development regulations that apply to animal housing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: At first sight, the distance would not appear to be huge, but I take the point the Minister of State is making. I missed the part on commercial-to-residential conversions. Am I allowed to raise it now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I note from the briefing document that just over 1,400 applications were made in the six-year period from 2018 to 2024. What is the Minister of State’s assessment of that? It would strike me as a relatively low level of activity.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I appreciate that. Do we know whether the figure provided for the pubs translated into actual activity? Were there applications from people who sought the exemption but did not follow through and carry out the work?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Is any publicity planned on trying to increase the overall level of activity on foot of these exempted developments progressing and so on to try to get the message out that these exemptions exist so that we can do more in converting old former commercial properties into residential units? Is that something we could consider doing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: It is one thing for the Department to do something, but it is important to include the local authorities in this because they have their own communication systems in place and we should try to utilise those to get the message out. I may have missed this. I am sure other members asked about further exempted development and the timeline for garden structures. Do we have an indication on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: When the Minister of State says they will be brought forward, does he mean they will be in place before the end of the year? Will it be possible to use them before the end of the year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I am sorry for putting this on the Minister of State, but is the change for exempted developments in gardens and so on also unlikely to be retrospective or is it still being worked through?

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 850. To ask the Minister for Health the specific paediatric prosthetic devices which are currently funded by the HSE; if these include activity-capable and sport-appropriate components; and if not, the reason. [54906/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 851. To ask the Minister for Health the average and longest current waiting times for children to receive prosthetic limbs and subsequent upgrades or replacements; and the steps being taken to reduce these delays. [54907/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 852. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated average out-of-pocket cost to families for child prosthetic provision in Ireland; and the measures being considered to reduce or eliminate reliance on fundraising by parents to meet basic mobility needs. [54908/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (14 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 853. To ask the Minister for Health if she will review the quality and usability of prosthetics provided to children in Ireland; if this review will include direct consultation with families and service users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54909/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for the response. I acknowledge that the Government is committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Of course, I also acknowledge the zero-tolerance strategy and its recent launch, and also the additional funding provided. It is welcome that the programme for Government specifically includes a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Ministers for being here this evening. I raise the issue of the need for a better protocol to be put in place in relation to the offence of spiking. To explain what I am referring to, we are all aware that, when people are out enjoying themselves on social occasions, there are incidents of their drinks being spiked. Essentially, drugs are put into their drinks without their...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: To follow on from what the Minister of State said, this is a significant budget that involves expenditure of almost €117 billion and an additional package of €9.4 billion. Those are significant figures. It is about securing our future. Investment in key infrastructure is central to the budget, particularly infrastructure that will enable a continued supply of housing to be...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Business of Joint Committee (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for raising this on the tenth anniversary. It was an absolute tragedy and an unspeakable tragedy with the loss of life and the impact on families. That impact continues, obviously. In many ways it is a byword for lack of progress on Traveller issues around accommodation and supports. As others have said, we have to continually remember what happened and use...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Child Protection and Family Support: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank everyone from Tusla for being here. I apologise as I am also on the public accounts committee so I am in and out a little bit. I thank the officials for all the work they do. From the opening statement, it is obvious there is a lot of good work being done and also an acknowledgment of the marginalisation issue within the Traveller community. It is welcome to see that level of...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Child Protection and Family Support: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Is this a relatively new initiative? It is.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Child Protection and Family Support: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Okay. Tusla is trying to improve the model, the operation and the effectiveness.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Child Protection and Family Support: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Oct 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Picking up on Deputy McCormack's point, the agency intends for some of these community link workers to come from the Travelling communities. Is that correct?