Results 1-20 of 25,321 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (13 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank the Deputy. I reiterate I want to stick with process, as I agreed with the working group and the Deputy. We will continue to speak to the landowners, look at Batty Langley Lodge for temporary access for staff, examine the legal case the Deputy made about the right of access and consider the Kildare campus. I am exploring every conceivable avenue to work with everyone to find...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (13 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, I thank my esteemed colleague, Deputy Durkan, for his long-standing, genuine and heartfelt interest in Castletown House and estate. As I have said previously, it is something on which the Deputy has worked over a considerable period through our parliamentary system, and he has dealt with it publicly as well. I take this opportunity thank all members of the Castletown House...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (13 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senator Seery Kearney for raising this important issue about the cromlech in the Phoenix Park. I acknowledge the work of Chapelizod historical society and it is a project that Senator Seery Kearney has been with from the start. To give context, the cromlech has many names. It is called the Knockmaree or Knockmary dolmen or cist, the Knockmaree Linkardstown...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (13 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this important issue regarding the cromlech in the Phoenix Park. I will make three points. As for the officials, during my short time there I have seen a genuine intention and appreciation among the staff to try to preserve what we have in terms of the natural environment. Second, I will follow up with the Chapelizod historical society with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Welfare Services (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this important matter. This is a debate I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. The particular area of well-being falls under her direct remit. This debate gives me an opportunity to update the House on the mental health supports for primary and post-primary schools provided by the Department of Education. As always, Senator Seery...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Welfare Services (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for her contribution. I note that she is looking at the programme in a very structured fashion. The Senator will appreciate the fact, as she has already referenced, that there is a need for an evaluation both on a qualitative and a quantitative basis. That will take place. The Senator raises a very interesting point in terms of play therapy and the hours...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I would also like to welcome our guests from north Dublin. For the previous school we had in here, we were told that there was no homework for them until June so I am wondering what the position is for our guests today.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Exactly. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin. I thank Senator O'Loughlin. I can see how important Kildare is to her. The Tánaiste asked me to offer his apologies on his behalf to the House. He welcomes the opportunity to respond to this matter and thanks the Senator for her question. The swimming...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter of an update on the upgrade works on the swimming pool at DFTC in the Curragh. She will be well aware that there is a long-standing policy in the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to allow third-party access to Defence Forces properties to support local communities and to raise the profile of the Defence Forces among...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline today the funding and Government support for local authorities, with particular reference to Longford County Council. The Minister acknowledges the current financial environment in which all local authorities, including Longford County Council, are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will conclude by referring to the Government supports to Longford since 2020. Across all schemes and funding sources, the Department provided €30.7 million in 2020, €48.5 million 2021, €36 million in 2022 and €52.9 million in 2023 to Longford County Council. Included in this is the unprecedented level of support provided by central government to local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: To conclude, the purpose of this interim funding is to alleviate the unprecedented and unexpected loss of commercial rates in the period to the end of 2026, in line with the recommendation of the just transition commissioner. I have been assured that the Department will continue to engage with Longford County Council in this regard.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join Senator Boyhan in congratulating John Moran on his election as the first directly elected mayor of Limerick and commend all candidates who took part in a very engaging and constructive debate. It put Limerick city and county to the fore national and internationally. I want to acknowledge the cross-party support in the Seanad, as well as in Dáil Éireann, when I brought...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Again, I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important question today and for the opportunity to give him an update. We all desire the same thing, to provide a world-class service in Ireland. In south Dublin, the building is at phase 1 and on track for delivery in August. Funding has been approved for the surgical hub in north Dublin in Swords and construction has commenced. Recruitment...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Department and the Minister will learn a lot from the two pilot schemes. To provide a final context, the most significant change to the current eligibility criteria for the mainstream that will come in 2024-25 will be to reduce the current distance criteria and remove the nearest-school criterion. The proposal over time is to reduce the distance criteria to 1 km from 3.2 km for primary...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy has latitude.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (12 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Feighan for raising this matter today. I am taking this Topical Issues debate on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. I can see the passion Deputy Feighan shows in this area. It is an area that comes up on the ground for all of us, including my good self. I know how important education is for parents. Before I address the specific issue raised, I would...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (28 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Local flooding is a matter in the first instance for each local authority to investigate and address. The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the Scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Issues (28 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory remit for the maintenance of the Maine Arterial Drainage Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The area in question does not form part of this Arterial Drainage Scheme. Local flooding, is in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (28 May 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Heritage officials from the Office of Public Works are available to meet with Mr. Kelliher of Gallarus Oratory Visitor Centre. I suggest he makes contact directly with my officials in the National Monuments team by emailing NMGeneral@opw.ie and I suggest he includes a proposed agenda for the meeting.