Results 361-380 of 2,937 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: The response I have here is that full consideration of the types of soil to be afforested will be given during the strategic assessment and the appropriate assessment. It is about the land types for afforestation. Documents set out the potential eligibility of land for support under the scheme. The response refers more to the suitability of the land in terms of individual species. The...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I will bring the point on licensing back to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. On section 8, it is an amendment to Schedule 3 of the Act of 2013. The Department seeks to licence marts by way of secondary legislation to ensure the health and welfare of animals in marts.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: It is by way of secondary legislation. That will come through. I do not have more details. Maybe it can be revisited on Report Stage.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I have what I have in front of me. No amendment was put down in relation to this. I would probably have a more detailed note if there had been amendments put down on it.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: The detailed view of the provisions of the Bill has been discussed here and on previous occasions. The legislation will prohibit fur farming and makes provision for a fair and reasonable scheme of compensation that my Department will make available to the three farm businesses affected by the prohibition which currently operate legitimately. The forestry provisions introduce a limited...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Transport Authority (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: Deputy McAuliffe has an offer to bring back to the chief executives. It is on the record of the House that the offer of support is there and we need them to drive on the project now. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and making his contribution to the discussion today. It is great to see investment in active travel starting to bear fruit. The Government is keen to accelerate...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Payments (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Martin Browne. All Deputies deal with carers in our constituency offices and in the course of our daily work as parliamentarians, and we are in awe of the fantastic work they do. That is why the State provides supports for people on fixed incomes who are providing such a vital service to a loved one. The State recognises that this service is of huge value. I accept there...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Payments (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: It is not only the €200 payment. As I said, we also have a community welfare system. In individual cases that do not fit the norm, community welfare officers provide support that may be needed for a time, including to meet exceptional needs. I outlined many interventions the Government has made since the budget. A record budget has been provided to the Department of Social...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Payments (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: That is why we are supporting them.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Transport Authority (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this important issue in his constituency. I am responding to this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. As the Deputy will be aware, the programme for Government sets out an ambitious and wide-ranging set of commitments in relation to walking and cycling, supported by an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: The Government will not be found wanting in supporting the Ukrainian people. The 2016 census showed that 3,000 Ukrainian nationals were resident in Ireland at the time. They all have loved ones about whom they are greatly concerned and they may be looking to bring them here. We are taking a whole-of-government response to ensure we offer them all the supports they need. As I mentioned,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Payments (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: The household benefits, HHB, package comprises the electricity or gas allowance and a free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €273 million this year on the HHB package for more than 484,000 customers and their households. The package is available as a supplementary allowance to those in receipt of various social welfare payments,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy McHugh for raising an issue that is foremost in all of our minds across the Government right now. I know Deputy Cannon was working with the Deputy on it earlier in the week. I assure the Deputy and the House that along with officials in all Departments, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, on behalf of which I am participating in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: It is an interesting one. I can most definitely empathise with Deputy Moynihan's points regarding the importance of community facilities. I am taking this response on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for local government and planning, Deputy Burke. The title of this Topical Issue matter was picked up and taken by the planning department. The points...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: Again, I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this important topic today. I concur and I will bring these points back to the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, and his officials in the planning department. There should be uniformity of approach here. Community groups looking to go through the planning process to deliver a community facility should not have different experiences depending on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Boyhan for giving me the opportunity to address the Seanad on the Dublin eastern bypass corridor from Booterstown to Sandyford and the possibility of alternative uses being considered. I am sure he will acknowledge that there are a number of different actors within this sphere and that a lot of work has taken place over the past number of years. That work remains ongoing....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: The material that was prepared for me by the Department of Transport does not deal with the question of the use of the corridor for housing. That is more properly a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In regard to the wider active travel measures being promoted by the Government, I am pleased that this year has seen another increase in the Department of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Murphy for clearly articulating the importance of the N61 project. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in respect of the national roads programme. I am responding on his behalf. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, NDP,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: Senator Murphy can rest assured that I will bring the points he articulated clearly here about the importance of this road to the Minister. Approximately €616 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided to TII for national roads in 2022. In line with the NDP and Government policy, TII is allocating national roads funding to local authorities for 2022 in a manner which seeks...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Educational Disadvantage (10 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter. As the Senator will be aware, Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, is the main policy instrument of the Department of Education to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. DEIS schools benefit from a range of supports,...