Results 361-380 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Prices (9 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: The price situation in Ireland is broadly replicated in other EU member states, reflecting the global nature of the problem. Using cross-country comparable data from the European Milk Market Observatory, the most recently available complete data shows that the milk price in Ireland is, as the Deputy said, approximately 22% below the price in the same month in 2014 and slightly above the 19%...

Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Prices (9 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Deputy is right when he says I spoke on this issue in the other House yesterday. It is important for me to reiterate what I said on that occasion. The Deputy will appreciate that I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is in Galway today for bilateral meetings with the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Karmenu Vella. The Deputy has spoken about market developments in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Employment Schemes Cessation (9 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am advised that the initiative referred to in the Question has not been funded by my Department. It should be noted that a similar business start-up training course was funded under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2014 until December 2014 in Co. Sligo.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme (9 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 276, inclusive, together. The Rural Transport Programme (RTP) was created to address social exclusion arising from unmet public transport needs. In April 2012 responsibility for managing the RTP was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of new arrangements for integrated local and rural transport approved by Government in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sheepmeat Sector (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, who is in Strasbourg attending a European Parliament plenary session. This is a hugely important element of our agri-food sector and one which is a priority for the Minister. Primary output from the sheep industry is currently worth...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sheepmeat Sector (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I have asked my officials to prepare background information for the Senator on sheep prices. I ask him to let me know if he does not receive the information.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staffing (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator raising this important issue. I am aware that she regularly raises issues like this in her own constituency.I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. The education of children with special educational needs remains a key priority for the Government. We have been resolutely committed to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Staffing (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue and will convey her concerns to the Minister. I ask her to continue her endeavours to secure assistance for the schools in her constituency.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Second Stage of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 to the Seanad. The Bill provides for a number of important legislative amendments, corrections and updates to a range of policy areas across the broad environmental field. The Bill is also important in that it introduces a series of new streamlined procedures that will help to...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Members for their contributions this evening. I look forward to dealing with the specific points raised on Committee and Report Stages. Reports in the newspapers stating that households could be liable to pay a fine of €3,000 are incorrect.It is not the household but the company that is involved in the waste management. It is important this message gets out so that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process.  55 applications were approved for funding totalling...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department supports the community and voluntary sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat through a range of schemes. Indeed, the strong commitment of this Government to supporting the community and voluntary sector is evident through the overall budget...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (7 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department provided funding to Muintir na Tíre under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) to 30 June 2014. In July 2014 it was announced that bridging funding would be allocated for a twelve month period to 30 June 2015 to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new 2014-2016 round of funding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (7 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process.  55 applications were approved for funding totalling...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I assure the Deputy that I understand the position regarding this project. I understand these communities have been 20 years trying to gather funding. Every week, they pay into funds to provide water for themselves. However, their project seemed to fall off the cliff due to circumstances. I understand that and know these people need to know soon when they can expect to have their water...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I certainly understand the Deputy's frustrations, in particular when those who are willing to pay for water cannot get it while those who have water do not want to pay for it. I understand her concerns in regard to CLÁR funding and how precious CLÁR funding was for people who live in disadvantaged areas. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for the...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I will begin with Deputy Stanley who is to be commended on his conscientiousness in this area. I have visions of him going with his shopping bag to the local shop for his groceries. It is a valuable thing to do and I wish many others would follow his example. He is to be commended on it. Civic amenity sites have a huge role to play in the overall waste management plan. I cannot stress...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: Research indicates that pay-by-weight on a per kilogramme basis is the single most effective charging system for reducing the amount of waste produced by households and increasing the amount diverted from landfill. It has the potential to reduce average household waste by almost one third and to divert almost 500,000 tonnes away from landfill. I take Deputy Catherine Murphy's point about...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Minister, Deputy Kelly, pointed out, the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Nash, is doing good work in this area. I remind Deputy Ó Snodaigh that the Minister is determined to clean up this industry, if the Deputy will excuse the pun. This legislation is driving better and higher standards in the area of waste collection. We want to...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 13:In page 28, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 34 of Act of 1996 35. Section 34 of the Act of 1996 is amended by—(a) in subsection (1)—(i) in paragraph (a), the substitution of “collect or transport waste” for “collect waste”, (ii) in paragraph (aa), the substitution of “the...