Results 81-100 of 9,402 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works (OPW), are the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding for these schemes has been allocated under the €1.3bn investment in flood relief under the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Erosion (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. To assist Local Authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Access to Apprenticeship Programme was introduced to support the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from disadvantaged backgrounds into an apprenticeship scheme. The initiative is run and delivered over 12 weeks by the Technological University Dublin and Technological University of the Shannon (Limerick campus) and is currently funded by the Higher Education Authority, with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is acknowledged that a backlog of craft apprentices has built up, due to continued high demand for this valuable work-based qualification opportunity. At a time of a buoyant construction and labour market, system capacity has not matched demand. The Department is overseeing a whole of sector response to addressing this pressing matter, with over 9,700 Phase 2 training places to be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (21 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The number of OPW staff currently (21 March 2024) based at the Rock of Cashel are as follows: Grade Number of Staff Guide 16 General Operative 1 The number of Guides based at the Rock of Cashel will increase further during busier Summer months and there will be a further six OPW Guides working there from...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (21 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can confirm to the Deputy that the governance concerns to which I referred in my response to Question No. 352 of 5th March related to management practices and financial management within the Gael-Taca organisation. These shortcomings in governance and in financial control deviated significantly from best practice expected from organisations receiving government funding. Consequently, my...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am aware of the devastating flooding caused by Storm Babet late last year to Mogeely. Flooding has a very significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities. Localised flooding is a matter for the Local Authority, who can apply under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for funding to undertake short-term measures in the form of mitigation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As part of the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme, Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) were published in May 2018, which identified more than 100 flood relief schemes to be further developed for implementation. In addition to the identified schemes, a number of further schemes were also found to be technically feasible, but their estimated costs...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coast Guard Service (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Department of Transport and the Irish Coast Guard are responsible for the financing of Coast Guard station projects. The Office of Public Works is responsible for site acquisition, design, construction and delivery of these projects on behalf of D/Transport and ICG. In late 2022, the OPW secured planning permission for a new coast guard station at Castlefreke. The OPW is now in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As it stands, the official vehicular access to Castletown House, through the Celbridge gate, was acquired by the State in 1994 along with 13 acres of land. I have already stated, on many occasions, the Lime Avenue is not for general visitor traffic to Castletown House. General visitor traffic in this context refers to vehicular traffic generated by the general public seeking to visit...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In February 2023, the Office of Public Works (OPW), approved funding of €76,500 to Clare County Council under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at Gullet Cross, Carrowmore, Cratloe. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The exterior of Rathfarnham Castle is finished with a substance called lime harling, which needs to be refreshed periodically. This is a large works project which will necessitate a full scaffold being erected around the building. There are additional works that are required to the parapets and roof which can be carried out at the same time as the lime harling. However, there is a short...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Swiss cottage is a National Monument in State Ownership under National Monument number 647. The Office of Public Works is committed to providing safe workplaces for its staff at all times and is already aware of the concerns raised by staff in relation to air quality at the Reception area of the Swiss Cottage. The area in the basement remains functional with no deterioration of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy is aware, the flooding at Ballycar, Co. Clare relates to the flooding of railway infrastructure on the Limerick to Ennis line. The OPW notes that it is ultimately a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport to progress the implementation of the flood mitigation measures identified for Ballycar, given that the primary benefits of the measures are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am happy to clarify the position for the Deputy. A Business Case is required to comply with the provisions of Public Spending Code where it is considered that the acquisition of a property is required. It is the responsibility of the Sponsoring Agency, in this case An Garda Síochána, to prepare this Business Case. An Garda Síochána are preparing an initial Business...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The table below shows total revenue received by OPW in 2023 from concession fees paid from private businesses operating a Tearoom/Café/ Restaurant Concession on OPW National Historical Properties and National Monument sites broken down by county as agreed with the Deputy's office. County 2023 Cork €24,232.68 Donegal ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is expected that there will be 1 role offered. Shortlisting will take place in early April after which candidates will be advised of the outcome of that process. Interviews, for candidates who progress to the next stage of the competition, will take place later in the month.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW will seek a suitable site for a new Garda Station in the Castletroy/ Annacotty area of Limerick when the Business Case process is complete and the long term requirements of An Garda Síochána in the area are confirmed. A Business Case is required to comply with the provisions of Public Spending Code where it is considered that the acquisition of a property is required....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Ross Castle, Monument No 534 is a National Monument in the ownership of the Minister. The Office of Public Works (OPW) have been liaising with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the provision of toilet facilities at Ross Castle. The OPW understands that temporary facilities are now in place for visitors to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Mar 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: There is a history of flooding in the Morell catchment since the early 1990s. Considerable flooding occurred in 1998, 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010 causing significant damage to homes, farms, businesses and flooding of roads, including the N7. In recent years, the severity and frequency of the flood events have resulted in severe hardship for residents and business owners. The Morell River...