Results 1-20 of 4,896 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: During 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda stations were closed as part of An Garda Síochána’s rationalisation programme. The table below outlines the Garda stations in County Clare that were closed as part of this programme and the status of each: Garda Station Current Status Broadford Sale agreed. Sold at public auction. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 335 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: It has long been the policy of the OPW to seek to reunite the historic demesne lands of Castletown Estate. The Commissioners of Public Works acquired Castletown House and 13 acres of land in 1994. In 1997, one hundred acres south of the house was acquired. The farmyard adjacent to the house was acquired in 2001. In 2006, lands associated with the Batty Langley Lodge were acquired with former...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works was made aware by a Local Authority, in 2021, that this property had been placed on the Derelict Sites Register. The building referred to is a registered property, and is in the ownership of a company which remains live on the Companies Register. The Commissioners of Public Works therefore have no legal interest in this building, and are not aware of any attempt by...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that it will fund the provision of wheelchair access for members of the public to visit the public entrance of Mountjoy Garda station, Dublin. A feasibility study to investigate options to provide access to Mountjoy Station has been completed. Following consultation with An Garda Síochána, it has been agreed that accessibility works...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Courts Service (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking the final phase of works to conserve the dome structure of the Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7, following on from earlier phases of repair works that included detailed surveying and examinations of the dome structure. The Investigative and Entablature Repair Works to the Four Courts Dome were substantially completed by the end of July...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: Local coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works (OPW), for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat. In 2018 the OPW approved...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Detention Centres (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum is in the process of being transferred to the Land Development Agency who will develop the site as a strategic housing scheme. In the interim, part of the property has been licensed to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on a temporary basis for tented accommodation for IPAS applicants. There are no plans...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 355, 356, 357, 358 and 359 together. To be able to revert to the normal opening hours, it is imperative that the Office of Public Works grounds staff can return to Castletown House and Estate. The OPW Castletown team have not been able to gain entry to their workplace in the normal manner since October 2023. Without dedicated OPW grounds staff, daily...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As a member of the Working Group the Deputy will be aware that the OPW Castletown team have not been able to gain entry to their workplace in the normal manner since October 2023. This means that there is currently no staff caring for the grounds and no staff available to carry out the safety measures which are a basic requirement. As a result of a lack of OPW staff on site, the grounds are...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together. I am aware of and saw at first hand the devastation caused by flooding from Storm Babet to the communities of East Cork and the significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: The Phoenix Park is an Archaeological Complex and National Historic Park of international significance and the toilet facilities in the Phoenix Park have been developed to date where there is suitable water and wastewater infrastructure. These public toilets are available at the following locations;The Phoenix Park Visitor CentreThe Tea Kiosk adjacent to Dublin ZooFarmleigh HouseKnockmaroon...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (9 Apr 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW welcomes the announcement of €10m of funding from Shared Island for the enhancement of the visitor attraction at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre and Oldbridge Estate. The 500-acre Estate was acquired in 2000 in order to preserve and present the unique history of the Battle of the Boyne, and the visitor centre located in Oldbridge House opened in 2008. The parklands...

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...