Results 1-20 of 5,002 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Housing and Homelessness: Statements (22 Mar 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I am glad to get an opportunity to speak on such an important issue for the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I was first elected to local government in 2009. In my time in local and national politics, housing has been one of the single biggest issues facing my constituency. It is not surprising that there is a housing crisis, given that little social housing has been constructed in recent...

Housing Issues: Statements (14 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: Since the last time the Dáil discussed the housing situation two to three weeks ago, I have dealt with ten families presenting as homeless or at risk of homelessness in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I am sure that is not unique to me. Deputies from all parties and none have been dealing with this situation as well. What people in this situation are looking for are solutions...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Closures (14 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: 686. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that a school (details supplied) in County Carlow is set to close; that the school was recently renovated two years ago; that it has an extremely important autism spectrum disorder unit; that parents and members of the community were not consulted on the closure; and if she will meet the parent's association to discuss this...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Election of Chairman (20 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: On behalf of Sinn Féin, I nominate Deputy Eoin Ó Broin for the position of Chairman. This will be a very good committee which, I hope, will come up with a lot of solutions to the housing crisis. It is a cross-party committee, which is welcome. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin would be an excellent Chairman.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Business of Committee (20 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank and congratulate the Chairman. It has been said that we have nine weeks to do our work. As that is obviously a short timeframe we must ensure we are constructive, not just talking at these meetings but actually coming up with solutions. Therefore, we need to decide some of the practical issues today, such as how often will the committee meet. I suggest we meet at least once a...

EU-UK Relations: Statements (21 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I understood I was sharing time with Deputy Ó Caoláin. I have a very short speech, everyone will be glad to hear. First, I commend Deputy Clare Daly. Her speech was fantastic. The passion and emotion she showed was fantastic as is the fact that she went out there. The Brexit referendum, which takes place on 23 June 2016, could have profound ramifications for this island. I...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: We need to make sure that we are looking at homelessness from a regional point of view. A number of people have said it is not just a Dublin issue but the homeless situation is very different for someone in a rural area. A lot of people cannot even consider accessing emergency accommodation because it is 15 to 20 minutes away from where their kids are going to school. While I know we...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: We should invite agencies and individuals to come before the committee. I agree with Deputy Coppinger that we may need to have a second session.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: It is important that people would have the choice to do that. Many people would welcome the opportunity to come before this committee. Erica Fleming was in here a few weeks ago and met a number of TDs. It would be up to the people concerned whether they want to come in. There are many people who would want to come in, and we should not rule that out.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Interim Report of Committee (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: There are many groups that provide support for people in mortgage distress, for example, with regard to free legal aid, but sometimes the wait is very long. One group, the Hub, is very active in the south-east as well as in other areas. I believe we should consider inviting its representatives because they support people who cannot afford the cost of legal fees. It would be a good group to...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: County and City Management Association (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the witnesses for their attendance. At the outset, I must disagree completely with the statement that some people are content to stay on the list and to be in receipt of rent supplement. I represent a constituency that is both rural and urban in nature, comprising the two counties of Carlow and Kilkenny. In the seven years during which I have been a councillor, I have never met a...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: County and City Management Association (26 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: People in the system are going to court and their eviction cases are repeatedly adjourned, so they have that stress and worry. They could be perfect applicants for the mortgage-to-rent scheme, yet they might not qualify because of something silly like having an extra bedroom. The reality is different, however, because families can return home with grandchildren. We need to start thinking...

EU Migration and Refugee Crisis: Statements (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: As a country that has such a long history of emigration, our response to the refugee crisis - I use that term for want of better words, as I am not am a fan of it - has been nothing short of disgraceful. For generations, Irish people have moved abroad to live and work. I am sure that nearly every Deputy in this House has an experience to relate of emigration through family or friends. My...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Minister for coming in. I am going to have to leave shortly to speak so I apologise in advance for that. I have some brief questions because many of the points have been made and there is no point repeating them. My first question relates to the targets for year 1 of the strategy. Is it possible to get a county-by-county breakdown? I appreciate the Minister might not have...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I understand that but-----

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Housing Agency (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank the Housing Agency for its presentation. Its document is very good and very concise. I have a few questions on the mortgage-to-rent scheme, which I raised on Tuesday. From a lot of my dealings with people trying to qualify for the scheme, I am aware that there are huge difficulties around red tape, paperwork and people being told that their houses are too big. It could be a couple...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Housing Agency (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: Are the agency's ideas on how to improve it contained in this document?

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Housing Agency (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: That would be great.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: I want to ask about the co-operation between the local authorities and the voluntary housing sector. I know that the voluntary housing sector gets its list from the housing list but if someone needs a transfer, on overcrowding or medical grounds, there is no inter-transferability, for want of a better word. I do not know whether that is a national issue or whether each local authority...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Kathleen Funchion: Can I clarify that it is not policy not to transfer between local authority and AHB because that has been my experience? It does happen.