Results 81-100 of 2,058 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Offshore Islands (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Reliable, affordable, year-round cargo services are essential for the sustainability of our island communities. They provide support to indigenous island manufacturers and businesses sectors and contribute to the quality of life for island communities. My Department currently subsidises nine heavy cargo contracts for 17 separate offshore islands. In 2022, over 45,000 tonnes of heavy cargo...

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: To be fair, he is in a committee and will close the debate.

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: We are working on it.

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has continued to work as part of the whole-of-government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing conflict who request it. The Department of the Taoiseach co-ordinates the whole-of-government response to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Legislative Programme (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The current legislative programme for my Department relates to the Charities Amendment Bill, 2023, which was published on 22 December 2023, and concluded Stage 2 of the legislative process on 25 January 2024. In addition, there is initial work on amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts . The Charities Amendment Bill revises and updates the 2009...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Development Plan (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The National Development Plan (NDP) has set out funding envelopes for my Department that have allowed significant and sustained capital funding for rural and community development throughout the country, with capital expenditure of €213 million achieved in 2023. As detailed in the NDP, the key rural development schemes are the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, Town and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 87 together. My Department operates a range of programmes and schemes that support rural development, and urban and rural communities throughout the country. The targeted investment and supports which my Department provides to all communities contributes to rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), as created under the Local Government Reform Act, 2014, bring together local authority members and officials, state agencies, people actively working within local development and community development and economic, cultural and environmental organisations with a view to implementing a joined-up, cross-sectoral approach to local and community...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Functions (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. SICAP workers have valuable experience and knowledge of supporting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in their areas. I was happy to secure €10m in 2023 to continue supports to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: In 2019, my Department launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the Strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. The Strategy seeks to create a vibrant and active civil society, developing opportunities for all communities to contribute, engage and participate in decision-making and policy implementation. As part of the strategy implementation, in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: My Department’s mission is to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of programmes, schemes, and policies to support individuals living in our communities, of all ages. Funding provided by my Department supports both urban and rural communities and includes supports for sports clubs,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. SICAP workers have valuable experience and knowledge of supporting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in their areas. I was happy to secure €10m to continue supports to arrivals from...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use for the period 2017 to 2025. The strategy provides an integrated health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery. The vision of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP contribution per full-time equivalent position is not aligned with the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. It is an annual contribution that must be co-funded by the organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: My Department provides a number of funding streams for a wide range of community and voluntary organisations, and I would encourage all interested groups to regularly engage with their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Local Development Company (LDC) and Public Participation Network (PPN) in order to ensure they are informed of a range of funding opportunities as they arise. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Last December, I was delighted to launch the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which replaces my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme, with capital funding of €6 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. A key feature of the Local Enhancement Programme is that it is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 600, 601, 602 and 609 together. My Department will continue to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities across Ireland, and places consultation and engagement at the centre of how it does that. The Budget 2024 provision of €431 million for my Department provides over €205 million for rural development and over €225...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: Last December, I was delighted to launch the 2024 Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which replaces my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme, with capital funding of €6 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. A key feature of the Local Enhancement Programme is that it is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (25 Jan 2024)

Joe O'Brien: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).