Results 1-20 of 1,022,728 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:Jennifer Whitmore OR speaker:Ossian Smyth OR speaker:Joe Flaherty) in 'Committee meetings'
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)
Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. When I read the script before coming to the House, I was struck by the fact that not long ago we had a similar discussion about Raphoe counselling services. Thankfully, they have been secured which is a positive outcome. I hope we can provide the same positive...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)
Pearse Doherty: That is simply not acceptable. I ask the Minister of State to put herself in the shoes of the parents or the staff. She talked about helping the children to find suitable alternative placements if no accommodation can be found. No one knows where those placements are. The staff do not know if there will be jobs for them after September. She previously said that one strand of the...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)
Mary Butler: To clarify, a temporary location is currently being reviewed for suitability. I cannot be clearer than that. The Department has informed Pobal that if it becomes a feasible option for the service, relocation supports and other accommodations, such as a four day, 41 week ECCE scheme contract will be supported. As the Deputy said, we all have to acknowledge that not only the children and...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate (23 May 2024)
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)
Defective Building Materials
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)
Pearse Doherty: I am sure the Minister of State is aware that the defective concrete block crisis has ravaged my county of Donegal and other counties. It has destroyed people's homes, farm buildings and businesses but it is also affecting community organisations across the county. Some of these community organisations are technically being classed as commercial buildings, including organisations like the...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Thomas Pringle: According to the 2022 census, 32% of people in Ireland, including 15,300 people in Donegal, work from home for at least some part of their week. When considering business support packages, it is important that we also consider supporting businesses to offer the option of remote working and support the transition to remote working. There are companies with jobs that exist only online and...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Catherine Connolly: I welcome the opportunity to speak. Unfortunately, we did not receive copies of the Minister's speech. He referred to small businesses being the backbone of society, something that has also been said in press releases. This is repeatedly said, and I fully agree with it. I also agree that small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of towns and villages the length and breadth of the...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Emer Higgins: I thank all Deputies for this useful discussion on the recent set of measures agreed to reduce costs for small and medium businesses. I would like to begin by reiterating the point made earlier by the Minister that small and medium businesses are vital to the success of the Irish economy. As someone with a business background, I understand the importance of supporting small businesses and...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Peter Fitzpatrick: The Regional Group and I have remained steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the prosperity and growth of SMEs within our towns and villages to ensure that the voices and needs of small business owners are not only heard, but also acted upon. Microenterprises and SMEs are not merely a segment of our economy, they are its very pulse. SMEs constitute 95% to 98% of all businesses,...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Richard Bruton: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak during this debate. First, I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, and wish her well. Business and, indeed, all of enterprise is going through a period of rapid transition. Just looking out the back window, there was the financial crisis, followed by the Covid closures, the Ukraine crisis and the impact that has had...
- Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I do not think Deputy Flaherty or I would generate a lot of activity for local hairdressers. Deputy O'Connor might generate more activity.
- Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)
James O'Connor: I was waiting but the Ceann Comhairle took my joke. I join Deputy Flaherty in welcoming his guests. The issue we are discussing is of huge relevance at the moment. In my constituency of Cork East, whether in the local villages, towns or out in the countryside, time and again I meet small employers. I am not talking about the companies with between 50 and 100 employees. I am talking about...
- Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters (23 May 2024)
- Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters (23 May 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Pearse Doherty - To discuss the condemning of the building belonging to Raphoe Community Playgroup due to the presence of defective concrete blocks and the possible closure of the service. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss the...
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
- Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)
Richard Boyd Barrett: There is no doubt that some small businesses in particular sectors like hospitality, small cafés, some retail and so on are struggling. We all come across them. There are certainly plenty of businesses in Dún Laoghaire town that are struggling and deserve and need assistance. However, I warn strongly against any idea that the way to help those struggling businesses is to attack,...
- Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy James O'Connor and Deputy Joe Flaherty are sharing time.
- Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)
Joe Flaherty: If the Ceann Comhairle will indulge me, I welcome members of Drumlish Hill Club. It is a predominantly a female audience in the House. I think there are three men among 19.
- Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Blessed are they.