Results 1-20 of 223 for speaker:Joe Cooney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wastewater Treatment (1 Jul 2025)

Joe Cooney: 8. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to deliver the extra funding identified by local authorities, his Department and Uisce Éireann, as being necessary to deliver the measure 8 rural water programme; when that funding might be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35594/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wastewater Treatment (1 Jul 2025)

Joe Cooney: The lack of wastewater treatment is highlighted as one of the biggest blockages in the delivery of Government housing targets. In 2022, the Minister announced €50 million under the rural water programme to deliver treatment systems in towns and villages that are not serviced. Three years on, none of these projects have begun. Will the Minister distribute these funds to any local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wastewater Treatment (1 Jul 2025)

Joe Cooney: I understand from speaking to colleagues from other counties involved in this scheme that some are much further along in the process than others. I know that Clare County Council can progress if the Department confirms funding for the two projects in Broadford and Cooraclare. These two settlements have demonstrated significant commitment to the proposal of public treatment systems. I asked...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wastewater Treatment (1 Jul 2025)

Joe Cooney: In Minister of State's own words, the housing crisis is an emergency. The lack of a treatment system in towns and villages is one of the causes of this emergency, yet the money to develop such systems in towns and villages that are not serviced has been sitting in the Department's bank account for the past three years. The county council is clearly committed to delivering this scheme in two...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Organ Donation (26 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: 98. To ask the Minister for Health to report on the changes to the organ donation framework; the number of those opting out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34323/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (26 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: 113. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the HIQA report on Mid-West Emergency Health Services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34324/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I thank Mr. Savage for his presentation. As we face towards 2026, why have a total of 578 farmers not been paid since 2023?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: That is good to hear. Going back to the earlier this year about 14,500 farmers were due outstanding payments. I am delighted the number is now down to approximately 1,400 for 2023 and 2024. What happened in the meantime that those payments could be processed within a couple of months when they could not be processed previously? Deputy Healy-Rae inquired about it, but I do not believe the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I want to compliment the officials on the work they have done but even as late as today, I had two constituents of mine on about payments going to back to 2023 or 2024. Hopefully they will be sorted in the near future. Can Mr. Savage give an assurance that this will not happen again and payments will be on time going forward like other schemes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: That is welcome and good news for the farming community. We are well aware of the costs they have had during the years. A lot of them are struggling at the moment and there is no point is saying otherwise. The overgrowth of roadside trees and vegetation is dangerous at the moment and we are well aware of what happened during the recent storm. Is there a grant available to farmers to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I am sorry: I can assure Mr. Savage it is not. We have been fighting this for a number of years in our county. The local authority says it is responsibility of the landowner if the growth is on the top or inside of the hedge. If it is on the outside of the hedgerow, then it is the responsibility of the local authority. Farmers should be getting support if possible to help them cut back...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I welcome the assurance but I am a bit concerned that Mr. Savage is saying it was more of staff issue than a technical issue. Will the staff be there? I am a bit concerned about the replies we are getting. Are we going to be okay for staff because we do not want to see this happening again in 2025 or 2026? What has been going on for the past couple of years has been a disgrace. Now is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I compliment the Department on the number of payments made over the past couple of months. We do not want to see a delay again. Could Mr. Savage give more assurance? How many payments are still outstanding?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: Could these be looked into sooner rather than later? Constituents have been on to me about this, even today. They probably knew this meeting was being held this evening. Could the Department look into the matter and try to get the payments out sooner rather than later?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I thank Mr. Savage. This is a very expensive time of the year for farmers, as we are well aware, so it would be great if the payments could be made sooner rather than later.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Delays in Departmental Scheme Payments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I have a quick question. I ran out of time when asking it earlier. Will the officials give an update on whether it is possible to put funding in place to help landowners to cut roadside hedges and take down trees? The officials will be well aware of the cost given the health and safety requirements. My request is in the interest of safety on the roads. Would it be possible to look into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Key Challenges to Tackling Homelessness: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: That is important. Do either of the Dublin or Westmeath speakers have child support workers in place? If so, how are they funded?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Key Challenges to Tackling Homelessness: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: Does Ms Finney feel that a child support worker should be in place in the different local authorities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Key Challenges to Tackling Homelessness: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: I think it would be vital for children. Has work been done concerning the value of providing these services now versus the future cost of supporting these children, given the long-term consequences of homelessness if those services are unavailable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Key Challenges to Tackling Homelessness: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Joe Cooney: As we are well aware, early intervention is vital. It could help the situation down the road.