Results 1-20 of 32 for segment:8898751 in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: Under the current national planning framework, the Government has committed to achieving a 50-50 split in population growth between the eastern and midlands region and the other two regions, namely the northern and western region and the southern region. However, based on the latest population statistics from the CSO, 55% of population growth has taken place in the eastern and midlands...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. Before I had this role, I used to take Leaders' Questions on an interim basis. On foot of that, I know that this is an issue the Deputy raises on a regular basis. I accept her sincerity and bona fides in respect of this matter. I will begin by pointing to some areas we have made progress on. When we talk about population and where we want...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Taoiseach. He spoke of people wanting to work, study and live in the regions and of winning hearts and minds. What he needs to do is build houses. Stop talking about hearts and minds or community centres here and there, although the latter are welcome and great to see. I am talking about the big-ticket items, and the Taoiseach knows that. I am talking about systemic...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am a little disappointed with that response. Hearts and minds matter because we live in a democracy. The Deputy can wave her hands at me if she wishes, but I am going to speak for a second and am not going be told to stop talking about certain things. I am going to continue to talk about the fact that this Government has proudly invested in Sligo. From time to time, it might suit others...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: Build houses.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: They want houses. Let us talk about housing. The document I have in my possession was issued this morning. It has not been brought up in the Dáil yet, and I wonder why. It indicates that commencements of new houses in quarter 1 of this year are up 63% on quarter 1 of last year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: They are not in Sligo.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: The provision of housing is rising in all parts of our country. Government investment in housing is rising in all parts of our country. Decisions we took in Cabinet yesterday to spend more than €300 million of taxpayers' money will help small developers and the local authority in Sligo to build more homes. The investment in the first homes scheme will benefit young people in Sligo....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I fully acknowledge the need to get from three to 20 beds. That is a statement of fact. It is Government policy. It is in the model of care and other policy documents published by the Government and has been endorsed by the HSE mental health bed capacity review. I outlined that this year the area of priority for additional investment into this area is around some of the youth mental...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Holly Cairns: They are not staffed.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: As a result, zero people were waiting for beds yesterday. I needed to say that. The direct answer to the Deputy's question is that we need to get from three to 20 beds. I intend to make more progress on that in the budget. On recruitment, all of this has to be seen in context. Sometimes, the debate in the House is a little skewed. There is not a ban on recruitment to the health...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mick Barry: Access to safe, clean water and sanitation is a human right. It is a right that has been compromised for thousands of Cork city households. For the best part of two years now, brown and orange, dirty, discoloured water has poured from those taps. Eight days ago, the Tánaiste asked Uisce Éireann for a clear timeline for solving this problem. The public has heard from Uisce...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome the Deputy's commitment to investment in our water services. I thank him for raising this important issue in the Dáil, as he did last week. Uisce Éireann is working to address the issue of water supplies in Cork city, which I accept is a real issue. There are approximately 600 km of water mains in Cork city. About 50% to 60% of them are made from cast iron...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mick Barry: The Taoiseach mentioned Uisce Éireann's new task force, which came about under pressure from below. It is there now, however. It seems to operate in quite a closed and secretive way. I have asked, as have campaigners, that a representative from one of the affected communities be appointed to the task force. We asked that an experienced water worker representative also be appointed to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: The phrase "under pressure from below" is not one I am particularly familiar with. I certainly believe the way to get things done is through engagement. That might be a difference in political ideology. It is important to engage on these matters. The Deputy is a directly elected Member of this House. He is doing his job in engaging on behalf of his constituents. He corresponded with me...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I say this respectfully, but it is hard for me to answer the question if, when I use a number or statistic in answering, the Deputy just tells me I am not listening or asks me not to quote statistics at her. When she quotes statistics at me, I reply. When she asks a question, I endeavour to answer. I made the point that context is important. It is important for people in Limerick who are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mary Lou McDonald: The hospital is unsafe. The Taoiseach should acknowledge that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Hang on a second. Every day, there are many people in that hospital getting very good treatment and there are many incredible people working in it. The Deputy and I have acknowledged that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mary Lou McDonald: That is not in question.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We cannot have a conversation on the matter.