Results 61-80 of 25,304 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I acknowledge the eight contributors: Senators Dolan, Murphy, Boyhan, Chambers, Black, Kyne, Joe O'Reilly and Carrigy. The comments were very constructive. For me, this is about two aspects. It is about the people of Lough Funshinagh primarily and it is about the SAC of Lough Funshinagh. On a human level it is predicted that the water levels will be higher next winter than now. In...

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes. I am aware of what has happened to these people. Ultimately, however, it comes down to finding solutions we can implement. It is about ensuring that what we do does not put this longer term goal at risk. I understand people's frustrations, but I ask them to stick with us so we can work on this problem by adopting a whole-of-government approach involving the Taoiseach, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs. To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Office of Public works (OPW) was not involved in the provision of the new Patrickswell Community Centre, and did not provide funding for same. During the construction phase of the Community Centre, OPW staff provided advice to the community group’s design team, specifically regarding the boundary treatment to the rear of their development. The new Community Centre shares a boundary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Between 2002 and 2021, three separate flood relief schemes were designed and constructed in Ennis: the River Fergus (Ennis) Upper Certified Drainage Scheme, the River Fergus (Ennis) Lower Certified Drainage Scheme, and the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme. The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme represents the final of three flood defence schemes throughout the town. The Ennis...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 for flood relief measures. In Budget 2024 the Office of Public Works, (OPW), was allocated just under €645 million of which approximately €140 million has been assigned for Climate Responsive Flood Risk Management which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Issues (25 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Ballincollig Weir, which is part of Ballincollig Regional Park, is in the ownership of Cork City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and City in June 2019. The Weir had apparently been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in extremely poor condition. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Erosion (25 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s National Flood Policy. To facilitate the progression of the Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme, Wexford County Council has agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead this scheme, and both parties are committed through its Project Steering Group to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I undertake to work with the Deputy to see who is responsible. I am not sure if the OPW is involved. The Deputy wants a resolution and I will work with him in that regard. We may have some involvement but regardless of that, I will work with the Deputy on behalf of the Taoiseach and Government to find a resolution.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: As Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, I was very keen to take this Commencement matter myself. I have been in this role for a relatively short period, but I know this subject is of huge importance to the Senator. Progress has been made and I would like to update him on it today. I thank him for raising this important matter and I am pleased to provide an update. I know he...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I give that assurance. The mechanism may be that we will update the Department of Transport, which will update the Coast Guard because that is the line Department. I hope the Coast Guard in Courtown is listening to today's debate. The next step requires completion of a due diligence acquisition for the preferred site. Once a suitable site is acquired the OPW will assign a project team to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join with others in welcoming the múinteoirí and their students. It is great to see them. They are wearing their school colours.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (24 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: OPW are currently undertaking the building of a Divisional Headquarters on behalf of An Garda Síochána (AGS) at Gurteenroe, Macroom, Co Cork The accommodation is provided in a 2, 3 & 4 storey building around a secure courtyard with adjacent secure car parking on a green field site. The OPW are preparing tender documentation for Site Works and the Main Contractor and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will say two things about dealing with this. It is about protecting homes and also, as Deputy Kerrane referenced, the SAC which is currently being seriously damaged because of the levels of the lake. My main focus here is the people who are living around Lough Funshinagh. I have met them and seen what they are going through. It is all about finding a solution and I accept we all know...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I visited Lough Funshinagh because I am not great in the abstract; I wanted to see first-hand and I am very much solution-focused. My trip to Lough Funshinagh was to meet the people, but also to see it first-hand for myself. I visited Lough Funshinagh on 12 April and have seen at first-hand the devastating impact the situation there is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I commit to meeting with the Cork County Council engineers and to going down to Midleton to meet the people of Midleton along with the Deputy and others. The Deputy referred to the planning side. Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the proposed scheme is under way and involves remodelling to test storm events against preferred options that were identified ahead of Storm Babet....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The estimated time for application for consent between the two is not significantly different. We cannot speed up the process so that is why we need interim measures. We will be looking at some time towards 2025-2026. The decision on the planning consent must consider the risk of additional challenges to the route. That is something I will take up with the officials and that is why it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. I know the commitment he has to Midleton and to this project. I am aware of the devastation caused by flooding to communities and the significant impact on people, families, businesses and communities. As the Deputy said, I visited Midleton in my previous role as Minister of State with responsibility for local government. I intend to visit again shortly in my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will deal with the latter question first. The Crossmolina scheme is subject to planning consent. I will forward a detailed note on it to the Deputy. To go back to Deputy Tóibín's question, the CFRAM study on tranche 1 is about protecting 80% of properties. Flooding causes great difficulties for people. I know what it is like. I come from a constituency where there has...