Results 521-540 of 1,043,126 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Alan Dillon OR speaker:Steven Matthews OR speaker:Simon Coveney) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State for his response. The RIV is a very welcome project and very worthwhile pan-European initiative, as it seeks to strengthen and advance a European-wide innovation ecosystem and connect all EU territories to address Europe's burning societal challenges and foster stronger cohesion. The midlands and north east were particularly fortunate to be included. As the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (11 Jul 2024)

Dara Calleary: The midlands is ideally placed, through its regional enterprise plan, to maximise the opportunities. There is already a funding call through the European innovation ecosystems work programme, for which €116 million has been budgeted. There will be further competitive calls. I once again commend the regional assemblies involved on submitting the application and providing the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The RIVs are particularly beneficial for those regions, which probably have not evolved as fast, that can learn from the successes and good fortune of the more innovative regions. The concept of the RIV was never more welcome, especially as we face into an era of artificial intelligence and seek to look to a future that will reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, increasing global food...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (11 Jul 2024)

Dara Calleary: The whole basis of asking for the RIV designation is that it is a kind of matchmaking process. In many ways, we are going back to the future and the European programmes of 20 years ago, when regions with complementary strengths and challenges were matched together across Europe. Some of the challenges the Deputy mentioned regarding transition and just transition are being experienced across...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I will have my Deputy Murnane O'Connor moment because I will cross Departments. The Minister of State will obviously be familiar with just transition, which is very important to the midlands and the north east. It is important that the RIV engages with the Department of the environment and sees the opportunities that are there for the midlands in just transition in respect of the climate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 12. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois that registered for the increased cost of business grant; the value of the payments for businesses in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30007/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Will the Minister give some indication as to the number of business in counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois that have registered for the increased cost of business grant and the value of the payments for the businesses in each county?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I might reduce the Deputy's time on this, as he got an extra minute for his previous question, to let in another speaker.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: That is okay.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Catherine Connolly: We will co-operate.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his question. The increased cost of business scheme was announced in budget 2024. It has been allocated €257 million and is specifically designed to target smaller businesses. It was initially opened for registrations between 14 March and 1 May. However, on 15 May, I announced two changes to the scheme as part of the wider SME package. First, registration...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Grant Payments (11 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I share the Minister's goodwill towards the officials and staff of Longford County Council. It is one of just 19 local electoral areas, LEAs, throughout the country that paid out more than 99% of their grants. That is commendable work on their part. Initially, €160 million was allocated. At present, it looks as if €102 million has been paid out under this scheme. The...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Cathaoirleach and members of the committee for the invitation to be here this morning to address the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on the delivery of accommodation for Travellers. I am joined by the following officials from my Department: Mr. David Kelly, assistant secretary with responsibility for...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: We will take all the findings from the evaluation process into consideration to ensure, to the Deputy's point, that the scheme is fit for purpose. The figure of €40,000 was based on when the scheme was being put in place and being piloted. It has been successful in many ways but, to take the Deputy's point, cost considerations need to be factored into the new scheme and setting the...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: It is important to have true and accurate information on where Travellers live and their accommodation preferences. The Department noted the findings of the 2022 annual estimates of accommodation of Traveller families, which indicted there were 12,183 Traveller households in the State, of which 79% were in standard accommodation and 21% were in Traveller-specific accommodation. I hope to...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: Regarding the Senator’s question on the implementation of the Oireachtas joint committee recommendations but also regarding the expert group’s implementation, in March of this year, we supplied the most up-to-date positions on progress on the implementation report. We also published the programme board update in May of this year. We have presented two sets of updates on the...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: Under the Traveller accommodation programme, it is important we have an on-the-ground assessment linked with the number of Traveller-specific households who require Traveller-specific accommodation, be it in group housing schemes or halting site bays, but also there is a preference for many Traveller families to be housed within social housing. We are providing support through Housing for...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputy for his line of questions. I will take his question on the recommendations for the national Traveller accommodation authority. I recognise that the programme board is actively considering the recommendation for the national Traveller accommodation authority. It is one of the key recommendations in the expert review group. I understand from my officials that there is work...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation (Resumed): Department of House, Local Government and Heritage (11 Jul 2024)

Alan Dillon: In terms of Traveller-specific accommodation, our Department is responsible for the delivery of halting site bays or group housing schemes. It is up to the local authority to design and deliver. Certainly, it is being considered as part of a delivery programme. With rising construction inflation, the cost of delivery of group housing schemes for Travellers has increased. Modern methods of...