Results 2,041-2,060 of 2,967 for speaker:Séamus Healy

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Séamus Healy: Question 20: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current arrangements for the 24/7 availability of social workers; the extent of the current arrangements; the areas covered; the timescale for the roll out of this cover throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33635/12]

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Séamus Healy: I thank the Minister for her reply. As she knows, this is an area that has given rise to considerable concern and continues to do so despite the various emergency proposals that have been put in place. While they are an improvement, they are neither adequate nor appropriate. Over the years, numerous serious incidents have occurred out of hours but had these services been available, things...

Child Care Services (10 Jul 2012)

Séamus Healy: I assure the Minister that we will be monitoring the situation closely. It is hoped that, as stated by the Minister, a national plan will be ready for implementation in September-October. My understanding is that non-replacement of social workers on maternity, sick and annual leave is giving rise to serious concern not alone in this area but in a range of other areas. I would welcome the...

Education (Amendment) (Protection of Schools) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Jul 2012)

Séamus Healy: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this legislation. I commend Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and the Technical Group on bringing it forward. I pay tribute to parents, teachers and others in the Save Our National Schools group who are involved in the campaign to ensure small schools, regardless of whether they are located in Gaeltacht or rural areas or on the islands, are...

Local Government Reform (28 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Question 3: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government when he intends to announce his reform package for local authorities; if he will outline his proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31384/12]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Eight minutes will be fine for me. I am happy to have time to speak on this Bill which, as other speakers remarked, is long awaited. The proposal was announced on a number of occasions. It is welcome although it is a very modest proposal. The overall aim, over a ten year period, appears to be that some €90 million will be lent to approximately 5,500 enterprises and during that period a...

Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: I will conclude. For small businesses as a whole this Bill is welcome and every job that can be created or retained is welcome. I wish to refer to the position of individuals, particularly in regard to their social welfare contributions, who might want to take up initiatives under the provisions of this Bill. We are all aware of the extremely difficult position in which self-employed have...

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: I do not mean this as any reflection on the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, but it is regrettable and disappointing that neither the Minister for Health nor one of the two Ministers of State from the Department is here to respond to this matter. The front page of our local newspaper in south Tipperary, The Nationalist, carries the heading "Trolley case at South Tipperary General Hospital"....

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: That response is outrageous and shameful. It did not address the issues raised. There is an acceptance in it that the hospital activity level has increased significantly and substantially with an 11% increase in activity over 2011 and a 32% increase in general medicine. The reply states that the average length of stay at 3.5 bed days is below the national average and admissions are well...

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: They are now being punished.

Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: This Bill and other proposed pieces of legislation represent a welcome shift in attitude by the Government. I welcome the Bill and I compliment both the Minister and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. There needs to be a change in the national attitude. I refer to a recent survey by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children which found that 87% of respondents...

Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: That was the Deputy's line before.

Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this Bill. I compliment the Minister on bringing forward this legislation and also his colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald who deals with this area. This legislation, together with other legislation such as the Children First Bill, the National Vetting Bureau Bill, the new child protection and...

Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the construction of a new school (details supplied) which has been waiting for the past 18 years for a new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31250/12]

Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: I thank the Minister for his response, although it is disappointing. Gaelscoil Chluain Meala was established in September 1994. It has approximately 216 students and 11 teachers and provides education through Irish to the highest standards. However, the building from which it operates is very old, substandard and unfit for purpose. The school does its best to ensure it is maintained...

Schools Building Projects (27 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Is the application for planning permission not subject to the drawings being available from the Department? Will the Minister take a serious look at the file and will he take a personal interest in the matter? This has been ongoing for 18 years and judging by what the Minister said, it may continue quite a bit longer. I urge the Minister to take a personal interest in the matter because of...

Army Barracks (21 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the future of the site of the former Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30134/12]

Army Barracks (21 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Will the Minister confirm the interest of South Tipperary Vocational Education Committee in part of Kickham Barracks? The committee has a building immediately adjacent to the barracks and I know it has an interest in a small portion of the site, together with the north block. I support Deputy McGrath's comments regarding relocation of the Garda barracks. I believe the Minister mentioned a...

Army Barracks (21 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: Will the Minister outline if the process was adhered to in that case? I have previously raised the matter of a memorial plaque for Company Sergeant Felix Grant, and his son Felix, known as Tony, has been in contact with the Department. He was also a member of the Defence Forces, and he has indicated the family's preference to have the memorial plaque back in Clonmel. Will the Minister...

Army Barracks (21 Jun 2012)

Séamus Healy: I welcome the Minister's response with regard to the VEC and the Garda, as well as the information on the memorial plaque. Is it correct that €36,000 has been spent to date on security for the barracks? Will the Minister inform us of the tendering process? Was it adhered to for Kickham Barracks? What will be the cost of securing this new building for the Reserve Defence Forces?