Results 2,341-2,360 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I have met with Cara as Taoiseach-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and, indeed, more recently as Tánaiste on the way into Government Buildings. I appreciate the extraordinary commitment she has shown in respect of this issue. It is important to point out the broader picture in terms of children, in particular those with special needs. More than 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes. We have 10,000 more special...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and I can discuss that with the Deputy in greater detail. I believe in a school delivery-based model with therapies, and I am progressing that as we speak.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there has been much work with regard to the revitalisation of Dublin and that is ongoing. For example, the revitalisation of O'Connell Street has been long on the agenda, but it has been subject to much debate, controversy and opposition in terms of the development and significant commercial development on O'Connell Street. However, we will support all of the recommendations...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is a sense of urban living. Many young people and young women in particular will tell us they do not feel as safe in our cities and in Dublin-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----as they might have in a previous time.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I only have one minute to answer.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: What is your problem?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The report will be published. I do not have details of the task force. I have not seen it yet. I have not seen it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree that we need action with respect to the provision of therapy services and assessment of need. A child does not require a diagnosis to access therapy services. The delays in accessing assessments of need are extremely frustrating. In my view, legislation will be required following the court decision some time back, which upended, if one likes, the HSE's approach to assessments of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The affordable housing schemes are making progress. A total of 21 local authorities are now actively planning, developing and delivering sustainable affordable purchase schemes with the support of the affordable housing fund. Across the board, a concept that really has only begun in the last number of years has gained traction and momentum and will continue to do so. Do not forget that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for raising this issue, which is causing immense anxiety, stress and trauma-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----for many families, particularly to the children who require surgery and treatment in a timely manner. This is being prioritised in the Government. It has been prioritised. Funding is not an issue from the Government's perspective. Additional staff have been recruited. As Deputy O'Donoghue knows, there have been issues in respect of some aspects of it over the past two years. There...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is about capacity. In 2019 approximately 380 procedures were done. Last year approximately 464 were done. A higher number were done in 2022 with 509 spinal procedures. The hiring of more healthcare professionals has happened in Crumlin and Temple Street children's hospitals and at Cappagh. A fifth theatre in Temple Street was opened in October of last year. An additional magnetic...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: It was this Government that introduced the RZLT legislation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Unless I have mistaken the Labour position, I think all parties in the House were of the view that productive farmers, people who were actively working their land, should not be captured by the RZLT. I do not know if that is Labour's position.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: It certainly is the position of the three party leaders. The mechanisms devised to enable farmers not to be covered have not worked; that is the reality. Therefore, discussions are under way. They are being led by the Minister for Finance. The three party leaders have been apprised of that proposal, the objective of which is to exclude active farmers, people who did not seek rezoning or...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I accept the basic point he has put forward. There is an issue with water treatment in many towns and villages across the country. The population is increasing, which a positive in terms of the progression of Ireland. From a demographic point of view, we are finally turning around the decline that occurred from the Famine era onwards in the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----given the prowess of its club, which I know only too well. However, it is a problem. We need to engage again with Irish Water in respect of the allocation of funding for the future with a view to saying that it is not just the bigger cities we want prioritised and that we want towns and villages looked after in the context of wastewater treatment plants. There is a consequential...