Results 31,841-31,860 of 33,280 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: The recruitment of a small number of people spread across the country would make a vast difference to the people we serve, who deserve a better service than that currently available. I would urge that these areas be prioritised in our policy for recruitment into the public service into the future.

Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and offer my support to it. I thank the Minister of State for being present to hear what my colleagues and I have to say. I will make some points on the Bill and then comment on some of the broader issues raised by Deputy O'Donovan. Deputy Buttimer touched on some of these points earlier. I express puzzlement at the very low number of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (3 Oct 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the policy of adding fluoride to the public drinking water supply here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42237/12]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Strategy Implementation (2 Oct 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the early years strategy will be in place; if she will outline the various aspects of the proposed strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41917/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (2 Oct 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: To ask the Minister for Health if the independent review of orthodontic services has been completed and if he has had an opportunity to consider its findings; if he will provide any details on the recommendations relating the best possible model of care delivery in order that those currently on waiting lists will be treated as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: What is the nature of the court case in question?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: It is about his retention in that post.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: I think we all feel that the issue regarding the flight is bonkers and we must get an explanation next week. Also, in the interests of fairness, at this point we do not have evidence to prove that the person for whom the flight was procured requested it.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: We do not have evidence that Dr. Jim Port requested that flight. We know a flight was taken. At our meeting next week with the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education and Skills, we can explore how it was that somebody who was in a hurry to go 120 miles ended up on a plane funded by the taxpayer.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes, and his flight was paid for by the taxpayer. We will explore that but at this point, in fairness to him – because he is not here – we are not saying that he requested it.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: I feel it is important.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: I wanted to make that point because the individual is not here.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: So the flight was booked through the president’s office.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Okay.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Representatives of the Higher Education Authority will be in attendance next week. I will raise it then.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: One of the points Dr. Brady made earlier concerned the challenge of attracting and retaining staff of international calibre owing to current pay levels. In preparing for this meeting I looked at a report by the HEA that was part of its correspondence to the committee in November 2010. It was in response to our request for help in understanding the comparative levels of pay between...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Let me restate the point. Is Dr. Brady saying it is a difficulty for the people below that tier?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Above that tier.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: Dr. Brady is contending that the difficulty does not arise with average wage levels but with the ability to be flexible at individual level.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (27 Sep 2012)

Paschal Donohoe: I note Dr. Prendergast was nodding when Dr. Brady was making that point.