Results 1,121-1,140 of 9,549 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: This Government has brought unprecedented investment our health system. There is over €25 billion for next year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: As part of that we have increased the workforce the Deputy speaks about by almost 28,000 additional staff since 2020. We have increased our acute bed capacity as well with over 1,100 beds. The workforce plan for next year is for additional recruitment within the health system of 3,400 staff.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: Obviously, the HSE manages the priorities required from a recruitment perspective, but this Government has increased staffing by nearly 28,000 up to now and a further 3,000 staff next year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: That will make a difference and it is making a difference when it comes to the results in our acute hospital system.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick. I am aware there is an issue with the shortage of dentists, especially those providing community dentistry across our country and the Deputy has referenced Louth and east Meath as an example. To address that we have a lot of plans ongoing on increasing the supply of qualified healthcare graduates in dentistry and the respective therapy disciplines, so we have...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I am familiar with how FND or fibromuscular dysplasia has an impact on a lot of people across our country. I do not have the specifics of the wider service plan within the HSE but I acknowledge the impact for families and for people and communities across our country. The specialist care for neurology may be based in St. James's Hospital, so I will ask the Minister,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate her raising this important issue and stress the immediate need for a ceasefire and a de-escalation in Lebanon. I repeat our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. We are all deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon, the continued violence in Gaza and the launch of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Collins very much for her question. I obviously cannot comment on a specific WRC case or something that is subject to legal proceedings and I acknowledge, as the Deputy has said, that the case has been through the WRC and that there has been interaction between the worker and Cobh Heritage Centre. The Government is committed to supporting low-paid workers in our economy....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I am obviously not familiar with the specifics of the case or the particular structure of that company or how it is funded through the respective Departments. I will reflect on what she has said to the line Ministers who may provide funding to that particular entity. They will obviously have to judge what is appropriate in the context of what the service level agreement...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Trí phróiseas an bhuiséid, bhí an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Byrne i dteagmháil leis an Aire, an Teachta Donohoe, maidir le gach rud sa Ghaeltacht agus tá níos mó tacaíochta á tabhairt chun Údarás na Gaeltachta a fheabhsú maidir leis an obair thábhachtach a dhéanann sé....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Smith. The reason we are putting €1 billion into Irish Water, in additional funding for 2025, is to support many of the schemes where there have been funding constraints. I do not have the specific operational plan here with me but we set out clearly is that €1 billion is to ensure that Irish Water can move on many of the projects across the country where there...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and others have secured record levels of investment in our health system. This is making a difference for patients, families and communities across our country. Over €25 billion is being spent in 2025. The recent budget will see a further €180 million in new measures, including support for cancer...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I agree with the Deputy about the huge amount of work that front-line staff do across our hospital system. I commend them on the work they do in difficult circumstances. The Government’s investment in healthcare is achieving outcomes. There is faster access to services, with numbers of people on trolleys in the first eight months of the year down by 11%, for example. That...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: I acknowledge the difficulties many families face when it comes to accessing therapies, supports and assessments of need in communities across the country. This is something I see in my constituency office. I know all of us collectively share the priority in trying to advance progress when it comes to people with additional needs and disabilities. The Deputy referenced what the Minister...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: As I said in my previous answer, this year's budget is a record €3.2 billion, which is an increase of 11.6% on 2024. That has been set out to me by the Department involved. What this will result in is further progress on many of the initiatives established by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. In the first half of this year, regarding the waiting lists initiative, there has...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Minister, Deputy Foley, announced details of an unprecedented education budget of €11.8 billion. Part of the €9 million which has been allocated for new mobile phone pouches to support schools is to implement a policy which is about mental health, well-being and the dignity of children. Deputy Doherty should never play politics when it comes to the mental health of young...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: -----or of children in schools in our communities.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: The investment in children's welfare, mental health and dignity at school is never a waste of money. If this helps one young person in a school who has had difficulties, for example, with the use of mobile phones in schools, is it not a progressive and practical initiative to help support young people and their learning in schools? This policy is underpinned by clear evidence...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: That is the purpose of this investment. If you take it in the context of our wider investment in education through this budget, we are investing €2.9 billion in special education, we are extending the provision of free schoolbooks to all students in the senior cycle and a €75 million increase to capitation funding. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has secured that but she is also...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2024)

Jack Chambers: -----by the enormous damage caused by smartphone use during the day? This will make an impact and a difference. We should never play politics when it comes to the investment in our young people and in initiatives that will help their mental health and well-being. That is what is at the centre of this initiative that the Minister, Deputy Foley, has sought to do.