Results 20,601-20,620 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: At least Deputy Gerry Adams was not responsible for this situation; I will grant him that much. Under the current arrangements, over €10 million was allocated for the full year, to be ring-fenced for both of these schemes. However, they have been deemed to be illegal and not in conformity with the Equal Status Act and, therefore, not in compliance with the Constitution.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: We must now devise a scheme in working with the groups involved. The Minister and the Minister of State met with the vast majority of them in the past month. We must put in place a scheme that is far more comprehensive, fair and equitable than these two which are deemed to be illegal. The Deputy is aware that throughout the country in both urban and rural areas there are a variety of...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: They know who is currently in receipt of the motor transport grant. We will devise a scheme which is compliant with the law and the definitions in the Disability Act. This has dragged on for a very long time. The Ombudsman identified very valuably a piece of information which Government must now respond to. It is not an easy challenge. It is not the case that moneys allocated in 2013 are...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The money is ring-fenced and will continue to be left in place for the people who receive allowances over the next four months. Hopefully at the end of that time, a new scheme can be put in place in which the moneys currently available will continue to be made available. We cannot afford in the current circumstances a scheme which might rise to €200 million or €300 million...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: That is exactly what is going to happen now.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The Government has decided to appoint Ms Sylda Langford to work with the groups involved in this and with the expanded number of Departments which currently supply services in one way or another to people in rural and urban areas. If one were to have a scheme that cost €200 million to €300 million, one would put an end to the home care package and the home help scheme; taking...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The money has been ring-fenced for the entire year. The Ministers have looked at various options to make the scheme compliant and the legal advice is clear that all of the options would be discriminatory. In order to comply with the legislation and the Constitution we must devise a new scheme. That is why a sunset clause is being included. The money is not being taken away. It is ring-fenced.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: This is not a savings exercise, it is about finding a way to provide an inclusive, fair, equitable, non-discriminatory system which deals with those who need it. They have severe physical challenges and need cars to be altered. It is for those who are now in compliance with the new definition under the Disability Act and the Equal Status Act. We are creating a scheme that is much more...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The Government does not lay the blame for this on anybody.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: It accepts the reality that the situation as identified by the Ombudsman is clear, that the court determined that the situation is as it is and as a consequence the Government has to deal with it. Tomorrow, for instance, the Government will publish the value for money review of disability services and the implementation framework, which will be broadly acceptable in the way that services are...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The Government needs to come together with the agencies and Departments whose remit has expanded and which supply a range of services with a view to providing a scheme that will cater for the needs of people who require it. That is the job of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. It is not true to say that the groups involved were not...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: I am not sure what the Deputy means by "defer". Nobody who is in receipt of the moneys at the moment will lose one cent during the period of the sunset clause while the work and discussion on drafting a new scheme continue. I am not sure whether the Deputy is saying we should cut it off altogether and devise a new scheme.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: I am glad the Deputy is clear on that, because those persons who are in receipt of €208.50 per month will continue to receive this payment during the course of the work that is now being undertaken to devise a new scheme. I am sure Deputy McGrath does not want the Government to operate two schemes that are clearly deemed to be illegal, discriminatory and outside the Equal Status Act-----
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: I am quite sure the Deputy does not want the Government to operate schemes that are clearly deemed to be illegal. I think I can take that from his demeanour.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: We have to devise a scheme that is legal, fair, inclusive and equitable, and that accords with the law and the Constitution.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: That is the work that will go on over the next four months. The moneys are ring-fenced. They are not being taken away. They are there for this purpose.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: The challenge is for the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to be able to do that with Ms Langford, who has been appointed to chair this process. The Minister and the Minister of State have met the different groups on numerous occasions over a recent period and they were all informed yesterday before the announcement was made.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: They were formally informed yesterday before the announcement was made. I did not tell Deputy Adams yesterday that the bank guarantee was going to end. He occasionally has an interest in banks.
- Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 35, statements on the report of the interdepartmental committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen laundries (resumed), to adjourn at 1.30 p.m. today, if not previously concluded; No. 36, Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 6, Further Education and Training Bill 2013 - Order for...
- Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)
Enda Kenny: I agree with the Deputy's last comment. As I said to Deputy Mattie McGrath, that is expected to be published tomorrow.