Results 23,181-23,200 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I acknowledge Deputy Pringle's track record on this issue and the fact that he has raised the Brandon report in particular many times in the House and with our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has taken a keen personal interest in the matter. She has been to Donegal and held a series of meetings on the matter there. She is most anxious that the full details in the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: On Deputy Mattie McGrath's point, there is a Private Members' motion before the House today from Sinn Féin on the cost of living so that provides an opportunity for further debate on fuel costs and the costs that people are facing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: Yes and the Government is providing time every week to facilitate debate on all these issues.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: On Deputy Ó Ríordáin's point, the debate last week was on apprenticeships and this week's debate is on third level education. On Deputy Gannon's point, my understanding is that the SNA allocations will be confirmed this afternoon by the Department of Education.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: It is not necessary. We stand over the proposed Order of Business.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Chief Whip has indicated that statements on special education can be facilitated the week we come back.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The week after next.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: Any increase in the level of homelessness is deeply regrettable and disappointing and warrants action from Government. That is why we are acting. This is the number one priority for the Government. We are investing a record amount of money to increase the supply of all forms of housing, including public and cost-rental housing as well as the introduction of new affordable schemes. We are...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I also welcome the Ukrainian representatives to the House. I share Deputy Bacik's view about the level of priority that this must be afforded. The Government is investing a record amount of money and that has to be translated into the delivery of homes. Ultimately, what will make a difference here is the breadth of different types of tenure and making progress on that. This includes cost...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. This is one aspect of Housing For All. The starting point is to acknowledge that we have a problem in that we are not seeing build-for-sale apartments being built. We are not seeing them in Dublin to any great extent and we are not really seeing them elsewhere throughout the country to any extent at all. In my city of Cork, the last private sector development where...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Gino Kenny for raising this matter. I will not speak for the Taoiseach, but I do not believe he would be reluctant to have a meeting. This is an issue that we will refer to his office. I wish to reassure the Deputy that the finalisation and publication of the national Traveller health action plan is a priority issue for the Department of Health and the HSE. The Minister of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is very keen to advance the extension of free GP care for children aged six and over. He has had ongoing dialogue with the representative bodies of GPs to ensure that this can be implemented as quickly as possible. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy with the specific update as to the timeline involved.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I too welcome Tom O'Callaghan to the Public Gallery. The Government strongly acknowledges the important role of post offices in urban and rural communities all over the country. Sometimes they are held up as being important only in rural areas but they are important in urban areas too. The Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, has been working on this issue and is about to bring a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The action plan will be published in the coming weeks. It will certainly be published by September, if not sooner. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, informs me that it will be September at the latest. Funding is a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health when they set out their priorities in the Estimates process. That process...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: There is an agreement in place and the focus is now on implementing it. Work is ongoing with Fórsa. It involves a complex process of assimilating information to capture accurate data in respect of each individual secretary and the application of these data to ensure each secretary is correctly assigned to the new terms and conditions if they so choose. Secretaries will also be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The answer is "Yes". This is a matter of ongoing consideration, led by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan. His Department is working with my Department and other Departments to make sure the issue of energy security is fully addressed, particularly in the current climate where there is a greater question mark than before regarding the secure...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I reassure her that the Department of Health is fully committed to providing leadership and resources to ensure the implementation of the Traveller health action plan once it is agreed. The priority now is to get it finalised and publish it and then make sure it is resourced. As an initial step towards implementing the plan, the Department...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I assure the Deputy that the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces is being taken very seriously by the Government. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, and I are in dialogue on that issue. The Minister will be bringing a proposal to Government in the coming weeks in the context of its response to the commission's recommendations. That proposal will set out how we intend to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I understand the legislation to provide for safe-access zones is being prioritised by the Minister for Health and is actively being worked on. It is a priority item of legislation and will be brought to Government and published and will commence its legislative journey shortly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: It is, indeed. I say "fair play" to the Deputy and share her congratulations to Derry on a magnificent victory after extra time. I know the limits of my powers, but I am sure the Minister of State will have a discussion with the Deputy offline and see what can be done on that issue.