Results 23,261-23,280 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: It is not straightforward.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We had a Cabinet sub-committee meeting specifically dealing with disability matters last week. The task force has already been established and the budget has been piloted-----
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will of course ask the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to give Deputy Martin a detailed note on that.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is well aware neither the Taoiseach nor the Government has the authority to instruct the HSE to approve any drug. The way drugs are reimbursed or not reimbursed is set out very clearly in legislation and it is a matter for the HSE to decide which drugs should be reimbursed and which are not. I understand in the case of Translarna, the HSE has come to the conclusion, based on...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I know, and Orkambi is not. That is the point I am making. I could speak on behalf of people with cystic fibrosis in Northern Ireland and implore the Deputy and his party to use his influence to achieve that.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: There is a further complication with Translarna with the quite unprecedented position that the pharmaceutical company making the drug has taken the Government to court. That is certainly making a solution much harder to find.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I like the new charm offensive from Deputy Smith. She called me well-known, media savvy and dynamic and I have not received such praise from the far left before.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I thank her nonetheless.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: No, but as always she was articulate and asked a very pertinent question. It is very much my preference that the referendum be held in May rather than June in order that we maximise the number who will be able to participate in it. I have met student groups and said this to them. There is an all-party committee which is to make a recommendation to the House on whether there should be a...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will. The Deputy will be aware that Tusla was established in 2014 as a dedicated child protection agency. Its budget for this year is €713 million, a 5% increase on its budget for last year. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone, is absolutely committed to ensuring and improving child protection in Ireland. The One in Four report states Tusla was...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I am not sure legislation is required in this area. I would have to check that with the Minister for Health. I understand we use some biosimilars but I will ask the Minister for Health to contact the Deputy directly.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: There is funding for waiting list initiatives this year. There is €15 million provided for the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. Precisely how that is allocated to different procedures is a matter for the HSE and the Minister for Health.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: There is no timeframe for it. It is very much a long-term project. In the meantime local authorities will continue to manage the electoral register and the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPOC, will continue to carry out its role.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: There is indeed a programme for Government commitment to advance a town and village renewal scheme. Deputy McLoughlin may be interested to know that the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Moran and Kyne, are in Longford announcing €21 million in funding for towns and villages, including 14 projects in County Sligo, including...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: -----Rosses Point, Gurteen, Easky, Coolaney, Carraroe, Carney-----
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: -----Bunnanadden, Banada, Ballymote, Ballygawley, Ballisodare and Achonry-----
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I understand the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will announce changes to some of the planning regulations within the next ten days. The Deputy will also be aware of Deputy Barry Cowen's Bill which is before the House and which the Government is supporting which has been designed to make it easier for people to bring vacant units into residential use. The Deputy will also be pleased to know...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I do not know the reason for the delay in the particular project. I will ask the Minster, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to contact the Deputy about the matter. On the provision and funding of social housing, someone suggested we use the term "public housing" which I agree would be a better term than social housing. We have gone from the construction of only a few hundred units two years ago to...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The figure will increase to 3,500 next year. The number of planning permissions has increased by 49% year on year. The number of commencement notices has increased by 47%, while the number of active residential sites in Dublin has increased by 18%.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Oct 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I do not know about the project mentioned, but I will ask the Minister to correspond with the Deputy on the matter.