Results 23,661-23,680 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. First, to address the transfer of staff from within our local government system who are working in the area of water services to Irish Water, I am aware that very significant progress has been made. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has met directly with the representatives of the workers on a number of occasions. As the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. To reiterate the core point, staff are not going to be forced to do anything. Many staff are going to make the voluntary choice to stay within local authorities and the local government sector. Others will transfer.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: Others will transfer. It is important they do so on terms that are acceptable to them and that defend and vindicate the rights they currently have and the terms and conditions they currently enjoy. That commitment is being given in the context of the framework that the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has brought forward. I will discuss the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. We absolutely recognise that there is a lot of worry out there. Many households, businesses, community groups, sports clubs and so on are genuinely worried about the months ahead and the bills that are coming their way. They worry about how they are going to be able to meet those bills. We accept that, and it is why we have brought forward a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: People are worried. We should not add to their worries by being unfair in our analysis of the situation. The price today for UK gas on wholesale markets is approximately £3 a therm. This day two years ago, the price was 50 pence a therm, yet the Deputy said that it is all the fault of the Government.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy completely undermined-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----his own argument by not even recognising-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: To be fair, the Deputy is not even recognising basic facts, namely, that the wholesale price of energy on the international markets has rocketed. For the Deputy to say that it is all the fault of the Government is just not accurate, not credible and he is just-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----misleading people for his own political advantage, as he sees it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Government has brought forward a package worth €1.2 billion of specific special payments that will be made between now and early December. That will be of real help to people. We stood by businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. We have seen a strong recovery in the Irish economy. We are now setting a scheme and are focused on getting that up and running. Of course, we will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----over the course of next year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I will break through the Deputy's spin. He called for this levy and welcomed it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: That is the fact of the matter and we need to remind people of that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: The finance spokesperson for the Deputy's party welcomed the levy on the day it was announced in the Dáil. Let us put that on the record and be straight.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Government is engaging with all those who have expressed a view on this issue. The finance Bill will be published. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, will give very careful consideration to all the issues that have been raised. However, we have to ensure that we can fund a €2.7 billion bill for the mica issue. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I join with the Deputy in congratulating the Irish team, including Vera Pauw and goalscorer Amber Barrett. We could not but be touched by Ms Barrett's tribute and the way in which she dedicated her goal to the victims in Creeslough. I attend underage girls' soccer matches every weekend because my daughters play. I know of the fantastic work that is being done at grassroots level. I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I acknowledge that this is an issue the Deputy has consistently raised. Leaving social housing income limits aside, it should not be the case that a family with two children with special needs are sleeping rough so I ask the Deputy to please provide us with the details of the case so that we can make sure it is followed up on. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has increased the limits...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Canney for raising this issue, which I know is of great local importance. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is aware of the issue and has agreed to meet with Deputy Canney and other Oireachtas Members this evening to see what progress can be made on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I know the importance of SENOs and the relationships they have with parents in helping them to secure an appropriate school place in communities all over Ireland. We provided increased resources for the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, in the most recent budget. That will result in an increase in the number of SENOs all over Ireland. If the Deputy provides me with the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Oct 2022)

Michael McGrath: I am not familiar with the detail of this issue in respect of radiation therapists but I will raise it with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who will get an answer from the HSE and revert to Deputy Harkin. I will make the point that we have increased overall staffing numbers in healthcare by 15,000 over the last two years. This is biggest increase in staff since the HSE was...