Results 26,301-26,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Consultation Process (19 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the public consultations undertaken by my Department in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018 are set out in the following table. No public consultations were undertaken in the years in question by the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of my Department. 2011 No. Details No. of Replies Received Cost 1 Consultation on...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: First, I thank Deputy Martin for raising this very important issue. I also join him in thanking HIQA for doing this very thorough statutory investigation and doing it in just over a year, which is reasonably timely for a statutory investigation. I also want to commend the Minister, Deputy Zappone, for taking the initiative of commissioning this report in the first place. The Government...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to stress the report is very clear that appropriate and timely action was taken where children were identified as being at risk of harm but, due to various failures in the way systems are managed, children at potential risk may have been missed, which is a very serious finding. It is also important to acknowledge that the report comments positively on the strategic direction...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We have increased resources for Tusla by €40 million-----

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----and also brought in mandatory reporting of child abuse, which had been promised for so long. Why would we ever want to go back to what was there before?

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Finance published the summer economic statement yesterday but I am not sure the Deputy really understands it. Perhaps I can explain.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The summer economic statement, which presages the budget, provides for an increase in public spending next year of €3.4 billion. That is one of the largest increases in public spending in a very long time. Of that, we have already committed €2.5 billion. We have committed to a €1.5 billion increase in investment in public infrastructure, which includes housing, health...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is curious and interesting that Sinn Féin now agrees with the fiscal rules when that party campaigned only a few years ago against the fiscal treaty, just as it campaigned against the Single Market and just as it campaigned against Ireland joining the European Union in the first place. I do not know whether it is just that one cannot believe Sinn Féin or whether it has really...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: All of a sudden, it is a pro-European party committed to fiscal rectitude and the fiscal rules, even though it opposed the nine referendums which brought them about. I do not know whether one simply cannot believe them or whether we should believe them and accept that the party is very good at admitting when it is wrong, which is most of the time.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: What I say to those families is that they should be very afraid of Sinn Féin.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Sinn Féin's policy, at the worst possible time in the economic cycle, is to borrow more and increase debt, which will lead to a new financial crisis and a further economic downturn. The people who suffer the most during a downturn are the very people the Deputy is talking about.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Howlin for raising the important issue of sexual violence. Although he did not mention it, we are all aware of a recent conviction in the courts and the unspeakable crimes that were committed in the case in question, which highlights the devastating impact of sexual violence. I express my admiration for the victims in reporting the offences to the Garda because many men and...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have an open mind as to whether the Rape Crisis Network should be funded by Tusla. I would be interested to find out from the network which body it would prefer to receive funding from and the reasons for its preference. The Deputy raises valid points and I will certainly look into them. I should point out the some of the actions the Government is taking with regard to sexual violence...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will conclude by mentioning two other points. I will look into the issues the Deputy raises, both in terms of the quantum of funding and the most appropriate body to fund the rape crisis centres. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, recently announced a full review of the sexual assault and treatment units around the country. These units provide support for victims of sexual...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid Deputy Mattie McGrath has me at a disadvantage once again. I have not seen the news report to which he refers-----

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----nor have I read the study to which it refers. However, I can perhaps comment on some more general matters. In terms of mental health, I am sure the Deputy will be aware that we spend approximately €900 million per annum on mental health. This is a considerable amount of money, which is well spent, and is an increase of €200 million since 2012. There is, therefore,...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure if there was a supplementary question there-----

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----but what I can add to my previous reply is that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, met with the management team of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, covering County Tipperary yesterday and is due to meet them again in two weeks time to see what can be done to improve those mental health services in the south east. Also, the National Educational Psychological...

Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I recall that Deputy Micheál Martin raised this some months ago and I committed to providing him with an update on the sections of the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004 that have been commenced and those that have not and why that is the case. I apologise if he did not receive that and I will make sure that he gets it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The legislation to allow Fingal County Council to become the noise regulator at Dublin Airport has been promised and is expected to be published in the autumn session.