Results 28,021-28,040 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Without doubt, children are the most valuable citizens we have in the country. That is why we introduced free GP care for all children under six years in order that parents would not have to worry about where they would find the money to take their children to see the doctor. It is why we introduced two full years of free pre-school....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have visited hostels and met parents who are living in hotel accommodation. Some of those now, thankfully, have been housed and been housed by the Government.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Roughly 50,000 children attend Temple Street Hospital every year-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----of whom 800 were living in emergency accommodation last year. As Deputy McDonald will know from the study, those children attended for reasons such as chest infections, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, high blood pressure, as well as chronic diseases such as asthma and epilepsy and injuries. Those are some of the many reasons why any child might attend an emergency department....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There were 8,000 additional homes added to the social housing stock last year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Most of them are new builds. We need to get that figure up to 10,000 this year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has granted a request made by the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to extend the timeframe for the delivery of its reports by one year. The commission is now due to submit its final report by 2020. I note that the Deputy has acknowledged that we have to allow the commission which is independent to do its work. At the same time, we need to acknowledge...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not need to wait for the report to be published next year to offer my sorrow and regret, and that of the Government, for all that happened to women in mother and baby homes and the children born in them. Many of them had very negative experiences and the Government, this Parliament and the State are very sorry for all of that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I know my predecessor as Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, has made a similar statement. However, we must allow the commission of investigation to do its work properly, study all the documents, have the hearings and make findings of fact. That is the point of setting up these commissions.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We set them up to allow them to do their work. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, with the support of the Government, is examining means by which we may be able to provide some help and well-being supports to former residents while they and we await the final report. With regard to burial sites, we expect a comprehensive report by the middle of March 2019. The sites being examined are Tuam,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I assure the Deputy that the Government is very committed to the fishing industry, particularly at this time and in the context of the threats it faces as a result of Brexit. When we are dealing with Brexit, and I think 30% or 40% of Government time is now taken up with Brexit, our farmers, fishermen and agrifood industry are at the forefront of my mind and the minds of all in this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I know this is a serious issue which is of real concern to him. I know that he will also have an opportunity to speak directly to the Minister, Deputy Creed, about it as well. There is a judicial review under way in the courts which relates particularly to the issue of mackerel. Given that it is before the courts, it is probably not advisable for me to make any comment...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I apologise if I directed the question to the wrong Minister.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As I understand it, any worker, even someone who is not in employment, is free to join a trade union if he or she so wishes. However, it is not a requirement that any employer, whether a public employer or a private employer, has to collect the union dues on behalf of that union and nor is it a requirement that the employer necessarily recognises that union.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As things stand, the HSE recognises three unions already that represent paramedics and ambulance staff. They are all unions affiliated to ICTU. The Government engages with the union movement through ICTU.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Is it not remarkable how so many Deputies can ask a question but they will not permit an answer?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: If I am allowed, I will reply.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First, there are ambulances. The majority of paramedics and ambulance staff in the National Ambulance Service are working today. They are represented by three unions which are recognised by the HSE, namely, SIPTU, Unite, and Fórsa. Anyone is free to join a breakaway union if they wish but there is no requirement that a public or private sector...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It not a requirement that employers must recognise every union of which someone is a member. The employer already recognises three unions, namely, Unite, SIPTU and Fórsa.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It can and will be delivered. It is already under construction. The outpatient and urgent care centre in Blanchardstown is almost finished.