Results 3,041-3,060 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: What would be the most common type of complaint that the FSPO would deal with, on a yearly basis? Is there a trend in complaints?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: In relation to travel insurance, the cases of "Jennifer", "Jack" and "Matthew" were mentioned. Can the witnesses clarify how the insurance companies determine what constitutes pre-existing conditions, and the waiting period involved?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: Within what kind of period before one travels must the X-ray be declared?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: There is a case I am dealing with at the minute. It is a couple who travelled in August and had only just landed when the woman's brother died, so they came home. They then went to their insurance company and everything seemed to be going rosy. Covid was given as an excuse as to why the insurance company was not getting back to them. They rang again in December to be told there was a big...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: I have final question as Deputy Devlin is still not there. As the witnesses look into the future, do they see any potential developments coming down the line that they need to prepare for? If the offices are fully staffed and given the resources, would they be happy that they could face any potential developments? Do they see anything major outside of what they are already dealing with...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: Do Mr. Sloyan or Ms McGovern wish to make any closing remarks?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report 2021 and Related Matters: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: We have found it very beneficial to have the chance to speak with them. I have no doubt that, as Deputy Buckley said, he will definitely be in touch with them and I imagine that the rest of the committee will also look to re-engage with the office again. I thank both of our guests.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: The committee has five petitions before it for consideration. Petition No. 36 of 2021 relates to Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings and was submitted by Ms Katie McNelis. The updated recommendation from the committee is that the correspondence from the Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: The committee also recommends that the secretariat write to the European Ombudsman and request an investigation into the issues relating to the lack of insurance options for thatched properties in Ireland and invite in Mr. Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance on Insurance Reform, to present on this topic. Is that agreed?

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: Petition No. 23 of 2022 is on the lack of facilities in Ireland’s towns from Mr. Tom Larkin. This petition relates to the petitioner's concerns that there are a lack of facilities in Balbriggan town for the growing population. The petitions case manager corresponded with Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive, Fingal County Council on 22 April 2022 and issued several reminders in...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: The third petition is No. 63 of 2022 entitled Ireland needs a National Lung Cancer Screening Programme from Ms Fiona Doolan. This petition proposes that Ireland should initiate a cost-benefit analysis regarding early screening for lung cancer with a view to implementation of a lung cancer screening programme. The petitions case manager corresponded with Professor Niall O’Higgins,...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: Petition No. 66 of 2022 is entitled Create a Health Services Student Allowance and is from Mr. Joel Rajesh. This petition relates to the petitioner's concern that healthcare students in Ireland face substantial costs in relation to placements at HSE public hospitals including meals, subsistence, scrubs purchase, laundering, accommodation etc. An allowance scheme to help with these costs now...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: As with what was said yesterday, it seems to be a no-brainer that if student nurses are not getting this allowance, this could also make a massive difference to student doctors and so on. It is not putting added pressure on families and it should help with the recruitment and retention of these people. Everybody knows there is a massive shortage in that field, so anything that entices young...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: Petition No. 1 of 2023 from Mr. Mark Darmody on behalf of his daughter, Miss Cara Darmody, concerns seeking immediate financial relief for autistic children whose families are paying privately for assessments and therapies; the petitioner seeks proper oversight and an external complaints system for the HSE and a full review of carer's allowance and how carers are viewed. The petitioner...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: No.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: As the Deputy says, I think the money families save the State is estimated to be €10 billion per year.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: That they are being pushed around in circles like this is crazy. The Department has admitted it is responsible. We have spoken to the Darmodys on several occasions and they have been up here in Leinster House. They and other families are prepared to go and pay privately, but if they do so they will not be reimbursed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: A simple system should be brought in such that if a family is in a position to seek the services their child needs by paying for them privately, they should be reimbursed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: On the allowance itself, the Darmodys and Richie Molloy from Family Carers Ireland gave a presentation yesterday. In that family, the mother was working in a good job and was on good money of over €800 per week.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (4 May 2023)

Martin Browne: That is now down to €225. That works out as €1 per hour. It is a kick in the teeth to any family and for anybody who has had to give up work to care for youngsters. We will see what the response is once that is sent on to Mr. Darmody. That concludes our consideration of public petitions. I invite members of the public to submit petitions via our online portal, which is...