Results 3,161-3,180 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Moving on to direct provision, I am looking at what the Office of the Ombudsman for Children's reports for 2021 and 2022 had to say about the addition of the children coming in from Ukraine. Could we touch on that for a minute, in terms of what kind of extra pressures that has put on, and where we stand with the White Paper on ending direct provision that was talked about?

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: That is what I was just going to ask. With the new arrivals, or even the current events, has it become more difficult for children to access the vulnerability services that some of them would need?

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Is Dr. Corrigan saying that in light of the assessments that are needed and the lack of services, many cases are a matter of ticking boxes and saying the assessment is done? Is that the case rather than children getting the services they need? Is that the fear?

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: As opposed to assessments.

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: It is frightening to think that that is going on.

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Dr. Corrigan touched on the State's differential treatment of Ukrainians and refugees. Will she elaborate further on what she feels could be done quickly to address some of those issues? I agree that people in all sectors of society can tell us about shortages and looking for workers. We have people in the country but are sticking them into direct provision centres, giving them €28...

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Is there a reason the Department has not-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: The Department has talked about it. Returning to CAMHS, there is an issue about which I want to pick our guests' brains. It concerns the ability of health services to deal with eating disorders. We have been told there is a lack of expertise in that area. I am dealing with a young boy in Cashel. He has an eating disorder and needs the services of a children's disability network team,...

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I agree on someone actually starting to take responsibility. We have spoken about CAMHS and primary care. It is about the simple things. If someone actually took responsibility and just changed the system being used, it would make a massive difference to children's lives. If Deputy Buckley is making a tart without apples, he will blame Sandra, the wife. He will not take responsibility...

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Has Deputy Buckley anything else to add?

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: We appreciate the attendance of the guests. This has been very beneficial. It is great to have these kinds of discussions. We look forward to welcoming the guests again down the road.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: We have two petitions for consideration today. The first is No. 9 of 2023, from Mr. Eoin O'Sullivan. It concerns the reform of Irish mental health services. It has three parts: 1. Without delay, counselling, psychotherapy and psychological services are deemed an eligible expense for tax relief in line with other health expenses. This reduces costs and gives more people the chance of...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: On my own behalf and on behalf of the committee, I thank Karen, Barbara and Alex - I see Elma here as well - for all the work that they do on our behalf. It is much appreciated and makes our job easy. They probably get the-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: -----brunt of it when petitions are not being answered quickly enough. We appreciate all the work they do. There is considerable correspondence over and back between petitioners and the secretariat. On our behalf, I thank them very much.

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: The next items of business on the agenda are our engagement with the Ombudsman for Children's office and our consideration of public petitions. I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the...

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I thank Dr. Muldoon. Before I let others in, I have two quick questions. The number of complaints in 2021 was 2,126. Dr. Muldoon stated the increase was mainly related to Covid-19. However, according to the figures published in the OCO's latest annual report, the number of complaints in 2022 was 1,812. Leaving Covid aside, this is quite a significant increase on the 2020 numbers. Will...

Committee on Public Petitions: Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: The child was in the wrong area.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: 243. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the working target for her Department to process atypical visa applications; the number of atypical visa applications that are currently being processed; the number of applications that have been issued in 2023 to date; the length of time it is taking to process these visa applications on a graduated basis; if the length of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Children in Care (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: 254. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in care who have been allocated a social worker in 2023; the number of children in care who are waiting allocation of a social worker on three-monthly increments in 2022 and to date in 2023, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28947/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (15 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: 274. To ask the Minister for Health if a study of a parcel of land to the rear of St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, to determine suitability for a community nursing unit has been completed; if not, if a study is due to be carried out; and the details of same. [28948/23]