Results 3,321-3,340 of 4,350 for speaker:Bobby Aylward

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Would we have the capability in Ireland to carry out the screening to the standard to which Mr. McCallion referred? Do we have the laboratories here to do that?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: What lessons have we learned from the fallout of this? What assurance do we have that this will not happen again? Is the system we are going to use in future foolproof? Have we learned the lessons so that we will not have this outcry again in another couple of years with something else? I know that is a hard question to answer.

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I probably was.

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I hope we have learned our lessons. I will move on to potential liability. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report from 31 December, there is an estimated liability of €2.2 billion. Is that just an estimate? What does "estimate of payments" mean? I should know this but is this €2.2 billion taxpayers' money? Is there any insurance to cover liabilities on...

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Is it taxpayers' money?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: There is no insurance to cover something like this?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I just wanted to be clear. On the estimate of €2.2 billion on 31 December, why is it an estimate? Is that what the State Claims Agency thinks it is going to cost? Why is the word "estimate" used? Is it because it is not actually known?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: How would we compare internationally? Are we above or below average on claims? Would this be the norm in every country in the western world? How do we compare with our counterparts in Europe?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I will finish with the issue of whiplash. I think I saw that in the UK the average payment is £4,500 whereas in Ireland it is €18,000 to €20,000. I could be wrong with the figures.

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Why is compensation for whiplash four times higher here than across the water in the UK?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Why do we set it at four times that of our neighbours? Are we a generous nation?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Should it not be looked at? If it needs legislation, this House should come forward with it. Why should we pay out 400% more than our neighbours for the same claims?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: What about false claims and people using the system to get money? Are there false claims or is this just speculation?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I asked how the €2.2 billion compared with other countries. Are we average, below average or above average? If we pay 400% more than our neighbour for whiplash, we must be way above the average on a per capita basis.

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: The estimate was from 31 December 2016. What is the estimate for 31 December 2018? Will the liabilities go up to €3 billion, or €4 billion?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: I see that 98% of clinical claims are resolved through negotiated settlements or mediation without recourse to the courts. Why, then, are associated legal costs per claim five times greater than for general claims?

Public Accounts Committee: Matters related to Medical Negligence, Open Disclosure, Cervical Cancer and Thalidomide Litigation (8 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: Litigation costs a great deal. I see here that there are costs of €27 million but that there was a saving of 45% on a total of €49 million claimed. That is an extraordinary result. Could it be improved on?

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (13 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: 88. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that the application process and waiting times for payments such as domiciliary care's allowance and carer's and disability allowances are both acceptable and accessible; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times for these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46618/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (20 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: 626. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the eligibility criteria will be extended for fuel allowance to include those in receipt of disablement benefit and for persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments; if she will discuss same with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the next budget; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (20 Nov 2018)

Bobby Aylward: 636. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in transferring the carer's allowance application file of a person (details supplied) to the social welfare appeals office for independent assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48401/18]