Results 36,221-36,240 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Children in school is a priority, as everybody agrees. In terms of the development of the child, that development is optimal when he or she has the capacity to go to school. The overriding objective of the Government is to keep our schools open and have children enjoying education in school. Obviously, Covid has impacted on children and created anxieties and pressures. The manifestation...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: On the vaccination front, the HSE will be producing a comprehensive plan.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should remember there are close to 3,800 schools in the country. There will be logistical issues if we have to do it in every single school.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the over-70s group, GPs have largely been responsible for the provision of the vaccines and they have done an excellent job.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, they have done an excellent job.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I did not say that. Will you calm it, Deputy? I am saying that, overall, they did a good job.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: For the first, second and current dose, the ambulance service teams did a lot of work. We are in the middle of a very difficult situation in the acute services as well, so there have been challenges in that respect. If Deputy Carey gives me the details, I will follow it up.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Will the Deputy repeat the start of her question?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Parents of children in such situations should first contact their local school. Is the Deputy suggesting that anybody who is a close contact and who is staying at home should be provided with homeschooling?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is already-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The homeschool programme has, as the Deputy knows, already been extended significantly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am talking about the solution that the Deputy is suggesting. It needs to be realistic. The first port of call should be engagement with the principal of the local school regarding the educational needs of the child.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the sad and tragic situation of Trevor Deely and the fact that his family and the other families referred to have not received closure. All resources will made be available to An Garda Síochána and the relevant State agencies to pursue the issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I remember we were involved in getting it established and getting the momentum behind getting the new facility built. One of the major issues, notwithstanding the fact that we have recruited over 11,000 extra healthcare workers in the past two years, is that it still remains a challenge to recruit the necessary medical and nursing personnel to facilities. Again, we will work with the HSE to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will revert to the Deputy on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The advice in this regard came from the Chief Medical Officer and NPHET. They are primarily concerned with the high levels of case numbers involving five- to 11-year-olds in particular. The recommendation was that mask-wearing should be for those aged nine plus. We will continue to keep this under review. We will continue to get feedback from the schools and evaluate this, but it is in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. There has been engagement with social partners about this. There is no question that front-line workers, particularly in the healthcare area, have been exceptional, in ICUs and elsewhere. Certainly, we are looking at a range of proposals. The intention remains to respond to that issue. When those deliberations are finalised I will come back to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was established by Government on 6 July 2020 and had his first meeting on 29 October 2020. The Cabinet committee last met on 4 March 2021 and was scheduled to meet again on Monday, 29 November, but had to be postponed due to the need for a meeting on Covid-19. A revised...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for raising these matters. Deputy Richmond raised issues around the protocol and Brexit. All efforts are continuing to be made in terms of preparation. To be fair to the Government, and the previous Government, Ireland has prepared well for Brexit compared to what is happening in the UK. That seems to be evident in the challenges many SMEs have had in the UK in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together. The public service, justice and policing reform unit is part of the social policy and public service reform division of my Department. The work of the unit supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, on criminal justice, policing, community safety and related matters; incorporates the policing reform implementation programme...