Results 4,501-4,520 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Okay. It is important. We have seen the benefit of vaccines, particularly over the past two years, when it comes to saving lives. A cost of €400 to €600 for a family whose daughter or son wishes to avail of a catch-up vaccine is no longer feasible and must be eliminated. I look forward to hearing about that. There was an announcement by the Government of free...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Perhaps we could get a note. It would be much appreciated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: In the first instance, I thank Mr. Reid, Dr. Henry and Mr. Woods for supporting the eye clinic liaison officer and providing the funding so eye clinic liaison officers can be appointed to the various hospital groups around the country. I believe the recruitment process is ongoing. Does the HSE have any comments on the proposals that have been made for dealing with the waiting lists in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I see it very much as a pilot, if it worked in this area. Some of the best clinicians in the eye care area, such as Professor David Keegan and others, are involved in it, and they also have gleaned support from the NGO sector. If it were to work, I believe it is something that could be rolled out to the other areas. I hope the HSE will consider giving the funding to trial it on a pilot...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: That is very positive. We have an ageing population and, unfortunately, an ageing population is a time bomb particularly in the area of eye care, be it diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and so forth. Unless we get on top of it in the next few years, we will become overwhelmed. Some would say we are already overwhelmed when there are buses bringing people to the North to get...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I sincerely thank all of our guests for their contributions, which have been very enlightening. For those who do not know me, I am a Member of the Oireachtas with a declared disability - I have an eyesight difficulty. I am also on the OECD democratic participation advisory panel, which works to see how we can increase the number of people with disabilities who are involved in elective...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: It is basically in its infancy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Mr. Murphy mentioned in his opening statement the wage subsidy scheme, which he considers fairly inflexible. Are there wins that can happen quickly if that was to be altered? What would his recommendations be to the Government to make it more flexible? What needs to be done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Does Mr. Murphy believe there is what we might call a welfare trap or a difficulty that people with a disability find when they start employment and lose benefits? It is a big issue. At some stage, while there are some benefits that need to remain, such as free travel and that type of thing, there is a point where the benefits have to be lost if somebody is in full-time employment. Can he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: It should not even be an issue for discussion, to be honest. Obviously, there is the issue of access to transport. I represent a rural constituency and, as we know, to represent people in politics, I have to get places. I do not drive so I know as well as anybody the importance of good quality public transport. While a lot of progress has been made, we have a long way to go in that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Its role is clear. It advises the Government. It is extremely well funded to advise the Government and to come up with proper action plans. Does Dr. Hartney think it has failed in that duty when it comes to the employment of people with disabilities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I look at the NDA and I see areas where it does great work, for example, the universal design unit, which is fantastic and is a model throughout Europe in how to achieve universal design. However, there are other areas, frankly, where it has let down people with disabilities, and this is one of them. It has not been in any way strong when it comes to arguing this point. The facts speak for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: It is the same principle.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2022)

Martin Conway: How much of the NDA budget is channelled to the area of employment? This is the single biggest challenge people with disabilities have in this country. I reiterate that we are the worst in Europe - we are the laggards in Europe - when it comes to employing people with disabilities and giving them opportunities. How much of the NDA budget is channelled into writing or creating, or whatever...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Martin Conway: I also wish to pay tribute to the late Mary Jackman. When I was a young person-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Martin Conway: When I was a younger person, Mary Jackman was a very influential politician in the mid-west. She was somebody people looked up to, as a woman politician at a time when it was not as popular to be a woman in politics. I got to know her very well more recently because she spent much of her time in Fanore. She chose well where to relax and spend time. I share with others in passing on my...

Seanad: National Maternity Hospital and Women's Health Action Plan: Statements (1 Jun 2022)

Martin Conway: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I acknowledge the significant challenges he faces and his dedication to the portfolio he holds, which is probably one of the hardiest portfolios in government. We are here today to talk about the new national maternity hospital and women's health in general. I will start by commenting on the national maternity hospital. It is a very good thing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Jun 2022)

Martin Conway: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. As we all know, during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the one group of people in the front line were nurses and healthcare staff in both the public and private healthcare sectors. The tax-free €1,000 that has been granted by the Government to these front-line workers is very welcome. It is not the money but the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Jun 2022)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. Everyone in the country acknowledges that the critical and vital role everyone in the hospitals, from nurses down to the porters, played on the front line during the healthcare emergency. This measure was announced in January. It is now 2 June. It seems it is a case of big wheels moving way too slowly. People are trying to plan...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Group: Chairperson Designate (25 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I wish Mr. Henry well in his new appointment. I tuned into some of the engagements with colleagues today and I was very impressed with Mr. Henry's knowledge and commitment in taking on this role, which is not easy. There has been a turbulent period in terms of the last couple of nominees for chair. I refer particularly to the last man, who was not in a position to continue. I am delighted...