Results 441-460 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (29 Apr 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to have this opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to clarify the position in regard to the processing of applications for special education resources received in the Department between February and August 2003 and also the matter of temporary accommodation in primary schools. The position is that applications for special education...

Schools Refurbishment. (4 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am fully briefed.

Schools Refurbishment. (4 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Stanton never wastes words in the House and it is always worthwhile to raise on the Adjournment an important subject relating to science and education. I thank him for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the strategy of the Department of Education and Science on capital investment in education projects and the current position regarding an...

Hospital Accommodation. (4 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the provision of services at Tralee General Hospital rests with the Southern Health Board in the first instance. It is a feature of all acute hospital systems that some beds are out of use for short periods. Bed closures fluctuate over time and may arise for a variety of reasons such as staff leave and seasonal closures. Tralee General Hospital...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (4 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Deputy is seeking information on the rights of an individual who has been granted legal guardianship of a child. I should explain that the Department of Health and Children has no responsibility in relation to this matter. As the Deputy is aware, health boards under the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991, are responsible for the provision of child welfare and...

Special Educational Needs. (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to outline to the House the position on the establishment of a special facility for children with autism at Goresbridge, County Kilkenny. The Department of Education and Science is actively considering the application referred to by the Deputy. Officials from the Department are liaising with the Department's inspectorate, the National Educational Psychological Service and the...

Special Educational Needs. (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputy Cowley for raising this matter which is of grave concern to him. I am as anxious as the Deputy to ensure there is true equality of access to psychological assessments and remedial intervention for all children with learning difficulties. The National Educational Psychological Service has made considerable investments in the provision of additional resources for children with...

Foster Care. (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Snodaigh as ucht deis a thabhairt dom an cheist seo a phlé ar Athló an Tí . The Deputy is referring to the ombudsman's comments in her annual report in the context of an individual case brought to her attention. He also raised wider considerations. I would point out that the ombudsman did not find evidence that the health board in question had acted in...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The figures for 2001 are in the following tabular statement. Figures for 2002 and 2003 are being collated. I anticipate that they will be available in September. 2001 Primary Type of Abuse Number of Reported Cases Number of Children Confirmed Abuse Confirmed non-Abuse/ Unfounded Inconclusive Assessment Assessment Ongoing Physical Abuse 1,252 1,180 419 130 261 442 Sexual...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Responsibility for the matter referred to by the Deputy rests with the South Eastern Health Board. The Department of Health and Children has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (18 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together. The Adoption Board entered into a working agreement with Belarus in 1999 to facilitate the adoption of children from Belarus to Ireland. The Adoption Board has informed me that the Belarussian authorities have raised a number of issues that are being followed up. This is the second time that the Belarussian authorities have suspended the...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate on the Adoptive Leave Bill 2004. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform provides supports to working parents through the equal opportunities child care programme. There have been significant developments in the provision of child care in recent years. Child care was identified as a priority area for investment in the national...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am labouring under the difficulty that I did not hear the Senator's original contribution. I have taken such advice as I can concerning her initial contribution but I am afraid that some of the matters may have to be revisited on Committee Stage. As regards paid leave pre-placement, however, the 1995 Act, as amended, currently provides for 14 weeks' adoptive leave, attracting a payment from...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Motion to Recommit. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The motion tabled by Deputy McManus seeks to recommit the Bill to a committee of the entire House. The Bill was approved by the House, in principle, on Second Stage and it was considered in detail by the Select Committee on Health and Children.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Motion to Recommit. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The time allocated for consideration of the Bill on Committee Stage was not used up. On a motion to recommit, the fundamental issue is that some grave defect of detail has been identified on Committee Stage which would justify the Dáil not proceeding with Report Stage and recommitting the Bill to a committee of the entire House. No basis exists for such a motion. I commend Deputy McManus on...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Did the Deputy say "incentivise"?

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will never bring it back.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are speaking to amendments tabled by Deputies Cowley and McManus. Essentially, they seek to delay commencement of the legislation. They are to section 1 which is a technical provision. As they are designed to delay commencement of the Bill, they essentially seek to frustrate the entire intention of the legislation. Deputies have availed of the opportunity provided by the debate on the...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The inspiration for this——

Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (25 May 2004)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Political consultants differ and Governments must make decisions.