Results 50,461-50,480 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 225. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her preferred options to resolve the issue whereby women and some men fail to qualify for an adequate level of contributory State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2381/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 227. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if adequate staff are available throughout the various sectors of her Department to ensure the expeditious of applications. [2383/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Live Register Data (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 228. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she has identified specific trends arising from the study of the age profile of those on the live register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2384/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which back to work and back to education supports will be reviewed with a view to maximising their availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2386/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 231. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which anti-fraud initiatives have yielded revenue to the extent anticipated; if extra costs have been incurred by the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2387/18]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Family Support Services (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which FIS or other support payments continue to be made available to families living on uneconomic holdings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2388/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the ambassador and Ms Ivanova. I thank the ambassador for his presentation. As the ambassador is aware, this is a very historic occasion from the point of view of both Bulgaria and Europe. We have something in common. Bulgaria is on the eastern extremity of the European Union as it stands at present and we are on the western extremity. Unlike Ireland, Bulgaria has direct access...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: A couple of years. We repeatedly state we must reaffirm our objectives, our cohesiveness and our solidarity. We must determine where we are going and if we are happy to be going in that direction. We must also consider the alternatives. What we have is much better than any of the alternatives. It is of huge importance that we as individual member states are in a position to be able to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: We all recognise the degree to which childless couples look forward to us progressing this proposal by way of legislation. The advances in medical science are also eagerly awaited and we have all had representations from constituents on the matter. We have to be positive and constructive and recognise that there are also some pitfalls which we need to avoid so that we can reassure the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Is that applicable in all cases or only in cases where a difficulty has arisen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: There was a case a legal case a couple of years ago that got much attention. The male partner did not allow the use of the products after the relationship broke down. He won the case, as far as I can recall.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I think so. My details are vague but I spoke with a number of people with an interest in what was happening at the time. Are we mindful of these possibilities and what can we do to try to protect ourselves?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I have a final clarification. I had an interest a couple of years ago where the surrogate did not wish to hand over the baby. The witnesses are conscious of the need to provide for such a case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: That has not been resolved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: The option is there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: Some countries apparently allow anonymous sperm donors. What is the likely situation in this regard? Has that been clarified, and is the Department providing for it in its proposals?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: There will be an ongoing list of questions on this issue, and we need to be prepared for that. It is important we raise them at this stage to reassure the public and those who might be directly affected by the proposals.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (18 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: 8. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to prioritise particular projects in the context of the capital review programme; the extent to which he expects to address issues in health, housing or other sensitive areas in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2344/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (18 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: My question relates to the extent to which the Minister might find it possible, in the context of the capital review programme, to identify the most important items of infrastructure with a view to benefiting the economy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (18 Jan 2018)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. I acknowledge his understanding of the matter, with that of the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and other Members of the House. Given the extensive challenge presented by the sector, does the Minister believe that it might be possible in the short term to make an intervention or to assist the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, in making an intervention that would have a...