Results 6,561-6,580 of 26,430 for speaker:David Cullinane

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: There were three firms and practices which received between €400,000 and €600,000.

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: It is a lot of money for firms. Is the number of guardians ad litem60?

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: They shared an average of €126,000. As we have seen, the range is very high. Why only 60? I am also looking at the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which states Ireland does not compare favourably with the UK and has the lowest numbers of guardians ad litemper 10,000 children at 0.54. Is it a closed shop? It is extraordinary that it is so small in number, given the...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: It is very difficult for us because we are trying to understand why no oversight and proper mechanisms were in place, but if we ask critical questions the Secretary General will state the Department is in the process of making changes. Obviously we welcome these changes, but it is very difficult to accept anything other than an absolute failure on behalf of the Department to ensure there...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: I thank Dr. Lynch for his response. We cannot stray into policy. It is not our role to stray into what possible future changes will be made. It is a matter for the Department and the Minister. Dr. Lynch offered some possibilities of change, with regard to making this a more professional and good quality service. I fully support this. This is a vital step forward in children's rights and...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: What happens when the service breaks down? With respect, we have had issues with service level agreements, SLAs, with the HSE in the past. The problem then was a lack of sanctions that could be put in place. What penalties or punitive action can be taken in the event of non-compliance? Dr. Lynch might not have a response but I just ask that the issue would be given due consideration....

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: This asks-----

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: I do not disagree with any of the questions the Chairman has put but I am trying to figure out if we are now straying into policy areas.

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Like the Chairman, I have asked for further information so I will clarify what I am seeking. I can seek the breakdown in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the solicitor and counsel fees. Could we have the same for the professional fees paid to guardians? Could we write to the Health Service Executive or whatever body was responsible for payment in previous years? The...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: That would be useful. I have a final point, which relates to one of the bittersweet exchanges we have had today. There was an appalling lack of checks, balances and controls in place for far too long so it is good we have shone a spotlight on that. There will be opportunities with the new legislation and I welcome much of what has been said. I would like clarification on one issue. I...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Why would it be difficult?

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: It is a policy matter, I suppose, but I do not really see the problem.

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Last week the Committee of Public Accounts had hearings on the issue of guardians ad litem. The Secretary General of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs was clear that there is a complete lack of checks and balances in place regarding the total amount of money spent in this area, which comes to €15 million per year in professional and legal fees.

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: The Secretary General told me heads of a Bill are being worked on for guardians ad litem. The issue here is that Tusla, which is the paymaster, and Mr. Fred McBride, who was before the committee, said the organisation is operating at the limit of its powers and has no legal authority to do so. This is a very serious issue where we have millions of taxpayers' money being spent without any...

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: This is not an issue of industrial relations. It is an issue of Government policy-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: -----to privatise the bus route like it did in Waterford city where 100% of bus routes were privatised.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Agreements (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: 142. To ask the Minister for Finance the contact that took place between his Department and the Federal Republic of Brazil regarding Ireland's inclusion on Brazil's taxation blacklist, in view of the fact that there is no record of any correspondence between his Department and Brazil between 1 August 2016 and 8 January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2652/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: 408. To ask the Minister for Health if the mobile catheterisation lab which has been announced by the Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation will be for the use of University Hospital Waterford alone or if it will be shared with other hospitals; if it is to be shared, the details of the arrangement that will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2617/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (24 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: 420. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his plans to extend the meningitis B vaccine scheme to children born before 1 October 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2648/17]

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Last October, the Taoiseach announced that the Government had agreed in principle to the establishment of a commission of investigation into NAMA's loan sale of assets in the North of Ireland known as Project Eagle. Four months have passed and we have heard nothing from the Government. Can the Taoiseach outline when that will happen? When will the terms of reference of such a commission of...