Results 7,261-7,280 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am answering the question I was asked. What I wrote down was "when considering the over-70s". That is what the Deputy said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Can I deal with the Deputy's question? If Deputy Seamus Healy has questions, I can answer them also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I reject that suggestion. As the Chairman knows, I do not tend to react to such remarks, but I reject Deputy Seamus Healy's suggestion I am trying to avoid any question or change a question in any way. I am trying to be helpful. Most Deputies and Senators will know that I have tried, at all times, to be helpful in answering questions. The Deputy, therefore, really should not have made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I will ask either Ms McGuinness or Mr. Hennessy to deal with the specific matter of issuing an emergency medical card and the delay referred to by Deputy Sandra McLellan. Based on what she described, the delay does not sound acceptable at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I will ask the HSE representatives to deal with the matter. The role of public representatives, including the Minister, arises in that regard. It is important for public representatives to have the opportunity to raise these issues. The Minister and I have communicated privately and are now doing so publicly that public representatives should be facilitated in a timely and efficient manner.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Absolutely. The issue of public representatives was raised, but, of course, citizens should also be facilitated. However, I need to remind colleagues about the HSE governance legislation. It is not open to a Minister to give a direction to the HSE in respect of an individual's eligibility for services. In fact, a Minister is prohibited from doing that under the HSE legislation. He or she...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: That is not to say public representatives should not have every opportunity to advocate on behalf of their constituents. I support that as a public representative myself. Deputy Robert Dowds asked about the costs associated with an illness or condition, which is exactly what the discretionary regime is there to deal with where a person is over the limits. Costs associated with the illness...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: In the circumstances to which Deputy Seamus Healy refers, people need the assurance of getting a card promptly. However, in the event of a delay of, perhaps, one month what would typically happen to the expenses which would otherwise be covered by the medical card? In other words, would the applicant be at a loss for that month?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: All of the expenses, such as hospitals and drugs -----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: In such circumstances, could Mr. Hennessy deal with the issue? I know it is not possible to backdate eligibility but perhaps the date of application rather than the date of grant could become the operative date. This sounds to me like a problem that could be addressed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I also wish the Chairman well.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together. There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads (Kinsale area) producing gas fields off the coast of Cork fields and the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil to date. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Rural Broadband Scheme (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which was published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and a State-led intervention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Ireland submitted its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), as required under Article 4 of Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy, to the European Commission in July 2010. This Plan sets out how Ireland will meet the national targets established under that Directive for the share of energy from renewable sources. There have been no findings against Ireland by the Aarhus Convention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Staffing issues of An Post are a matter for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a programme of capital investment particularly in the computerisation of the post office network including the automation of all post offices. As a result, the post office network...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: My Department's 2013 Annual Report has been approved by Government and in accordance with usual practice it is currently being translated, ensuring that it will be available in both the Irish and English languages. I am advised that this process should be complete in the next two weeks at which point the report will be made available, including on my Department's website. I will arrange to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas. Since publication of the Plan, investments...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oireachtas Proceedings (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility in this area and I have no function in this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to...