Results 7,981-8,000 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The HSE is the negotiator on the issue. That is one of its functions and, unfortunately, Deputy Rabbitte sought to misinterpret the matter.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is amazing that the Deputy needs so much help. Is Deputy Allen and Fine Gael opposed to co-location?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Will he also change the tax law?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Is the Deputy opposed to changing the tax law?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Is Fine Gael opposed to private medicine?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Is it opposed to co-located beds?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Will it change the tax regulations? Is that Fine Gael's policy?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is a different issue.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Here we have two alternative views.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The issue is that for many years 2,500 private beds have been ring-fenced in public hospitals. We are trying to provide more public beds so that the political support——

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We are building hospitals in Tullamore, Cork and many other places.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The investors who were shocked a few minutes ago by Deputy Rabbitte's statement have been reassured by Deputy Kenny's statement. When one works all that out, it will be very interesting.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate I have not been asked by the Deputy to comment on an individual case but I do not take satisfaction in seeing parents having to fight issues relating to their children in court.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I assure the House that improving services for children of special needs across a range of areas has been, and continues to be, a major priority for the Government. We have worked hard to dramatically increase services in recent years. This year €820 million will be spent on special needs education, which is an increase of more than 30% on last year. A total of 8,000 special needs...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——whether through placement in mainstream classes, special classes or in special schools, a view supported by the findings of the task force report on autism. Autistic children in the school system have access to qualified teachers using a range of methodologies. Over the past few years, 182 special classes for children with autism have been provided in special and mainstream schools and...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Two of these facilities have to be established. As Deputy Sargent acknowledged, ABA is not the only issue. I have met the groups and committees working on this issue. The Department's view and the expert opinion is that exclusive intervention through ABA is not the only way. The task force on autism recommended that a range of resources and approaches be made available to meet the unique...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy cannot say the effort and significant resources that have been put in and the ongoing work and research in this area are not a good response in this area.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy says it is nonsense for us to have appointed thousands of additional staff to work in the education system. That is a huge improvement. That is what the Government is committed to and that is what the Minister for Education and Science has been doing so excellently over the past number of years.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent understands that ABA is only one such treatment.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are several. I have answered on the question of resources. There has been an increase of more than 30% this year.