Results 921-940 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Health Services. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Late last year, we learned with regret of the occurrence of a case of vCJD in a young man in Dublin. I convey my sympathy and that of the Tánaiste to the family of the young man who are coming to terms with very difficult circumstances. The case concerns a 23-year-old man who was admitted to hospital about eight months ago. It has been confirmed that he is suffering from variant CJD and the...

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. Before dealing with the substance of this matter, I need to make it clear that no asylum seeker will be, or ever has been, deported. In its express terms, Deputy Costello's motion addresses the Minister on the need to ensure that no asylum seeker who is sitting an Irish State examination this summer...

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, that is not correct. I will bring the Deputy through the details of the matter. Asylum seekers are persons who come here seeking refugee status. Their asylum claims are thoroughly investigated and if they are found not to be in need of protection under the Geneva Convention they are no longer asylum seekers.

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Furthermore, before any deportation takes place, they are given an opportunity to go home voluntarily or to give reasons why they should not be deported. The suggestion that they can still give reasons why they should not be deported does not relate to their character as failed asylum seekers. There are two fundamental underlying principles with regard to the asylum process, and the treatment...

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The wording of the matter raised by the Deputy is erroneous.

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is highly relevant. If an individual consents to a deportation order being issued in respect of him or her, arrangements will be made for his or her removal from the State. The third option available to him or her is to make written representations, within 15 working days, setting out reasons he or she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will not take the Deputy through the various statutory factors the Minister must consider. Leaving aside the mistaken reference to asylum seekers being deported, I presume the substance of the issue raised by the Deputy is that persons sitting a State examination this summer would neither be issued with a deportation order nor deported prior to the examination taking place. The wording of...

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An asylum seeker cannot be deported.

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The earlier debate arose from circumstances the Deputy referred to, namely, the deportation to Nigeria in mid-March of a young man who was to sit his leaving certificate examination in Palmerstown community college next month. Although it has been the policy of successive Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform not to reveal the personal details of the cases of individual applicants...

Deportation Orders. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister reversed his decision in the Kunle case on its unique facts and allowed the young man concerned to return to sit his leaving certificate examinations. I refer Deputies to the Minister's response to the Seanad Adjournment debate of 25 March 2005 on the matter. A general policy not to deport schoolgoing persons leading up to examination periods cannot be inferred from the decision...

School Transport. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin. While I am not sure my response will be of great assistance to the Deputy, I will place on record the views of the Minister on the issue. One of the main objects of the school transport scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children...

Special Educational Needs. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, but I am glad Deputy Ó Caoláin has raised this matter on the Adjournment of the House because it gives the Minister an opportunity to put the case. While legitimate matters about staff concerns arise from this matter, there is no substantive issue related to the welfare or care of this group of vulnerable...

Special Educational Needs. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no restriction on the recruitment of special needs assistants. The Department of Education and Science has been conducting a review of special needs assistance provision in primary schools. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of special needs assistance posts in mainstream classes. The intention of this is to ensure that the level of approved special needs...

Special Educational Needs. (5 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Unlike teachers, where posts are allocated on a pupil-teacher ratio basis, enabling a redeployment scheme to work effectively, special needs assistant posts are allocated on the basis of individual care needs and the creation of a workable redeployment scheme would be more difficult. Discussions are ongoing with IMPACT, as referred to by the Deputy, on this matter and further discussions are...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for child welfare issues. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (10 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Adoption Acts 1952-1998, as amended by the Health Act 2004. The length of time it takes to complete the necessary assessment and the allocation of resources within the HSE is a matter for the management of the HSE. However, I have asked the Adoption Board to identify practical measures to...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for services for the welfare and protection of children. Under the Child Care Act 1991 as amended by the Health Act...

Accident and Emergency Services: Motion (Resumed). (11 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the main Opposition party, Fine Gael, for tabling this motion, which is good. The Minister has tabled an amendment, as is traditional, which goes some way towards recognising the concerns shared by all Members about conditions in accident and emergency units. In this city the Mater Misericordiae Hospital and the Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, are frequented by my constituents and...

Hospital Services. (11 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am giving this reply on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Hospital Services. (11 May 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Deputy for raising the question once again. It seems to fall to me to reply to him. In general, I certainly recall——