Results 10,101-10,120 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Welfare Services Provision (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Community Welfare Services in the South Kildare are based in three main centres: Naas, Newbridge and Athy. The service is accessible by telephone call, followed up by appointments and home visits as required. Telephone lines are open at all times and all customers have their call returned within one working day. This eliminates the need for customers to travel to and Intreo Centre or...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I am pleased to be in the Seanad to outline the contents of our new Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill. As Senators will know, the key purpose of this Bill is to enable the implementation of the social protection measures contained in budget 2020, while also serving a number of other purposes. It includes important measures to ensure I will be in a position to implement the Low Pay Commission's...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Yes

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I thank the four Senators for their contributions. I thank Senator Davitt for his supportive words regarding the negotiation of the budget. Some of the input I got, particularly from Deputy Cowen, was very helpful. I give an absolute guarantee that when I and the Government collectively have knowledge of how Brexit is going to turn out - I hope we will have a clear picture by next Friday...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: In response to Senator Devine, we propose to make some changes in respect of those who are under 25, that is, in respect of the 18 to 24 year olds in this particular Bill. It is something that Senator Warfield in particular has been seeking, as well as others in the Dáil, for the last number of years. Just because I am making the changes does not necessarily mean that I have changed...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: We have engaged two external drafters for a number of Bills. I have a gender recognition Bill in that category. That is not the issue. It might take a week or two longer to get the permission through for this process but that is not the issue. I probably did not believe them in the beginning when they told how complicated it is but we need to get it right. This is something that people...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: It is a pity but I wish to acknowledge what the Senator has raised on the floor of the House. Senator Lawlor is right in that we do have an extra €700 million. I wish I had that money to spend on new initiatives this year but we did not. It goes to show the increasing demographic profile that we have, which belies what Senator Gavan has just said. To be respectful, we have a huge,...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The revisionism that belongs to some parties around this House is quite funny and that is why some people think I am being sarcastic when I hark back to 2007. This measure was first mooted by the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr. Martin Cullen, in 2007. It was followed on by the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Hanafin, in 2010. It was enacted by a Labour...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I do not necessarily agree with the Senator, and that is fine. We probably do not agree on many matters, and that is okay too. There will be a robust defence of the decisions that were made. On the basis of that, when we took over in 2011, the Social Insurance Fund, SIF, had a small surplus. That surplus was devastated within two years and we were massively in deficit. The SIF has now a...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Senator will have to explain where the gaps will be filled for that populist want.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I genuinely look forward to it. If the Senator can come up with the magic concoction with which I can agree, I have no problem considering it.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: At present, the figures before us are stark and they are not only mine. We had econometric reviews done of the Social Insurance Fund. The ESRI has done reviews of it. They are not magic numbers. They are not made up just to suit our purposes. The ageing demographics of our population are well mapped out. The taxing on the Social Insurance Fund is also something that is well mapped out....

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Second Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I have.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I thank Deputy Calleary for raising this tragedy. Before I respond on the occurrences in Letterkenny, I express my condolences to the family of Mrs. Margaret Callaghan. I cannot begin to understand or appreciate how difficult it will be for them to get over her death, given that it potentially should not have happened. When the emergency care hospital system is under pressure there will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I will outline the integrated winter plan for Letterkenny University Hospital that will be delivered by its action team. The membership of the team includes the CEO of Saolta University Health Care Group, the CEO of the RCSI hospital group, the chief officer of CHO 1 and the CEO of Letterkenny University Hospital. I believe the people involved in ensuring that the winter plan works for this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: In line with the programme for Government commitments, we have made improved access to home supports, and the care associated with them, a priority. We have made additional investment of €52 million this year to bring the total funding for home supports to €487 million in 2020. In 2020, the HSE will deliver 19.2 million hours of support, which represents an enormous increase...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Again, there is absolute certainty for the 60 residents who are currently living in St. Joseph's and that will continue to be so. While I appreciate there is a waiting list to get in to the facility, I am sure there is a waiting list to get into all of our residential homes, both private and public, the length and breadth of the country. They are supported by the nursing home support scheme...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: We as a Government are investing more in the infrastructure of our water than I think at any time in the history of the State. We take it exceptionally seriously. That is why the previous Government attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to introduce a reliable and consistent funding stream to invest in something that is absolutely crucial for day-to-day living. I think we all recognise that....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Again, we are a minority Government. If the democratic vote taken at the committee that day had gone a different way, we would be having a different conversation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (5 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Again, if the Deputy had consensus for her view-----