Results 1,081-1,100 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will take a final question from Senator McLellan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Will Dr. Muldoon agree to write to the local authorities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Dr. Muldoon might also revert to Senator Burke.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Dr. Muldoon for attending the meeting. He may not be aware of this but ten times today he mentioned putting the child at the centre, listening to the voice of the child and the best interests of the child. He spoke about adjusting the system and it is very uplifting for us to hear that this is his focus. I thank the expert witnesses, Ms Deirdre O'Shea and Mr. Páraic Walsh. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I remind those present to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off as they cause serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. Our second session this morning is a landmark session as it is an opportunity for committee members to engage with representatives of the deafblind community in Ireland who are making the case for the recognition of deafblindness as a distinct...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Ms English. I invite Dr. Cummings to make her opening statement. Before she does, though, I wish to reiterate our thanks to Mr. Denis McKenna for organising the interpreters for this meeting. It is appreciated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Dr. Cummings. I invite Ms Brill to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Ms Brill, Ms English and Dr. Cummings. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin will be followed by Deputies Seamus Healy, Eamonn Maloney and Sandra McLellan and Senator Jillian van Turnhout.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: To help the committee understand Usher syndrome and about deafblindness will Ms Brill speak about why she mentioned the Luas? I would also like to speak about the cost of dogs and the money she receives in social welfare payments and difficulties in this regard. It needs to be said at this stage in order that members will understand more when they put their questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will have to get advice here. I ask Mr. Lacey to move up to the microphone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Mr. Lacey. Some other questions came up about statistics that are not known, including the numbers of deaf-blind.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Deputy Buttimer, the Chairman, and Deputy Conway were unable to attend today as they both have hospital appointments. Representatives of Fighting Blindness are in attendance. A strategy has been adopted to try to pull together the various organisations involved in this area. Dr. Paul Kenna and Mr. David Keegan are involved. I have a particular interest in this issue as I have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I ask Ms Brill to speak about hearing aids. While she may not have experienced particular problems because she has a good consultant, what is the experience of the deaf community and the deaf-blind community of hearing aids?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Perhaps Dr. Paul Kenna can help me to conclude this meeting with a message of hope for people diagnosed with Usher's syndrome in the future.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Dr. Kenna. Are there any other questions? Or do the expert witnesses have any other comments they would like to make before we conclude?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Thank you Mr. Lacey. I am going to conclude but I want to make clear that we will write that letter seeking recognition of deaf-blindness. We will also send a transcript of today's meeting to the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. Together with the group, we will try to work through their issues concerning social welfare,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Yes. We need to look at the numbers on the census and know what kind of numbers we are talking about.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Recognition of Deafblindness as Distinct Disability: Discussion (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: They should have access to top-of-the-range devices through the medical card. That would be something significant that could come out of this meeting. We will work on it and will report back to the witnesses. I thank Ms Carol Brill so much for coming in and giving us the true life experiences of someone with deafblindness. I also wish to thank Ms Laura English for her work with the Ann...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 527. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on changes to be made in the Garda National Immigration Bureau, to end long queues outside its office on Burgh Quay in Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21258/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 908. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next open competition for the post of First Secretary will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/15]