Results 11,161-11,180 of 11,348 for speaker:Colm Burke

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (8 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: 802. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm that consideration would be given to permitting a child (details supplied) attending an ECCE service before commencing primary school in the autumn to continue to attend a school aged childcare facility during the easter break and summer months, as the family have been informed that due to new Tusla...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: 1092. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been any engagement between his Department and the Department of Health in respect of adopting a joint approach about the management and maintenance of burial grounds which are under the management or control of the Department of Health or HSE, with a view to adopting a joint approach as to how these burial grounds...

Children's Health Ireland: Statements (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: It is important in dealing with this debate that we give reassurance to parents because they have gone through a difficult time. When a child needs any kind of surgical procedure, it is always challenging for parents to face into that. Are they making the right decision? Are they getting the right advice? Should they follow through? When they come across a difficulty like this and have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: 90. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the staff retention rates among early years educators for the past five years; the actions being taken to improve staff retention in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20975/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: Will the Minister confirm the staff retention rates among early years educators for the past five years and the actions being taken to improve staff retention in the sector? Will she make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: I very much appreciate that additional funding is going into this area. It is interesting to see that the majority of services reported having difficulty recruiting staff over the last 12 months, a process that was reported as difficult or very difficult by 95% of managers. The challenges of recruiting and retaining staff are having stark consequences, with 30% of managers reporting that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Early Childhood Care and Education (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: I fully agree that a lot of work is being done and a lot of improvements have occurred. The other challenge in early childcare is access to appropriate facilities. We need to work together on access to facilities, not only in the Minister's Department but also across other Government Departments. I have come across a number of areas where there is difficulty in getting access to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: The issue I am raising is the shingles vaccine. As the Minister of State knows, shingles causes quite a lot of difficulty for people who get it. Herpes zoster is the other name for it. It is very painful. It can affect people really badly, especially when they get it close to the eye. I have come across people who have suffered long-term damage to their eyes from getting it in that area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (29 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: I accept what the Minister of State said; obviously, there is an issue regarding the negotiated price for the medication. Surely, we must look at the long-term challenges with an increasing older population. As the Minister of State outlined, those in the older age group are more prone to getting shingles. The number of people having to go into hospital will increase, as will the number...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 24. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update regarding the implementation of an appeals system for the power up scheme; when it is likely that businesses will be able to lodge appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21730/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: My concern in regard to carer's allowance is the fact that the population is aging. Thankfully, people are living longer. The last census showed 832,000 people aged over 65 living in the country. Within the next four years, that figure will reach 1 million. The cost of nursing home care is at least €1,100 per person per week. Regarding long-term planning for the carer's allowance,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: In rural and urban areas, support groups provide an important service, particularly for those living alone or who are elderly and need support. It is important that, in reviewing those supports, there is work done across the Departments of Health and Social Protection to ensure that those groups get support to help those who need care and assistance, be they in urban or rural areas. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: 97. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an examination of improvements to key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups has occurred as per the programme for Government; if not, when this examination is to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21297/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I ask the Minister if an examination of improvements to key ancillary benefits, such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance, to support vulnerable groups has occurred as part of the programme for Government. If not, when is this examination to occur? Will the Minister make a statement on the better?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2025)

Colm Burke: I mentioned the growing population and people living longer, but there is the additional problem of people living alone, especially in rural areas. As the Minister will know, having come from a rural constituency, transport costs for someone living alone in a rural area is a matter we have not focused enough on and we need to look at. The cost of getting from A to B, be it ten miles, 15...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (30 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: 24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progress to date in relation to the N/M20 Limerick to Cork motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2025)

Colm Burke: 143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what action is being taken by his Department to improve on the timeline for the processing of entry visa applications, in view that they are currently taking five or six months to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/25]