Results 1,121-1,140 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: From the Seanad. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is as stated by the Deputy.

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Gabh mo leithscéal. Táim ag éisteacht.

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I never saw the Deputy wander less.

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputies on all sides for the broad welcome they have extended for this measure. I agree with Deputy Durkan that while we can put legislation in place to ensure a high standard in a given profession or occupation, the basic motivation and spirit must exist among members of that profession to observe the highest standards. His point was well made in that regard, especially in respect...

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move: "That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health and Children, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee."

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Adoption Board, which is an autonomous body, collects the information requested. My Department has asked the CEO of the board to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Adoption Board considered the Adoption Law of Morocco at its meeting on 3 July 2001. The board decided on that date that adoptions effected in Morocco are not recognised under Irish law. Legislation is being prepared by Department of Health and Children to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993. The heads of the...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Social Services Inspectorate has been in operation on an administrative basis since 1999. During this time it has inspected all children's residential centres which are operated by the Health Service Executive, or by the former health boards, and it has piloted some inspections of foster care services against national standards. Its programme of inspection is ongoing. As the Deputy may be...

Written Answers — Pre-School Services: Pre-School Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The review of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997 has been completed. I expect to be in a position to introduce the revised regulations in the near future. Training issues for pre-school inspection staff that may arise as a result of the requirements of the revised regulations will be a matter for the Health Service Executive as part of their...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I welcome everyone to the debate today. I am speaking on this topic on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin. I would like to start by emphasising the importance which the Government attaches to this subject. It is of fundamental importance to the future weIl-being of all our people. The early childhood period is widely recognised as a key source of health,...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: These developments represent just some of the many initiatives currently being undertaken in the area of child care. Much has happened in respect of both the education and care aspects of early childhood provision and no doubt much more will happen in future. All this activity must be linked together to maximise its impact on the provision of the best possible service to young children and...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The high-level working group has been at work for several months.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I suggest the Senator should also sign the cheque.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (4 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The most recent statistics available relate to numbers of applications on hand on 30 June 2005. At that time, the number of applications awaiting inter-country adoption assessment was 1,829. Currently, waiting times for assessment range from three to six months in the HSE north-west region to 45 months in the HSE mid-west region, with the average waiting time of approximately 18 months...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators who have had the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I note the interest others have had in making a contribution. It is timely that the Seanad should debate this subject when there is an intensive national debate in progress on the issue. Senator White referred to the children of the nation. The children of the nation in the 1916 Proclamation included adults as well as...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Early childhood education in Ireland has developed significantly since the forum on early childhood met in 1998. We have had the White Paper with its emphasis on promoting quality in which various actions were contained. In the special needs sector there are 14 pre-school classes for children with autism located throughout the country. Ten stand-alone autism facilities that provide an applied...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——must be carefully targeted to increase the amount of places. Questions of affordability may well have to be addressed and in that context the Government can examine various options. Responsibility for pre-school regulations rests with me. The regulations have been in place since 1996 and marked the first time that statutory controls were applied to the sector. A review is almost...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am conscious of the time, a Chathaoirligh, so I will draw my comments to a close. The co-ordination of services has been examined by the high-level working group, which is chaired by the National Children's Office under my direction. I have taken a close personal interest in the preparation of the document, which has now been submitted to the Government. There is a range of policy options...