Results 15,061-15,080 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I acknowledge and am very aware, as are all Fine Gael councillors and Deputies, that the capital budget for local and regional roads is still recovering. There is a huge amount of work to be done. It is still recovering after the economic crash. That is why the new partnership Government will increase the budget for this infrastructure very dramatically by 50% in the years ahead and as the...
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: In response to Deputy Lowry, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is well aware of the issues the Deputy has outlined and will consider them in the context of the budget. I will bring to his attention once again the points the Deputy has made today. Clearly, as people begin to see the kind of investment that now is possible because of the recovery, they will not - as the Deputy...
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland is committed to achieving the transition to a competitive low-carbon climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy and as the Deputy stated, it makes sense to so do. Access to secure, clean, affordable energy is essential to our future economic growth and our ability to attract and retain investment to Ireland and to build Irish enterprise depends on our ability to...
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: In line with the new procedures, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to respond directly since he has been mentioned by the Deputy in respect of the negotiations, which were based on scientific evidence.
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: We have a new way of doing business.
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, to respond to the Deputy on that matter. The Government has made clear its commitment to the minimum wage. The report published in that regard this week sets out the standard that applies. I will also ask the Minister to investigate the particular circumstances outlined by the Deputy.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is new politics.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy McDonald will be aware that yesterday the Minister, Deputy Coveney, announced his very comprehensive approach to the housing crisis in this country. Pillar 4 of that plan focuses on improvements in the rental sector. The Minister is committed to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector by quarter 4 of 2016. Work is beginning immediately on the strategy for the...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister will address his approach to that issue as he further develops the housing action plan.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I reiterate that this is a priority area. The Deputy referenced the many different items in the programme for Government. In regard to what will happen next week, a memo will be brought to Cabinet by the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, on the prioritisation of work on a task force to deal with issues in regard to youth mental health.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. It will seek to enhance our services and ensure focus on the type of work that needs to be done with regard to young people up to 25 years of age. The task force will bring together all of the different services, including community services, public and private, to develop a programme that can be applied to every community. Work in that regard is under way. A memo will be brought to...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The thousands of people employed by such companies throughout this country certainly will not agree with the Deputy's analysis regarding the important role that they play in this economy. I repeat that these figures were not published by the Government but were published independently in line with international norms-----
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: That is the reality. There are exceptional factors relating to the aviation industry and certain taxes, as has been explained to this House. The point is that the CSO has said that it is addressing the implications of that. I have made it very clear that from a budgetary point of view, the fiscal space available for spending on our services and on reducing taxes remains as outlined in the...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will have enquiries made in respect of that report. It is intended that the increased funding that has been given to the health services will also deal with the waiting lists for orthodontic and dental treatments. I will ask the Minister for Health to link with the Deputy.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, there are plans for the emergency clinics for children in Tallaght Hospital to continue. As the new national hospital for children develops, there are strong plans in place to ensure there will be a very good service in Tallaght for children in respect of a range of services. The Deputy is making a point about a specific consultant. There is a question mark over who...
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will correspond with the Deputy about that report. I am not sure whether the budget committee is up and running yet. If the report was promised by the end of July, I am sure the Deputy will receive it by then.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: The heads of that legislation are expected in July.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: There is a commitment to examine issues relating to legal aid, and the Bill will be dealt with later this year.
- Questions on Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: In the first instance, a child who is attending for mental health issues on a repeated basis should be referred to the child and adolescent mental health services on an emergency basis. Since a number of Deputies have raised this point about attendance at accident and emergency departments by children with mental health difficulties, I will ask the Minister with responsibility for this area...