Results 15,521-15,540 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Eligibility (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: Disability allowance is a means tested scheme and the way means are assessed is laid down in social welfare legislation. In summary, any income, in cash and non-cash benefits which the claimant may expect to receive, with some exceptions, is assessable as means for disability allowance purposes. Some types of income are exempt from assessment and they are detailed in Rule 1(2) in part 2 of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 6 July 2016. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: The person in question has been and continues to be in receipt of disability allowance. Following a routine review of entitlement, the department remains satisfied that the conditions for the scheme continue to be met by the person in question.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 August 2016. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 5 October 2016. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: Under section 6 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act, 2013 I am precluded from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual, and as such I am sure you will understand that it is not possible for me to get involved in individual cases. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Support Services (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, together. Transport of school-going children, including those with a disability, is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills. The provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE-funded day services is not a core health service, and the HSE endeavours to ensure that all service users access public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2013 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. However the Government also decided that monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Community Services Programme (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Máire Devine for raising the issue of the community services programme, CSP. I welcome her friends and neighbours from St. Andrew's. I acknowledge the massive contribution made by many such organisations in their communities. I know of this from first-hand experience. On the broader issue, the provision of local, social, economic and environmental services is the core...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Community Services Programme (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I share the Senator's concerns when I see some of the phrases used but the bottom line is that I personally will be supporting what she is saying. I will go back to the senior Minister on this. I am filling in this morning for the senior Minister because I feel very strongly that many of the organisations do a fantastic job. I believe the decision will be issued before Christmas 2016 but I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator for his contribution, as well as for his earlier congratulations on my new portfolio. I give a commitment to push strongly on many of the issues I have been advocating. The letter the Senator read from the carer is emotional and heartbreaking. I hope that in some of the responses this morning, we can progress this issue. I thank the Senator for raising this matter and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant (29 Sep 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator. Of course, I share his concerns about this particular individual. It is an emotional and heartbreaking letter. There are many people in the same situation. I can give a commitment on two things. The first is more support for carers in society because I acknowledge the fantastic unpaid work they do. The Senator mentioned that the particular woman could have taken a...

Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Training (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Heydon for raising this important issue. I commend him on his work and interest in GP training in particular and on his views on and support for developing our GP services and, more generally, the national health service. I assure the House that the Government is committed to ensuring that patients across Ireland continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote...

Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Training (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Heydon and accept his point regarding the pressure on our GP services, which we must deal with. We had some difficult times during the past seven or eight years when there has not been enough investment in the health services. I take that point. Under the programme for Government, we intend to rebuild and invest in our health services. As part of that development,...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Martin Ferris and Danny Healy-Rae for raising this issue. I have also been speaking to a number of their colleagues about this matter, including Danny's brother Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, in the last 24 hours. It is important when dealing with this issue to look at the facts and at what is happening on the ground. Of course, I will always listen to public representatives...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: Again, I thank my colleagues for raising this matter. I also thank them for the invitation which I will seriously consider. I spent the summer visiting centres all over the country but have not reached Kerry yet -----

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I assure Deputies Ferris and Healy-Rae that I will visit the centre. I would be delighted to see it. To be honest, I disagree with some of the points made by the Deputies. I want bring an end to the situation where persons with disabilities are housed in large institutions. That is my policy, vision and plan. I have €100 million over five years at my disposal to do something...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Services Funding (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The Providing Equal Employment Routes (PEER) project was one of 14 disability activation projects (DACT), in the Border, Midlands and West region, which were jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), from the end of 2012 to April 2015. The project was delivered by the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (4 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 10th June 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued on 26th September 2016. In the case of an application which is refused, the applicant may submit additional information and ask...