Results 15,961-15,980 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this very important question. As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities rests with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Department of Health is currently framing legislative provisions to satisfy the requirements of Article 14 of the UN Convention,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I share the Deputy's position on the UN convention. I agree that we must ratify it and I am working towards that at the moment. In fact, I have just left a meeting with officials from my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality at which we discussed the legislative position and some of the blockages in the system. On the broader point, I fully support the ratification of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I assure Deputy Kenny that I would happily sign the convention tomorrow morning if I had the opportunity. However, the necessary legislation must be in place and certain issues must be resolved before I can do so. As the Deputy knows, I set myself the objective of ratifying the convention by the end of 2016. I knew there were blockages to that and I am now getting the feeling that I might...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: Absolutely. Well, hopefully. I would come back tomorrow and do it if it were possible.

Other Questions: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: A Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community." It is recognised that the situation with regard to accessing specialist neuro-rehabilitation services needs to be reviewed. Significant steps towards finding a resolution were taken with the publication in 2011 of thenational policy and strategy for...

Other Questions: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I will deal with all the questions. I totally accept that we have to develop services for people in those situations. I have met many of them. I spoke at one of the group's annual general meetings a few months ago so I am fully aware of the issues Deputy Kelleher has raised, which are very important. We need to improve and expand services but, as the Deputy knows, that work has commenced...

Other Questions: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: On the objectives and the funding, those are already included in the HSE service plan, which is currently being finalised. We will put a priority on that. I would see us start to move on developing, opening and investing in new services as early as possible in 2017. I will have to revert to the Deputy on the number of beds involved because it is important I give her accurate information.

Other Questions: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: Our objective is to start moving on this as early as possible in 2017.

Other Questions: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I take Deputy Kelleher's point that we need to develop services in the regions. As I mentioned earlier, the new rehabilitation unit at Roscommon hospital is a major start. We must ensure that we support these families. They are in a difficult position and we cannot have them travelling for services in Dublin when they are from different parts of the country. We need to be radical. We need...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Brophy for raising this very important issue. He has been very supportive of the investment in and development of services for children with disabilities. I am also pleased to take this opportunity to update Deputy Brophy and other Members on the progress under way in developing services for children with disabilities and the current position on recruitment of staff and...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: I take Deputy Brophy's point about March as well as his proper points about the bureaucracy and delays. As far as I am concerned, delays are not good enough, especially with regard to assessments for children with disabilities. Long delays are not good for the child, especially the educational, personal and emotional development of the child. I am giving a commitment to Deputy Brophy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Dec 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 (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: A National Safeguarding Committee was established in December 2015 with the overarching remit to support the development of a societal and organisational culture which promotes the rights of persons who may be vulnerable and safeguard them from abuse. It is a multi-agency and inter-sectoral body with an independent chair and will publish its Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 on 20 December...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service Provision (1 Dec 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: Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: The Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community." It is recognised that the situation with regard to accessing specialist neuro-rehabilitation services needs to be reviewed. Significant steps towards finding a resolution were taken with the publication in 2011 of theNational Policy and Strategy for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Dec 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: Disabilities Assessments (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: In order to supplement the current service provided by the HSE and to reduce waiting times the HSE have contracted private therapists and agency staff to provide a service in identified areas. However, the information sought by the Deputy on the amount spent on commissioning therapists in private practice to undertake assessments under the assessment of need process is not routinely collated...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (1 Dec 2016)

Finian McGrath: Policy responsibility for special education and for the EPSEN Act resides with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. My Department works closely with that Department and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on a range of issues relating to children with a disability via a Cross-Sectoral team, which meets regularly. I am informed by the Minister for Education that a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Reports (1 Dec 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 you.