Results 1,581-1,600 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Senator had an opportunity to speak on this debate. I am well aware of conditions in these units and acknowledged a few moments ago that we must devise appropriate solutions. Examining the charging structure, to which Senator Moylan referred, is an option to which I am open. We should be clear on one aspect — the medical and nursing professions are not prepared to stigmatise patients...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence. Such people will require a public bed in the hospital. Again, there was considerable discussion as to whether we have an adequate number of acute beds. However, there are now more than 13,255 beds in public acute hospitals, which constitutes an increase of 1,528 beds since 1997. I am glad to have the opportunity to put that figure on the record...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 — 2010, which are being implemented by the newly established Office of Minister for Children. With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the EOCP referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the...

Nursing Home Subventions. (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will take the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. I thank the Deputy for raising the question as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the current situation with regard to the nursing home subvention scheme. A nursing home subvention may be paid towards the cost of private nursing home care where a person is unable...

Social Welfare Code. (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, provides for the payment of rent supplement to eligible people whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs. Under standard assessment rules, rent supplements are calculated to ensure that...

School Enrolments. (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter in both general terms and in respect of St. Ciaran's national school in Hartstown, as it gives me an opportunity to outline to the House the extensive actions being taken by the Department of Education and Science to address the school accommodation needs in the Dublin 15 area, including those of the school in question. The Department is aware that...

School Enrolments. (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The board was aware of this phenomenon and decided to carry out a comprehensive survey in its area to determine whether there is an actual shortfall in junior infant places. The Minister is impressed with the school's attitude to the position it has found itself in and welcomes the approach it has adopted. We should all be equally sensible and await the outcome of the school's survey before...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There has been no contact between the Department of Health and Children and the Garda authorities in this case, as such contact given the policy role of the Department would not be appropriate. Insofar as the case concerns child welfare issues, as the Deputy is aware it is a matter for the Health Service Executive which under the Health Act 2004 has statutory responsibility for the management...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (18 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of the Minister for Children was established in accordance with the Government decision of 7th December, 2005 to place the interests of children at the heart of Government and to build on the successes already achieved in the context of the National Children's Strategy. The Office is an integral part of the Department of Health & Children and comprises the following: The Childcare...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (23 May 2006)

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 — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010, which are being implemented by the newly established Office of the Minister for Children. With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 referred...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (23 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy's Question no 225 dated 4th April 2006 related to the delivery of health and personal social services my Department, as indicated in my reply, asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to reply directly to the Deputy. Where a Question relates to a service provided by the HSE on a national basis or requests statistical information in relation...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With reference to the information provided to the Deputy last month in regard to the number of enquiries received by City and County Childcare Committees from childminders in relation to voluntary notification since the introduction of the tax exemption in respect of income from childminding, I am advised that the information provided at that time and reproduced below has not yet been...

Hospital Accommodation. (24 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The HSE has advised the Department that over the past 12 months the average number of patients clinically discharged from Cavan-Monaghan General Hospital but awaiting accommodation elsewhere has been in the region of seven to nine at any time. The HSE is examining ways of...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (24 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Youth Act 2001 is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. Clarification was sought from the Deputy's office and I understand that the various projects referred to in the question have been in receipt of funding from a number of different organisations/bodies including the Health Service Executive. As such my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (25 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board. Under Section 23 of the Act schools are required to have in place a code of behaviour. The Act requires that each Board of Management formulates a code of behaviour in accordance with guidelines from the NEWB. The Board, which ensures that children attend school regularly or receive an adequate education,...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (25 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 68, 79 and 80 together. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general...

Written Answers — Education Welfare Service: Education Welfare Service (25 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school...

Courts (Register of Sentences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (30 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I welcome the initiation of this Bill as it affords the House an opportunity to debate the subject of sentencing, which is one well worthy of discussion here. I welcome the civilised tone with which the principal Opposition party has introduced the measure. While I would not describe it as a pleasure, I had the experience of listening to the Leader of the Opposition addressing his party's...

Courts (Register of Sentences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (30 May 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Before I examine the Bill and explain the position of the Government on it, I would like to deal with some issues that have been raised in the course of this debate. Deputy English suggested that recent developments in the Supreme Court had eroded the faith of the public in the courts system. Deputy Naughten referred to a loophole which we must reassemble later this week to address.