Results 1,581-1,600 of 7,412 for speaker:Neasa Hourigan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: That is welcome and interesting to hear and I commend Mr. Makhlouf on that work. Now that the Greens have entered government in Germany, I hope that the pace of change will increase even further. A banking review was announced this week. Obviously, the Central Bank will play an important part in that. The three issues I wish to ask about are inflation and whether that will be on the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: I phrased it badly and should have asked what Mr. Makhlouf would prioritise. However, I see that Deputy O'Donnell is on the call. I might hand over to him.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: Since no other member wishes to speak, it only remains for me to thank the Governor-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: I am sorry. I did not see the Deputy’s hand was raised. He can go ahead.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: We wait with bated breath.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: That brings us to the end of this fascinating session. On behalf of the committee, I thank the Governor and Dr. Cassidy for being here today. I hope today will not be the only time we see our guests. I thank them for their contributions to the committee.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (15 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: 66. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department intends to apply reduced or zero-rated VAT rates on new sanitary products, such as menstrual cups and period proof underwear in line with point 3 of Annexe 1, in view of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the EU (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (15 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: 156. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the promised new IT system to prevent bots block booking INIS appointments at the Burgh Quay office is now operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62020/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: 501. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the national steering group for the implementation of the Neurorehabilitation Strategy 2019-2021 has met only twice since an implementation framework was published in 2019 and not at all to date in 2021; the investments that will be made to support implementation in 2022 given that only two of the promised network of nine community...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: I am not sure if there is any point talking further about the children's hospital. I put it to Mr. Watt that people on this committee are well aware of the complex and live contract involved and that it is a multi-strand process. Everyone on the committee and indeed the public understand there are escalating construction and material costs at the moment and that the contract is subject to...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: That is fair enough, but I was actually quoting Mr. Watt's words. His words in the statement today were that "discussion of costs by officials, however hypothetical ... could negatively impact or jeopardise ... ongoing engagement". That contextualises this discussion as the work of the Committee of Public Accounts damaging the process of completion of the children's hospital. That is an...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: To characterise it that we want to go through every disputed detail is not accurate.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: Well, that is the impression I am getting. While it may be incorrect, that is the inference I am taking from what Mr. Watt is saying. He is implying somehow that we want enormous amounts of details about 600 claims, and of course we do not. We want headline figures.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: Let us stay on capital expenditure and governance. I ask Mr. Watt to outline the oversight. His opening statement mentions hospital group boards being stood down and advisory groups. It is to be hoped we are in the process of moving to regional areas with Sláintecare. What oversight does the Department have on capital expenditure regarding both existing capital assets and new...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: To be clear, what is the process for fact checking that against Government policy?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: In the instance I described, where the local area has made a decision to close a facility in direct contravention of A Vision for Change, what recourse does the Department have?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: The problem is the question of suitability, if applied to most residential mental health facilities, would lead to a tsunami of closures throughout the country. In that light, why the HSE picked this particular building to close is a mystery to everyone, including the families being left behind by the decision. I understand Mr. Watt will not have had sight of or information on this case,...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: Has that ever happened?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 - Health (16 Dec 2021)

Neasa Hourigan: I accept that point but it is also the key problem in that it is difficult for any of us to second-guess. It looks like the HSE is unaccountable in this regard.