Results 16,421-16,440 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I understand that the Deputy has clarified that the reference in his question to "State aid" of voluntary groups and charities in County Galway, relates to Health Service Executive funding of such organisations. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I accept her frustration regarding respite services. I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position. Holy Angels Day Care Centre is a disability agency providing services, including a preschool service, for children with disabilities in Carlow. The facility is funded on an annual basis by the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I share the Senator's frustration regarding delays over the past few months and I take her point regarding the school.There have been three positive developments in terms of respite care. First, the matter will go to the head of procurement and thereafter to the budget holder this week. Second, I understand the Senator's frustration about possible delays with HIQA, but I must observe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I strongly endorse what the Minister has said. Domiciliary care is a major part of the programme for Government. Deputy O'Reilly mentioned that an allocation has been made to cover 10,000 children and referred to the slight delay associated with the review of data. I think the confusion arose when the numbers were being finalised. Like the Deputy, I have direct experience in this regard....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank members for their questions on disability issues. I also thank and commend my colleagues on their support in regard to the issue. Disability is not just a health issue. It is a broader issue for all of us and we should all focus on it. Last Monday, on a visit to the Brothers of Charity Services in Galway, I visited a centre where I met a group of small business owners who a year...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: First, I accept the point about public duty across all the Departments. I strongly stress that we all have a public and civic duty in respect of disabilities. All Departments have to take responsibility in that regard. I have been monitoring the Departments over the past seven or eight months and some of them have an excellent track record in including people with disabilities and also in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: There is absolutely no way Senator Dolan can claim shaving in respect of services for people with disabilities. I have said that social care funding has been subject to an increase of 6% in the budget. I have pointed out strongly that the budget for 2017 is €1.688 billion. That is accepted by all. I will come back to the committee with a more detailed breakdown and I will prove...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: The figure is 150,000 over last year's target.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I am clear about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I take Senator Dolan's point, but let us get this right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: Of course I accept the Senator's point; we have to do it every year. My colleagues in the HSE and the Department of Health push strongly for more personal assistance hours. I will come back to the committee with more detail on the breakdown and the figures. I am saying there is an increase of 150,000 hours over last year's target. That is my position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I left out my reply to one important question that Senator John Dolan raised relating to the UN convention. Ireland signed the convention in 2007. We are committed to signing the convention. Earlier, I referred to the barriers to the convention, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the deprivation of liberty issue and the reason for the delays in the Bill. I pointed out...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: That legislation is at a very advanced stage and it will be brought forward in the next couple of weeks.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: If I may respond to Deputy Ó Caoláin's question on the transport issue, it is a problem for St. Michael's House. I met the senior management of St. Michael's House recently to discuss funding and the amount of funding that has gone into the social care disability service plan for 2017. The budget for transport within St. Michael's House is taken from its own budget. On the...

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: We sure will.

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: That is right.

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: Thank you very much.

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: That would be all I need. I thank the Deputies for and commend them on their valuable contributions. This is a matter on which we have overall agreement. There was a strong focus on the rights of the person with a disability. I recognise the valuable and constructive ideas put forward by Deputies Murphy O'Mahony, Breathnach, Eugene Murphy and Boyd Barrett. I also welcome Senator John...

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: The answer is "Yes".

Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee (23 Feb 2017)

Finian McGrath: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).