Results 16,641-16,660 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: National Maternity Services and Infrastructure: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I wish to especially welcome Dr. Fitzpatrick and apologise to him for the poor attendance at this point in time. We have been in session since 9.30 a.m. and unfortunately we have lost some colleagues for this later session. However, it is important that Dr. Fitzpatrick knows that the content of his contribution and the engagement that we will have will be recorded and noted by all of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: National Maternity Services and Infrastructure: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank him for his forthrightness.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Services: Quarterly Update (6 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Last Thursday, the committee members were of one voice in reflecting very positively on the interaction and engagement we have had over a number of years with Paddy in his role at the PCRS. I acknowledge his approachability and courtesy at all times. Personally, I appreciated it and that would be the experience of members who had any dealings with him over recent times. I extend best...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Services: Quarterly Update (6 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We are agreed that emergency department overcrowding is not just a matter of emergency department performance, and I fully concur with that view as expressed by the task force and in the response to questions I posed in advance of today's meeting. Regarding the measures that the emergency department task force report has commended in terms of the reduction of delayed discharges, could the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Services: Quarterly Update (6 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: To correct myself, I cited the reduction rather than the actuality as of July. I said 146 was the reduction and the figure was 300. I am correcting what I had said earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Services: Quarterly Update (6 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The question I had posed earlier has not been responded to. In relation to emergency departments, it is indicated in a reply I received to a question I posed that where capital build or refurbishment is required and where it has been already identified, detailed plans have been agreed to expedite the build component. Will Mr. O'Brien indicate where that might apply? He is currently engaged...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Services: Quarterly Update (6 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I asked about the paediatric element.

Building on Recovery: Statements (7 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The recent announcement by the Government of its capital spending plan amounts to very little, and is extremely unambitious. It is alarming to note that in 2020, even with this plan, we will still have the second lowest capital spend per GDP in Europe. As the Sinn Féin spokesperson on health, I found the particular announcement by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Broadband Scheme (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is widely acknowledged that the Internet is a key tool in reducing poverty and developing prosperity in any region. A report commissioned by the World Bank stated that an additional ten broadband lines per 100 people increased the gross domestic product of a country by 1.21%. It is clearly demonstrated that rolling out high-speed broadband to every home in the country would significantly...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Broadband Scheme (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Of course what the Minister has outlined is very welcome. I am asking for a necessary assurance. I understand that, coincidentally, it is being reported today on local radio at home that the roll-out will not begin until late 2016. Will the Minister clarify that? The State element is vital because of the obstinacy of the commercial providers in failing to take on board the vast swathe of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Dental Regulation: Dental Council of Ireland (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thought Deputy Kelleher would be getting the first slot. I join the Chairman in welcoming the representatives from the Dental Council of Ireland and I thank Dr. Croke for his comprehensive address to the committee. I am encouraged by much of what Dr. Croke stated in terms of the importance of registration across the entire dental or dental-related team. That is vital. I will not go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Dental Regulation: Dental Council of Ireland (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is clear from Dr. Croke's contribution that while the council has a voluntary register for dental nurses, the voluntary register he proposes in regard to dental technicians has not yet been established.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Dental Regulation: Dental Council of Ireland (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Is that the case? The council is working very closely with dental technicians to establish a voluntary register. How well progressed is the council with that, and does Dr. Croke have confidence that it will be established in the short term? As I said, that is essential to get to the point of statutory registration in the event that the legislation will reflect the need. My reading of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Dental Regulation: Dental Council of Ireland (8 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I ask that the transcript of the meeting be furnished to the Minister and the Department, with a recommendation on the points highlighted, including the earliest possible publication of the new Bill.

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise Duties on Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (13 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As a resident and representative of a constituency that straddles the Border, I am very conscious of the impact of the significant differential between the taxation which applies to heavy goods vehicles north of the Border as against that in my constituency and this jurisdiction. It is critically important that a level playing field is created or as near as such as is achievable. That is...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Tobacco Products Tax (13 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Not for the first time have I made these points on the floor of this House. I believe that in the absence of complementary measures to tackle the illegal tobacco trade, this measure becomes simply a revenue generating measure and that while it might dissuade some from taking up smoking or continuing their habit, it will undoubtedly drive more into the hands of the criminal gangs engaged in...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (13 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Minister described it as a useful instrument and I have no doubt but that benefits can accrue through the creation of capacity. However, I could be forgiven for thinking it is a useful instrument for the Government, which is failing in its duties to provide public nursing home capacity. That is the real failure and even considering the budget measures before Members today, they are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 331. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that 24 persons with special needs, who are due to transition to an adult service in 2016, applied for placements in Gheel services; that they are now left with nowhere to go, as the Health Service Executive will not provide Gheel with the appropriate funds to run the service; his views that this is acceptable; his plans to ensure that these...

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yesterday, while this Government outlined its budget measures for 2016, 469 people lay on trolleys in hospitals across this State. While it glorified a budget that will give €181.9 million back in taxes to the top 14% of earners, nurses at St. Vincent's University Hospital began a work-to-rule in protest at the appalling conditions staff and patients are subjected to on a daily basis....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (20 Oct 2015)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 647. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to a motion passed at a meeting of Meath County Council (details supplied) in October 2015, if he will request An Bord Pleanála to defer any decision in relation to this matter; if so, if he will do so immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36290/15]