Results 17,081-17,100 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: An application for domiciliary care allowance was received in respect of this child on the 20th October 2016. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 2nd February 2017 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance. An appeal of this decision was registered on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Hopkins for raising this very important issue. I know that she has a long held interest in the issue of services for home help and home care packages. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Home care is an increasingly important part of the supports...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Hopkins. I will respond to the points she raised. First, I will bring to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Harris, the point about non-profit providers to see if there is anything we can do about the hours. I accept the point the Senator made about the importance of the client and the care relationship. There must be stability and flow in such a relationship. That is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator John O'Mahony for raising this very important issue. I accept he has been campaigning on it and asking me about it for a long time. I share his frustration about this issue. It is important to outline again the current position in this matter. There are blockages that we are trying to deal with but as the Senator will be aware already, the Government decided to close both...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator O'Mahony again for raising this very important issue. The particular case to which he referred is a very difficult one. I wonder if that family is getting the €208 mobility allowance currently. Many families in rural Ireland are getting it in the meantime and as the legislation is being progressed. Senator O'Mahony's point about value for money and not only saving...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator. The Government has made the reform of services to vulnerable children and families a very high priority. Children about whom there are child protection concerns or who are awaiting the allocation of a dedicated social worker have their situations monitored by a social work duty intake team.Children about whom there is a child protection concern, but who are awaiting the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I take the points raised by Senator Boyhan, particularly those on the number of children waiting for the allocation of dedicated social workers. Nobody will argue against that but let us also look at the current situation and what is happening. At the end of March 2017, Tusla had 1,486 whole-time equivalent social workers and it is at 42% of its 2017 recruitment target of 62 additional...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Due process.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services Provision (21 Jun 2017)

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 (21 Jun 2017)

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 (21 Jun 2017)

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 Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Following a successful appeal, payment of disability allowance has been re-instated with effect from 11 January 2017. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 28 June 2017. All arrears due will also issue on that date. I trust this clarifies the matter for you.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Yes, thank you a Leas-Chathaoirligh. In speaking to amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and 13 taken together, if you do not mind, regrettably----

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Section 1, okay, fair enough.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I am grateful for the opportunity to deal with the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016. I am disappointed that despite the best efforts of my advisors and officials, consensus could not be reached on the amendments necessary to ensure that the Bill is practical and reasonable on the one hand, and delivers something of real value to the deaf community on the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: That is a misrepresentation.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I did not put forward any amendments because I wanted to achieve consensus first. Senator Daly took some of my draft amendments on which we were consulting and tabled them as his own. I find that odd. It is not the way to do business. We deliberately did not circulate the amendments because we had been consulting Senator Daly and the deaf community. We then delivered a shared copy of the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I do not do stunts or misrepresentation. In regard to the amendments, amendment No. 2 is one of my own amendments-----

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: -----that was shared with the Senator. As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I cannot logically oppose it-----

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: -----but I am opposed to the Bill being handled in this way. I also reject some of the criticism regarding the civil rights issue. I am a strong supporter of civil rights, whether they be disability rights, the rights of the minority in Northern Ireland or international rights. Amendment No. 3 is again one of my own amendments that we shared with the Senator and which I cannot oppose.