Results 17,561-17,580 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Ryan for his support. I know from working with him on the northside of Dublin that he is very much involved with disability issues and with supporting the families of children with disabilities. I also apologise to Deputy Ryan for the delay. There are times when it gets very frustrating. Before giving detailed answers to the questions, I would like to say that significant...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: No. There was discussion about the 2018 Estimates with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and at ministerial level. That is where we are with that. We will keep funding the 4,700 people in the meantime. On a personal level, I want to get this resolved because there could be others beyond that 4,700 who would also like to be included in this. I would like this issue moved...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I will answer some more of the members' questions. I want to get Government approval for the drafting because the costing issue around the Bill will arise when it is enacted. I need to get Government support for the drafting first.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Yes. I have approximate figures from the negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform but I cannot give them out today as that might damage future negotiations. I will come back to the committee with details on every single thing that I have mentioned or if I have left out something.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Mitchell, who, as I know from my locality, has been very supportive on the issues of disabilities and the rights of people with disabilities. The Deputy is 100% right on the issue of accessibility, something Senator Buttimer raised as well. It is not acceptable. It is very difficult for those with a physical disability. Many with an intellectual rather than a physical...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: The priority in this case has to be the health need. I am a little biased myself. While I have spoken to people individually and poverty and isolation have been mentioned, priority has to be given to the health need.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I sure do. I have worked with Senator Dolan in the past. We have crossed swords but I know the issues he is highlighting are very important. I totally commend his work on disabilities and also his work with the Disability Federation of Ireland. The motorised transport scheme was abolished in February 2013 by the former Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, who was at the helm during that...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I will certainly do that.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I have a note to respond to the Senator on that question.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I am trying to answer all questions but I will come back to the committee with answers to any I cannot answer. Whenever I see Senator O'Mahony in the corridor I become embarrassed because he always asks me about this issue. I agree that it is now time for us to proceed with this legislation. The health (transport supports) Bill is very important. When we finalise our discussions with the...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Yes. It will take a year to organise the legislation.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: That is a good question. We produced a detailed report over the summer. I might send it on to the Vice Chairman. I got one of my disability advisers - who has a physical disability - to produce the report over the summer. Dublin Bus and Luas had a really good record on accessibility. Right across the State, some companies are good and some are very bad. How would I rate them at present?...

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Correct.

Committee on Public Petitions: Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health (11 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the members for their co-operation and for their questions. We will come back to them with any questions to which we could not provide answers.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Come on, Deputy Butler. Give us another one.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: The Acting Chairman will be flexible and give us some injury time towards the end of the debate. I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important debate on budget 2018. I warmly welcome the significant increases in public spending. These are the largest health, disability and education budgets ever, meaning more teachers, social care staff, nurses, gardaí and child care...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Please, do not deny the work that is being done step by step or the progress that has been made. Consider the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and the extra €3 million that the Independent Alliance negotiated in recent days to set up the decision support service. This is another step forward under the UN convention. I remind Deputies that it was the...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Hear, hear.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Hear, hear.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: That is right.