Results 17,881-17,900 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (6 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: Ireland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. I am pleased that, at its meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Motorised Transport Grant Closure (6 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the proposed Health (Transport Support) Bill with the Joint Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday 11th October. The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (6 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I confirm that the Department was notified by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 29 November 2017 that the appeal for this lady was upheld and she was deemed to be medically suitable for the scheme.On 4 December 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (7 Dec 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: Community Care Provision (7 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: The Health Service Executive's ( HSE’s) report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”,(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Funding (7 Dec 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: Disability Services Funding (7 Dec 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: Autism Support Services (7 Dec 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (7 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: The department received a claim for invalidity pension (IP) from the lady concerned on the 15 June 2017. Her claim for IP was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 01 August 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her rights of review and appeal. She requested a review of this decision and submitted...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (7 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on the 22 November 2017. The claim will be processed as quickly as possible and the she will be notified directly of the outcome. I...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (7 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: This lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 28 July 2017. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and she was notified in writing of this decision on 23 November 2017. The person was also notified of her right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date no additional...

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: Stepaside needs a new Garda station.

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: This is the build up.

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Breathnach and O'Dowd for lobbying me for many months on this important issue. I also thank the Deputies for giving me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the provision of respite services in County Louth. Let me make it clear at the outset that the Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are...

Topical Issue Debate: Respite Care Services (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Declan Breathnach and Fergus O'Dowd for repeatedly raising this issue. I am very much aware of the importance of access to planned respite which ensures that people with disabilities receive opportunities to socialise separately. It facilitates families having a break from caring because it is very difficult. Respite services may vary according to the excess needs of the...

Topical Issue Debate: HSE Staff Recruitment (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. The Minister, Deputy Harris, sends his apologies. I have a particular interest in the area of psychology and I keep a close eye on it in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me the opportunity to set out the current criteria and practices for recruiting HSE...

Topical Issue Debate: HSE Staff Recruitment (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. I will bring his comments and views back to the Minister, Deputy Harris. As of October 2017, there are 954 psychologists employed in the HSE, of whom 925 are clinical psychologists. That is the up-to-date situation. We must not create unnecessary delays in attracting the right health-care professionals to the right positions....

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I first apologise for the Minister, Deputy Harris. I will deal with this issue. I thank Deputy Tóibín for raising this important issue because for many years he has been a strong advocate for developing our health services and putting forward sensible suggestions. I strongly take his views on board. I am grateful to Deputy Tóibín for giving me the opportunity to...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: I will bring the issues raised back to the Minister and will raise the Deputy's points very effectively. The Government has put additional funding into the emergency services this year. The emergency department at Navan hospital has been refurbished and €750,000 was provided for the replacement of various equipment. There has been an increase in day surgical activity. I am informed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (12 Dec 2017)

Finian McGrath: Ireland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. I am pleased that the Government, at a...