Results 18,341-18,360 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 6 September 2017. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this gentleman was substantially restricted in taking up employment. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 30 November 2017 and was also notified of their...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Living Alone Allowance (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: This lady has had her Living Alone Allowance (LAA) re-instated with effect from 17 January 2018. The first payment will be made to her preferred payment method on 21 March 2018. Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Applications (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The person concerned is currently in receipt of Invalidity Pension from my Department and following a medical assessment in 2017 was deemed qualified for Partial Capacity Benefit. This assessment remains valid for two years. The person concerned should contact my Department with a return to work date and my officials will then arrange for him to be transferred to Partial Capacity Benefit.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Applications (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: My Department’s Illness Benefit Section receives approximately five thousand claims per week and has over 50,000 claims in payment at any time. There are a number of ways for customers to contact the Illness Benefit Section. There is a phone service available Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. Enquiries can be made via the traditional postal service or by email to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from this lady on the 25 August 2017. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on 22 November 2017 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance. An appeal of this decision was requested on 14 February 2018....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Applications (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The person concerned is in receipt of illness benefit since March 2017. Continued payment is dependent on the receipt of medical certificates stating the individual is unfit for work. The person concerned is on monthly certification but my Department have not received any medical certs for the person concerned since December 2017 and for this reason payment has been suspended pending...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from this lady on 12 October 2017. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on 11 January 2018 outlining the decision of the deciding officer. A request for a review of this decision was received on 24 January 2018. The application will...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: A review of this lady’s disability allowance (DA) was carried out and it was established that the person concerned had means not previously disclosed to the Department. This resulted in the disallowance of her DA and in an overpayment being raised against her. The person in question has recently lodged an appeal with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Mar 2018)

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: Motorised Transport Grant (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: 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 the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,133 people in receipt of the Mobility...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Mar 2018)

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: Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Question Nos. 317 to 323, inclusive, together. The Make Work Pay (MWP) report, published in 2017, made a number of recommendations on how people with disabilities who want to work and can work could fulfil their employment ambitions. A number of its key recommendations related to the need to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Services Provision (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Intreo service is not being given the task of delivering disability services such as those delivered by the health service and the education sector. In line with the Comprehensive Employment Strategy and building on developments in recent years, it is expected that the Department has a greater role in the delivery of employment services and supports to persons with a disability. In...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am delighted to be here to discuss the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and I thank Senator Buttimer for the invitation. As many Members will be aware, the ratification of the convention has been a deeply held commitment of mine since I was appointed as the very first Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues. The very...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank all the Senators for their contributions and for their support over the past two years since I was appointed Minister of State. I accept some of their valid criticism because ratification of the UNCRPD is a common goal which should unite us all, parties, Independents, civil society groups and stakeholders. We are all keen to see it ratified. We are dedicated to continuous...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: These are the issues, and I take on board the points raised by various Senators. I thank Senators Keith Swanwick, Victor Boyhan and John Dolan, and also Doreen Magee and all the team. I also thank Senators Mark Daly and Martin Conway for their magnificent contributions. I also wish to acknowledge my advisers on disability issues, including Gerry Maguire, who is in the House today, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (22 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: While there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change.  Work is continuing on the reforms needed for Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIQA Standards (22 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: HIQA’s Medicines Management Guidance, published in October 2015, was developed with the aim of guiding service providers in the provision of high-quality, safe and effective care for people living in residential settings. The guidance aims to assist service providers to meet regulations and implement national standards.   The purpose of medicines management is to reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (22 Mar 2018)

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: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Mar 2018)

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...