Results 18,921-18,940 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Update on Disability Issues: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (27 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thought there might still be some on some island communities that I have missed. There should be access and services should be provided in that respect. We will examine the home care package question. We have tried out for the past 12 months the idea of home support service hours. For example, last year there were 2.75 million home support hours. Instead of people going into respite...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Update on Disability Issues: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (27 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I will look closely at this in the context of my pre-budget submission. I have met some of the groups that are pushing this agenda. I am glad the Chairman recognises that the €200 million is not just for me and it is a broader Cabinet issue. I have made it a priority, however. All Departments have to reflect the needs and rights of all people with disabilities. The Chairman said...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Update on Disability Issues: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (27 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank colleagues for their views. I will give serious consideration to every idea put forward. I hope we can progress and develop services for all people with disabilities, but above all ensure that the UN convention becomes a reality for all people.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for the question. First, the HSE is rolling out the progressing disability services for children and young people programme. This programme entails the reconfiguration of all current HSE and HSE-funded children’s disability services into geographically based children’s disability network teams. The programme aims to achieve a nationally equitable approach...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: As I said in my response, the important thing is that we all recognise that early intervention services and services for school age children with disabilities need to be improved and I accept that criticism. We need to ensure that they are organised more effectively and this process is well under way. The important thing to remember is that a total of 56 are in place. The remaining 82 are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: To go back to the Deputy's original question, the plan is to have the full complement of children's disability network teams in place by the end of 2018. As I said, we have to deal with the industrial relations issues but I am confident they will be hammered out. On the funding issue, the Deputy can take it that we are pushing very strongly for support for that. With the support of the...

Other Questions: Disability Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for raising this issue of residential places in disability services in Cork. I take it on board and we recently debated it in the Dáil ourselves. This Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower...

Other Questions: Disability Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am sorry to hear they are being told that there is no hope. We gave one of the services mentioned, Cope Foundation in Cork, increased funding in the last two weeks. I have already visited and met the management team there, and I will be going back in the future. I take the point on the issue of residential places, where we have a particular problem. The Deputy mentioned the Brothers...

Other Questions: Disability Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I appreciate that support and I know that the Minister is on the same page. Health and disability are key issues for our society. To add a little hope, additional respite is being planned for towards the end of the year in Cork, which will have referrals from all over the Cork area. In the meantime, a range of alternative respite options will be beginning in the coming weeks across...

Topical Issue Debate: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Maurice Quinlivan for raising this very important issue and highlighting this need. I am pleased to confirm that a Programme for a Partnership Government commits this Government to improving services and increasing supports for people with disabilities, particularly early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. The programme for Government supports the...

Topical Issue Debate: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for his question. I agree with him about commending the staff. They do an excellent job. I was in Limerick recently and I saw at first hand the fantastic work that is done with young adults with intellectual disabilities in respect of third level education and inclusive education. This is very much in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: Cork Kerry Community Healthcare recognises the long waiting times for clinical assessments within the current Assessment of Need process. A portion of the ‘overdue for completion’ figure under the current AON statistics includes cases where the clinical assessment has been completed and a clinical report has been given to the families. However, the formal report from the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Autism Support Services (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: My portfolio includes disability related matters in the Department of Justice and Equality and that Department has responsibility for the promotion and co-ordination of disability policy, including the development of the National Disability Implementation Plan.  In this context, the Department coordinated the development of a Programme of Additional Actions in relation to Autism in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Paediatric Services (28 Jun 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: HIQA Reports (28 Jun 2018)

Finian McGrath: All centre-based residential and respite care facilities for older persons and persons with disabilities are subject to registration and inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 2007. The purpose of regulation is to safeguard and support the delivery of person-centred care to vulnerable people of any age who are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mobility Allowance Eligibility (28 Jun 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 4,046 people in receipt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists (28 Jun 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: Disabilities Assessments (28 Jun 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: Disability Services Provision (28 Jun 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: Disabilities Assessments (28 Jun 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...