Results 181-200 of 11,163 for speaker:Colm Burke

Written Answers — Department of Health: Homeless Persons Supports (22 Jan 2025)

Colm Burke: I convened a meeting between officials from the Dept of Health and Dept of Housing and the promoters of the Cork Integrated Inclusion Health Hub (IIHH) in October 2024. I welcomed the excellent collaboration between the Cork City Council and the HSE to develop this comprehensive proposal to address the health and social needs of people who are homeless in Cork city. The IIHH would...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. The State Examinations Commission or the SEC has responsibility for operational matters relating to State examinations. There is a reasonable accommodation for certificate examination scheme which facilitates access for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I think the Senator would acknowledge that the SEC in the past has taken on board the concerns of both parents and students and has developed a comprehensive scheme. It is important there is a review. As mentioned earlier, almost one in four candidates in the 2024 certificate examinations was provided with some form of reasonable accommodation within the RACE scheme to support them in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I think Thomas Byrne was to take it but he is in the Dáil dealing with a number of matters.I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I understand the Senator's frustration. This was the response I was given by the Department of Education. In fairness to the Department, it is continuing to review the situation. From my experience, I know that one of the challenges in several areas is getting drivers. It is a challenge. By the way, the closing statement I have here refers to the Senator as a Deputy. I am sure this was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Senator. I apologise that the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is not available to do the reply. She has asked me to deal with it on her behalf. A priority for this Government is to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to ensure the needs of children with special educational needs are met....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: In October 2022 the Department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school.Just last month, the Department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Air Navigation Orders (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Senator. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister. I apologise that he could not be here today to take this Commencement matter. The carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory or on an Irish-registered civil aircraft, wherever it may be operating, unless an exemption is granted by the Minister for Transport. This is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Air Navigation Orders (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: The legislation underpinning the carriage of munitions of war in civil aircraft was drafted in the 1970s, with amendments made in the 1980s. The context in which it was written pre-dates the significant growth seen in aviation in the following decades. As a result, it is deemed appropriate to update the legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose for the present day. The Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: 124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of a school’s (details supplied) application for reconfiguration works to existing school accommodation for SEN purposes under the ASA scheme; if an official from her Department will visit the school to see the necessity of such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45541/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: 138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a refurbishment and reconfiguration project; when the project will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45678/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Refurbishment (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: 139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) was previously unsuccessful in the emergency works scheme for a full roof replacement, given that the roof membrane is now at the end of its life expectancy and a health and safety concern, that consideration would be given to granting them funding for this now; and if she will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Waiting Lists (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Waiting Lists (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Waiting Lists (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health; the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 (NSHS) was developed as a core policy under the Healthy Ireland Framework and is a priority under the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, 2021-2025. Implementation of the Strategy is led by the HSE Sexual Health Programme (formerly the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: A national HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme commenced in November 2019, following a HIQA HTA, which concluded that its introduction would be safe, effective, and cost saving. Free PrEP medication is available to individuals who meet clinical eligibility criteria, attending HSE approved PrEP services. These include public PrEP services, delivered through the public network of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Treatment Services (7 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together. As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the committee for the opportunity to discuss the important public health topic of drug and alcohol use and the issues facing local drug and alcohol task forces. I am accompanied, from the Department of Health, by Ms Siobhán McArdle, assistant secretary, and Mr. Jim Walsh, principal officer. I am also joined by a colleague from the HSE national social inclusion office, Mr. Joe...