Results 1,981-2,000 of 3,697 for speaker:Michael Lowry

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: No-one could have predicted the reality of 2020. We are living through a time that will continue to be spoken about long after we have left this world. This year will be seen as historic for generations to come. The country's economy was in a relatively strong position at the start of 2020. We had entered the year with a budget surplus along with the much-publicised rainy day fund....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Sector: Discussion (14 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: I will be brief. I welcome our witnesses and thank them for taking the time because this meeting is informative for us. I have met representatives of the Irish Travel Agents Association on a number of occasions and I know many people involved in the industry. Most of the businesses are family run, professional, courteous, organised and provide an excellent service. I understand there are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Sector: Discussion (14 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: What is the solution to the problem?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Sector: Discussion (14 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: The committee needs recommendations in this area. It is incredible to think that the travel agent is placed in the middle of this invidious situation and that the airlines are playing puck with everyone. We, as a committee, need to put pressure on the airlines-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Sector: Discussion (14 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: -----to co-operate and facilitate refunds through the travel agents association. I would not like to be at the end of a phone listening to angry, frustrated consumers who are blaming the travel agent, and even though it is not the fault of the travel agent, that is who takes the abuse. It needs to be resolved.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: 101. To ask the Minister for Finance if payments issued under the restart grant and restart grant plus will be exempt from payment of income tax and other tax liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29929/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (6 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: 653. To ask the Minister for Health when full services will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28218/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (6 Oct 2020)

Michael Lowry: 702. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision by the HSE to cap monthly quantities of vital lifesaving prescribed products to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary to treat maple syrup urine disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28563/20]

Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: First, I welcome the fact this legislation has been fast-tracked in response to the numerous representations that have been made to public representatives, particularly those who represent rural constituencies. I hope the Minister of State will look seriously at and accept the amendments that have been put down by the Rural Independent Group because they are put forward with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (29 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the guidelines for schools on the use of reduced hours for individual pupils will be completed; her plans to put in place an effective reporting and monitoring mechanism within the guidelines to ensure appropriate and limited use of reduced hours in schools and the necessary oversight at departmental level; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (29 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the amalgamation of national schools in Cahir, County Tipperary; if discussions have been held with the patron and trustees of the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26953/20]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: In recent months, we have heard impassioned pleas for assistance from almost every sector in the country. The Government, for the most part, has heard these pleas. Help has been provided that has gone some way towards easing the financial burdens of those most seriously impacted by Covid-19. While we remain in the increasing shadow of this virus, the new normal is unfolding as we find ways...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: I thank the Minister for his response and his acknowledgement of the needs of this sector. The approach required to help must be multifaceted. Helping the entertainment industry to survive will require what the industry itself is all about, namely creativity. Financial support is crucial to it at this time. Getting the industry itself back on its feet, and therefore less dependant on the...

Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: The reality is that the mental health budget has remained at 6% of the overall health budget for many years. There are fewer staff working in mental health services than there were in 2008. In January 2020, there were 10,642 individuals waiting for 12 months or more on waiting lists. There were also 2,000 children and young people on the waiting lists. In regard to Tipperary, at a time...

Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 32. To ask the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given to prioritise increased funding for mental health services in County Tipperary and nationwide in budget 2021 to prevent the Covid-19 crisis from turning into a national mental health crisis (details supplied) [24045/20]

Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: Will the Government give a commitment to prioritise increased funding for mental health services in Tipperary and nationwide in budget 2021? I ask that question in the context that, last week, the HSE head of operations said there has been a significant increase in referrals to mental health services as a result of Covid-19. As we know, mental health services were already overstretched...

Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: I appreciate and acknowledge the Minister of State's commitment to improving mental health services in Tipperary and all of us recognise that. The problem is whether she has a budget to deliver. I have no doubt the Minister of State is well meaning, but I remind her that Tipperary is a large county with a population of 160,000 people. The distance from Lorrha at the northern end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 625. To ask the Minister for Health the number of home help hours funded across County Tipperary and nationwide; the specific care packages that are receiving funding; the number of hours allocated to each care recipient and each care worker; the way in which the figure compares to the number of hours funded in 2019; if his attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of home help hours...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (8 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 103. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if specific and targeted grants will be made available to primary, post-primary and third-level institutions for environment and energy upgrades; his views on whether such grants would assist educational institutions to become more energy efficient to meet their future energy requirements; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Pension Provisions (8 Sep 2020)

Michael Lowry: 898. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a gratuity payment to a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21223/20]