Results 2,541-2,560 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Women's Resource Centres (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this important issue and I do not doubt for one minute his sincerity. I value the work voluntary organisations do. I know this myself as I came into politics through the voluntary sector. Voluntary organisations play a key role in the provision of health and social care services. It includes the areas Deputy Ferris mentioned, as well as the elderly, care...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising these very important questions. There are times when I get confused myself. My initial response is that the HSE said there was a need for savings, and the bottom line is that this involves a number of areas, including emergency departments in hospitals. I know from my work in the disability sector that sometimes an emergency case can go from a normal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Minister is tied up.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Minister is at a European Council meeting.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes. She will be back tomorrow.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: It is agreed.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Women's Resource Centres (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this very important issue. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. The Tralee Women's Resource Centre is a drop-in centre funded by the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It had a dedicated support worker for violence against women. The brief for the centre is to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for her important question. I hope we can get to the bottom of the issue. The HSE national service plan set out in 2018 funding for health services totalling €14.556 billion. A sum of €14.411 billion was originally allocated to the HSE by the Department, with €145.9 million held back for new developments, most of which sum has since been released....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I do. I am confused myself.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: It must be acknowledged that attendances in emergency departments are growing year on year and that the health service capacity review indicates that Ireland has among the highest acute bed occupancy rates in the developed world. The objective of the plan is to ensure the most effective response within available resources to the winter challenges in terms of unscheduled care provision....

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Referral to Select Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Michael Harty for raising this very important issue. I also thank him for his own contribution in the broader area of health. He has made many sensible and practical proposals, particularly in recent years. I welcome the opportunity to address the issues he has raised. The Minister for Health acknowledges the distress caused by crowded emergency departments to patients,...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: Relative to other countries, health insurance is held by a large proportion of people in Ireland. It is important to take the opportunity to discuss this Bill and the positive effect that community ratings and other aspects of health insurance regulation have on people's daily lives. As stated earlier, Sláintecare will introduce change in how people access health services and may mean...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018. The Bill was published on 14 November and, as Deputies will be aware, concluded its passage through the Seanad last week. I welcome the support received in that House for the core principle of community rating, which...

Seanad: Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am delighted to be in the House on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to introduce this important legislation. The Minister regrets she cannot be here as she is obliged to be at a ministerial meeting of the EU Employment Council today. However, she is looking forward to working with the Seanad to ensure the passage of the Bill before the end of the year. As Senators will...

Seanad: Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senators Ardagh, Devine, Feighan, Higgins and Bacik for their contributions and progressive ideas on the Bill. I am glad Senator Ardagh recognised that there are Independents in government. The Senators' points on the detail of the revised methods and their strong point about the recovery and those sections of society that are not feeling included and child poverty are issues we...

Seanad: Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am glad to hear a bit of good news for once.

Seanad: Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: Some of the Senators are a bit miffed that they were not invited but we will not go there. He got married last Saturday I believe. He raised very important points on jobseeker's allowance and the self-employed and said there were many people frustrated for many years. We also have to acknowledge the role of small businesses, many of which took the hit. His point about people who held...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (6 Dec 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...