Results 27,161-27,180 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I understand Deputies Thomas Pringle and Joan Collins are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I call Deputies Barry and Bríd Smith who are sharing time.

Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the education budget to meet in full the targets set by his Department for the current year, including the provision of special needs teachers, SNAs, the school building programme and school transport; the extent to which any particular areas have been identified as being likely...

Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which his Department's budget is adequate to meet all likely requirements in the course of the current year, including special needs teaching, SNAs and places for children with autism.

Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: To what extent is the Minister satisfied that he can cater for the pressure points that usually occur in the course of the budget? What discussions has he and his Department had with the various school authorities at primary and secondary level in respect of special needs children, including the provision of special schools?

Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: Does the Minister have a system of checking, or second guessing, projections on the basis of past experience? I am thinking of areas where particular problems have arisen in the past in meeting requirements and, in particular, of demographic trends, such as population explosions in some areas which result in extra demands and extra pressure onto the school system. Is the Minister satisfied...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: The Garda Síochána (compensation for malicious injuries) Bill has been promised for some time. The legal advice is being studied and analysed. When is the analysis likely to conclude and when is it likely that the Bill will be published?

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: How do the witnesses address the suggestion the private system is benefitting disproportionately through the various health insurers on two grounds, first, on the basis of cherry picking and, second, in terms of cost comparisons in that it is regularly alleged that services are more cost effective in the private sector? Does that entail the comparison of like with like or is it, as is...

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: My next question relates to insurance comparisons. There have been allegations in some quarters to the effect that the private hospital system benefits to a greater extent from the health insurance system than the public sector.

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I will explain the question I was trying to come at. A programme aired on television some years ago which seemed to level considerable criticism at the private sector on the basis that it was benefitting unduly from health insurance. The implication was that a greater proportion of the insurance cover was being utilised by the private sector by comparison with the public sector. Mr....

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I know, but I want to know more about it.

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: I accept that. As a result of that, the responsibility is thrown on to the public sector to deal with the bulk of the severe, acute and expensive medicine required. An allegation was made in the television programme. Mr. Fitzgerald said the group must make a 5% profit on all procedures on a daily basis or whatever. Presumably, that comes from insurance. I have seen bills from private...

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: That is understood.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Skills Shortages (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of sufficient persons with suitable skills to meet the requirements of the modern workforce; if he has identified any specific areas requiring attention in this regard; if adequate apprenticeships are available to meet the demand; the extent to which the quality of education at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the progress to date in respect of the tendering process related to the provision of the proposed two new schools at Maynooth education campus, Moyglare Road, Maynooth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2205/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Gaelcholáistí Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which plans remain on target to open a gaelcholáiste to serve the area of north Kildare in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places at primary and second level education throughout the country for children with autism, with particular reference to the needs as already identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2200/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places at primary and second level education throughout County Kildare for children with autism, with particular reference to the needs as already identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2201/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme at primary and second level in County Kildare continues to proceed as planned, having particular regard to the urgent requirement for school places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2202/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (18 Jan 2017)

Bernard Durkan: 112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in delivery of major school building projects as part of the Six Year Capital Plan 2016-21 throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2206/17]