Results 2,761-2,780 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Payments (20 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 27 September 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 06 December 2018. Any arrears due from 27 September 2018 to 5 December 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 16 November 2018. I hope...

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I commend Deputies Lisa Chambers and O’Loughlin on bringing forward this Bill and thank them and Deputies O’Reilly, Lahart, Thomas Byrne and Troy for their contributions. All of us here share the same objective, namely, to provide parents with choice and flexibility and to afford them the opportunity to spend more time with their children. We all recognise the importance of...

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government accepts that the principles of the Bill deserve further consideration. To reiterate the point made earlier, none of us wants to introduce measures that will have a negative impact on families, and the Government believes that the best way to proceed would be to undertake a consultation process following the implementation of our new paid parental leave scheme. This will...

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am also attached to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am in charge.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Gender Equality (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I am dealing with this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, who cannot be here. The Minister of State has delegated responsibility for the Central Statistics Office arising from the Statistics (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2018. The matter in question relates specifically to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Gender Equality (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I take Senator Bacik's point about data, the gender breakdown and policymakers having this information. I will convey her view to the Government because it is an important part of developing policy on gender equality and employment issues.We have to have reliable data and information on issues like that. Building on the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government to advance...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Feighan for raising this important issue. He is committed to developing and expanding health services, particularly in the west of Ireland and, in this case, in Sligo University Hospital. It is an important issue and it gives me the opportunity to provide an update. The Government is committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to safe, high quality and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I again thank Senator Feighan for raising this issue. I understand its importance in the north west. I also understand his point about the long journeys. That is not acceptable. We have to plan services in order that they are patient-centred and that is particularly the case with cardiac patients. I take the Senator's point on that and on the review. I will bring those points to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (15 Nov 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: Respite Care Services Provision (15 Nov 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: Home Care Packages Provision (15 Nov 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Wage Subsidy Scheme (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment. The objective of the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities participating in the open...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Waiting Times (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: My Department transferred administration of the Illness Benefit scheme to its core Business Objects IT platform in August 2018. Although the system change has worked effectively for over 80% of IB customers, significant difficulties arose following implementation for a number of customers. My Department is taking three main steps to resolve the issues impacting on payments. First, we...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The rate of Disability Allowance (DA) in payment to this gentleman increased in 2017 as he was awarded an increase for qualified adult (IQA) in respect of his partner. From 17 October 2018, his partner become eligible for a payment in their own right which means IQA is no longer payable on his DA claim. This gentleman is now in receipt of full rate DA payment from 17 October 2018. All arrears...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (15 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from the person concerned on the 25th May 2018. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 21st August 2018 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance. A review of this decision was requested on the...

Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Referral to Select Committee (14 Nov 2018)

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

Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018: Second Stage (14 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, is not in the Chamber. I would like to thank Deputies Ó Cuív and Fitzmaurice for their contributions this evening and Deputies on all sides of the House for their contributions to this Second Stage debate. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, could not be here for all of the debate this evening and has asked me to convey her...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Transport Support Scheme (14 Nov 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. My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme towards the end of the last Dáil session. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (14 Nov 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...