Results 2,821-2,840 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (8 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 12th November 2018.  The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I wish to say a few words in respect of the Bill. As the House is aware, this is a short technical Bill that contains only five sections. It will amend the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to provide that all non-Irish professional qualifications which have been recognised by the Minister and by bodies acting on behalf of the State prior to the introduction of statutory...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to speak on amendments Nos. 1, 6 and 14 to 16, inclusive, as they are concerned with increasing the size of the new HSE board and with related consequential amendments. The Committee on the Future of Healthcare concluded that an independent board for the HSE needs to be put in place in order to strengthen and improve governance, leadership and accountability within the...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Again, I thank colleagues for their comments. I appreciate their support. The Minister, Deputy Harris, specifically asked me to start by thanking all of the Senators for giving him the time to reflect on this important issue and to bring forward these amendments in order to ensure that at least two members of the new HSE board will have experience and expertise in advocacy in the context of...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senators for their contributions on this issue. I fully understand the points raised and I give a commitment that proper consideration will be given to all of the issues raised. The documentation Senator Ruane raised will be gone through by the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the Department of Health as there are some constructive proposals in it. The Government has...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (7 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: HSE Funding (7 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: Services for People with Disabilities (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets, which I published on 17 July 2018. The report is available on the Department of Health website. The report sets out how personalised budgets could work as a funding mechanism for people with a disability, providing them with greater choice and control over the services and supports they receive....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Blind Welfare Allowance (7 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 (7 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: Invalidity Pension Reviews (7 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The department received a claim for IP from this gentleman on 03 August 2018. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services Staff (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Buckley for raising this important issue. I take this opportunity to emphasise that mental health remains a priority in the programme for Government. Since 2012, approximately €200 million, or 28%, has been added to the HSE mental health budget which is now €910 million. We have secured an additional €55 million for new developments in the recent budget....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services Staff (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Buckley for highlighting the issue. It is very important. I take his point about forward planning. It is a strong message which we will have to bring back to the HSE. I will bring it back to the Minister, Deputy Harris. The Government is committed to ensuring all those in need of mental health services and supports will have access to them, in particular vulnerable groups...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Bernard Durkan and Martin Heydon for raising this important issue because I know the two Deputies are committed to the development of the health service in Kildare and in particular Naas General Hospital. They have been supportive of me as Minister of State with special responsibility for disability issues. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the capital...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputies for their responses and, in particular, Deputy Bernard Durkan for his comments about pushing for a realistic date. That is something to which I will give my support and I will bring that message to the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris. Deputy Martin Heydon made the point about the increasing population up to 241,000 people. I take his points on board. I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I accept his point regarding the physical condition of the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital. It is important that I update the House on the provision of a new emergency department. As the Senator is aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government includes commitments to new capital developments at the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes I will supply that. The information on the site change just happened in the last 20 minutes. We are expecting a report and a site selection result in a matter of days. I will come back to the Senator with the details.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes. That is the first thing. The second aspect is the planning. We will proceed to planning in early 2019. While we are discussing the emergency department and planning I want to let the Senator know that the cystic fibrosis unit will go to planning later this month. As I said earlier, the site selection for the emergency department is due in a few days. On the issue of the €40...