Results 3,061-3,080 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----on many fronts.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: We will see what transpires.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am confused by what the Deputy is saying. She seems to be saying the situation is not as bad as portrayed. The only people who have portrayed it as very bad is Sinn Féin every now and again in attacking the Government.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am taking it seriously.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have never given that impression but Sinn Féin has. Many Deputies opposite want to convey that impression. The fact of the matter, as I said earlier in reply to Deputy Bacik, is there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of asylum seekers coming to the country. On the Ukrainian side, approximately 106,000 came in and this has reduced over time. I think it is down to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To be fair to the Minister and the Department of children and integration, they are endeavouring to create a sustainable system. Thousands of people have permission to reside in the State. I share the Deputy's concerns about someone being moved from Westmeath to Monaghan if that person has established roots in the community where she currently...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: No child should be left without school place next September. It is a fundamental right of every child to have access to primary school education, in particular, and secondary education. The Department of Education is working proactively with the National Council for Special Education on the adequacy of school places and having a sufficiency of school places. We were assured of this as...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: There has always been a significant challenge with regard to the recruitment of specialists in radiation and radiation therapists and this is a factor. There has been investment in recruiting people but very often there can be a shortage of specific disciplines. Negotiations are under way involving the Higher Education Authority and the universities with a view to increasing the number of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Hopefully, it is nearing completion and I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has raised a very important issue and we will be very positive in this respect. I do not like pre-empting the Ministers for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and Finance but just transition is very important for the midlands and Longford County Council and others. Deputy Flaherty has taken a huge interest in this and I would like to think we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and we are committed to that investment.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. I will speak to the Minister about the issue – I understand the Deputy is referring to modular builds – and revert to him on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for arts and tourism, Deputy Catherine Martin, has reported to the Government on a healthy evaluation of the basic income for artists scheme. It was an initiative that the Minister took and the Government supported and it has had a beneficial impact. It has been evaluated and I have no doubt but that the matter will be progressed further. The Minister will revert on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I believe that capitation was restored to pre-2011 levels for the first time in this year's budget. At approximately €81 million, it is not at the same level. I addressed this matter earlier, so it is fresh in my mind. We will consider capitation in the context of the forthcoming Estimates and budget because it has to be acknowledged that there has been a cost-of-living increase....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. Following a HIQA report some years ago, the Government has invested significantly in the district hospital network across the country with a view to consolidating them and ensuring they are brought up to standard. This was done because of the issue the Deputy raised. One often hears the private nursing home sector complaining about the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: When one meets school principals, some have different views about the allocation models for special education in particular. There is ongoing engagement between the Department, the NCSE, schools and school principals. I will raise these issues with the Minister. She is in touch with the primary school sector and all stakeholders as regards how schools are resourced and various allocation...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: A diagnosis of cancer is a very difficult one for a person and for that person's family to receive. Every effort should be made to make the journey of care as stress-free as possible. The Government has significantly reduced healthcare costs in terms of hospital inpatient charges, extending GP card coverage and things like that. In terms of car parking charges, that is something we will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Well over 1,000 people seeking asylum have been accommodated since the Government's strategy was announced and published some weeks ago. The Deputy must also acknowledge the unprecedented increase in the number of people seeking asylum in this country in the last three to four years. We have moved from having about 3,500 people per annum seeking asylum in 2019 to a situation this year where...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Absolutely not. The price of houses is a problem for those seeking to buy or rent houses at affordable prices. There is an issue, and we want prices to come down and to moderate. It is all about supply, though, and I respectfully suggest that the proposals put forward by the Deputy's party would dampen it. We need more supply. This Government has already, in the context of its policies,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: We want to increase this trend and through the help-to-buy scheme and other supports, we will continue to help people to buy houses at affordable rates.