Results 3,061-3,080 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (3 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (2 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: “Z-drugs” refers to a group of prescription medicines (zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon) which are used to treat insomnia, and which have the potential for misuse. The supply of prescription medicines is controlled in a number of ways. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (2 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: One of the members.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Government, I thank Senators Fiach Mac Conghail, Jillian van Turnhout, Katherine Zappone, Averil Power and Mary Ann O'Brien for tabling this Private Members' motion and for this opportunity to update the House on developments in the systems that operate in the State to offer protection and shelter to those in the asylum application process. It is important to always state in...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The issue does not become a feature of general elections nor does it become a feature of the political discourse at that difficult time for candidates. I believe that is appropriate and I hope we can hold on to that. The term direct provision describes the system whereby the State directly provides accommodation and other ancillary needs for those who apply for asylum in Ireland. When an...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank Senators for raising this issue. When the history of it is written, Seanad Éireann and those in it who have advocated for children will be acknowledged. Those in direct provision centres will be thankful for what has been said. I remind Senators that the system was set up at a time when the people who came to this country seeking protection were living in parks and sleeping on...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is the intent behind the reforms we are overseeing. The tragedy of direct provision, as with other aspects of public policy that have failed, is that a short-term measure becomes a long-term solution. When given responsibility for this area, I did not just want to read reports and engage with NGOs, but wanted to see, smell and taste the centres myself. I have seen, smelt and tasted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (26 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am currently preparing a revised National Disability Inclusion Strategy with a view to having it in place by early 2016. The new Strategy is being prepared on the basis of wide consultation with interested parties in a 3 Phase consultation process. Phases 1 and 2 involving the identification of key themes and building on those through a broad consultation process to produce high-level...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (21 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (20 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Disability Strategy (19 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am currently preparing a revised National Disability Inclusion Strategy with a view to having it in place by early 2016. The new Strategy is being prepared on the basis of wide consultation with interested parties in a 3 Phase consultation process. Phases 1 and 2 involving the identification of key themes and building on those through a broad consultation process to produce high-level...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As I indicated in my previous reply, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish sign language" and in this regard the National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at the Department's request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (19 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Government has given a firm commitment to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and intends to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. Ireland signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (14 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am currently preparing a revised National Disability Inclusion Strategy with a view to having it in place by early 2016. This involves a 3 phase exercise. Phases 1 and 2 involving the identification of key themes and building on those through a broad consultation process to produce high-level objectives for the years 2016 - 2019 have been competed. Phase 3 will focus on agreeing specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (13 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Currently, maternity leave extends to 26 weeks paid with a social welfare benefit and a further entitlement to 16 weeks unpaid leave immediately afterwards. These periods are towards the upper end of the European range of entitlements and I have no plans to extend them further. The Deputy will be aware however that the Government has decided that two weeks paternity leave will be introduced...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (13 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 458 and 484 together. Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) both parents are entitled to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave in respect of each child under the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed for adoptees or children with a disability or long-term illness. I have no plans to change the current arrangements along the lines...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (13 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (13 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The budget allocation for the twenty four Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces from the Drugs Initiative of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive in each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the table hereunder: LDATFs 2011 2012 2013 2014 DOH 2014 HSE 2015 DOH 2015 HSE 2016 DOH 2016 HSE Ballyfermot  1,492,413 1,569,489 1,522,404 461,150...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (13 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2015 and the Regulations made thereunder, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is currently unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on...