Results 301-320 of 73,274 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (27 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 261. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical card renewal might be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27790/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (27 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 262. To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27792/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their input over a number of years. I go back to the discussions we had with the founder, which was more than a couple of years ago. It was a satisfactory exchange of views. I will put it that way.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The one and only. A couple of questions come to mind. The object of the exercise has to be to provide the highest quality of service possible to the widest community, and to do that effectively and efficiently. How many organisations are in the coalition and how does it operate? Does each member of the coalition, for example, have to fight for funding in its own right? Is there a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Does that coalition encompass those involved in providing private care?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: What about public providers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The NGO concept is fine and good. I am curious as to how all of the organisations relate. There are NGOs on one hand, but the private sector provides home care in a lot of cases and should be under the umbrella of the coalition to co-ordinate the level and quality of services that could, should and might be available. It should also be recognised that there is a vast difference between the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The levels need to be laid down by the HSE or the Department of Health, and all of the organisations should converge from that point. However, in terms of meeting the financial requirements of all those organisations, to what extent is Mr. Moynihan satisfied that they all receive equal and fair treatment, and that some are not ignored or in a better position than others for whatever reason?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: We can accept that. I still feel there needs to be an overall mechanism for identifying need. Mr. Moynihan said that €85 million needs to be assigned just to housing supports for older people. I agree that money is required but there needs to be some overall co-ordination of the system operating in the local authorities. I dealt with the first one in the country way back when it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: It is all very fine to come back to the Government for everything. Those in opposition have a tendency to do that. I realise it is a ready avenue for people to divert-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: No, that is for one element of the support services we need in the country at the present time. I did not interrupt the Deputy when she was speaking, even though I am not slow to interrupt when necessary. We have to consider the overall nature of this, not one element of society at a time. Nobody is doing that. We need to recognise that we have overall responsibility. The Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank Mr. Moynihan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: It is not strictly relevant to this committee but the wider scheme of things. In the changing housing situation I - and I am sure we all - have come across whereby there can be apartment blocks that cater very well for people - and approved housing bodies are central to those - but we get a lot of antisocial behaviour complaints. How those people get into the apartment blocks I do not know...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Labour Market (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I note the often-sighted notices to the effect that various organisations are hiring, which is repeated many times in all aspects of employment all over the country. Having regard to that demand right now, to what extent is it possible to meet the challenge of supply and demand as it stands? If that can be achieved, what will it be like in a couple of years? Can we plan for that now in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Labour Market (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I had in mind looking in the most positive way into that crystal ball, with a view to identifying the most likely outcomes in the situation that is presenting, and on that basis making a good stab or guess - more than a guess, in fact - at what is likely to happen in the future, given the trends.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Labour Market (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to identify and meet the demand in the workplace, through the higher education sector, with particular reference to identification of the areas now most urgently requiring employees; his views on whether a sufficient supply of appropriately qualified graduates continues to be available to meet those demands; and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Labour Market (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I have raised this question on a number of occasions before and I believe it is important. I am asking about the extent to which an adequate supply of graduates or suitably qualified postgraduates are available to meet the demands of the workplace at the moment and as we go forward.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions being made, or that will be made, to meet the full requirements of student accommodation adjacent to schools or colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27034/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Accommodation (25 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Regarding the accommodation information that may be available, have any universities or third level institutions been identified? For instance, Maynooth University has already been identified and has achieved some progress in that area. The previous Minister made that information available to the House. Does that apply to any other third level institutions?