Results 321-340 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of today's meeting is to meet with the Ombudsman, Mr. Peter Tyndall, to discuss his examination and findings in his update for 2018 on the direct provision system and his commentary piece that predated it, namely, The Ombudsman and Direct Provision: The Story so Far. The Ombudsman is joined by Mr. Sean Garvey, principal officer, and Mr. Paul Mallen, assistant principal officer,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Mr. Tyndall. Before I open up the debate to members, Mr. Tyndall is probably aware that we ourselves have addressed this issue in some considerable detail in the period up to the summer recess. We had a series of four public hearings and we also visited two centres, one that we felt would indicate a better experience for people and one we felt might be indicative of where less than...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputy Connolly indicated next. She will be followed by Deputies Pringle and Martin Kenny. I welcome Deputy Bríd Smith to the committee and she is very welcome.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Connolly. Deputy Pringle is next, followed by Deputy Martin Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I will call Senator Frances Black next. For the benefit of Deputy Bríd Smith, I must explain that I have to call committee members first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I apologise, but I have to stick to the procedure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We do not intend to do that to the Deputy. I am sure she will be the good wine today. I will call Senator Black, to be followed by Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and Deputy Bríd Smith, who by the way will not be the last because the Chairman always goes last in this committee. She will be before me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Senator Black and will be coming back on the some of the points she has raised. I know she would like to have gone into another gear again on the points she has made and I am underscoring that. I thank her for that. Is that fair comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thought it was.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Senator should go for it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Currently, people must be in the country for nine months before they can apply for work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is important that we do not give a false impression. There is still that impediment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It would be of benefit to all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Jack Chambers and will make a number of points myself. Like the practice of the Ombudsman's office heretofore, we were obliged to give notice of our intended visits earlier this year. Among the abiding impressions and memories is the remaining smell of fresh paint. Is the Ombudsman as familiar with that as we most certainly are? It has stayed with me ever since.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: A number of things come to mind. One is the issue of complaints received and complaints raised. Our exposure, certainly in my own case and that of Senator Black and it probably applies to others, is not confined to the committee's visits. Many residents do not raise issues. Such issues can be referenced and what other yardstick can be measured, other than complaints received and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I cited a particular case that I followed up myself as Chairman of the Committee on Justice and Equality. The response I got was that RIA had decided the person in question is not 16 years of age, with no evidence provided. I have to say, with all respect to RIA, and this is not the only issue, this is not acceptable to me as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In one of his responses on advice of intention to attend, Mr. Mallen gave an elaboration that it is not given only to the management of a centre. Did I pick it up correctly? Who advises the NGOs? To which NGOs did Mr. Mallen refer with regard to advising those in a particular catchment that the Office of the Ombudsman proposes to visit somewhere? He went on to say the office also advises...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: From my exposure to the matter, some of the friends of the centre groups in various parts of the country have been able to structure drop-in centres. In the area I am most aware of and exposed to, it is super. It is all part of the efforts of very good people in the community. I would cut out the management as a dependent means of advising. If there is an identifiable address with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Mr. Tyndall very much indeed. As I indicated, when we publish our report we will, of course, provide him with copies. On behalf of the committee, I thank Mr. Tyndall, Mr. Garvey, and Mr. Mallen. I wish all of them, and the entire team in the Office of the Ombudsman, continued success in making a difference in the lives of ordinary people. We depend so very much on what they do....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reports (24 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 369. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the previously promised scoping exercise on a statutory home care scheme; the stage it is at; when a report will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38792/19]