Results 3,421-3,440 of 11,246 for speaker:Colm Burke

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the State Claims Agency: Discussion
Chapter 20: Management of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the Report on the Accounts of Public Services 2021 (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: It would be useful. At times people wonder why cases go into a hearing but there is no explanation of what the State Claims Agency's assessment of what the case is valued at and the amount being looked for. It would be useful from the agency's perspective to keep a record of that so that when it comes back in here it can clearly tell us that the amount of cases where €50 million was...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the State Claims Agency: Discussion
Chapter 20: Management of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the Report on the Accounts of Public Services 2021 (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: But there is a problem, in that there is a lack of understanding out there. People do not understand why the State is fighting a case -----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the State Claims Agency: Discussion
Chapter 20: Management of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the Report on the Accounts of Public Services 2021 (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: ----- and it would be useful from that point of view to explain. The agency is there protecting the money for the taxpayers. Yes, it is accepted that people are entitled to be compensated. The agency puts a value on a claim after detailed analysis by its experts, forensic accountants etc.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: As Deputy Catherine Murphy flagged this item for discussion, would it be appropriate-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Okay. As long as she is happy. In fairness, she is usually present at meetings and we should facilitate her.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: What did the university get-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: It may not be possible for this committee to deal with it, but what of the issue of the cost of drugs and medications in the healthcare sector? There is a question about whether we are getting value for money when there are substantial delays around the drug approval process. I will be open. We were out with AstraZeneca yesterday. It is manufacturing five drugs and only two of them are...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Deputy Padraig O'Sullivan and I. It is a committee on rare diseases. We went out there yesterday. We are manufacturing drugs for rare diseases in Ireland, but they are not available here. The issue may not be within the remit of this committee although it is about value for money. There are questions around whether we are getting value for money with respect to what we are paying for...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: That is fair enough.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: It is huge money.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: My understanding was that the Department confirmed last week that before they settled the issue, they did consult with the State Claims Agency, but they did not clarify what level of consultation took place.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: Was it a phone call or was it in writing?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: We should look for them to clarify in writing whether their correspondence with the State Claims Agency was about the settlement that was being negotiated with PricewaterhouseCoopers, what was the degree of consultation and were legal advisers brought in from the State Claims Agency to give advice as well.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: I do not see the €27 million. My understanding from last week was that there was consultation over a final settlement. Maybe I am incorrect on that.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the level of funding allocated for roads in Cork, in particular rural roads, in light of the 2023 grant allocations from his Department for national roads, active travel and greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10470/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action his Department is taking to improve safety standards on the N20 national road from Cork to Limerick, in view of the high level of accidents on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Training (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if funding will be made available for student teachers in a course (details supplied) to cover the cost of their Gaeltacht fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10693/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm the details of the assessment processes in place for approving children’s books to be made available in public libraries and school curriculums; if there is a forum where parents can make submissions on books already approved or to be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10694/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 293. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to a further extension of the temporary inflation payment scheme into 2023 to support private and voluntary nursing homes with energy cost increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10656/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (2 Mar 2023)

Colm Burke: 294. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to a further extension of the temporary assistance payment scheme into 2023 to support private and voluntary nursing homes with additional costs due to Covid-19 outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10657/23]