Results 3,441-3,460 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Pathway to Redress for Victims of Convicted Child Sexual Abusers: Motion [Private Members] (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Fianna Fáil for tabling this very important motion. I welcome into the Public Gallery members of VOCADS, Victims of Child Abuse in Day Schools, and all other survivors who made the journey. Separately I pay tribute to Louise O'Keeffe on her work on behalf of survivors. I commend John Boland, John Allen, Mark Vincent Healy and all the other people directly involved. I am very...

Topical Issue Debate: Disabilities Assessments (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I assure Deputies Michael McGrath and Murphy O'Mahony that I get the point and accept they have a particular issue. We have a national issue but I also understand there is a particular issue with services in Cork. I acknowledge that we have to take action on disability services. However, the disability service is already engaged in a major reconfiguration of existing therapy resources for...

Topical Issue Debate: Disabilities Assessments (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue today. There have been significant year-on-year increases in the number of children applying for assessment, including for autism spectrum disorder and for disability services generally, which has led to delays in timeframes. The clinical picture of autism is complex and variable because of differences in the severity of autism itself. ...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank and commend Senator O'Mahony for raising this important issue. I also commend his determination and perseverance on the motor transport grant proposals. I am happy to update this House on the progress of the health (transport support) Bill. The Senator will be familiar with the background to the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes in February...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: In regard to the memorandum, I am considering three options. I know exactly what I want in terms of this scheme. I am sure Senator O'Mahony would agree with my proposals. I was not happy with what was proposed at Cabinet and I undertook to consider other options in terms of funding. My preferred option is the most expensive. There is a problem in that as we approach the Estimates...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: No.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Data (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The  Disability Appeals Officer received 118 appeal applications  in 2016 with 12 applications carried over from 2015.  In 2017 there were 61 new applications received, 48 cases were carried over from 2016 giving a total of 109 to be processed. In 2016, 65 determinations issued 64 of which were upheld in favour of the appellant. In 2017 84 determinations were made, 82 of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Autism Support Services (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (4 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: This lady was notified by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 26 June 2018 that her domiciliary care allowance was awarded on appeal. Once the administrative procedures have been completed, a decision letter will issue by post notifying her of the date of award of DCA and when payment will issue. Payment of all arrears due will issue along with her first payment. I hope this...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Cullinane and Butler for the points raised. I agree 100% that the people of Waterford deserve a better service. I have been asked by the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan, to commend and thank the Deputies for their support and for working together to improve services for the people of Waterford. The Minister of State specifically asked me to say this.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: With regard to the points about the timeframe and the delivery date, I will go back to the Minister on that issue. Of course, there will be issues in regard to procurement and planning, as well as the potential for delays. I have experienced this in regard to the new accident and emergency unit at Beaumont Hospital so I know exactly where the Deputies are coming from. I reassure them there...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Facilities (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies Butler and Cullinane for raising the important issue of cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford and for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the latest position in this regard on behalf of the Minister and to convey the total support of the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, on this issue. As they are aware, the Government has taken a number of actions...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Care of the Elderly Provision (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Jim Daly, I thank Senator Feighan for raising this very important matter. I also acknowledge his work on this issue and with regard to health and disability services and senior citizen services in his area. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live with dignity...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Care of the Elderly Provision (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Feighan for his comments. I also welcome the fact that he welcomes the integrated care plan. With regard to the Estimates, it is very important that we are all very supportive. The Minister and the HSE recognise that services provided at Ballinamore are a vital element in helping people to stay in their communities and homes. These services assist people who do not require...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (3 Jul 2018)

Finian McGrath: I can inform the Deputy that there is one Optional Protocol attached to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Optional Protocol establishes two procedures to strengthen the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first allows individuals to bring petitions to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities claiming breaches of their rights;...