Results 3,541-3,560 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Policy (1 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 197 together. Government policy in relation to drugs emphasises the need to provide opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life where that is achievable. However, every person with a drug problem has their own individual needs and their own personal goals for recovery. An Expert Group, set up by my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Budget (1 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports that methadone is the most commonly prescribed substitution treatment for problem opiate use in Europe. In conjunction with other services and supports, methadone maintenance treatment is a critical stabilising treatment that provides a pathway to recovery for the individual affected by problem substance use. The latest...

One-Parent Family Payment Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As the Tánaiste has done, it is important to put the facts of the matter on the record of the House. The purpose of the phased one family payment scheme age change reforms that were introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2012, is to reduce long-term social welfare dependency by ending the expectation that lone parents will remain outside the workforce indefinitely. Prior to...

One-Parent Family Payment Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The final phase of the reform will take place on 2 July 2015 when it is anticipated that approximately 29,400 one family payment recipients, whose youngest child is seven or over, will be transitioning out of the one family payment scheme to the jobseeker's transitional payment, the job seeker's allowance, and the family income supplement. The gain for individuals will be in the range of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (30 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The draft national programme under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund has been circulated to the partnership of non-governmental organisations and other relevant interests, established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council. Recipients have been asked to let the Department have their views within four weeks. Meetings can be arranged...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Drugs Strategy Implementation (30 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, I will be leading the development of the Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016. My intention over the coming months is to lay the groundwork for a concise and focused policy, placing a clear emphasis on the practical implementation of actions. This work will include an assessment of the extent to which the current...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Correspondence (30 Jun 2015)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Funding (30 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (24 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality pursuant to 82A3(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Deputies for their mostly constructive comments on the Bill. As I indicated in my opening remarks, the primary purpose of the Bill is to amend the existing Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, which gives effect to 12 international agreements which establish the existing legislative framework for the provision of mutual legal assistance. This Bill is necessary in order...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014 on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. The primary purpose of the Bill is to amend the existing Criminal Justice Mutual Assistance Act 2008. That Act already gives effect to 12 international agreements which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Correspondence (24 Jun 2015)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Support Services (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The draft national programme under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which is being considered by the European Commission, will be circulated to the partnership of non-governmental organisations and other relevant interests, established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council, within the next week. While it is not known precisely...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Accommodation Provision (23 Jun 2015)

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.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who apologises for not being here as he is at a Cabinet meeting. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for overall policy and the funding of the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I will relay those comments directly back to the Minister. I appreciate the Senator's contribution in regard to the matter.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As the Deputy will be aware, the role of the policing authority will be to oversee the performance by An Garda Síochána of its functions relating to policing services. The Garda Síochána is also the security service for the State and the Garda Commissioner will continue to be accountable to the Government in respect of national security. This is, I understand, generally...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The purpose of the amendments is to provide for the repeal of existing legislative provisions relating to the Garda Síochána that are now spent. This is a tidying-up exercise that has been undertaken in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Senator has already outlined the purpose and scope of his amendments and I do not propose to cover the same ground in detail. The effect of the amendments would be, in particular, to remove from the Government, the Minister for Justice and Equality in particular, any role in the appointment or dismissal of members of the Garda Síochána. Obviously, the main area of attention...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (23 Jun 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Under the Bill, the policing authority will oversee the exercise of the Garda Síochána's policing functions. As I have outlined to the House under earlier amendments, the drafting of the Bill has proceeded in conjunction with ongoing legal advice provided by senior counsel to the Office of the Attorney General. This was done to ensure that the functions of the authority will be...