Results 4,061-4,080 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Provision (27 Mar 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: Social Insurance Fund Review (27 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 579 and 590 together. Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which covers them for access to long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as some treatment benefits, maternity and paternity benefit, adoptive benefit and guardians...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (27 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I confirm that the first named person is currently receiving his full entitlement of Disability Allowance (DA). The first payment issued to him on 14 February 2018. He is also in receipt of the Household Benefits Package (HHB) which includes the electricity allowance of €1.15 per day (which is paid directly to his electricity provider) and the free TV Licence. A revised decision...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (27 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: A review has been carried out on this customer application for Disability Allowance (DA) and the increase for qualified adult has been awarded from the Wednesday after she returned. The weekly rate of payment is now €165.50. Arrears of allowance due issued on 23 March 2018. In relation to the assessment of the property it has been reviewed and is still deemed as assessable at half...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (22 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: While there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change.  Work is continuing on the reforms needed for Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIQA Standards (22 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: HIQA’s Medicines Management Guidance, published in October 2015, was developed with the aim of guiding service providers in the provision of high-quality, safe and effective care for people living in residential settings. The guidance aims to assist service providers to meet regulations and implement national standards.   The purpose of medicines management is to reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (22 Mar 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: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Mar 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...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I am delighted to be here to discuss the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and I thank Senator Buttimer for the invitation. As many Members will be aware, the ratification of the convention has been a deeply held commitment of mine since I was appointed as the very first Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues. The very...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank all the Senators for their contributions and for their support over the past two years since I was appointed Minister of State. I accept some of their valid criticism because ratification of the UNCRPD is a common goal which should unite us all, parties, Independents, civil society groups and stakeholders. We are all keen to see it ratified. We are dedicated to continuous...

Seanad: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statements (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: These are the issues, and I take on board the points raised by various Senators. I thank Senators Keith Swanwick, Victor Boyhan and John Dolan, and also Doreen Magee and all the team. I also thank Senators Mark Daly and Martin Conway for their magnificent contributions. I also wish to acknowledge my advisers on disability issues, including Gerry Maguire, who is in the House today, and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Mar 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: Motorised Transport Grant (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,133 people in receipt of the Mobility...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Mar 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 Eligibility (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Question Nos. 317 to 323, inclusive, together. The Make Work Pay (MWP) report, published in 2017, made a number of recommendations on how people with disabilities who want to work and can work could fulfil their employment ambitions. A number of its key recommendations related to the need to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Services Provision (21 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Intreo service is not being given the task of delivering disability services such as those delivered by the health service and the education sector. In line with the Comprehensive Employment Strategy and building on developments in recent years, it is expected that the Department has a greater role in the delivery of employment services and supports to persons with a disability. In...

An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: Its purpose is to confer procedural rights on a woman who believes she has a life-threatening condition in order that she can have certainty as to whether she requires this treatment or not. Last year, the Government put in place a process to examine Article 40.3.3°. A Citizens' Assembly was established with the first order of business being to consider the eighth amendment of the...

An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to this very important debate. I am fully aware of the sensitive and complex nature of the matter we are discussing. I am also aware of the wide range of views existing in this House and throughout the country on the subject. I am sure, however, that it is possible for us all to have a respectful debate, as I have seen so far....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: The UN Convention provides that people with disabilities should have the same rights as everyone else and should be provided with the practical supports to make that aspiration a reality.  It requires us to change our approach to services for people with disabilities by putting the person’s civil and human rights first and putting the resources in place to that end. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (20 Mar 2018)

Finian McGrath: While there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change. For this reason, a phased approach is seen as the...