Results 4,721-4,740 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Eligibility (9 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: Following a review of this gentleman’s entitlement to disability allowance (DA), payment was stopped as he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit and failed to disclose to my Department that he was out of state on several occasions. Notification of this decision issued to him on 19 October 2017. This gentleman has lodged an appeal with the independent Social...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (9 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: In 2016, the last complete year for which total figures are available, the Domiciliary Care Allowance section received 7,434 applications of which 1,683 were disallowed. This represents 22.5% of the total received. There were 319 appeal submissions to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) in 2016, 162 appeals were allowed and 6 other cases were partially allowed. The current processing...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: The Deputy should calm himself down.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Nov 2017)

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 (8 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I am aware of the impact of the late effects of polio on survivors and I acknowledge the valuable work of the organisation, Polio Survivors Ireland, formerly the Post Polio Support Group, which was established nearly 25 years ago to provide support to polio survivors and their families. The organisation's awareness raising and information provision along with their support of polio survivors...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Eligibility (8 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: Self-employed contributors will be eligible for the invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as self-employed people could have access to income support without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability. Details as to how to apply will be made public by my Department in the coming weeks. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (8 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: The Department is currently experiencing delays in the processing of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claims due to an increase in claim volumes and the need for more detailed decisions to be provided, following a High Court ruling. Corrective actions are in place, including having additional deciding officers assigned to the scheme. As a result average processing times have reduced over...

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I accept many of the points raised by the Deputy about senior citizens and other service users. We must ensure services are accessible for such people. The Deputy refers to the indication that the HSE will make arrangements to provide the required service at a location convenient to the person. My interpretation is it will make provision for the people about which the Deputy speaks but I...

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: Yes. It is important to acknowledge that the local HSE management has offered to engage with any community or voluntary groups interested in delivering services from the building in Passage West. They are also open to listening to the voices of local representatives. The Deputy mentioned that many councillors were supportive of his position as well. We must acknowledge that Bus...

Topical Issue Debate: Care Services Provision (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I strongly agree with the Deputy on the importance of social activity for the elderly, in particular in the Monasterevin day care centre. The day care centre is partially funded by the HSE through a grant agreement to a total of €3,733 per annum and is also staffed by community employment staff, the funding for which comes from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social...

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this important issue. As he said, it is an area I know very well. I spent many years there. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a continued shift towards primary care so that we can provide better care close to home for communities around the country. Primary care centres are an integral part of this because of the range of...

Topical Issue Debate: Care Services Provision (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. She cares passionately about dementia and the 55,000 people who suffer from it. These numbers are expected to increase to more than 130,000 by 2041 as the number of older people increases. The national dementia strategy emphasises that, with the right supports, people with dementia can continue to live well and participate in their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Rights of People with Disabilities (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: Ireland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. This Government remains committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services Funding (7 Nov 2017)

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: National Lottery Funding Data (7 Nov 2017)

Finian McGrath: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services Data (7 Nov 2017)

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: Home Care Packages Provision (7 Nov 2017)

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: Disability Services Provision (7 Nov 2017)

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 Provision (7 Nov 2017)

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...