Results 4,781-4,800 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Oct 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 (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, 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: HIQA Standards (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 257, inclusive, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services Funding (24 Oct 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 Funding (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: The Health Service Executive is currently in the process of finalising its National Service Plan for 2018, in consultation with officials from my Department. Detailed Operational Plans for the coming year for each of the Executive's service areas, including disability services, will stem from this process.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Oct 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Services Funding (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Engaging with young people with disabilities at a time when their disability threatens to keep them out of the workforce is critical if we are to create the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. One response to this situation is a new pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities, called the Ability programme, which was launched in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Eligibility (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: The application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady was disallowed by a deciding officer (DO) who decided that she did not satisfy the medical conditions for the scheme. This decision was appealed to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The decision of the Appeals Officer deemed the person medically suitable for the scheme. Subsequently the file was forwarded to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (24 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Self-employed workers will be eligible to apply for 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. Legislation for this measure has already been enacted through the Social Welfare Act,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Autism Support Services (19 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter. I have good deal to say on this issue and I share her concern about those particular cases. I will deal first with the broader issues involved and then respond to the issue she raised. I commend her on her work in area of disabilities, particularly in the Limerick and north Tipperary areas. I thank her for her support of the Irish Sign...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Autism Support Services (19 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: Absolutely, First, I give a commitment that I will take them on board and, second, the important element, as I mentioned in my reply, is the availability of resources. As a group, Senators, Deputies and Ministers must ensure they push for the maximum resources. We did a good deal of work during the Estimates process recently. There is also an issue regarding speech and language therapy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (19 Oct 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 Justice and Equality: UN Declarations (19 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I wholeheartedly support the aims of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and will use the day in December to raise awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities. I would encourage groups operating in the Disability Sector to highlight and support the occasion. This year, the theme of the day is “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Transport Support Scheme (19 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the proposed Health (Transport Support) Bill with the Joint Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday 11th October. 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...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: What was the question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Senator. To give the broader picture, in 2017 some 1.4 million personal assistant hours were provided for 2,400 people. With regard to the data question on the assignment of PAs, which is important, it is collated on an aggregate basis at present. The HSE can provide gross figures for the number of PA hours and the number of persons in receipt of personal assistance. The HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (18 Oct 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: Disability Services Provision (18 Oct 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...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (17 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Cathaoirleach and all the Senators in the House. I am delighted to be here again and to have been able to achieve consensus on this Bill. I commend Senator Mark Daly for his magnificent work. I also thank and commend members of the deaf community for all of the work put into achieving this consensus. It is important that I, as Minister of State, recognise the value of the work...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (17 Oct 2017)

Finian McGrath: I welcome the comments from all Senators and totally endorse what they said, particularly about the exclusion of the deaf community. It is not acceptable any more and I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh that it is a civil rights issue. We are all on the same page in that respect. In the emergency over the past couple of days, Senator Dolan is right that the intervention of the deaf...