Results 5,041-5,060 of 20,701 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Students in third level and their families need to pay for accommodation along with enormous fees . The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has given no instruction to the colleges to return. I ask the Government to consider some kind of support packages for struggling families and students who have paid enormous accommodation costs as well as college...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to raise the disgraceful and diabolical decision to close St. Brigid's District Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir that was made on a whim yesterday morning. On 27 April, I raised this with the Tánaiste. I raised it in the House again on 1 July, 11 August and in September, October and November. At 7.20 p.m. on Sunday last, I got an email from Ms Barbara Murphy indicating that the HSE...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: That is a typical reply. It is waffle from the HSE. Why were we not told that in the email that I received last Sunday evening? The wonderful staff that were there have been deployed elsewhere because of Covid. They put their shoulders to the wheel in the belief that they would be sent back to St. Brigid's. The building might be old but it is in pristine condition, with a new wing added...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Cá bhfuil an tAire Sláinte? Tá sé as láthair arís. It is like: “Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar lár”. Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan an tAire? Cá bhfuil sé? He is never here to deal with serious debates. That is no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Frankie Feighan, but the...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: JobPath leaves much to be desired. Turas Nua and Seetec are not private companies per se, but they are acting like private companies. This is the wrong formula. They get paid when someone is referred to them and when someone gets a position. I have dealt with some awful cases where mental distress has been caused by the abuse people received and the hardships they were forced through...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: On the very same issue, as outlined by Deputy Naughten, it is discrimination. The Minister said she was disappointed with our use of the term. It is basic, naked discrimination against large families, especially considering the impact of carbon tax, which we are to have for the next nine years. It was forced through, or voted through, in the Finance Bill. Large families have lots of...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I am happy that the Minister has said that she will examine this and listen to the carers because they need to be listened to with regard to when the payment is made. I already welcomed the increase in the payment. Unfortunately, the reality is that it is meant to be spent on a holiday but it often has to be spent on getting extra hours of private care, on facilitating some very necessary...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to support Deputy Naughten on section 12 because this is discrimination against large families. The children of such families need to be fed, clothed, looked after and educated as well. It is discriminatory and I would like to see the Minister address this point because we are supposed to treat all of our children equally and it is very important...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Minister for engaging. I worry that the money and supports are not getting down to ground level, that is, to ordinary musicians who might not have the wherewithal. Significant funding is going to certain groups. I raised this at the Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht when Fáilte Ireland appeared before it. It is a big agency and has...

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Well said.

Social Welfare Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, welcome the measures in the budget that were helpful. It has been a very challenging year, as we know, for everyone from the cradle to the grave but especially for older people, those of pension age and, in light of the work they do, family carers. Indeed, research carried out a year ago found that there are hundreds of children - children who should be at school or out playing and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: There are a lot of inconsistencies and anomalies in the Covid lockdown. I appeal to the Taoiseach to do something for yoga classes. I met with Lara Slattery of Sukha Wellness Centre in Cahir on Monday. She has a wonderful studio that would fit 14 people in pods safely, hygienically and everything else. The Irish Federation of Yoga Teachers held an online Yoga Supports Health day on 28...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: It can be done safely.

Mental Health Policy: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: This is a very important issue. As others have said, services were strained before Covid ever arrived on our shores, but the onset of Covid has had an enormous impact. We have no way of assessing its damage because people are cocooned or unable to access medical centres, which have great pressure on them. Tipperary is particularly challenged, as the Minister of State will be aware. I...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Act 2019: Motion (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Horse manure.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Act 2019: Motion (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I too welcome this motion. Certainly, we cannot invest the €500 million at this time to be used in the rainy day fund. It is foggy tonight but it is raining every day. I think the Minister is in the fog and is hiding behind his mask because he has handled this economy appallingly with his Thatcherite policies by allowing the banks to run away and do what they like, like a runaway...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I note also that the Government has indemnified all these big pharmaceutical companies. I know of people in my constituency, as I am sure do other Members, if they are honest, who have been affected by vaccines. I know that many young children in constituencies were affected by the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine and they had to fight all the way through the courts to get compensation....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Perhaps a Friday sitting might be necessary. We have only two more sitting weeks before Christmas and we need to deal with this very urgent situation.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Next week then.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I agree. I also want to register my concerns for the readiness for the fishing industry and the serious losses that will impact it, as well as connectivity with Europe and the cross-border health directive. We need a debate on these. We are being held on a string with the EU cross-border health directive. Thousands have travelled to use health services but we understand the scheme will...