Results 5,341-5,360 of 5,763 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: There is a concern about the cost of an individual circulating electioneering material to such a wide electorate. There is some disappointment that there is not a more equal distribution of the indirect and direct election of Seanad Members. I refer, for example, to the inside and outside panels where there was a desire that these would be equalled. There is some concern-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: These are my last two points. There is some concern that we would ring-fence the Trinity College seats because of our brothers in the North. Finally, there is a request that the closing date for Seanad nominations would be the same as that for the Dáil. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and appreciate the time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join my colleagues in thanking the delegations and thank the Carers Association and the DFI for providing services. I do not run clinics or deal with people in my local area. Most of what I deal with comes from ten or 20 years ago when I worked in Citizens Information in Limerick. I want the Department to address my point. There was then and, from what I hear today, still is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: That was my impression.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will allow the Department to address that. It seems as if waiting times are on the increase. Has a staffing issue arisen due to the Haddington Road or Croke Park agreements which has made the Department's job more difficult in terms of dealing with claimants? I read the two forms. In 2015 I can walk into any bank or branch of the bank with which I deal and give my bank account number...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Between €18 million and €21 million is spent on medical reports each year. That seems an extraordinary amount of money, particularly in circumstances where many of the GPs involved are members of the GMS. How much is spent on each report and do consultants receive more money for reports than GPs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: What is the amount involved?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: How much is that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Will the Department find somewhere on the form to advise people that GPs are paid a fee? I do not mind if the sum is not mentioned. However, like Deputies O'Dea and Ó Snodaigh, I am well aware of the fact that people pay the GP a visit fee of €55 or whatever it is purely to get a form completed and the GP is picking up another €44 for it. It seems a bit rich.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Very few of them would read what are the doctor's instructions. A sum of €18 million to €20 million is a lot of money to be paying out.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I agree with Senator Wilson. We should not ban any man or woman who has gone through hard times and has come to some sort of arrangement with his or her lenders from anything. We should be applauding him or her. Anybody who is prepared to pick himself or herself up and restart after going through something like that deserves the full backing of the entire country. I believe that Senator...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I only require 30 seconds.

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I assure the Minister of State that I will not take longer than 30 seconds.

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: There are 80 people on the panel with the HSE at the moment. Why have they not been appointed?

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Is it tough work?

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 2: "To insert the following lines after 'calls on the Government to': - 'immediately end the use of zero-hours contracts in all sectors; - take immediate steps to address the cost of childcare, which is crippling young families;'."I believe in offering credit where credit is due and I fully acknowledge the work the Government has done. I am not here to criticise in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister to the House for the debate on this matter. On 25 March, an independent report into the deaths of 12 children in State care or known to child protection services severely criticised the State's social work and mental health services. Four of these cases concerned young women between the ages of 14 and 19 with emotional difficulties who had taken their own lives....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept what the Minister says and I understand his own concerns in this area. However, as Minister for Health, he has responsibility for the HSE. The establishment of a working group to report on this matter now is a bit late in the day. There are vacant posts in the system and there are people available now to fill those posts. I cannot for the life of me understand why we cannot go...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: There are many people on the panel.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Can the Minister offer some solace in terms of membership of the group including a counselling psychologist?