Results 5,861-5,880 of 7,597 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I really welcome the news that the task force will meet next week, which is vital. We can guess the different actions it will need to do. If it sets out with a limited scope in terms of the number of jobs it has to do and if it can deliver on them, that will be welcome. A vital part of that will be dealing with interim solutions for areas that may be waiting five, six or seven years at...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We are all dealing with a situation where a large number of people engage private health insurance. It amounts to 45% of people in the State. On some level, this Bill, which is a process that we go through every year, is an element of accepting the failure of our system, in that we do not have the public health system that people deserve and require. We all accept the necessity of this...

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Motion (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I accept what the Minister of State said that this is a technical necessity and just a continuation of the status quo. We all accept that it makes absolute sense that passenger name records information is maintained for a certain period. We all know that we need all the tools that are required to deal with international crime, which is utterly cross-border and, in some cases, technically...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 88. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the delivery of remote working hubs; the progress of the development of a national hubs network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60214/21]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 221. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected timeframe in which the tender brief for a scheme (details supplied) will be developed; the expected stages of consultation regarding the flood management proposals in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60167/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Care Services (7 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 567. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of a centre (details supplied) in County Louth; the reason this essential respite centre has not reopened while other services have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60168/21]

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I welcome the fact we are dealing with the PUP being put back in operation, which is a necessity. We have also had the conversation, before we even had today's announcements or leaks, in regard to the necessity for businesses that were already being impacted to receive supports. When the Minister is talking to her Cabinet colleagues and others, I imagine that has to be part of the solution...

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Hear, hear.

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree that the Government has responsibility. It is in power, and therefore it has the information and all the resources of government to be able to do what needs to be done. Our difficulty from time to time has not been regarding measures, but the lack of a coherent plan and clear messaging. These aspects must be improved. We all accept that this is an incredibly difficult situation....

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: As has been stated by Deputy Ó Broin and others, we will not oppose the Bill, but we do not believe it will cut the mustard and deal with the situation of hard-pressed renters. The rent pressure zones failed, as will this legislation. It is almost as if it is legislation for a situation that is not as dysfunctional as the one with which we are dealing. RPZs failed to deliver on 4%;...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I appreciate that. I accept the added difficulties with the pilots the Department was looking to put in place in the context of the wider issue we have that an insufficient number of people are working in this sector. I know that a lot of things are being considered. We have to look at pay scales and any incentivisation we can provide. We know of the difficulties of people, some of whom...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Obviously, we need to look at the issue of the rates of pay. Again, I accept the difficulties in providing a timeline, but we need that task force to have its inaugural meeting. I accept that considerable work has probably been done, but we need the task force to put the priorities that are required in place and on the agenda, to be enacted by the Government as quickly as possible. We are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That would be brilliant.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: They are family-friendly.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 112. To ask the Minister for Health the details of engagements regarding the need to increase the number of staff delivering home supports; the steps that can be taken to remedy the shortage of staff in the home support sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53104/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Home Care Packages (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have had a number of engagements, both public and private, with the Minister of State on this issue. All of us in this House understand the difficulties that exist regarding families who are looking for home care packages that will ensure their family members can stay at home as opposed to needing to go into long-term nursing care. We need to deliver that, while accepting there are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Youth Services (3 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree with all that has been said. Whether it is through the Minister’s Department or whatever, we need an audit of buildings that are lying idle in order to determine which of them can be used better. We need also to build in the wider question of those youth supports and an audit of those projects and services that operate and where the gaps are. I have said previously to the...

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We will be supporting this legislation, although we will be tabling a number of amendments. There has already been much discussion this morning on the need for a greater level of interaction between the Government and the Opposition, whether in dealing with legislation and proposals or the conditions prevailing at the time. It is about all the information being known. In fairness, there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Dec 2021)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider giving updated guidelines to driving test centres operated by the Road Safety Authority in order that instructors can use bathroom facilities at the centres once they are able to prove their vaccination status and adhere to Covid-19 guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59545/21]