Results 6,361-6,380 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (14 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 56. To ask the Minister for Health the purpose of the current Health Service Executive review of emergency ambulance services; if it will include a capacity review for the entire State with the aim of enhancing the service, including increased staffing and infrastructure where required in regions with poor ambulance cover, and the retention of the highly valued ambulance role of the Dublin...

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: If the Minister of State revisits what Deputy O'Brien said he will find that he based it absolutely on the financial situation.

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move:That Dáil Éireann:noting the:— continuing dramatic fall in the number of persons granted or retaining discretionary medical cards; — persistent refusal of the Minister for Health and the Government to recognise the reality of this reduction and the hardship it is causing, despite numerous representations from the public, representative groups and Oireachtas...

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Sinn Féin makes no apology for returning to the issue of medical cards, as well as once again urging the Minister for Health and the Government to listen to and act upon the voices of thousands of people who are being adversely affected by medical card cuts. We in Sinn Féin, and others in the Opposition, have repeatedly brought this to the attention of the Minister for Health and...

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I readily accept that funding is not available as simply as that and I am willing to acknowledge it. If the prospects of extending the free preschool year to a second year are impeded by budgetary constraints, as the Minister states, and I would argue that such is penny wise and pound foolish because there is never bad time to invest in preschool care for children as the return will...

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 107. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to extend the free preschool year to a second year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21036/14]

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I seek to establish if the new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will prioritise the roll-out of a universal free second preschool year during the remainder of the Dáil term.

Other Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: There can be no question that the provision of the free preschool year was a positive move. It was, as was understood at the time of its introduction, a step on the road. It is well-documented that many parents want to keep their child in preschool for a second year but the reality is that they cannot afford to do so. There are consequences, accordingly, not just for the child but for the...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: At the outset, I welcome the speed of the Minister's intent with regard to a visit to the Oberstown works. I ask that he informs himself through inquiry as to the situation applying to the Irish Youth Justice Service, IYJS, and whether an injunction exists in that regard. Were the Minister to revert to me subsequently, I would welcome clarification on that matter. The Minister should...

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 104. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the Oberstown development, including from a construction, staffing and management perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21038/14]

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I seek an update from the Minister regarding the Oberstown development and the timeframe by which we will see the transfer of youth detainees at St. Patrick's Institution to the new facilities at Oberstown.

Other Questions: Child Detention Centres (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: This has been an issue of concern for all of us in the House going back some considerable period of time. I addressed it with the Minister's predecessor on a number of occasions and with the Ombudsman for Children when she attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. There were also statements in the Seanad on this matter. There is universal support for the project...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I welcome the Minister’s response. The preschool setting plays an incredibly important role in our children’s development at the most important time in their lives. It is not unfair to say we in Ireland were very slow to appreciate and realise the importance of preschool support. Parents and experts know that children thrive in an environment where the numbers are small, they...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I welcome the Minister’s response and the fact that he shares my view of the educational role of preschool facilities. I appreciate he is reading himself into his brief. Nevertheless, I appeal to him because this is a question of quality child care provision, one of the key components of which is resourcing when resources are under a great deal of strain. Will the Minister consider...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 99. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support the growing demand of preschool childcare facility providers for their facilities and services to be seen and accepted as educational in the first instance and formative for the lifetime achievement of their charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21148/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Preschool Services (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I record my good wishes to the former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and I thank her for the stewardship of the Department over the past three years. I wish the current Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, well in his new responsibilities. I seek to know the understanding and acceptance of the new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs of the invaluable...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 111. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the efforts he has made and will make to help ensure the financial viability of Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21037/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Years Strategy Publication (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 121. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the development of the early years strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Data (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 129. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and proportion of children in care without an assigned social worker; the number and proportion of children in care without a care plan; the January 2011 and January 2014 figures for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21039/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Places (13 May 2014)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: 236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the decision to cut the SOLAS training allowance of €31.80 per week that assists persons with disabilities to cover the additional costs of accessing training course if he will examine the effect of this cut on participation rates on training courses, including any drop off in attendance from trainees due to...