Results 6,741-6,760 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (20 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The lady concerned lodged an appeal on her domiciliary care allowance claim (DCA) on the 5th September 2016. The DCA application file, together with the additional information she supplied was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 19th October 2016 for their consideration. The Social Welfare Appeal Office will be in contact with her in due course. I hope this clarifies the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Autism Support Services (20 Oct 2016)

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: HSE Staff (20 Oct 2016)

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: Respite Care Services Provision (20 Oct 2016)

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: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I might as well go home now.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I welcome those from the deaf community and the Irish Deaf Society, the students and the interpreters here today and use the occasion to compliment Senator Mark Daly for his wonderful, although long and difficult, work on this legislation. I thank Senators for their wonderful contributions and their sincere and heartfelt views. If I have the opportunity, I would love to respond to all the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: It was not very popular and we got hammered at the time, but I am so proud, particularly on days like this when one sees the Senators doing valuable work. It quietens a lot of those who are cynical about this House. This is a very important Chamber and I totally respect this. At the time, when there was a lot of negativity towards it, there were those of us in the Dáil who respected...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: We have moved on and we need radical social change. Senator John O'Mahony spoke about inequality and exclusion. Senator Grace O'Sullivan supported the Bill and mentioned the cross-party position, and that activists are involved in the campaign. Some of us come from the community and voluntary sector and it is very important for any society to have good campaigners and activists, whether...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 28 July 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 03 November 2016. Any arrears due from 28 July 2016 to 2 November 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 17 October...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Support Services (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The objective of the pre-activation support programme for people with disabilities, announced in Budget 2017, will be to bring participants with a disability, who are not work ready, nearer to the labour market through engagement in training and personal development activities. It is anticipated that the focus of such a programme will be on young people with disabilities and will be designed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The establishment of a Task Force on Personalised Budgets is key to progressing the Government's objective of providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Autism Support Services (19 Oct 2016)

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.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of Clonakilty Community Hospital. The HSE is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities like Clonakilty Community Hospital. The hospital, which was built in the 1840s, is situated on the outskirts of Clonakilty in west Cork. In addition to providing long-term care to older people, the...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: Okay.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I will follow up on what the Deputy has said about particular issues and any other issues in respect of which I can be helpful. I assure her I have been told it is absolutely the case that there will be no bed closures and that there are no plans to close any beds at Clonakilty Community Hospital. I recognise the fantastic work the hospital has done in providing services to the local area....

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputies John Brassil and Michael Healy-Rae, who have a particular interest in this issue. I have already spoken to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae about this and I recognise that both Deputies are prioritising people with disabilities in their constituency. I will now go into some detail on the matter and answer the questions posed by the Deputies. In June 2011, a report entitled Time...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I accept the concerns of my two colleagues. However, I have a plan to ensure that we deal with these particular issues. I have visited centres for people with disabilities where residents told me that they wanted to get out of congregated settings. I visited a lot of centres over the summer. In the service to which the Deputies refer there are 17 residents in ward style accommodation...

Other Questions: Occupational Therapy (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I reassure the Deputy on these issues. I accept that in the past, particularly in recent years, there has been a lack of investment in these services so we need to build and develop them to ensure that all children receive proper occupational therapy. It is a very important part of developing a forward-looking health service that includes everybody in society.

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: I am not finished yet. There are a few more coming down the line as well. The Government recognises that waiting times for speech and language therapy have posed significant difficulties for families and their children. In 2016, €4 million was provided under the HSE’s national service plan to focus specifically on speech and language therapy waiting lists in primary and...

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy Provision (18 Oct 2016)

Finian McGrath: The number of speech and language therapists appointed by the national recruitment service from 1 June 2016 to 5 August 2016 is 92. The appointments in 2016 to date have resulted in an increase of 86 whole-time speech and language therapists, based on the 2015 HSE employment census. Of the 92 whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists appointed this year, 43 were for social care,...