Results 701-720 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Medical Certificates Applications (24 Oct 2019)

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 for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Reviews (24 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The Department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on 8 April 2019.  His claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (24 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: Disability allowance (DA) is a statutory means-tested payment and is subject to periodic reviews. This lady's entitlement to DA was recently reviewed. The review regarding periods of absence from the state and a change of address is now complete.  This lady's payment has been re-instated to full amount from 10 July 2019. Arrears of...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I am pleased to be here this afternoon to discuss the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019, a Private Members' Bill introduced by Senators Máire Devine, Rose Conway-Walsh and Paul Gavan. I am here to represent my ministerial colleagues, Deputy Harris and Deputy Jim Daly, who were unable to be here today and send their apologies. I will, of course, brief them on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (23 Oct 2019)

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: Services for People with Disabilities (23 Oct 2019)

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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Waiting Times (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I am advised that the person concerned made an error in her personal data when completing her IB1 application form, which caused some delay in processing her Illness Benefit application. The application has been processed now,  and the person concerned has been awarded Illness Benefit at the graduated rate of €91.10 per week. She is currently medically certified until the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 18 July 2019.  Payment including arrears due from 18 July 2019 will issue to his nominated account on 24 October 2019.  The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 17 October 2019. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: Fuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Eligibility (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Person Concerned submitted an application for Illness Benefit from the 18th February 2019 but did not qualify as he did not satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions necessary for payment. Class S contributions paid by the self employed are not a reckonable contribution for Illness Benefit. If the person concerned is ill and will be unfit for work for at least one year, he can apply...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Applications (23 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned has been processed and she has been awarded Illness Benefit at the graduated rate of €91.10. The person concerned is medically certified as unfit for work until the 23rd October 2019, and all arrears due to her have issued to her bank account. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Child Maintenance: Motion (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: It is standing, it is not rolling over. The Deputy is wrong.

Child Maintenance: Motion (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I am pleased to have this opportunity to respond to this Private Members' motion on issue of child maintenance. The issues regarding maintenance are generally a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality, who has responsibility for the family law Acts, which govern maintenance requirements. Existing family law Acts place a legal...

Child Maintenance: Motion (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: No, I have not.

Child Maintenance: Motion (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I always do. There have been no cuts on my watch.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Services Card (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I totally accept the point about the confidence and popularity issue. As I was saying before I ran out of time, 96% of PSC holders surveyed were either very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the process. Almost 88% of those surveyed felt that they had access to the right level of information in respect of the SAFE-PSC process or had access to more than they needed. Some 77% understand the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy Budget (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin's point on the valuable work done by CityWide. I am aware of many great people who have worked in that organisation for many years. Measuring the overall effectiveness of the response to the drug problem in Ireland is an important objective of drug policy. Resources should be directed towards interventions and strategies that are most likely to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Services Card (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this very important issue. The PSC was provided for in legislation in 1998, when it was introduced alongside the personal public service, PPS, number to replace the previous Revenue and social insurance number, RSI, and the social services card, SSC. It acts as an identifier for access to a broad range of public services. The public services card can...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: CLÁR programme (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: Except in the hurling.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy Budget (22 Oct 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I will take the debate on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. Government policy on drug and alcohol addiction services is set out in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. The strategy commits to expanding the...