Results 7,321-7,340 of 9,919 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: There is a significant waiting time of 27 weeks. What is the gold standard waiting time for screening in terms of a slide being analysed? How does that slide pathologically deteriorate in this time? There is widespread concern on this and perhaps the witnesses can give some certainty on this. Mr. Breslin said we should not get into politics, and he is right, but can he confirm whether it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I apologise; I do not want to ask any question that has already been answered.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: For those on a six-month cycle of smear testing, is it possible that some of them could be waiting six months for the outcome of their tests?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: That is important. There should be an urgent profiling of those categories, because they have obviously been identified as being at particular clinical risk. It might be difficult with the providers being used at the moment, but it has to be addressed quickly. It could lead to greater risk for these women.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Garda Commissioner and his team for appearing before the committee. I note from the report that there has been a significant reduction in the rate of referral to the youth diversion service from 2010 to 2017. It appears to be a significant downward trend. What does Mr. Harris think is the reason for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: There were 28,000 in 2011 and it was down to 18,000 in 2016 and approximately 11,000 in 2017. It is quite a change. On the issue of the rate of inaction, that has fallen from 7.3% to a matter that has been properly addressed. In 2014, there was an awareness from the Garda Inspectorate report that there was a serious issue with this and actions were taken internally to address it. Was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: When did the team first meet with the DPP?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: That is an important learning point. We have probably missed the boat for the resurrection of many prosecutions, which is regrettable. The Garda knew in 2014 and allowed a two-year window to develop without addressing it. I understand that there must be an internal process to address the issues but it will be a disappointment for victims that it took almost a four-year window to have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: What is small? Is it 1,000 or fewer than that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: It is under 100.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I acknowledge that. The learning point is that when there was an awareness internally about a serious issue there should have been an engagement with the DPP at that stage. Obviously we are looking back at a matter having been addressed, but if some other issue arises we should not allow time to remove the criminal process. That is regrettable. However, under 100 are being addressed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Garda Commissioner mentioned supervision issues that were identified across many of the appearances of members of An Garda Síochána before this committee. I am aware it relates to recruitment and to positions in middle management not being filled over time. Mr. Harris said that the national bureau for child diversion is being established and that the chief superintendent is now...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: It is good that we have a global view of it now, but it goes back to some of the criticisms I have heard. If a serious crime is reported, there is a formal engagement but when a basic matter is reported - which may not be a serious crime - people feel that the crime they have reported is just lost. They do not know if the investigation is closed, if there is no end to it or what the outcome...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: With regard to breath testing, will the commissioners provide an update on the fixed charge notices? Has that matter been squared off and addressed through the legal process An Garda Síochána had to undertake with the difficulties with fixed charge notices? People were incorrectly issued with those notices. Has that all been dealt with, or how many are left? Perhaps the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Pensions (12 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: 119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason a retired member of the Defence Forces (details supplied) has not received an increase in pension entitlement for the past decade; when a pension will be received by retired Army ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6743/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Data (12 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: 433. To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychologists in post by CHO nationally in tabular form; the target number of psychologists by CHO as advised in A Vision for Change in tabular form; the measures in place to address the shortage of psychologists across the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6629/19]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (12 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: 747. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of the new affordable home purchasing scheme (details supplied) being introduced; the qualifying criteria to be eligible for the scheme; when the scheme will be open to applicants; the way in which potential house buyers can apply for the scheme; if it is only open to first time buyers; and if he will make a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. As stated in the Dáil, the Fianna Fáil Party is supporting this proposal. Questions arise about an EU army and there is rhetoric across Europe in respect of it. However, there is no legal basis for that proposition. If there ever was such a proposition, it would have to go before the people and they would not vote for it. I do...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Jack Chambers: I agree with the point made about cyber security, an issue I have raised previously with the Minister of State. It is unfortunate that our policy on cyber security resides in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. This needs to change as a priority. As the Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised its strategic function and entire operation, there is a...