Results 7,681-7,700 of 9,163 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: I ask Mr. Crowley to provide a response to some of the points just raised so that we can understand the difference of opinion and how the Equality and Rights Alliance would respond to IBEC.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: In terms of the specific points raised by IBEC, how would a case be navigated around some of its concerns with, for example, postal address or income thresholds? I am playing devil's advocate here and asking how far an employer would have to go to discover a substantive ground? What would be the threshold information? Is it about building a culture of compliance or changing societal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: My next question is to IBEC. What about the points raised by Mr. Crowley regarding religious background or a person from the Traveller community? IBEC has said employers would seek out a medical practitioner with regard to medical grounds. How do the witnesses respond to the points on these two principles? Is there a more specific level of detail than in existing principles? As I have...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: If we take a step back, the Government's Bill is being overly prescriptive to an excessive degree. We are talking about ten to 15 appointments per year but the Bill provides for five specific committees under the remit of the commission and a further procedural committee, which is what we are talking about here. Under section 19, there is a further proposal that other relevant committees...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: It should have the discretion.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: I agree with the other speakers. This amounts to appointments by the back door and the Minister is creating sub-structures in that respect. In section 13 it states that each relevant committee may establish one or more sub-committees. This means there would be committees, which everybody has stated are excessive, and then there could be multiple sub-committees of the committees from the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: I was just going to say what Deputy Wallace said. I do not believe it is an unravelling. The committee considers the Minister's committee structure as unwieldy and overly complex. If anything, despite differences in terms of the lay majority or otherwise, even members who agree with the thrust of what the Minister is proposing recognise that there should be changes at the commission level...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: I wish to expand on some of the questions from Deputy O'Callaghan. Part of what the Minister has discussed is still unclear. There will obviously be a vacuum after 9 February. How long will the projected timeframe for the implementation of these measures be? That is unclear. For how long does the Minister expect the interim arrangement he has proposed to be in existence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: There are obviously many delays for applicants through the Minister's Department and the process within it. Does he think that the projected nine-month application process is achievable? Can the Minister give the committee an indication of some of the current wait times? The experience of many of my own constituents, who apply for various visas and other immigration matters, is that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: When it is transposed, will the legislation be time-bound? Could somebody take a case if a decision is not made within nine months, or is that just the Minister's preferred period? We should work on that. Obviously, to be bound by legislation would not allow for particular situations which may, from time to time arise, on the basis of an application; be it a technical issue or special...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: To ensure an applicant gets a decision within a reasonable time, legislative timeframes should be set down and the technicality should be the exception. Across the Minister's own Department we see that people face serious delays which is having an impact on their capacity to live a normal life in the State. We should set down a legislative timeframe in the context of the transposition of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 440. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the shortage of qualified substitute teachers available in primary schools in the Dublin 15 area will be addressed; the efforts under way to address this problem; if his attention has been drawn to the negative impact these shortages are having on staff and pupil morale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1699/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Pension Provisions (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 525. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54683/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Special Educational Needs Expenditure (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 807. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for an organisation (details supplied); the reason a recent application by the organisation to the HSE for funding for an education officer and information officer was refused; his further plans to ensure children with dyspraxia receive the necessary supports and services to help them deal with this condition in childhood in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 900. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Tuesday dental surgery which operates at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, for persons with special needs has had its output cut from treating three persons per session to treating just one person; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is causing delays for persons seeking such treatment; if his decision will be reversed and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospice Services Provision (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 973. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure there is appropriate funding for night-time community palliative hospice care in the home for persons at end-of-life stage in order that the necessary level of care is maintained over the Christmas period and not reduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Paediatric Services (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 1033. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for assessment for paediatric occupational therapy services, by community health organisation, for each of the past three years; the waiting times for delivery of paediatric occupational therapy services, by community health organisation, for each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Paediatric Services (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 1034. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in paediatric occupational therapy services, by community health organisation, for each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1397/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 1082. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the notice issued by management to interns at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, that they would not be paid for the care they provide as overtime between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.; his further views on whether this is fair, in view of the fact that interns are regularly asked to work during these hours; his views on this arrangement; and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (16 Jan 2018)

Jack Chambers: 1083. To ask the Minister for Health if he has discussed with management the decision not to pay interns at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, for overtime work at the hospital; the steps he is taking to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1768/18]