Results 61-80 of 145 for speaker:Gillian Toole

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: There is an alarm bell going off in my head, so I think our meeting is timely. I will be bold in saying that we will be having future meetings, or we will urgently need to schedule them for the autumn.

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: I thank the witnesses for all of the highly informative replies, and colleagues for the questions they are asking. I will be blunt. Given the volume of work that IHREC currently has and pending the replies from the UN to its submission, is the organisation adequately resourced, humanly and fiscally, to deal with the volume of change, the oversight, and keeping up with future national and...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: I thank the Minister for the briefing and for the time he has put into committee meetings, which were very informative. I welcome elements of this amendment Bill, in particular with regard to judicial reviews and what I would call the disassociated objectors from one end of the country to the other. With the developer-led model, we cannot lose sight of serving the common good in tandem with...

European Union Regulations on International and Temporary Protection: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo inniu. I take on board the opening remarks of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and his comprehensive explanation of the procedures involved in these three out of the four motions we were expecting today. I understand the need for a common approach to procedures for international protection within the European Union. I will...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: I thank the Minister of State and her departmental officials for meeting with us this morning. I will try not to overlap with colleagues. Two or three weeks ago, the committee met with the Disabled Persons Organisation Network and discussed co-creation of policy, interdepartmental collaboration, etc. Are there any plans to formalise the consultation process with DPOs and especially to...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: Is there a formal process for engagement with disabled persons' organisations and the follow-up across Departments? How might they be resourced? There was a matter of insourcing within the HSE that came out on the news this morning. Will that announcement affect the delivery of services if there is to be any investigation or suspension of services? I appreciate it is early in the day...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Role, Responsibilities and Processes of An Coimisiún Pleanála and Office of the Planning Regulator: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: I will try not to detain the witnesses too long. They have had a long session. First, I thank the OPR team for the training they provide to councillors, which is beneficial throughout. This question is for them. Is it possible to set a minimum standard for public consultation? There is a tendency in some local authorities to advertise projects and put them out to public consultation...

GPO and Moore Street Regeneration as a 1916 Cultural Quarter: Motion [Private Members] (1 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas Cheann-Comhairle, an Aire agus an Teachtá Ó Snodaigh as ucht an díospóireacht seo anocht. I have read through the report of the interdepartmental group on Dublin city and the task force recommendation. Pardon me if I am beginning to wonder if I am getting mixed up here. I see a reference to OPW management and a transfer. I do not see...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: Twenty-one years passed between the Act being passed and the report being published. We need timelines and they need to be speeded up. We need the use of data for proper forward planning and multi-annual funding to ensure services reach the children who need them most. I welcome the publication of the report. I suggest a review period of two or three years in future to keep on top of the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Assessment Report: Engagement with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (1 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: I am parachuting into this committee, as I am not a member. I thank the witnesses for the work they do. I have two questions. One is similar to that asked by the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Multi-annual funding is something I would consider necessary in the area of healthcare, for example, the HSE dispersing money to section 38 and section 39 agencies for planning ahead. Correct me if I am...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Assessment Report: Engagement with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (1 Jul 2025)

Gillian Toole: It might be politically incorrect but I will give it a go anyway. My question is on local authority and departmental budgeting processes and training and advice on budgets being limits rather than targets. It is linked to the multi-annual piece as well, that there be longer-term planning. I am talking about losing the budget as opposed to transferring into the following year. One would...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: I thank the witnesses for meeting the committee and the team for providing us with the background information for today. I will try not to duplicate what colleagues have asked. Do the witnesses think the National Disability Authority has adequate resources to carry out its very busy and expanding role and tasks adequately? Regarding universal design, does the National Disability Authority...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: I thank the witnesses for their replies. We always learn. I find I learn from other people's questions and the replies to them. I have a few short queries. In the context of the review of CDNT services, does the National Disability Authority publish or communicate with the HSE and the Department along the way, particularly if there are red-flag issues, or does everything wait until the...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: That unfortunately is the situation. There is not enough respite services and other services.

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: Everybody here is ageing. We are here to represent older people and it is incumbent on us to act with a focus on solutions and a sense of urgency. Most people will, hopefully, age well at home with the necessary community and healthcare supports initiated by older person's councils through the Age Friendly Ireland initiatives. I think of Ita Healy and Barbara McCool in Meath, who are...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: Gabhaim buíochás leis an gCeann Comhairle, an Aire agus an Teachta Uí Ruairc. I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this most important issue. I thank the Minister of State for providing the Minister for Health's quite comprehensive briefing notes. I have only skimmed through them, but I will refer to them. I have to state the obvious. We have an ageing and increasing...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: I have some follow-up questions. It is fantastic to hear about the single front door. Could the witnesses elaborate on how that will be accessed and advertised? I appreciate it is a couple of months away, but it is important that we are prepared. I raise alternative respite. The benefits of respite are fantastic. I have received feedback from parents in Meath regarding access to what...

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: With the Chair's indulgence, can I ask one more question?

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: On the actual access to the door, if the teams and administrative systems are not in place by October, does that mean open door access will not happen?

Committee on Disability Matters: Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gillian Toole: Agreed.