Results 8,021-8,040 of 35,563 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Fhear an Phobail chuig an choiste agus roimh Sarah fosta. I welcome Mr. Deering to the committee for the first time in his official capacity and I welcome Ms Cooney as well. It is fitting that Mr. Deering is picking up where his predecessor left off and one of his last official duties was that report, which makes for difficult reading. Peter Tyndall published...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I am conscious that Mr. Deering is new to the role but does he have any understanding of why this has fallen on deaf ears, despite all of the appeals? I referenced direct communications with the Minister and the Department but it has been in every report published by the Ombudsman since Emily O’Reilly’s period in office. Why has all of that fallen on deaf ears?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: When the Minister for Finance was before the committee we asked him what actions he had taken in regard to the concerns raised by the appeal board, all of whom resigned approximately six or seven months after raising those concerns because they felt there had been no action from Government. We had an announcement in January. The story breaks that the appeal board has resigned, blaming the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: Has Mr. Deering or his office been given any indication as to the timeframe for this process? That is a crucial. What came across very strongly from Mr. Deering's opening statement and his predecessor's report was that politicians cannot delay this any longer, that there needs to be speed and urgency. As we speak, those mentioned in the report, including Tadhg, a young person in his 20s...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I appreciate that. Sometimes, the action is very small but it is life-changing for individuals. In some cases, people are prisoners in their own homes, in particular those living in rural Ireland who do not have a car. While this scheme provides VAT rebates and VRT rebates, the person still has to have the money to purchase the vehicle in the first instance. Mr. Deering mentioned in his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the witnesses. I wish Mr. Deering good luck in his new role as Ombudsman. We enjoyed all of the engagements we had with him in his previous role. I wish him all the best and I commend him on the strong position he has taken today and the obligation he has placed on Oireachtas Members, Government and those who have to make the decision to act speedily and to ensure that individuals...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the representatives. I commend MABS on the crucial work it does in assisting individuals in particularly difficult times during the pandemic and as we deal with the cost-of-living crisis. Today, we are focusing on those with disabilities and the additional financial burdens that can be placed on individuals as a result of the discontinuation of a number of schemes. Most of us...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I am not sure if Mr. O'Brien was able to follow the earlier session. I was very taken with what Mr. Deering said. I completely agree with this. If people knew their names and faces and if it was humanised as opposed to being a matter of dealing with schemes that have complicated names, statutory instruments and all the rest, it would be better. This is about Jack who is sitting at home...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: How does MABS deal with individuals who cannot make it to a MABS office - those who do not have cars, are wheelchair-bound or have been unable to avail of this because they cannot get the primary medical certificate - because we are talking about mobility? How does MABS meet that need or can it meet it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: In her opening statement, Dr. Lajoie spoke about an applicant having to qualify and meet six very restrictive criteria and gave the example of a client with COPD who used a wheelchair, was on oxygen and unable to walk unaided and was denied a primary medical certificate with her appeal denied on the grounds that she had use of her legs. That woman would not even be able to make an appeal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the witnesses for their time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme: Discussion (16 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: We have heard different commitments at different times from this Government and the previous Government. There were reviews and a Cabinet subcommittee set up two years ago. The Minister for Finance was doing a review last January; I do not know if it is still going on or whatever. A year on from that, in January, there is another review and a group being pulled together by the Minister of...

Tackling the Cost of Living - Institutional Investors in the Residential Property Market: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: In the past hour we have heard the usual excuses and well-versed defences from Government, something that has not changed in the years that I have been raising this issue. Any investors, cuckoo funds or vulture funds listening to the contributions from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, will be happy enough because they know that their lads in...

Tackling the Cost of Living - Institutional Investors in the Residential Property Market: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: Fine Gael has been in government for ten years.

Tackling the Cost of Living - Institutional Investors in the Residential Property Market: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: At least the Minister is going to make sure his buddies do not pay any tax.

Tackling the Cost of Living - Institutional Investors in the Residential Property Market: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — the housing crisis continues to worsen for renters and first-time buyers; — residential property prices have increased on average by 14 per cent in the last year according to the most recently published Residential Property Price Index by the Central Statistics Office; and — average rents nationally now stand at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: 107. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the completion of capital works at Lifford Hospital, County Donegal; the services that will be available at the hospital post completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7718/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: 166. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in relation to the full publication of a report (details supplied) into abuse at a facility in County Donegal; and when the full report will be published. [7719/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: 504. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8067/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (15 Feb 2022)

Pearse Doherty: 659. To ask the Minister for Health when respite care and other services will recommence at full capacity at Drumboe House, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7519/22]