Results 8,501-8,520 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: If one is a member of club and does not abide by the rules, there are always consequences and yet there is always the possibility that we will be sanctioned and fined but I am never certain that is the real reason one should do something. The consequences in terms of this are that there will be people who will not have the protection that we can afford them. I means that is where we need to...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I commend those who contributed to the wide-ranging debate we have had. It is always very interesting. I take up Senator Norris's points, although it is not a case that the last shall be first, because I do not go along with that. This Bill does outlaw trafficking in human organs. Italso outlaws forced labour. This technical wide-ranging Bill is to be welcomed. I acknowledge that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: The recruitment embargo was there before we came in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: That was because people took early retirement which they are entitled to do. They may be on maternity benefit, which they are also entitled to, or they may be out sick. They are entitled to do all that because that is the structure we have in this country, which we all buy into. If Croke Park II is passed, the additional 1,000 nurses will help the issues of staff shortages and health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: Can I respond to Deputy Troy's question on mental health? The Deputy has raised this issue several times. On having seen a "Prime Time" programme recently, it struck me that if one says something often enough, it is taken as the truth. It is sometimes not the truth. We spent the €35 million last year and did so by putting in place 339 additional mental health posts. There are 42...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: There is no serious objection to setting up a forum on elderly care provided we know exactly what was on the agenda. For instance, policy must be an issue for both Government and the Health Service Executive but if it is about the way people are managed once they are in the system that would be a worthwhile platform in terms of considering the stage at which people need to go to an acute...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I wish to deal with two issues raised by Senator van Turnhout on cochlear implants and whether it takes six to eight months before a decision is made. It is a fact that such time is required. We made that clear yesterday. The process is that one must budget for certain provisions and if it was not budgeted for last year then it must be a matter for discussion in next year’s budget....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I accept that all the children in that category are critical. People who are campaigning, who have a good argument, understood very well the explanation of the process in place. Their point is that at least they now know what the process is and that it has begun. It is also important to acknowledge the people who have been operating under considerable constraints. One lady referred to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Affairs: Discussion with Minister for Health and HSE (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I will be as brief as possible. I will deal first with the cochlear implants. We had a very good meeting with the Happy New Ear group and the HSE staff members who are charged with putting the business plan together on how we would do this. That business plan will be completed by the end of June. It is a good timetable because the budgetary process will begin shortly after that. With the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mobility Allowance Decision (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 207 together. The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability. The payment of Mobility Allowance will continue until June. A Project Review Group has been working to seek solutions which do not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. An interim report regarding the immediate issue of the closure of the mobility allowance and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: 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 Health: Hospitals Funding (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Care of the Elderly (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service Provision (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (23 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Vetting Applications (22 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: Unfortunately the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, cannot be here today so I am taking this Adjournment matter on his behalf. While I am reluctant to say he has been detained elsewhere, that is actually the fact of the matter. It is the intention of the Minister to ensure that the best possible vetting service is provided in this country and by extension, to ensure that the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Vetting Applications (22 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I would point out to the Senator that on top of the 23 people who have already been transferred, an additional 15 staff will be transferred and will start their training at the end of this month. We need some joined-up thinking on Garda clearance and Garda vetting. There is a difference between the two processes and one is less rigorous than the other. Perhaps the Senator's suggestion that...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (22 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: Unfortunately, as Senator Ó Domhnaill will be aware from previous Adjournment debates, I will be reading a reply. I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which the Government is examining. As he is aware, Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (22 May 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.