Results 9,461-9,480 of 11,271 for speaker:Colm Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Work Programme 2016: European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: In fairness, I trained him them well. The programme includes an initiative on a new start for working parents. It relates to parents who are self-employed. Our system does not appear to assist people who are self-employed, including in the case of maternity benefit. This needs to be examined throughout Europe. For example, if a woman has a baby before 1 April, she is entitled to claim...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his statement. I remind my opponent that the health budget in 1997 was €3 billion. By 2007, it was €15 billion but there was not a five fold increase in the services available. There was very little change in that ten-year time period. Since we have come into office and over the past few months in particular, the waiting...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: My understanding is the Minister has prior commitments and, unfortunately, cannot stay longer than the time allocated. I do not think we can extend the time at this stage. I am sorry and I would like to accommodate my colleagues but the Minister has a prior commitment.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: In fairness, the Minister needs an opportunity to reply. I would have no problem with the speakers having something like three minutes. That would allow time the Minister to reply. In fairness, the Minister needs five minutes to reply.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I propose that we extend the debate to 6 p.m. but the Minister should be allowed five minutes to reply.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations and for the work they are doing. I wish to raise the issue of enduring power of attorney, which I have raised previously. I do not think we have done enough in setting out its advantages. As a practising solicitor, I find I am being asked to complete enduring power of attorney forms when there is a question mark as to whether the person is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I apologise for not being here for the presentation, but I read the documentation furnished to us. On the issue of reviewing incidents in which something goes wrong in a hospital, I mentioned earlier today a case in which it was decided within the hospital that there should be a review and two people were to do the review, but it was then decided that there should be an external review, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Independent Advocacy Services for Health Service Users: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I will conclude on this point. I refer to delays in the holding of inquests. I know it is outside the control of the HSE. In fairness, the vast majority of coroners are extremely efficient and good. In some parts of the country, there are substantial delays in the holding of inquests by coroners. It is not because of a lack of information from the HSE. There is no statutory requirement...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: The Life Centre in Cork was set up by the Christian Brothers a number of years ago and deals with young people who have dropped out of school. Some of these children are as young as ten years of age. At present, there are 45 children in the facility and more than 60 people work on a voluntary basis. These volunteers are either retired teachers, those who are studying for their higher...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for that response. This is the first time I have seen the figure of €129,000. The Minister of State is correct in saying that 925 hours are allocated by the ETB but the problem with 925 hours is that it only equates to 1.5 teachers for the year for 45 students who have dropped out of school. These children have not fitted into the existing education...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early School Leavers (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for his remarks. I ask him to relay to the Department of Education and Skills the suggestion that it gives the centre some funding on a pilot project basis. The Life Centre and others centres in the country were set up on a pilot basis to determine the best way to deal with children who have dropped out of the mainstream system.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: Senators have mentioned locating fast food outlets near schools. The issue I wish to raise is locating vending machines in hospitals. Somebody recently sent me a photograph of a vending machine containing chocolate, crisps and so forth located within ten yards of a children's unit in a hospital. If we are serious about health issues, then let us at least resolve this one as it affects...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: What about transparency in Sinn Féin?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I would welcome a debate on the health issue. I agree there are difficulties that need to be resolved but there are many positive things happening. For example, in 2014 there were more than 3.2 million outpatient appointments where day care procedures were carried out or involving outpatient attendances with medical personnel. The free GP care scheme for those under the age of six has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Assistance Dogs in Ireland: Discussion (19 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and all the work they are doing. It might be helpful if we could get some idea of the total number of dogs, ranging from assistance dogs to dogs for the blind. What kind of numbers are we talking about? If we wanted to meet all of the targets, what numbers would we need to train every year from now on in respect of dogs for the blind and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Assistance Dogs in Ireland: Discussion (19 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: In regard to the conference in Cork, I thank Mr. Geary and all involved in arranging that conference. It was very useful in the context of getting people to work together. The presentation made today is proof that there is a lot more to be achieved by working together rather than as individual groups. Long may that continue. I hope the committee can be of assistance in relation to the...

Seanad: Services for People with Asthma: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House. She attends the House nearly two or three times a week. I thank her for dealing with this very important matter. I also thank the proposer of the motion, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, and the seconder, Senator Averil Power. Over 470,000 people are affected by asthma, which is a very large percentage of the population. It...

Seanad: Services for People with Asthma: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Colm Burke: I, too, welcome Senator Cahill to the House and wish her well in her future career. I also want to pay tribute to former Senator Jimmy Harte. I wish him well and a full recovery. Senator Moloney referred to the employment figures. These now show that over 135,000 new jobs were created since February 2012. The unemployment rate is now 8.9%, which is a significant and welcome drop from the...