Results 9,501-9,520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Ó Broin mentioned a number of reports published by NGOs in recent weeks. Quite a few NGOs working in the housing and homelessness sector have published their annual reports in recent weeks. These reports are very useful and help add to our understanding of homelessness and the impact it has on those who experience it. The Deputy mentioned the Respond report, for example. One...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Respond's report says the average is six months. It also points out that 16% of people, with a little support, are able to return to the family homes from which they came, and that should be seen as a positive. Deputy Ó Broin asked about the results of Rebuilding Ireland, the Government's housing plan. I draw his attention to the extent to which things have changed since Rebuilding...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: First, I welcome the publication yesterday of the EMCDDA - the European drugs agency - and Europol Drug Markets Report of 2019. As the Deputy knows, the report relates to all of Europe, including Ireland. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs is part of the mission of An Garda Síochána and other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I visited Zagreb on 20-21 November. The programme for my visit included official meetings with President Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Plenkovic, and a reception hosted by our Ambassador, attended by representatives of the small and vibrant Irish community in Croatia. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue that delayed my arrival in Zagreb, it was not possible for me to meet with...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My Department avails of a contract cleaning service as a temporary measure to ensure that service levels in my Department are maintained while a recruitment process for additional cleaning staff is undertaken. In this regard, a total of 3 contract cleaners have been engaged by my Department for varying temporary periods over the past 5 years. The costs per year are outlined in the table. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Garda Reform (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: In respect of Garda numbers, An Garda Síochána is once again a growing organisation. There are more than 14,200 gardaí now, aided by 2,900 Garda staff nationwide. These numbers continue to increase. The Government's aim is to reach a total workforce of 21,000 by 2020, and we are confident that target will be met. An additional 200 new gardaí will be sworn on Friday in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Garda Reform (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, together. In December of last year, the Government published A Policing Service for the Future. This is a four-year plan running from 2019 to 2022 to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The plan was developed in co-operation with stakeholders, in particular the Department of Justice and Equality and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens Assembly (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Micheál Martin and I disagree on a lot and clash a lot but I very much agree with his analysis and comments on this matter. We should not forget what the Good Friday Agreement settlement is all about. It is about acknowledging that Northern Ireland has a unique history and geography and, therefore, has special arrangements - power sharing in Northern Ireland, North-South...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Micheál Martin asked about the breakdown between new money and reallocated money for the project in Dublin's north-east inner city. I do not know the details of that; I suspect it is a mix of both. I will endeavour to get the figures broken down properly for him. The Deputy also spoke about housing. Dublin City Council in partnership with various social housing bodies is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens Assembly (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. On Friday, 1 November an open letter was received in my office signed by citizens North and South as an initiative of the Ireland’s Future group. I became aware of the letter when it was published in the media the following Monday. The letter raises extremely important matters which naturally require very careful...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Mulvey report, Creating a Brighter Future, was commissioned by the Government and published in February 2017. It contains recommendations for the social and economic regeneration of Dublin's north east inner city, NEIC, area. In June 2017, the Government appointed an independent chair of the NEIC programme implementation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Approximately 405 schools receive funding under the summer works scheme. I cannot provide the Deputy with details about each individual school, but I will let the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, know that this issue has been raised.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. A capital budget of €19.5 million, €10 million of which was allocated this year, has been approved for a new 60-bed inpatient ward block at University Hospital Limerick. The HSE advises me that the enabling works are complete, the main contractor has commenced work and it is anticipated that construction will be completed in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy McLoughlin for raising an issue which I know is of enormous interest to him. It is my understanding that a temporary cath lab is located at Sligo University Hospital for a few days every month but not a full-time, permanent one. This falls under the national review. I am not sure when the report of that review is due but I will find out from the Minister for Health and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: What was produced yesterday was the third national inpatient experience survey. I was involved in setting up the survey when I was Minister for Health. I am glad it is being done now because the best way to find out what people think of the health service is to ask patients. Tens of thousands of patients are surveyed every year. Yesterday's results showed that 84% of people say their...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It really is nearly ready this time. I can totally understand why the Deputy is not going to believe it until she sees it because the Bill has been promised on so many occasions. The Minister of State and I just spoke on it today. It is with the Attorney General and we still anticipate having it published in this session, before Christmas.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That matter is still under consideration. As he will be aware, PDFORRA which represents the rank-and-file in the Defence Forces wants this while the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, which represents officers, is opposed to it. We have to listen to both sides of that debate from within the Defence Forces. There is also a European social committee ruling that we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I strongly support the work of the RSA and I did for more than three years as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The authority should enforce the law. In respect of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Deputy had best raise that with him as a Topical Issue matter or perhaps as a private notice question.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I read it but I do not have all the facts about it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will.