Results 9,661-9,680 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (7 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: In conclusion, the Taoiseach will be aware from the Minister for Education and Science who is sitting beside him that, for example, no matter how many non-national children are in a school, the resource teacher-pupil ratio is 1:14 and a cap of two additional teachers or 28 children is in place. After that the school must make an arbitrary case in the hope it might obtain more specialist...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (7 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The additional support for the school is capped at three teachers. Is that not inadequate? Can I ask the Taoiseach——

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (7 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If the Taoiseach states that 800 teachers are involved in this area, I accept his word, but there is one teacher for every 14 children and two teachers for every 28 pupils, but no more thereafter unless a special case is made. Many schools in different parts of the country, particularly this city, have immensely more than 28 children. In terms of workplace harassment and language training,...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (7 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The fact that immigrants are denied access to credit is a major issue. In a society that is based on the availability of credit, when normal credit institutions do not make credit available to immigrants, that invites major problems. Are there plans to devise a scheme, for example, in conjunction with the credit union movement that might address that issue? Given the incidents to which the...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed extension to Luas and new Luas lines; and the timescale proposed for these works. [35787/06]

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I have been raising the issue of the large number of people on low incomes who must have resort to money lenders. We clarified yesterday that the legislation apparently promised by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to curb or, as he put it, ban high interest rate charging does not exist and will not be forthcoming.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Apparently, however, legislation is forthcoming to refurbish the Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill. Is the Bill, which was published in 2002, being withdrawn? When will the promised legislation be brought before the House?

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Do I take it from that reply that the Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill 2002 is being withdrawn by the Government?

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: There has certainly been a transformation. There has been more than one.

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure an adequate standard of care is provided through home care packages; if she will establish a minimum standard of care charter to set down minimum qualifications for all care staff employed by agencies including appropriate language competency; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the location and number of the 500 nursing beds provided in 2006 by the Health Service Executive; the number of private nursing home beds and the number of public beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35489/06]

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 348: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timetable for implementing the recommendations contained in A Vision for Change; the way the Government plan to ensure that A Vision for Change will be fully implemented and that the necessary resources are put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35256/06]

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 359: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the recommendations will be put in place in relation to the National Disability Authority's Standards In-Care document, which was presented to her in April 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35342/06]

Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Do I take it from our exchanges earlier today in terms of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan's legislative programme and the allowed musings that No. 3 on the Order Paper is withdrawn and that a new Bill will be entered? Will the Taoiseach give an indication as to when the new Bill will be entered? I want to return to the point about the Morris report, the Dean Lyons...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: There was an understanding, at least as reported to me, that next week we would take a series of these reports. I now have the schedule which is entirely different.

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Even the dogs on the street support the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he puts on his sincere face. During this very sincere period, he promised legislation to curb and ban interest rates. When will the legislation be introduced and will it ban interest rates? Since the interview, the Minister was corrected by his officials and told that he could not do what he proposed. The...

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This Bill was published in March 2002, re-entered on the current Government's schedule and has remained there for the past four years without ever having been brought before this House. However, in his weekend round of interviews the Minister told Ursula Halligan that he has instructed his officials to the effect that poor people are in debt and that he would introduce new legislation to...

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with the Taoiseach that a poverty problem exists and that some people are in the grip of moneylenders and pay high interest rates. In a society based on credit, some people cannot get access to credit from conventional institutions and therefore resort to moneylenders, for which there is a premium to be paid. I do not dispute any of that. However, I asked the Taoiseach about the...

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I find this lacks credibility. Although the Taoiseach stated that advice has been received over the years to the effect that one cannot legislate for this issue, why has the Minister claimed he can do so? For example, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service could set up a scheme to extend the facilities of the credit union movement——

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——to have targeted and tailored loans available to those people who find themselves in a hole regarding money to pay for rent, for Christmas, for first Holy Communion or whatever.