Results 981-1,000 of 34,585 for speaker:Seán Fleming

National Maternity Hospital: Statements (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the new national maternity hospital. It is important to acknowledge that women have been failed by the State for too long, which this Government recognises. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, published the Women's Health Action Plan 2022–2023 just a while ago. This puts women at the heart of the policymaking process for the...

National Maternity Hospital: Statements (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: The essence of this debate is women's and children's health.

National Maternity Hospital: Statements (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: As I said, the women's health action plan deals with the issue of the national maternity hospital. There is rightfully a huge amount of interest in the national maternity hospital. The creation of the new national maternity hospital is the greatest infrastructure investment by the State in women's health. We have to recognise that we are building a once-in-a-generation world class national...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Management of Estates (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this important matter. As he may be aware, the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies. These are companies registered under the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Management of Estates (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I wish to point out, based on my earlier contribution, that there is extensive legislation in place to regulate the formulation of rules by management companies that cover multi-unit developments. The Deputy is suggesting there are issues of over-regulation by some management companies in how they implement the rules but as I said, the rules have to be agreed at specially convened meetings...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for his reference to the note I circulated before I spoke, which deals with the HSE having sufficient scope from the legislation to consider the unique circumstances surrounding orphan drugs, such as small patient numbers. The evidence suggests these expensive orphan drugs are getting reimbursed even, in many cases, when they far exceed the National Centre for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Strategies (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I will ask the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to make direct contact with the Deputy on the funding provided versus what was spent, the areas to which it was allocated and the funding that continues to be available, as I do not have that information to hand. Neurorehabilitation services play a critical role in supporting recovery and maximising the ability of those with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Pádraig O’Sullivan for raising this matter, which is an area in which he has shown particular interest and knowledge. As he noted, having met people face-to-face, he understands the issue. It is important that the views of those who have first-hand experience of the need for orphan drugs are adequately reflected in Dáil Éireann. All of us in this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Strategies (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte. I know that, as part of Deputy Moynihan's work on the disability committee, he has been very active in promoting this and other related areas. It is very important the committee continues to highlight...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is timely to do so. Before I address it, I wish to give Members an outline of the extent to the school transport service. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current year, as Deputy O'Rourke is aware, more than 121,400 children, including more than 15,500...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Transport (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I appreciate the Deputy's points. There are 6,159 vehicles operating services under the school transport scheme, of which 5,880 are operated by private contractors under contract with Bus Éireann. A high proportion of operators are private contractors. Bus Éireann is receiving a significant volume of calls from contractors inquiring about the financial situation. One or two...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Seanad for dealing with this legislation in an expeditious manner both last week on Second Stage and in the debate today. There was cross-party agreement at all Stages resulting in no requirement for amendments from either the Opposition or Government side. We all look forward to the legislation being implemented as quickly as possible.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Chair for arranging the meeting. Neither the Opposition nor the Government has tabled amendments on Committee Stage. There was good discussion about and general agreement on the essence of the legislation on Second Stage.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: My note states that the commitment to the new arrangement is €2.4 billion. It is based on the exchange rate between the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and us. It operates drawing rights, which are known as a currency. There can be slight variations, so it is estimated at €2.4 billion. That is the maximum that we can lend to the IMF. There are three other sections dealing...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: If the IMF makes individual calls, they might be for a fraction of that €2.4 billion. Each time we respond to that call, there will be a Government guarantee relating to the specific call. The ultimate umbrella is €2.4 billion, all of which will be covered by a Government guarantee if sufficient calls are made over an extended period requesting the €2.4 billion. It is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: It is a letter from the Minister for Finance with a resolution from the House. He has the authority in the legislation to do this on the basis of the letter. A sample of the letter can be made available. It is a guarantee covering all the risks.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: It is not laid before the House. It would be paid out of the Central Fund.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: I wish to inform the committee that the Minister for Finance has indicated that he may wish to table an amendment to the Bill on Report Stage. This amendment would facilitate payments from the Central Fund to the Central Bank of Ireland for IMF transactions. He may table, but the wording is not yet complete. It is a routine administrative matter regarding payments from the Central Fund to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: We are not saying that it will definitely be required. The Minister is indicating that he may need an amendment to facilitate the payments from the Central Fund to the Central Bank. That is if there are interim payments to be made.