Results 10,241-10,260 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (8 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 690. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he has engaged with representatives of organisations (details supplied) with a view to identifying the full extent of the difficulties faced in ensuring an adequate supply of general practitioners in all areas throughout the country, with particular reference to County Kildare, thereby providing much needed extra staffing levels to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: This is the story of three very important schools in Celbridge, County Kildare. One is St. Raphael's Special School, in respect of which it was determined 20 years ago that it urgently needed replacement. The plans are now advancing, but whether they are advancing fast enough remains to be seen because there were some title issues, some of which are still outstanding. Our colleague has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Unfortunately, it does not contain any extra news other than what I received in a reply to a parliamentary question about a week ago. However, it presents an opportunity to restate the urgency of the case. The urgency arises from the fact that we have been pursuing this particular objective for quite a number of years. In the case of St....

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: It is interesting that we are having this debate. It is good that the original, much maligned measure to provide support to electricity users was mooted in good time. The Government now has an opportunity to tweak that measure to address issues as they emerge, because they are going to be much more severe than was anticipated some months ago. It must be remembered that the Government has...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: The Ceann Comhairle is just putting me out of my pain. I support the Bill. I hope it does the job it is intended to do. I also hope that we have sufficient resources to undertake whatever else might be required to address the issues in this regard and to invest as necessary.

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Incorrect.

European Union Regulation: Motion (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: The next five-minute slot is for People Before Profit, as láthair. The Regional Group and the Rural Independent Group are also as láthair. I call Deputy Pringle from the Independent Group, who has five minutes.

European Union Regulation: Motion (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: No, I am afraid the time slots are pre-arranged. Deputy Connolly might have done that if she was sitting here as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: Again, the emphasis must be on generating and retaining interest in the system. It is true that inadequate provision has been made in many cases. Is it possible to take into account the emergency need to ensure that those who have no provision become involved in their own interest at the earliest possible date to cover the age group to which the Minister has just referred?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: 17. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which backlogs in respect of applications for support are being eliminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5340/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: We have inherited some backlogs over a long number of years and there has been a build up in backlogs. I seek to ascertain the extent to which, for example, outstanding issues, appeals, oral hearings etc, can be implemented in order to address emerging issues as we emerge from Covid.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I am so aware and I congratulate the Minister on the work that has been done during the very challenging past two years. The Minister and her Department can rightly take a bow for the work that has been done. Obviously oral hearings could not take place due to regulations so a number of them are outstanding at the moment. How does the Minister propose to give the people concerned their...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. Huge improvements have taken place and huge volumes of responsibility have been taken on, and discharged, in an exemplary manner. I thank and congratulate the Minister and her officials on that work. I have long had an interest in oral hearings. It is important that we get them up to speed as quickly as possible and I know that the Minister is attending to that at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (3 Feb 2022)

Bernard Durkan: This question, which is in the name of Deputy Carroll MacNeill, seeks to ascertain the progress in respect of the auto-enrolment pension scheme.