Results 1,181-1,200 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Seanad: Foyle River Development (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I must. The Senator is right in that I cannot illuminate the matter further. However, I will undertake to bring it to the Minister's attention.

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Section 38 sets out the arrangements for the transfer of the staff of the Commission for Taxi Regulation to the authority. The provisions of the section will support the continuation of the existing terms and conditions of employment held by the transferred staff. These include superannuation benefits which, under subsection (6) will not be less favourable than those to which they were...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The amendments under discussion propose that the national transport authority's involvement in the planning process should be the same in all areas of the country and would be based on the arrangements already in place under the 2008 Act for the greater Dublin area. Implicit in these amendments is that the authority would produce a national transport strategy. The Minister's view is that it...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: A point I neglected to make was that under section 29(3) of the Bill before the House, it is envisaged that the intention of the amendment could be considered in the future. Section 29(3) states "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 63 of the Act of 2008, the National Transport Authority shall, at any time at the direction of the Minister, submit a report to the Minister setting out...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I repeat that under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill presented to this House by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government last May, Louth County Council, for example, must have regard to transport issues when drafting its development and local area plans. As I noted in response to Senator Cannon's comments, it is envisaged that a wider national remit will...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Section 45 makes some changes to definitions in road traffic legislation but there is nothing about the transfer of functions from one authority to another.

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The purpose of this amendment to section 64(3) of the Roads Act 1993 is to address a gap in the legislation. It relates to the prosecution of toll offences. By virtue of the way the legislation is worded, in the case of a leasing company that leases a vehicle to another company on a long-term lease, only the first company, which is the registered owner, and the driver of the vehicle can be...

Hospital Services. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I am responding on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. The HSE has informed the Minister that the case of the child in question, which is complex, has been the subject of discussion between Cork University Hospital and the relevant specialists at the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. Owing to the serious nature of this case it is being...

Hospital Services. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In this regard, the House will be pleased to note the confirmation earlier today at the Oireachtas health committee by the HSE chief executive, Professor Drumm, that Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin is to begin engaging fully with the development of the new paediatric hospital and will have representation on the hospital's development board. I thank the Deputy for raising this...

Social Welfare Benefits (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Widow's and widower's contributory pension is a social insurance based payment which provides pension entitlement on the death of a spouse. To qualify for a widow's or widower's contributory pension a person must be widowed; not be cohabiting; and satisfy prescribed social insurance contribution conditions. The pension is payable for the lifetime of the pensioner, provided she or he does...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: In late August, I was made aware of two significant reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam. The issues referred to in these two reports are of concern to the Government especially since they confirm anecdotal reports that have been aired in the past. Firstly, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with technical assistance from UNICEF in...

Written Answers — Preschool Services: Preschool Services (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children. In addition, my Office is also responsible for implementing the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which supports community...

Hospital Staff. (7 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: I am replying to this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Deputy Scanlon for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents. It provides me with an opportunity to outline the background to the current situation and to update the House on the action taken by the Health Service Executive. As Deputy Scanlon is aware,...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010. The ECCE scheme is a general one and services participating will be required to make reasonable accommodation for children with special needs in accordance with the Equal Status Acts 2000 and 2004....

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The introduction of mandatory reporting has not been proceeded with to date, on the basis that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the system would result in greater protection for children.We also need to ensure that available resources are used efficiently. I understand that recent research points to difficulties in other jurisdictions where mandatory reporting was introduced. The...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: The Adoption Bill, 2009, which is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through the Seanad and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session. I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010, was announced in the Supplementary Budget in April this year. Since the announcement of the scheme I have had a number of meetings with the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations, which represent the...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Ireland has no bilateral intercountry adoption agreement in place with Russia. However, work on the preparation of a draft agreement with the Russian authorities is being undertaken. I am aware that there are people who have received Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt outside the State and may intend to adopt from Russia. The decision regarding the country of choice for...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (6 Oct 2009)

Barry Andrews: Following the publication and acceptance by Government of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was tasked with producing an Implementation Plan. The Plan was endorsed by Government and was published on 28 July 2009. The Plan sets out 99 actions to address each of the 20 recommendations contained in the Ryan Report. It includes measures...