Results 1,181-1,200 of 34,778 for speaker:Seán Fleming

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.

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

Seán Fleming: I will consult the officials for one moment. We will have more information because it has not been finally drafted yet, but I have been told that it relates to a debt relief programme for Somalia and Sudan and there may be a requirement for the payment in respect of that commitment to go from the Central Fund to the Central Bank. The wording and specifics are still being worked on.

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

Seán Fleming: This relates to an existing-----

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

Seán Fleming: Yes.

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

Seán Fleming: I will give a commitment that I will not bring any information to Report Stage that I will not have made available to committee members in advance.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (29 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: 179. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when legislation will be commenced and the expected completion date in respect of blended working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15958/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (29 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: 429. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proactive measurers that are currently being taken by her Department to ensure that all post-primary schools have special classes in view of the number of students transferring from primary schools with special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16302/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (29 Mar 2022)

Seán Fleming: 430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details regarding special classes in secondary schools at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16303/22]