Results 12,961-12,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not think we should forget-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----who held the climate action and housing Departments up until three years ago. The only reason I mentioned 2030 was that is the next date for targets. It is not that there are 2022, 2023 or 2026 targets. That is the way this is done. I am determined, in reaching our 2030 targets, that we are on the trajectory to do that right away. That is what I mean by that. It is not possible to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We can see from figures released by the Central Statistics Office today that nearly 2.3 million people are working in Ireland now. That is more than ever before. We more than exceeded the targets we set for ourselves in the Action Plan for Jobs.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, also achieved some positive outcomes when he was the Minister for Education and Skills, as is clear when one goes through the details of the Action Plan for Education. When I hear the Minister talking about an action plan for climate change I am enthused and reassured that we will get there because I know we got...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have them with me.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have those numbers with me but-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, but I do not remember them.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am sorry. There were 28 memorandums before Cabinet this morning and I do not remember everything that was in them. I am sure we can provide the numbers.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There was a range of between €98 million to €500 million, but the figure is at the lower end. I honestly do not know the exact figures.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not entirely sure. There are two sets of figures. There is one for-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not quite sure what Deputy Howlin was talking about when he referred to people spending more than six months in accident and emergency departments. I think he may have been mixing up patient experience times in accident and emergency departments and waiting times and waiting lists for people who are waiting for an operation or a special appointment. Those figures are collated...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There definitely was when the Deputy and I were both in government.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That has not been the case, that I am aware of, for the past three years but I remember when Deputy Howlin and I were in government together that such a direction was made and it was policy. While I am not aware of it being issued in the last three years, I doubt it would have to be renewed as it has been in place for a very long time.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On outpatients, unfortunately we are not making the same kind of progress. The number of people waiting more than three months to see a specialist is now more than 350,000. However, the number of missed appointments is 500,000. The slots are available but they are not being filled. I know it is not as simple as that but this demonstrates the efficiency problem we have in managing the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, together. I have seven special advisers working in my private office. These staffing levels are in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's instructions on ministerial appointments for the 32nd Dáil. The special advisers working in my office provide briefings and advice on a wide range of policy matters, as...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government Implementation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. A Programme for a Partnership Government was agreed in May 2016 during the formation of the Government. It is a five-year programme of work being undertaken for the duration of the present Dáil. The Government publishes an annual report each year, the second of which was approved by the Cabinet in May 2018 and is published on...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the clean energy package, I am not across the details of it. I imagine it was handled by either the former Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, or the current Minister, Deputy Richard Burton, or perhaps by their respective officials. The advantage of EU-wide targets is that they allow for burden-sharing. In other words, where some countries...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: In The Netherlands they partner public land with private industry and provide a mix of housing. On rough sleeping, the latest count as Deputy Micheál Martin will know records a decrease of 40%. However, a new count is due soon and I have no idea what the outcome of it will be. We all understand that rough sleeping is a complex social phenomenon. It is not just about housing, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The council analyses and reports on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environmental and sustainable development. In accordance with the National Economic and Social...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (20 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly pass Deputy Fitzpatrick's request on to the Minister, Deputy Harris. I would think that any implementation group should not be merely about industry, retailers and manufacturers. This is, after all, public health legislation. We need to ensure that any such group would include public health advocates and those who want to see this implemented as soon as possible.