Results 13,081-13,100 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we stand ready to support HSE South and the HSE more generally in respect of any plans that emanate from the region. The HSE at national level has taken an interest in what is happening in the south region in terms of structures and so on. The capacity issue also needs to be enhanced. We need proposals as well from the hospital and the hospital group in terms of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is a Courts Service issue. I will ask the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to engage with the Courts Service on the matter. We are always anxious to do what we can for Kerry.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The specific functions and objectives of the agency have yet to be determined. The overall objective is to co-ordinate much more effectively services and policy in relation to domestic violence, sexual violence and gender-based violence. It is felt that pulling the different strands together under one agency is the best way to go. Prioritising that will be policy, the wraparound services...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the Government has responded to issues that have arisen, which have not been created by it. For example, the Government responded to the free legal aid issue and amended legislation to facilitate that in respect of the coroner's inquests. As the Deputy knows, there was a tribunal of inquiry some time ago, which clearly did not, for understandable reasons, meet the concerns of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Environmental Protection Agency is there to protect the environment and to ensure adherence to the strict laws governing industrial projects of this kind, including manufacturing entities, mining entities and refining entities. I will refer the Deputy's remarks to the EPA and will seek a reply from it regarding this matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There has been an enormous expansion in additional needs education. I am not clear whether all the schools in the area are accepting children with special needs.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In my view, schools should be open to accepting children. The Deputy might let us know if there are schools that have made applications for additional capacity in order that we can get those accelerated to cater for children who-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----should get places in line with their progression. In other words, if they need places next September, they should get them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We are very anxious to get this matter resolved and concluded. As the Deputy knows, talks with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, have been ongoing for quite some time. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claims, the Department of Education has offered to move school secretary pay rates to a scale that is aligned with the clerical officer grade III pay scale on a pro...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will refer those figures to the Minister for Health. That should not be the case because resources have increased. I accept what the Deputy has presented, but the resources to the services have increased. I will follow that up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which he has raised with me previously. It is a very fair point. I will raise the matter with the Minister and the HSE in respect of doing the thing properly and making sure that HPV vaccine coverage is as comprehensive as possible.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. I am putting enormous pressure on my colleague sitting two seats from me to get on with it; he assures me that it will be done in the next two to three weeks. I have been to schools where it is very dispiriting when students come up to me to ask why they cannot have a solar panel on their school. This is part of a wider education and awareness programme. Young...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. HIQA advised the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in December 2021 that the chief inspector had concerns about the ongoing governance of social care in community healthcare organisation, CHO, 1 and about a recent very serious adult and child safeguarding concern. The chief inspector of social services...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Sláintecare identified in priority terms that Cork, Dublin and Galway would have elective facilities. That was some years ago. It has taken a bit too long to develop these projects so I have told the Minister and the HSE I want these elective facilities developed. The most effective way to deliver them is on State-owned land, getting the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are important statements this week, first, on the commission on defence and, second, on the retrofitting initiative. I thought Members would have welcomed the opportunity to speak on those. The Opposition has three Private Members’ opportunities.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Opposition benefits from that as well. In previous times, there was only ever one Private Members’ opportunity so there are more opportunities in this Dáil and the last then there was historically in the House. There was a debate on legacy the week before last and we are committed to doing one on the ombudsman's report. In terms of the citizens' assembly, that is being...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There was some technical issue around the wording. I will come back to the Deputies on that. I am anxious to get it done as quickly as possible and it will be prioritised for next Tuesday. In terms of mink farming, I think it is the right policy. The mink is foreign to our biodiversity in many respects. As to fair compensation, the Minister has met with the farmers concerned. There...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with that on Leaders’ Questions. Generally, the Government view is that we want to create space for legislation and for the legislative functions of the Dáil in addition to just statements all of the time.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We do need reform. In the progress report on Sláintecare that will be released later today, we can see all of the work in terms of more and more primary care centres opening, GP chronic disease management improving all the time and GP access to diagnostics. Some 135,000 radiology tests were delivered in the community in 2021. There is now national coverage of community intervention...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister met the team in Roscommon on the issue the Deputy referenced earlier. The point I am making is that I have heard nothing but positives about the manner in which the reconfiguration of Roscommon hospital has happened, as opposed to people just chasing the latest electoral stunt.