Results 13,101-13,120 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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.

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

Micheál Martin: It has happened for more than 30 years.

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

Micheál Martin: I am just saying it should inform debates as well across the country in other locations.

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

Micheál Martin: A lot can happen.

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

Micheál Martin: First, I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this very important issue. I also thank the Deputy for the research that he has commissioned. It is an interesting analysis, maybe I would suggest a preliminary analysis, in respect of long Covid that certainly will be part and parcel of the health service for quite some time to come and will be a significant challenge for clinicians for some time...

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is wrong. We are not talking about looting anyone or any workers.