Results 15,261-15,280 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: In all our exchanges throughout the pandemic I accept that the Deputy has a unique insight into and a unique perspective on the pandemic right across the board. This is a new one on me, but I just wish to make it very clear that anyone who has any symptoms at all, not just Covid symptoms, should not be in school.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I hope the Deputy agrees that the public health advice is that people should wear masks. Pragmatism has to obtain-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I know Deputy Healy-Rae is a good friend of the Minister, Deputy Foley. Maybe he could have a chat with her.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have answered the question. I answered it earlier.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Additional resources have been allocated in the form of additional therapists being recruited. We will continue to prioritise this because it was an initiative of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that led to a rapid decline in waiting times for assessments of need. There had been very long waiting times for them.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The next stage is, having reduced significantly waiting times for assessments of need, that there has to be a corresponding reduction in intervention wait times, with intervention coming soon after the assessment is made in order to help children with particular and additional needs. I accept that point. We will-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I do not have the background to the case but, from what the Deputy has said, the person in question should get a medical card.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is ample provision in the policy framework for that person to get a medical card.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said in response to an earlier question from Deputy Doherty, the Government has not failed throughout the pandemic to intervene in an unprecedented way to support businesses, including hospitality businesses, throughout the country. The EWSS has been the most successful and effective scheme in underpinning companies. It is an economy-wide scheme. The Government is keeping it under...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Overall, with regard to the allocation of resources and recruitment, there has been very extended financial provision, both last year and this year, for the acute hospital service. An increase in capacity has been provided for across the country. I do not have the specifics for Sligo hospital. Close to 4,500 staff were recruited in the HSE this year, and over 6,000 were recruited in 2020....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Again, figures are being plucked out of the air and tossed about the place in the context of the mica scheme. My understanding is that a house of the size just referred to could be entitled to up to €300,000 for a rebuild, plus the €20,000 for rent and storage. This is a very expansive scheme, and is much better than the previous one. We have listened and taken on board a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I fully appreciate the issue raised by the Deputy. I am aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, is working on this. We are considering ways in which we can give additional supports to the community task forces. The Deputy is correct in identifying the huge scourge and devastating damage being done to many families, particularly young people, because of the proliferation of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister for Transport about that. 1 o’clock There should be consultations between Transport Infrastructure Ireland, if it is responsible for that stretch of road, and the community groups representing the residents and the general community. That is how the matter should be progressed.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy that it is commendable that the public have responded to the public health measures of recent weeks in terms of reducing socialisation and general congregation. That does have an impact on certain sectors. About a quarter of employers on the EWSS are in hospitality while about 40% of employees are in companies in the hospitality sector. The EWSS is an economy-wide...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will certainly discuss what the Deputy has just raised with the Minister for Health. Obviously in the course of such legislation there are always exchanges and clarifications and, if necessary, amendments if they are desired to facilitate situations such as the Deputy has referenced with be facilitated. I will discuss this with the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The school authorities, the Department of Education and the Minister have been guided all along by public health advice. In respect of ventilation, there has been guidance issued to the schools advising that the first and most effective form of ventilation is fresh air. I take the Deputy's point that there can be caveats to that in certain conditions. The Minister is providing for...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I do not know the details of the scheme, but the GP did not have to issue the €60 bill immediately. I just want to make that point. The Deputy's overall point is correct, however. There is a huge challenge in respect of the registration of births and deaths and getting certificates. My understanding is there is a major problem in the greater Dublin area especially. One third of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: This relates to the registration issue. We are living in extraordinary times. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and we have had a cybersecurity attack on top of that, which has damaged systems. All round, people need to adopt some degree of flexibility and practicality as well. That is the point I made. Many people will know those coming into them in surgeries, etc. A small bit...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is great hope for Louth in the future, in all sports, I have no doubt, if there are more Fitzpatricks coming on the scene.