Results 15,401-15,420 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Senators who have had the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I note the interest others have had in making a contribution. It is timely that the Seanad should debate this subject when there is an intensive national debate in progress on the issue. Senator White referred to the children of the nation. The children of the nation in the 1916 Proclamation included adults as well as...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (4 Oct 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The most recent statistics available relate to numbers of applications on hand on 30 June 2005. At that time, the number of applications awaiting inter-country adoption assessment was 1,829. Currently, waiting times for assessment range from three to six months in the HSE north-west region to 45 months in the HSE mid-west region, with the average waiting time of approximately 18 months...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Social Services Inspectorate has been in operation on an administrative basis since 1999. During this time it has inspected all children's residential centres which are operated by the Health Service Executive, or by the former health boards, and it has piloted some inspections of foster care services against national standards. Its programme of inspection is ongoing. As the Deputy may be...

Written Answers — Pre-School Services: Pre-School Services (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The review of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997 has been completed. I expect to be in a position to introduce the revised regulations in the near future. Training issues for pre-school inspection staff that may arise as a result of the requirements of the revised regulations will be a matter for the Health Service Executive as part of their...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The high-level working group has been at work for several months.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I suggest the Senator should also sign the cheque.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I welcome everyone to the debate today. I am speaking on this topic on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin. I would like to start by emphasising the importance which the Government attaches to this subject. It is of fundamental importance to the future weIl-being of all our people. The early childhood period is widely recognised as a key source of health,...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: These developments represent just some of the many initiatives currently being undertaken in the area of child care. Much has happened in respect of both the education and care aspects of early childhood provision and no doubt much more will happen in future. All this activity must be linked together to maximise its impact on the provision of the best possible service to young children and...

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Adoption Board, which is an autonomous body, collects the information requested. My Department has asked the CEO of the board to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Adoption Services: Adoption Services (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Adoption Board considered the Adoption Law of Morocco at its meeting on 3 July 2001. The board decided on that date that adoptions effected in Morocco are not recognised under Irish law. Legislation is being prepared by Department of Health and Children to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993. The heads of the...

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputies on all sides for the broad welcome they have extended for this measure. I agree with Deputy Durkan that while we can put legislation in place to ensure a high standard in a given profession or occupation, the basic motivation and spirit must exist among members of that profession to observe the highest standards. His point was well made in that regard, especially in respect...

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move: "That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health and Children, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee."

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Gabh mo leithscéal. Táim ag éisteacht.

Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I never saw the Deputy wander less.

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005: From the Seanad. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Provision was made in section 28 of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill to facilitate a person who is not satisfied with the outcome of an application that he or she had submitted to the education finance board, which disburses grants under a trust fund, to refer the case to the Office of the Ombudsman. In the course of the debate in the Seanad, Senator Ryan...

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005: From the Seanad. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In response to Deputy Enright's query, the necessary regulations must be made by the Minister for Finance under the Freedom of Information Act, not by the Minister for Education and Science. The Minister for Finance is agreeable to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the education finance board is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Other Deputies raised the issue of the...

Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: From the Seanad. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputies for their attendance today. There are two sets of amendments before the House. Seanad amendments Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, are straightforward drafting amendments. They are required to reflect current drafting practice. The amendments simply alter the reference to the Schedules from First Schedule, Second Schedule, Third Schedule and Fourth Schedule to Schedule 1, Schedule 2,...

Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: From the Seanad. (30 Jun 2005)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am bringing forward today amendments Nos. 7 to 16, inclusive, from Seanad Éireann which relate to the selection of a local resident as a member of the agency established by the Bill. During Report Stage a number of Deputies expressed reservations concerning the selection process for this particular member of the agency. I am sure Deputies will recognise that the development will benefit...