Results 1,601-1,620 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Funding (16 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: This Government’s on-going priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. Since this Government took...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I understand Deputy O'Dowd's frustration in regard to this particular issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, wishes to assure him that Government is committed to tackling the problem through all the mechanisms available. As Minister of State with responsibility for the drugs strategy, Deputy Catherine Byrne, intends to continue to work with all the relevant stakeholders...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy O'Dowd for raising this important issue. I am well aware of it and I understand his concerns. I also give apologies on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. I got the late call and was asked to step in for the Minister of State who has been delayed at another event.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: From my point of view, and from the Government's perspective, of course the Minister of State takes this issue very seriously. The Minister of State visited Dundalk and the north east yesterday to hear about drug related issues in the area and the impact on families. The Minister of State is aware that key State agencies, led by the local authority and involving the Garda, the HSE, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Minister of State understands that 25 additional Garda members are to be appointed to Drogheda over the coming weeks and is sure that every effort is being made to disrupt the activities of criminal groups involved and to arrest and prosecute offenders. Drug-related intimidation is an area of concern that the Minister of State believes requires special attention. It presents a real...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Drugs Strategy (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I received a call half an hour ago asking me to step in for the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and I am delighted to do so. She was delayed at another event. She could walk in the door; I do not know.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: There is a lovely one in Coolock.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I will show the Deputy around the one in Coolock.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Data (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Day services and rehabilitative training programmes for young adults with disabilities who leave school in 2019 are currently being put in place. This is in line with new directions policy and the additional funding provided by the Government in budget 2019. A national school leaver process has been developed by the HSE over the past...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Data (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I absolutely agree with the Deputy about the fear factor that many families have each year and I have met the constituents he is talking about. We have put a procedure in place to guarantee that every person who hits 18 in June will be guaranteed a place in September. The debate about people falling through the cracks has to do with issues about geographical areas and locations. It is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services Data (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I guarantee it. I have spent three years working on this. The first fire that I had to put out when I took over as Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues was school leavers. All the things the Deputy said were true and it was a nightmare. Families did not know, in May and June, where their 18 year old was going to go in September. The answer is that I can guarantee...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I am very concerned about the main part of my job, which is looking after families and people with disabilities who are worrying about this debate. I emphasise that I am very concerned about that. On the particular issues, as I said, the Minister and I met Rehab last week and another meeting has been convened for today. The understanding with regard to Rehab's financial position and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: Is the Deputy happy about that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I was also expecting him to come in at this point.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I will give the Deputy extra time.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 5 together. The Government’s priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of our health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for all people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services during...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Support Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: I wish to advise Deputy Kelly that I do not react. I am well aware of the situation and I am not seeking to score points. I am trying to find solutions. I have been dealing with this issue over the past 12 months. I have had the representatives of the service providers come to my office. I am well aware, as will many of the Deputies in this House will be, of the current financial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: This Government’s on-going priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. Since this Government took...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Funding (15 May 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy. The Report identified around 4000 people (based on 2008 census) with disabilities in Ireland living in congregated settings, defined as a...