Results 1,721-1,740 of 1,827 for speaker:Chris Andrews
- Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: I want to share time with my colleagues, Deputies Finian McGrath and Michael Lowry. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this issue. I am glad this motion has been brought before the House because it gives us the opportunity to take stock of the measures that have been taken in the provision of health services. The motion refers to a number of issues, including...
- Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: ââand then the Opposition would do their bidding. Clearly this is where we have arrived at and I suppose that is for the Opposition to deal with.
- Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: The issue of cystic fibrosis is a priority for the Government. Additional funding of â¬6.78 million has been spent on the services since 2006 arising from the recommendations of the Pollock report. This helped in the appointment of 44 additional staff throughout the country. Before Joe Duffy and even the Opposition were aware of the issue, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and...
- Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: ââtogether with the HSE, met the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland last September to discuss infrastructural deficits. Therefore, we are well aware of the difficulties. There is no magic wand. There is a long way to go. The built infrastructure has serious deficits which are being addressed. We have come a long way in terms of the multidisciplinary teams that are required and we...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: I wish to share time with Deputy Curran.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: I am delighted to have the opportunity to debate the Finance Bill, which is welcome. It introduces supports for business, makes the tax system fairer and lightens the burden on low and middle-income earners. The principal aims of the Bill are to support enterprise and innovation, to advance sustainable development and ensure a fair tax system. As a member of the Joint Committee on...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: Only today, the Minister, Deputy Martin, announced a â¬60 million growth fund operated by Enterprise Ireland which will help secure new jobs in Irish firms. The fund will support investments in staff, equipment and technology in order to increase competitiveness and encourage new exports. Such supports are to be welcomed, particularly in a more competitive environment. The Finance Bill...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: One of the ways in which the Bill protects the less well-off in society is by creating a fairer tax system. The Social Welfare Bill made significant improvements to social welfare payments, including pensions and carer's allowance, among other measures. The Finance Bill aims to reward those at work. It does so by giving increases in personal tax credits and tax bands to ensure that low...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: The old system has been replaced by an exemption of â¬125,000, a 7% rate on the next â¬875,000 and a 9% rate on sums above that. A measure which is often overlooked but which will create more flexibility for individuals is the reduction in the stamp duty claw-back provision for new residences and for first-time buyers from five to two years. The Bill also prioritises the environment....
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: The Opposition would have been only too glad to have been able to court the Green Party but, again, they were unsuccessful. They have not come to terms with that fact. The Bill will make the business expansion scheme more accessible for recycling companies and also provides for a reduction in the VAT rate applicable on certain supplies used for the agricultural production of biofuels from...
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (5 Feb 2008)
Chris Andrews: Question 530: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make it a requirement for schools which receive public funding to make their enrolment policy publicly accessible and not only available upon request as is currently the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3343/08]
- Vaccination Programme. (19 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this issue, which affects parents, grandparents and anybody connected with children. Everybody is concerned about the eradication of the invasive pneumococcal disease, a life threatening disease that can cause pneumonia, septicemia and pneumococcal meningitis. A significant number of countries throughout the world, including the United...
- Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: I wish to share time with Deputy Finian McGrath. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. In recent years, the health system has been the subject of widespread debate. I have great sympathy for anybody who works in the health services because morale must be extremely low. We all know people who work in the health services but anybody who admits to doing so inevitably...
- Written Answers — Military Medals: Military Medals (12 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of applications received to date for official replacement certificates for 1916 and War of Independence medals lost, stolen or destroyed; the number of certificates issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34029/07]
- Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 84: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will ask Irish Aid to strengthen its relationship with the Defence Forces on its UN peace building missions, increasing the money available to assist the beleaguered communities in Kosovo, Chad and other places where the Defence Forces serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34030/07]
- Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 177: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will grant compassionate leave to remain to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34453/07]
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: I fully support the changes being introduced by the Minister, Deputy Cullen, in the Social Welfare Bill 2007. The increase of â¬900 million in next year's social welfare support package will benefit more than 1.5 million people â one third of the population of the State â and will bring total social welfare expenditure to a record â¬17 billion in 2008. I am proud to live in a country...
- Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (11 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 216: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date the first child will be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease; the person who is responsible within the Health Service Executive for making this happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33219/07]
- Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (11 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 889: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for asylum for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/07]
- Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 Dec 2007)
Chris Andrews: Question 896: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34033/07]