Results 17,741-17,760 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Health Service Staff. (5 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I will pursue the specific issues raised by the Deputy and come back to her in writing very shortly. On child and adolescent mental health, the Health Service Executive will establish eight child and adolescent mental health teams during this year. An important lesson learned from the activities of the HSE during the course of 2007 is the fact that there is a need to monitor employment...

Health Service Staff. (5 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: At present the Department and the Government are determined to ensure we come to the position where services are equal and adequate. Over the years, the Deputy would have made the call, as I would have, from different sides of the House to train more people in different disciplines.

Health Service Staff. (5 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am fully aware of the need for early intervention in instances where children need particular assistance. As Deputy Jan O'Sullivan knows, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 will be commenced in respect of children aged five to 18 in tandem with the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, commonly known as EPSEN. Representatives of the Department of...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (4 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Child Care Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which, together with the earlier Equal Opportunities Child care Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), are implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children. The main supports the Government makes available to parents to assist them with their child care costs are Child Benefit and...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of a State funded, nationwide pre-school system for all children is a matter on which I have not had specific discussions with the Minister for Education and Science and, as far as I am aware, there are no proposals at present to introduce such a system. As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Child Care Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 301, inclusive, together. The launch of the National Recreation Policy last September highlighted Government's commitment to the development of youth cafés. As the Deputy will be aware there are already a number of youth cafés in operation around the country. Funding for these existing initiatives such as the Base is provided through a number of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which replaced the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), which was also administered by my Office. I understand that the Group in question received capital funding totalling €1.16 million under the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (28 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which, together with the earlier Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), are implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children. The main supports the Government makes available to parents to assist them with their childcare costs are Child Benefit and the...

Seanad: Respite Care (27 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: I thank Senator Buttimer for raising this important issue. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. As Senator Buttimer knows, St. Laurence Cheshire Home is part of the national group Cheshire Ireland. The facility provides long-term residential accommodation for 30 people with a disability. Three respite care beds...

Seanad: Respite Care (27 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Minister of State with responsibility in this area, Deputy Devins, is unavoidably absent as he is away on Government business. However, I will bring the Senator's comments to the Minister of State's attention upon his return.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Service Reports: Health Service Reports (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: The HSE commissioned a report into the matter that the Deputy refers to in July 2007. A Report from the Review Inquiry Team has been received by the HSE. As is usual in such cases, the Report is currently undergoing legal examination. The report was conducted in line with the Terms of Reference and Methodology agreed and published at the time of its initiation. Subject to this legal...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Service Reports: Health Service Reports (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: The HSE commissioned an external expert to undertake a review of the HSE's involvement in this case and to prepare a report on the matter. Work on the formal report has commenced. The HSE has advised that the report will be finalised around the end of the first Quarter, 2008. The HSE has further advised that a decision on whether the report will be made public will be taken upon receipt of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: Senator O'Toole asked about public places, which is defined in the introduction to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993. Senator Mullen thought I did not refer to the Swedish Government. I did of course. I referred to the Swedish Government before I referred to the commentary of the anthropologist. The Swedish Government estimates that the number of prostitutes in Sweden has dropped...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: This is simply a drafting amendment. In the present draft the Short Title and commencement section is at the beginning of the Bill. Apparently, it is more usual to put such a section at the end, as the last section, and that is achieved in this amendment.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: One of Senator Joe O'Toole's final points asked if there is an offence with regard to the client. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit in public for the purposes of sex. The prostitute, client, pimp or other third party can commit the offence. If Senators have an opportunity to refer to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993, there are a number of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: I did, I mentioned a client.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Brendan Smith: To clarify for Senator O'Toole, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit in public for purposes of sex. The prostitute, client, pimp or other third party can commit the offence.