Results 17,861-17,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy knows, what is being done is an increased provision of social housing, a 15% increase in rent supplement and HAP-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----and also the family hubs are being established.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: To the best of my knowledge, the guidelines cannot be applied retrospectively. They only apply to new applications. Applications made prior to the new guidelines being approved fall under the old guidelines. Obviously, as is the case with any planning issue, there are differences of opinion as to what the guidelines should be, but the new guidelines are as they stand.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I absolutely agree with the Deputy. The waiting times people endure for outpatient appointments and for operations in Ireland make us an outlier in the western world and an outlier in a very bad way. For a country that spends so much on health care, it is almost incomprehensible that we are not able to provide a much better service. I know that the HSE has published its waiting list action...

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have not seen the report but I will ask the relevant Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to correspond with the Deputy or contact him directly about that matter. The scheduling of business is a matter for the Business Committee.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The last time I checked, it was illegal to refuse rent supplement. It may well be illegal to refuse those on the housing assistance payment also. That sort of behaviour from landlords cannot be condoned and it is not acceptable. With regard to the actions that can be taken to prevent it and actions against landlords who engage in such discrimination, it is a matter for the Minister, Deputy...

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: On the legislation, heads were approved in May and it has proceeded to drafting.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: What other questions?

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot answer that but if the Deputy wants to put a parliamentary question to the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, he may do so.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised that the academic review of the A Vision for Change strategy is now complete and will be ready quite soon. That will allow the implementation committee to be established. I do not have an exact timeframe but I will ask the new Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Jim Daly, to correspond directly with the Deputy on it. I am advised by the former...

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Putting a new scheme in place requires primary legislation. It is not anticipated that the legislation will be published in this session, but it is expected to be published in the next session.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I will of course. In regard to meeting the Greek Prime Minister, it will be my first European Council meeting and I am not sure exactly how they work, but if there is an opportunity to have a discussion with him I will do so.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My understanding is the drug is not licensed for that condition. Perhaps the Minister for Health might be able to answer the Deputy in a different form, through replying to either a parliamentary question or a Topical Issue matter.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to respond.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Ibrahim Halawa is an Irish citizen who has been detained without trial in Egypt for four years. That, to me, is something that is utterly unacceptable. He was detained when he was 17 years old and was a minor. I think a lot of work has been done by the authorities, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and others, to assist in his release. I know the Ceann Comhairle led a...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps after pilates, we can also have a book club. To answer Deputy Eamon Ryan's question frankly, in March an invitation was issued by the former Taoiseach, Deputy enda Kenny, to President Trump. I will not, of course, rescind that invitation. It would be inappropriate and create a diplomatic incident if I was to rescind an invitation once made but no progress has been made in...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have not hired a speech writer, but I have hired somebody who is a professor of history. I have a great interest in history which I believe is the study of the future because few things have not happened previously and it is a good idea to fill one's suitcase with history books because they are a good guide to what might happen on the road ahead.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: When it comes to any engagement I will have with the American authorities, I will stand by the values of this country and the European values for which the Government stands also. Whether it is interactions with the embassy in Dublin or the US authorities at other meetings or during a visit to the United States which may happen next March, the Deputy can be assured that I will absolutely...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That too, of which the Deputy can be sure. When President John F. Kennedy addressed this House in 1963, he said the power small countries had was to use their voice and set an example. That is exactly what I intend this Government will do, namely, use our voice as a small country to promote those values into the future.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have not seen that Labour Court recommendation, but, as the Deputy will be aware, Labour Court recommendations are made to the employer. In the case of section 39 bodies, the employer is the legal employer - the charity, NGO, religious or other body - not the State. Regarding pay restoration, staff in section 39 agencies were not subject to the provisions of the public service agreements...