Results 18,181-18,200 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (Resumed) (7 Dec 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the report and recommend its reading by as many citizens of the State as possible. I hope the report is available in all public libraries, schools and colleges. I encourage everyone to go online to read it. The Government must ensure that hard copies of the report are available because of its importance. I acknowledge the great work of the expert group and its composition of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (29 Nov 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will conduct a review of motorway signage indicating places of interest to include businesses and commercial sites in close proximity to the State's motorway network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53455/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Application Numbers (27 Nov 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if any steps will be taken to address the backlog in application for family income supplement as applicants are informed that these will not be dealt with until January 2013 at the earliest, even though some people applied over six months ago and having regard to the anxiety and hardship accruing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52210/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services (27 Nov 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the consultant orthodontist serving the midlands area of counties Laois and Offaly, currently transferring to the southern region has left; if he will outline the steps he proposes to take in order to ensure a replacement to deal with the backlog in respect of orthodontic treatment in counties Laois and Offaly;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (27 Nov 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have a wait of at least two years to have a hearing test; the steps he will take in order to improve matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52784/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (27 Nov 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have to wait for a minimum of two years in order to have a hearing aid fitted; if this timeframe is the same in other counties here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Discussion with the Ombudsman (10 Oct 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the strongly worded comments of the Ombudsman to the committee regarding the Bill before the Seanad. I am not sure of the date it was published but, notwithstanding her strong words, progress is at last being reported and that should also be acknowledged notwithstanding the frustration, both personal and professional, of various Ombudsmen over the past 27 years. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Discussion with the Ombudsman (10 Oct 2012)

Charles Flanagan: That should be dealt within in one or two days.

Topical Issue Debate: Fee Paying Schools (9 Oct 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister for his comments and the clarification that no decision has yet been made on this issue, notwithstanding the current budgetary process. On minority faith schools, particularly those of the Protestant persuasion, I refer to the block grant of €6.5 million. I impress on the Minister the importance of retaining the full sum, having regard to the points I made and the...

Topical Issue Debate: Fee Paying Schools (9 Oct 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise this important issue with the Minister for Education and Skills and I thank him for his attendance. The House will be aware that the Government has increased the pupil-teacher ratio in fee-charging schools to 21:1. It is 19:1 in other State-funded schools. Public debate on this issue has been shrouded in claims of elitism and privilege and a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: National Housing Development Surveys (4 Oct 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the national housing development survey to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42378/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (26 Sep 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in relation to community employment workers, employed at Citizen Information Centres, having regard to the level of training involved, if consideration will be given towards a three year participation contract, having regard to the fact that participants would gain valuable experience and skills to enhance their CV's which would also ensure the...

Topical Issue Debate: School Transport Availability (25 Sep 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He referred specifically to transport "on a concessionary basis" in accordance with the terms of the scheme. I ask him to elaborate on the future of the concessionary scheme. Could a student who has attended a school for a year find himself or herself without any transport to that school? Does the Department envisage that a student in such a...

Topical Issue Debate: School Transport Availability (25 Sep 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister of State.

Topical Issue Debate: School Transport Availability (25 Sep 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to convey a deep sense of anger, frustration and annoyance on the part of hundreds of parents throughout County Laois at the consequences of the recent school transport changes. I refer in particular to the parents of students attending Heywood community school in south County Laois. I remind the Minister that this school was founded in 1990 as a result of a forced amalgamation by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Payments (18 Sep 2012)

Charles Flanagan: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for the failure to recognise the insurability of the employment of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38694/12]

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2012)

Charles Flanagan: I do not intend to delay the proceedings of the House but there was an issue that arose on Committee Stage in the context of these amendments. I was not part of that committee but it seems to me that the Minister has not properly addressed the issue of uniformed officers. I read the Committee Stage debate with interest but I believe there is still room for further clarification. I have a...

Written Answers — Office of the Ombudsman: Office of the Ombudsman (3 Jul 2012)

Charles Flanagan: Question 275: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to act on the recommendation of the Constitutional Review Group 1996 which proposed a Constitutional status for the Office of the Ombudsman in order that the office would be seen to be independent and to be able to operate without being influenced by Government action; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Jul 2012)

Charles Flanagan: Question 423: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any legislative initiative is contemplated or planned as a consequence of the 1995 Supreme Court Judgement known as the McKenna Judgement on the conduct of referendums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32013/12]

Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (3 Jul 2012)

Charles Flanagan: Question 659: To ask the Minister for Health he will consider recommending the condition known as Lupus for designation as a long term illness [32311/12]