Results 1,821-1,840 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Senator's observations are correct.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The last part. To put his mind at rest, I am advised that the word "benefit" will cover "assistance". Hence, I am not in a position to accept the amendment. The Attorney General's office is satisfied that the present wording is sufficient for the purpose of the scheme.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I do not accept this amendment because section 15(a) already provides that the scheme administrator should give notice in writing to the applicant of its decision and the reasons for its decision. In the case of those receiving a repayment, the reasons for the decision will include a calculation of the amount of repayment. This will be especially important if any ex gratia deductions, or...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I do not accept this amendment because the provision of section 15(a) already provides that the scheme administrator will give the applicant notice in writing, as well as the reasons for the decision. In the case of a decision indicating that an award is to be made, a calculation of how the amount of the award was determined will also be provided. In turn, this will reduce the number of...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I do not accept this amendment because it does not allow for a commencement order for a certain section of the Bill. A general commencement order can be made to allow for commencement of all provisions of the Bill. The inclusion of the provision to allow commencement orders will allow, if necessary, the commencement of a provision of the legislation before the legislation is enacted. The...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I have nothing further to add. There is no need to go over what I said earlier. I outlined the reasons for the delay in bringing forward the legislation. We hope to have the legislation enacted as quickly as possible to ensure the process of processing the applications can commence quickly and allow the people receive their money as quickly as possible.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I am inclined to agree with Senator Quinn. The sun seems to have affected Senator Ryan.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I do not accept this amendment because it would not allow for the appointment of an outside company to administer the scheme. The Government decision allows for the appointment of a company to provide an independent input into the process. The public tendering process has been implemented and the HSE decided on the appointment of a preferred service provider at a meeting of the board on 1...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Government decided to appoint an outside company, and I have explained the reasons behind that. Despite what Deputy Ryan has said, it is not an open-ended contract.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The HSE was given the job of——

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: Will the Senator please listen to me for a second?

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The HSE had the job of recruiting a company to assist in the repayment scheme and it initiated a tendering process. That first tendering process was terminated because it felt it was not getting value for money. A second tendering process was advertised and a number of companies expressed interest. The HSE indicated that the second batch of tenders was much more competitive than the first. A...

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (13 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: I am quite happy to speak on or off the record, but I am giving the Senator the facts. The board met on 1 June and the company was selected. Under the rules that must be observed, there is a 14-day cooling off period to allow other companies to raise objections to the appointment, which will be completed within two days. The name of the company will be made known, as will the costs of...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: This debate on the greyhound industry, which has been taken for granted in many respects, is welcome because the industry has not received much coverage in the House. We were fortunate that two Ministers in the previous Government, Deputy Walsh and Mr. Charlie McCreevy, were familiar with the greyhound racing and horseracing industries and they brought forward legislation to secure funding...

Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: Unfortunately, no, but they were good at eating. Many tracks had poor facilities until recent years. Kevin Heffernan, who is associated more with gaelic football than with greyhounds, was one of the people responsible for much of the change that has taken place. He identified what was required to improve the industry but at the time, unfortunately, the necessary resources were not available....

Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Jun 2006)

Seán Power: The profile of those attending greyhound meetings has changed significantly in recent years. For example, many more young people attend than did so a few years ago. I acknowledge the leadership given by Paschal Taggart and the other members of Bord na gCon. I also acknowledge the transformation of the greyhound industry. It is somewhat unfortunate that Deputy Deenihan is bringing forward his...