Results 141-160 of 2,825 for speaker:Sandra McLellan

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: It is not improving.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the family of a deceased person (details supplied) are not entitled to six weeks payment from the person's disability allowance; the reason they are not entitled to arrears that were owed to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39352/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I welcome the representatives. I very much thank them for their presentations, for all the work they have done in this field over a very long period and for bringing us to the position in which we now find ourselves. We all welcome that the heads of the Bill have been published. The legislation has been a long time in coming and we are all pleased this day has come. Whether people agree...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I will leave it at come back in if there are a few other issues. The presentations have been very important to us all with regard to this Bill. They have brought home some issues that overlap and some very sensitive issues that need to be addressed in the Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: Like everybody else, I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. These presentations not only highlight a number of issues raised in the sessions over three weeks but also raise a number of issues which we had not heard previously and which will be important in the final drafting of the Bill. I am sure all the issues will be considered legally or by the Minister. Some of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (5 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a student will be assessed as financially independent from the student's parents with an affidavit from a solicitor swearing that the student is in fact financially independent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38923/15]

Travellers' Rights: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I welcome representatives and members of the Traveller community in the Public Gallery this evening. Discrimination against Travellers is an all too regular occurrence and generally accepted within society. Comments such as "sure aren't they just Irish" and "why don't they just live in houses" are commonplace and are probably some of the more mature comments one is likely to hear. Couple...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (3 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 279. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to disregard maintenance as means for rent allowance for lone parents, given that the purpose of maintenance is to make provision towards the essential needs of the child, and not to pay towards rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38383/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (3 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 641. To ask the Minister for Health if an immediate stream of funding is available for a social club for the elderly (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38106/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 1036. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow local authorities to take estates in charge that were originally holiday home schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37319/15]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (3 Nov 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 1120. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned that the Phillips 66 company has commenced a process to sell Whitegate Oil Refinery in Cork; the steps he is taking to ensure that we maintain a refining capacity on the island of Ireland, due to its strategic importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38295/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I welcome Dr. Shannon and thank him for his presentation. His opening statement brings home the fact that this is a quite complex and sensitive matter. This is legislation for which people have waited for a long time. Every person is entitled to know his identity and health status or health footprint. While respecting the rights of the birth parents, the State has an overriding...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I welcome Mr. McBride and thank him for his presentation. This is legislation for which most people have waited a long time. We agree that every child or adopted person is entitled to their identity. I also believe they are entitled to their health and medical records. A few things occurred to me in the presentation, one of which was compelling reasons, something with which everybody has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I thank the Minister and his officials for the presentation. I welcome the fact that this legislation will finally be brought before the House. Many people have waited a long time for it. We all acknowledge that everybody is entitled to know their identity and their health footprint. Even in non-contact situations everybody should be entitled to their medical records. A number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: Yes.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: Sure everyone is talking.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Family Resource Centres (21 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: 5. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the retention of the family resource centre national programme is an issue he believes to be of paramount importance to his Department; and if extra funding will be provided to ensure this is maintained. [35509/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Family Resource Centres (21 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: Is the retention of the family resource centre national programme an issue the Minister believes to be of paramount importance to his Department and will additional funding be provided to ensure it is maintained?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Family Resource Centres (21 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: I thank the Minister for his reply. While I welcome the increase in Tusla's budget, one must recognise it had been underfunded, and when one dishes out that money across all the various Departments, it does not account for an awful lot. Family resource centres are an integral hub of communities and are engaging with increasing numbers of people each month. Family resource centres provide...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Family Resource Centres (21 Oct 2015)

Sandra McLellan: As I pointed out, the family resource centres have had their core funding cut by 17%. I have been informed morale is at an all-time low because 60% of the agency's funding comes through fund-raising. That time spent on fund-raising would be far better spent on providing an excellent service to vulnerable children. Does the Minister agree prevention and early intervention are far better than...