Results 1-20 of 10,663 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I will outline a few points in relation to the Bill. The Minister will, obviously, be looking for this legislation to be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice.

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank Senators Malcolm Byrne and Fiona O'Loughlin for bringing this legislation before the House and for highlighting the growing issue of targeted protests outside the homes of politicians and public figures. I completely condemn these protests. They were targeted and personalised in nature and have had an impact not just on the persons involved but their respective families and...

Dentistry Services: Motion (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I thank the Deputies for tabling the motion and giving us the opportunity to discuss oral healthcare services, to provide some updates on developments in the sector and to outline the Government’s priorities to fundamentally reform these services over the coming years. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister. To be clear, this Government allocates over €200...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Education. The Minister asked me to thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides the Department with an opportunity to clarify the position regarding the development of Fermoy Educate Together National School and, more specifically, the school's request for further accommodation. The Deputy may be aware that Fermoy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: Officials in the Department of Education have been engaging with the school patron, Educate Together, in respect of the current and future needs of the school.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: As already outlined, there are 19 primary schools in the Fermoy planning area. I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Department has ongoing communication with the school's patron regarding the accommodation needs of the school. The Department of Education continues to liaise with the school and NCSE regarding the provision of accommodation for pupils with special...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I note what the Deputy says in relation to the specific vacancy in Youghal and I will take back his concern to the Minister. The Minister fully acknowledges the frustration of those waiting too long to access vital primary care services and that of their families. He agrees that much more needs to be done to address waiting lists for speech and language therapy in addition to other key...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I fully understand the frustration the Deputy feels on this matter but it is important to acknowledge – this is not from a script - that there are more than 1,500 projects being dealt with by the Department. While the interim works on the Scoil Phádraig building will serve as a first phase for the Holy Trinity National School project, the progression of the project for the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I will come back to the Minister with the Deputy's concerns. As I said, I am stepping in for the Minister for Education and that is the information I have received. I will convey the Deputy's concerns to her.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I am.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it gives me, on behalf of the Minister for Education, the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the current position regarding the major school building project for Holy Trinity National School in Westport, County Mayo. The major building project for Holy Trinity is to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (22 May 2024)

Colm Burke: 51. To ask the Minister for Finance to clarify what measures are to be taken to ensure there is not a discrepancy between higher and lower paid workers as a result of a higher BIK being made available for electric cars, which may be more expensive, but simultaneously result in greater tax reliefs than for those with internal combustion engine models; what incentives are available and will be...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Funding (21 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I am dealing with this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter of funding for East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support, which is based in Ballinasloe, County Galway. The need to address survivorship care for those living with and beyond cancer is now recognised internationally. Groups such as East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support emphasise...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Funding (21 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I very much agree with her in respect of the number of people diagnosed with cancer who have come through treatment. They need support. The Department of Health and the NCCP are committed to working with cancer support services. This will ensure that various programmes and services are appropriately developed and made more widely available to those who need them. The current National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (21 May 2024)

Colm Burke: As this is a service matter, I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (21 May 2024)

Colm Burke: The free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25, ordinarily resident in Ireland, was launched on 14th September, 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 31 inclusive, from January 1st, 2024. Approximately €44m has been allocated to support the scheme in 2024 and approximately 2,400 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (16 May 2024)

Colm Burke: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, I would like to thank Senator Murphy for raising this matter and for the opportunity to update the House. A central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first"...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (16 May 2024)

Colm Burke: On behalf of the Minister I would like to again thank the Senator for raising this matter and creating the opportunity to update the House. The Minister recognises the frustration of the people of Ballaghaderreen who are waiting for the development of this new primary care centre. As noted, the HSE is engaging with developers to seek clarification regarding the viability of the undertaking....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (16 May 2024)

Colm Burke: Thank you a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I am here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly to reply to this Commencement matter. I thank Senator Carrigy for the opportunity to address the issue of specialised dentistry within the public service. The salaried HSE public dental service providers offer care to several groups of patients including those with complex and additional needs. In...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (16 May 2024)

Colm Burke: I take on board what the Senator is saying and I will certainly follow it up with the Minister. I assure him access to dental care through the public system is a priority for the Minister and the Government. The Minister has made substantial additional investment in oral healthcare services in recent years. In addition to the more than €200 million the Government invests in public...