Results 61-80 of 3,560 for speaker:Duncan Smith

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: As a committee, we will be scrutinising that, but we are dealing with facts and data as we get them. On the staff shortages, it is widely reported that the average pay in the sector is approximately €12 per hour for health assistants. Does Mr. Daly think this has had an impact on the staffing levels and the ability to attract staff? Nursing Homes Ireland has had its own...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: An awful lot of figures are being thrown around in regard to the industry and, as was said, everything from the voluntary right through to large corporates are involved. Given there has been an issue in terms of being prepared for this across the State, would Mr. Daly consider the setting up of a pandemic or crisis fund within the nursing homes sector, which he represents? I am referring to...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: Money must be an issue because there is now a €72 million support package and the nursing homes have drawn down €8.7 million. Money is an issue.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Mr. Daly.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: I would like to pick up on HSE clinical oversight. There is obvious concern about the lack of HSE clinical oversight of nursing homes. HIQA has been the regulator for more than a decade now. After many visits to and engagements with nursing homes, did it at any point write to the Department of Health or the HSE prior to spring 2020 regarding that oversight model? If so, when was that and...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: Has any response been received? Was there any kind of encouragement from the Department regarding taking this up or has HIQA been stonewalled?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: That is fine. I want to be clear on whether HIQA has physically visited any of those nursing homes in which there have been outbreaks. We know the inspectors need to use PPE etc., but have they gone in person to where there have been outbreaks?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: That will happen in places where there are outbreaks.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: That is good to know. In terms of the gerontological expertise within the leadership of HIQA, I understand none of the 15 Covid-19 health technology assessment guidance focuses on older people in nursing homes. What is the expertise for the nursing home area within the leadership of HIQA in terms of this crisis?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: Is that being addressed now? Has HIQA acknowledged that this lack of expertise should have been addressed previously and is it now rectifying the situation?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Nursing Homes (Resumed) (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Mr. Quinn and Ms Dunnion for their responses.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Direct Provision Centres (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: I direct my first question to Ms Buckley. The direct provision system is what I consider to be an inhumane and difficult system in which people must survive. Ms Buckley mentioned that she will be back in terms of some regular business and try to process applications for citizenship. If we are on a downward trend for Covid-19, and hopefully we are, there are fears of a second wave and a flu...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Direct Provision Centres (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: Would Ms Buckley be minded to recommend to the Minister to change any criteria at this time in light of what has happened during this outbreak? Would she be sending any memos to the Minister on the basis of her experiences in the past few weeks?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Direct Provision Centres (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: My next question is for the HSE and follows on from Deputy Joe O'Brien's questions on testing. We have had 1,734 tests so far. What are the criteria as regards further tests? Is it just people who have developed symptoms or who have asked to be tested because of that, or is there a protocol for further systematic testing in direct provision centres? Are there concerns that people in the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Congregated Settings: Direct Provision Centres (26 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: In a word, there is no recurrent, consistent testing of people in direct provision.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (27 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: 11. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on possible illegal activity at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/20]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (27 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: 23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding renewing passports; if there are delays; the average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7408/20]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (27 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: 337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the changes have been made to the community return scheme; the reason persons that had their applications made to the Probation Service before the change had their cases investigated under the old scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7407/20]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (27 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: 339. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in Athy, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/20]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Duncan Smith: 414. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address a matter regarding the hairdressing and beauty industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7327/20]