Results 21-40 of 51 for mother and baby homes speaker:Leo Varadkar

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Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...the institutionalisation of so many of our citizens. As the House will be aware, on 16 April, Government published the recommendations of the collaborative forum for former residents of the mother and baby homes. Government also approved a series of measures and a comprehensive analysis of the recommendations by relevant Departments, with individuals Departments to revert by the end...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (20 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I agree with Deputy Micheál Martin's comments about the vital role that the clergy, the Catholic Church and other churches played in helping to bring about the peace process in Northern Ireland. I believe they still have a role to play in that regard in the future. If we end up with a no-deal scenario in a few weeks' time - that is, no-deal without an extension, which I assume is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...an extension of one year to finish its work will not impact on the timeline for the excavations at Tuam. They will happen on the basis of the timeline indicated previously. The Minister and I heard what was asked for by some of the elderly former residents of the mother and baby home in Tuam and will certainly give it consideration. In order to take DNA samples from the remains, we...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I very much share the distress and disappointment of former residents of the mother and baby homes that we do not yet have a final report from the commission which we should not forget was established by the Oireachtas. None of us believed at the time that it would take as long as it has for the commission to do its work and issue its report. The commission is independent. The whole point...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not need to wait for the report to be published next year to offer my sorrow and regret, and that of the Government, for all that happened to women in mother and baby homes and the children born in them. Many of them had very negative experiences and the Government, this Parliament and the State are very sorry for all of that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has granted a request made by the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to extend the timeframe for the delivery of its reports by one year. The commission is now due to submit its final report by 2020. I note that the Deputy has acknowledged that we have to allow the commission which is independent to do its work. At the same time, we need to acknowledge...

Ráitis ó Cheannairí na bPáirtithe agus na nGrúpaí - Statements from Party and Group Leaders (21 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ...de phoblacht shaor, neamhspleách a bhí leagtha amach sa Dearbhú Neamhspleáchais sin, a bhronnfaí cearta agus deiseanna comhionanna ar gach saoránach. Is í an fhís chéanna a threoraímid inniu. When a small group of people, recently elected to the Westminster Parliament, met here in the Mansion House 100 years ago they changed the course of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I was asked about the interaction between the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Pope during his visit. As members will be aware, they spoke briefly in Arás an Uachtaráin about Tuam and the Minister followed up that conversation with a letter. The Pope has provided a written response, although it is more of an acknowledgement than a substantive response. The Minister...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: ...is recognising the work of Catherine Corless, the local historian whose painstaking research over a number of years helped to bring many of the issues at Tuam to the attention of the Government and the public. I also recognise the various campaigners involved. I thank the Deputy for commending the Minister, Deputy Zappone, and the Government on the decision we made yesterday. The...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the mother and baby home in Tuam, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone, will make a statement at 3 p.m. It is fair to say that the she has put an enormous amount of work into studying this matter over the past two years. The Cabinet accepted her recommendations today. I would like to give the Minister the opportunity to outline her recommendations in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government-Church Dialogue (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On hospitals and healthcare institutions, the Minister for Health has asked Ms Catherine Day, former head of the civil service in the European Union, to lead some work on the future relationship and governance of our hospitals for us. I have not had sight of that work yet. I am not quite sure how advanced it is but I look forward to seeing the outcome once it is ready. Volunteerism in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation Expenditure (25 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am sorry to tell the Deputy that there were not significant savings. The Department's Estimate was voted through the House in April and by then the decision had been made to shut down the SCU. The money was never voted to the Department, thus the voted Estimate to the Department was €2.5 million less than was provided for in the budget and the savings never arose. The mother...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the audit of records, I answered that question, as did the Minister, Deputy Katharine Zappone. I have also answered the question about the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. On giving an assurance about the passage of the Bill through the House, I can offer no such assurance as we do not have a majority in the Dáil or the Seanad. We are seeing other legislation being held up...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Estimates Process (22 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is a survey that is designed to assess citizens' awareness of Departments and agencies, and what they do, their satisfaction with them and what improvements they would like to see. I look forward to the input of party leaders in suggesting additional questions or amending some of the questions. The outcome will be published for everyone to see. It will be repeated over time to see if...

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I say once again how saddened I was to hear about the case of Vicky Phelan and emphasise the extent to which I feel for her and her family. I am full of sorrow that she was not diagnosed sooner and wish her and her family the very best on the difficult road ahead. I pay tribute to her for her bravery, particularly in calling on women and men to go for cancer screening which we know saves...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We on this side of the House - Fine Gael, the Independent Alliance and Independents - believe in improving living standards for people who work hard, get up early in the morning, work at night, and work weekends and shift work because we believe that work should pay, and we make no apologies for saying so. It is one of our objectives and part of our value system. Moreover, because we...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (6 Apr 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care free of charge to an expectant mother arising out of her pregnancy and to her new-born baby for six weeks after birth. Before the birth of the child the Scheme offers a system of combined care by a general practitioner who is a participant and is chosen by the expectant mother and the maternity unit/ hospital of...

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the budget and the 2016 health Estimates. This is my second year as Minister for Health to address the House on this matter and, as was the case last year, I am pleased to be here to talk about a budget that provides additional funding for public services such as health, education and child care. The budget will assist in continuing the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Magdalen Laundries (9 Jun 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were represented on the Magdalen Laundries Interdepartmental Committee chaired by Dr. Martin McAleese. I am aware that the Health Service Executive provided a draft report on the Bessboro Mother and Baby Home to the secretariat of the Committee. The representatives of the two Departments received a copy of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (3 Feb 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to thank the Deputy for the issue raised. The HSE have advised me that there were 12 mothers contracted for home births with the self employed community midwife prior to her suspension. All but one mother has delivered their baby. The HSE have also advised that self employed community midwives are facilitated to practice after signing a memorandum of understanding and a contract of...