Results 1-20 of 3,007 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (20 Feb 2020)

Emer Higgins: I offer comhghairdeas to the Ceann Comhairle on his re-election. It is a privilege to be a Member of the Thirty-third Dáil and I wish to thank everybody who entrusted me with that responsibility. I am proud to second the nomination of Deputy Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach. He stands out for being honest, straight-talking and determined and having a track record of delivering results....

Covid 19 (Childcare): Statements (6 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Minister for Children and Family Affairs, Ms Zappone, for everything she has been doing for children. My thanks also to all our front-line and essential workers who are keeping us safe during this time. My thanks to everyone who is leaving their family day in and day out to join the fight against Covid-19. Others are spending day in and day out with their families. I wish to...

Covid 19 (Childcare): Statements (6 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: If crèches close their doors permanently, prices will rise. That is simple economics. Without accessible or affordable childcare, childcare providers who want to return to work, and families who need them to be able to return to work, will not be able. For many working families their childcare service is the most important cog in their wheel. That is why we need to look at how we...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: It is indeed. There are moments that are watersheds in all our lives, and completing primary school and secondary school are two of those moments. I still remember the days I left St. Martin's national school and Rathcoole community college. Many people cherish those moments. One of the most important aspects of education is the social one, and that is why. Students learn to make deep...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: The public's response to this crisis has been impressive and because of that we are making progress. However, that progress is fragile, and a very real threat is posed at our ports. As the Minister said, one in three Dublin Airport passengers refused to fill out an optional form telling us where they planned to self-isolate. Passengers can waltz through our airports, claim they are...

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: We all, rightly, applaud the heroic efforts of nurses during this crisis. For them, turning up to work every day is brave. Not only do they play a central role in ensuring that 70% of Covid-19 patients recover from this deadly virus, but they comfort terrified patients and spend time with the dying in their final hours. Too many people have paid too high a price for doing their duty....

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: The Government acted quickly to support businesses and provide workers laid off as a result of the crisis with a safety net. I thank the Minister and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection's staff across the country, particularly those in the Intreo office in Clondalkin, for everything they have done to make that happen. The temporary Covid wage subsidy scheme has...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: There is no denying that the education of our children will be severely impacted upon by this crisis. When students return to school, notwithstanding the mammoth efforts of teachers and parents to home-school them, their education will have to be accelerated in order to catch up on the many months of missed schooling. Not all students will be able for this. Children with special needs may...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (27 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: 332. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is flexibility by which maternity leave payments can be extended due to exceptional circumstances during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7202/20]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (27 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: 405. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the support other than statutory redundancy that can be provided to workers of a company (details supplied) that has gone into liquidation; if she will invite the company to reconsider its approach and treat its staff fairly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7200/20]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Redundancy Payments (27 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: 933. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to help workers (details supplied) in south western areas of Dublin that are facing redundancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7201/20]

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: The response from our public service has been heroic. In Ireland's time of need, we know we can always rely on the loyalty and dedication of our Defence Forces. Whether it is establishing and operating test centres on Dublin's quays, playing a vital role in contact tracing, putting overflow facilities together in City West at a moment's notice or transporting vital and life-saving PPE, the...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Tánaiste and his Department for their heroic efforts to return Irish citizens home safely as we prepared for lockdown. I have friends and former colleagues in Australia and Egypt and constituents in Peru and India who turned to me for help, and I could only help them because the Tánaiste and his staff helped me. I thank him and his team for ensuring they and thousands...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: As the Minister is aware, at this time of year, his Department would usually be gearing up to mark national bike week. It has been postponed as a result of Covid-19. In fact, today is World Bicycle Day. As such, I hope the Minister will indulge me by answering a quick question on cycling before I move to my question on air travel.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: I promise to be very quick.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: We are all changing our lifestyles as a result of the pandemic. One of the positive changes is the number of people who have taken up cycling. More than half a million adults are cycling at least once a week during this crisis compared with 220,000 at this time last year. Given the move to reduce carbon emissions and the fact that capacity on public transport services will be impacted by...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: The Minister might get back to me in writing on it.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: 44. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by businesses when an employee receiving the pandemic unemployment payment leaves their job due to the fact their replacement will not be eligible for the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme; if he will amend the scheme in order that businesses are entitled to the wage subsidy scheme for the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: 45. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that insurers are increasing premiums to customers despite no claims by the customer during the Covid-19 crisis and that they are demanding 25% of the premium to continue policies in suspended mode during the crisis by which cover is reduced; his plans to intervene to ensure fairness for business owners; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: 156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application to extend a college (details supplied) has been at stage 2B for five years and that the original planning application will expire soon; the reason for numerous requests for revised stage 2B reports on this project; the status of this application; the date by which the school will...