Results 2,361-2,380 of 2,787 for speaker:Marian Harkin

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

Marian Harkin: I thank the Minister for her presence. I also thank her, her officials and all the relevant staff throughout the country for working unstintingly and showing great commitment to ensuring that people get their payments. Nothing is perfect, but from what I have seen, this has been first class. I have not been in the Chamber because, in asking questions of a number of Ministers, I have...

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

Marian Harkin: I thank the Minister. I am not sure, but are the victims being seen as a priority group?

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

Marian Harkin: It is important that they be seen as a priority group because they are largely invisible. My next question is one the Minister, Regina Doherty, has already dealt with here today,namely, self-employed people over 66 years of age whose business was shutdown who are not entitled to the PUP but who can access the temporary wage subsidy scheme. However, a sole trader or the self employed can...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I asked about the pods and whether, if we are going to move to that model, it would reduce the number of children that could be cared for.

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: The cancellation of the healthcare workers childcare scheme is regrettable, not least because it is hugely inconvenient for the healthcare workers themselves. I have spoken to many providers about this and I get a sense that there has been a certain erosion of trust between the providers and the Department. The issue is consultation. People told me that a 17 page document arrived, it was a...

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: Yes.

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

Marian Harkin: I appreciate that and I know my constituent will as well. My other question relates to another vulnerable group. I know of people whose properties have been sold to vulture funds. The Minister knows this story. Right now, public auctions are being planned to sell distressed properties. For example, one is advertised for this day week and another for early in June. Now, we are only...

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

Marian Harkin: Yes we can.

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

Marian Harkin: I wish to comment briefly on the issue of those returning from maternity leave and their exclusion from the temporary wage subsidy scheme. The Minister has said he will try to find a solution and I welcome that. I have just two comments to make. First, this needs to be done very quickly as many women find themselves in that position right now. Second, the Minister indicated that he might...

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

Marian Harkin: I accept that but there have been rumblings around the fact that it was to be the last TU to be completed and was bottom of the list again. I do not want anything to interfere with its progress. The Minister has answered me. As I have 30 seconds remaining I have a question on the calculated grades, to which the Minister can respond in writing. I am aware the Minister is setting the...

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

Marian Harkin: That is why I clarified.

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

Marian Harkin: I am sharing time with Deputy Pringle. If the Ceann Comhairle and the Minister might indulge me for 30 seconds, I would like to mention that today is World Bee Day. The connection to education is that many primary schools have excellent projects on the importance of bees to our ecosystem. In that context, I want to mention the late Philip McCabe. He was a neighbouring county man of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 8. To ask the Taoiseach if consideration is being given to lifting Covid-19 restrictions on a county basis or by province subject to and in line with all advice from the NPHET. [6488/20]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 423. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering plans to extend paid maternity leave during the current Covid-19 crisis; and if not, if he will consider such an extension (details supplied). [6489/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Agency Staff (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 661. To ask the Minister for Health if a review has been carried out to compare the average hourly cost to the HSE in CHO1 of hours from the approved tender providers with the average hourly cost to the HSE of hours from the agencies which had been providing the service prior to the award in 2017 in advance of the renewal of the contract for healthcare assistant agency cover; if the tender...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 901. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the requirement that donkeys can only make up a maximum of 50% of the stocking density requirement for payments under areas of natural constraint will be deferred in view of the fact that many farmers are unable to purchase extra stock due to marts remaining closed and or due to restrictions in relation to travel distance from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 902. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that will be taken to ensure that the proposed An Bord Bia farm sustainability platform development will not impose further demands on farmers for meeting further quality and environmentally friendly requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6627/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 994. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider State support to a company (details supplied) due to the Covid-19 crisis and in the context of the almost complete shutdown of the aviation industry. [5952/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (20 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: 1040. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a timeframe for the resumption of driver tests will be confirmed; and the stage the re-opening phases test will resume (details supplied). [6626/20]

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Marian Harkin: I am happy to hear that the restart grant can be used specifically to cover costs that have accrued while the business was closed. My second question relates to borrowing, and I have previously spoken about the issue of rates. The Government can borrow at less than 1%, yet we are charging between 4% and 5% over the lifetime of the loan. Why are we so out of kilter with our European...