Results 5,001-5,020 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: How many of the 150 redundancies in Pfizer will be compulsory? What training support will be given to those who find themselves out of a job as a result of these redundancies? The Government has been well aware of the potential difficulties associated with the patent cliff. Has it had discussions with pharmaceutical employers in the country about the possible implications in this regard...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for the opportunity to raise this matter. Yesterday morning 150 staff from Pfizer's Newbridge plant were called in by management to be told that there would be 150 redundancies. The unions have expressed concern about the scale of the proposed redundancy and the shortness of the notice, and I agree with them on that. I understand a meeting is to take...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: Excuse me?

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: My information is that it was done more recently.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: If it was, I accept that but I am just pointing out-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: I am pointing out the difference between the treatment of these people by the State - which the Government can change - and the treatment of those who have to provide for themselves. If my information on that is wrong, I apologise. I disagree profoundly with those commentators who suggest that the way of the future is the total elimination of defined benefit pension schemes. That will...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: I am sure there is one thing on which Members on all sides could agree, namely, that pension schemes in this country are facing a considerable crisis. It is long past time for a mature, national debate on the subject. There are six people of working age for every person over the age of 65 years. By 2060 that figure will have changed dramatically to just two people of working age for every...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: If the previous Government was wrong not to take action within one year, the Government is three times as wrong. I wish to ask the Minister about people who have lost some or all of their pension since she took office when the problem was already manifest and a variant of her solution had already been proposed in a report to the Government. Yesterday, for example, I went downstairs to meet a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Remuneration (4 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: 154. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an employee of the Health Service Executive who suffered an injury at work has, for the fourth time suffered the loss of their personal allowance from their benefit causing a loss of on average €375 per fortnight, €750 per month, causing severe financial hardship, without having been informed at any time that this was to occur; and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Carbon Tax Implementation (3 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: 49. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider deferring the next phase of the implementation of carbon tax, pending an evaluation of the net benefit of same to the State to date, and taking into consideration the effect of the growth of the black economy on regulated fuel businesses; when will all public suppliers of fuel to the domestic market come under a proper regulatory system;...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (3 Dec 2013)

Willie O'Dea: 298. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Criminal Injuries Tribunal is at present unable to adjudicate on cases as members have not been appointed to same; when he proposes to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51723/13]

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: It is acknowledged that many of the people adversely affected by the budgetary changes will not, because there are 30 applicants for every available job, be able to secure employment. It is also acknowledged that the number of available education and training places will not be sufficient. What will be the position in respect of a person who cannot get a place on a training or education...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: May I ask a final question?

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: 9. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of persons who will be affected by the cuts to jobseeker's allowance in 2014; the amount of money she estimates it will save in the full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50826/13]

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister will be aware that people aged under 26 years suffered pretty drastic cuts to their job seeker's allowance or benefit in the recent budget. I am trying to ascertain how many people have been affected and what it has contributed to the State. The Government took almost €3 billion out of the economy, so what contribution has this reduction made? What savings will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: Why confine it to the Garda? Why not send in the Army?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: 4. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her Department's policy on the use of Garda checkpoints to counter welfare fraud; the criteria being used by her Department in the deployment of gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50876/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: Last October the Minister announced a policy initiative directly involving the Garda in the investigation and combatting of social welfare fraud. What I want to ascertain here is whether that policy has been put in place, where, and how successful has it been?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: If I understand the Minister's reply correctly, the multi-agency road checkpoint system has been in place for a quarter of a century but this is a new initiative.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (28 Nov 2013)

Willie O'Dea: It has not yet come into operation. Discussions are still ongoing with the Garda. Is my understanding of that correct? Speaking on Newstalk, on 16 October last, the Minister referred to this recruitment of 20 extra gardaí who, she stated, would be concentrating on areas such as airports, etc. She went on to state that the Department will also be looking at areas such as checkpoints,...