Results 7,541-7,560 of 8,654 for speaker:Seán Crowe

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 149: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to evidence that the imprisoned Kurdish leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has been poisoned and is being continuously held in solitary confinement in breach of his human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/07]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Like other speakers, I want to address the issue and perhaps my colleague, to whom I listened, could listen to what I have to say. I commend the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, for the initiative shown in this campaign. I attended an INTO conference some years ago when Deputy Noel Dempsey was the relevant Government Minister and the General Secretary of the union, Mr. John Carr,...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The only thing of which we can be sure is that the cohort is reducing. I know of some people who benefited from the change. Maybe the Minister knows how many women this affects but the rest of us do not. People had no choice beyond whether to get married. If they married they lost their jobs. We have moved on but how far depends on whether women have a real choice about staying at home...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 8: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, as soon as is possible after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on re-instating child benefit as a universal payment and the lifting of the habitual residence condition.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 10: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on increasing the living alone allowance.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 11: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months after the passing of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the success of the rent supplement and rental accommodation schemes.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I wish to speak on my amendment, No. 20, which proposes the deletion of the entire section dealing with rent supplement. I argued earlier that it was wrong and discriminatory. I do not believe there was any real consultation, although many areas are being regenerated. The Minister seemed to be under the impression that there was political consensus, but there is no such consensus. If...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: It does not say that in the legislation.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: That has not been put in the legislation.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Bill refers to "the area", it does not say anything about flats or apartments in an area.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Therefore, it excludes anyone in that area. That is the point. The Minister is building walls around that particular area in order that local people cannot live there.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: From 1 May 2004, 1,557 children have been denied child benefit as a consequence of the habitual residence condition. Some of those refused are the children most in need of this allowance. I made the point during debate on a previous Stage that immigration policy seems to be taking precedence over anti-poverty measures. If the purpose of this allowance is to help children and provide...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Minister mentioned the carers' strategy being ready for the end of 2007. Perhaps as part of the discussion, a report could be published within the three month period, unless the Minister is totally opposed to the idea. The overall strategy covers comprehensive services and supports for family carers, enhancing and supporting carers' health and well-being, education and training for...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I agree with Deputy Penrose, it is more costly to live alone and the living alone allowance has not been increased since 1996. We all know prices have increased in the meantime, with the prices of food, fuel, electricity, heating, clothes, shoes, transport and accommodation seeing massive increases while the allowance has remained the same. The allowance was established because it was...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: My amendment seeks to delete the section and my view is shared by Deputy Penrose. It is clear the section comes from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It goes against the view articulated previously by the Minister and his Department in regard to rent supplement and the importance of keeping in contact with young single parents who are vulnerable and away...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: In support of Deputy Penrose it is important that we review this area as soon as possible. The Minister speaks of having a limited amount of money but we believe this needs to be addressed urgently. Every week 150,000 carers work 3.5 million hours and each year they contribute over €2.1 billion to the State. Fewer than one in six carers qualify for carer's allowance. I commend the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 153: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will terminate tax breaks for the construction of private hospitals. [10188/07]

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (20 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 163: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the recent Combat Poverty Agency study, Financial Exclusion in Ireland — An Exploratory Study and Policy Review, which found that low income families face particular obstacles in accessing and using financial services and which found that this may prevent them from engaging fully in normal social and economic activities. [10187/07]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (20 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 476: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will look favourably on the medical card application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who suffered a massive heart attack and mild stroke, who is in need of constant medical treatment, has no income of their own at present and is unable to work. [10307/07]

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (20 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 749: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the criteria to qualify for the back to education initiative and deliver on the demand from AONTAS to ensure that people earning less than €35,000 per annum will be eligible for a BTEI course fee waiver. [8004/07]