Results 12,401-12,420 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 16: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the option of payment of the fuel allowance as a once-off bulk payment.". Senator Browne feels strongly on this issue, which we discussed...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: It was quite a while ago.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: On that basis, I will withdraw the amendment.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 17: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on improving entitlement levels to full contributory pensions for all older people.". While this is an important amendment, there is not much time...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister for his interaction with us. We put a lot of work into this and it is important we are listened to in order that we can deal with issues on behalf of those who need our help and support. I wish the Minister and his officials a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I agree with the thrust of what the Minister is doing. He stated that he will circulate the document, which is very interesting. He was very careful to mention the income of €20,000 adding up to a final total of €33,000, but he neglected to point out the outgoing expenditure. If a lone parent works and must rely on child care for his or her children, then child care alone could cost...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 6: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the numbers of eligible persons and proportion thereof availing of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, among low income families." I...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I have suggested it should be to the end of November. I understand it is available currently from June to September. Many people would not start to avail of it until mid-August to the end of September. I accept what the Minister said as regards people getting exceptional needs payments, but a great many probably do not apply because they know they are outside the date.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: Correct. I welcome the fact the Minister is going to look at this, which is worthwhile. As I said, many people are busy in September and may use funding to buy school uniforms etc. which could have been used for other things if they had the money. A month or two would be very useful to see how matters would work. I am not sure whether the Minister has examined the possibility of paying...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 7: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of a cost of disability payment for people with disabilities." This is quite important and speaks for itself as regards the cost...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 8: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of a national waste waiver system for all low-income households administered through the social welfare system.". This issue was...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister. I strongly support what he said, that local authorities should do what they can to provide waivers to those who need them in their areas. If anything, this debate at least has united us on this point and has also given the Minister an opportunity to make a strong case in the House. Perhaps my faith in the system is being restored.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 9: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on supplementary pension coverage.". There is a Green Paper coming up in a few months time. We have been over this area.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 10: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas a report on extending the free travel scheme to include other service providers, with a view to improving free travel benefits for people in rural areas."....

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I want to speak to both amendments. Fine Gael has carefully examined the abolition of the means test and, like everyone else, has recognised the invaluable work of carers. The discussion on amendment No. 1 is timely, given that the Government unveiled its policy for care of the elderly a number of days ago. I do not know the experiences of other Deputies, but the number of calls to my...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: Do not tell him any more.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I acknowledge that all couples who care for relatives are not millionaires. The husband works and earns a modest wage while his wife is at home looking after an elderly parent or parent-in-law but she is precluded from the carer's allowance scheme other than the respite care grants. Issues relating to people who are involved in caring and are not supported must be recognised and addressed....

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 4: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of a second-tier, employment neutral, child income support payment to target child poverty levels.". We have been through these...

Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: I was told in July last that a decision has been made by the Government to transfer the community welfare service from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and that legislation is to be brought forward to do that. When will this legislation be published? What will be the title of the Bill or will it be part of another Bill?

Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

David Stanton: To be helpful, the Minister told me that no date has been set for completion of the transfer. The Minister indicated it is expected to bring forward legislation early in 2007. I just want to know when that legislation will be published and what will be its title?