Results 1,741-1,760 of 12,590 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter and I thank the Minister for attending in person to hear what I have to say. Tonight I raise the issue of the plight of two female employees of the University of Limerick, who have spent the last number of years on half pay and who are now suspended and in receipt of social welfare payments. These are dedicated,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: What question are we on?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Would the Minister agree with me that insofar as many of the social welfare rates are somewhat below the poverty line indexing those to inflation would lock those people permanently into poverty? We have to reach a benchmark to bring people above the poverty line before we decide on what form of indexation we need to pursue.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Is it my question?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: My question is on auto-enrolment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Auto-enrolment is a separate question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: I would like an answer if the Minister is willing to give me one.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: JobPath Programme (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister says that Private Members' motions are not binding. We all recognise that. I tabled three Private Members' motions in the last 12 months which were all passed overwhelmingly by the Dáil. They were not all in the Minister's Department. The Government has not taken a single measure to implement any one of them.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: JobPath Programme (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Since this Government came into office, has it ever reflected the will of the Dáil by implementing a Private Members' motion that was tabled by the Opposition? As far as I recall, it has not. What is the point in tabling Private Members' motions if, having been debated and passed by substantial majorities, usually in the Dáil, the Government steadfastly ignores them? In old...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Rates (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: 91. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if index-linking social welfare payments is being considered; the analysis she has undertaken of this approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8049/19]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: 46. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for community employment schemes and the local employment services; the efforts she will make to safeguard same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8052/19]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: There are two aspects to this question. The first part is that the Minister recently announced a review of the community employment scheme. I would like an update on the review. Second, has the Minister read the Indecon report? Is she aware of its recommendations on the local employment service, LES, and has she taken any decision on the matter yet?

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: I am glad that the Minister is committed because my information is that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is directing people away from community employment schemes to keep Turas Nua and Seetec fed. It is to keep that monster fed. When does the Minister expect to be in a position to make a decision on the future of community employment schemes? Does she intend to...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: If that is the case and it is the Minister's intention that the LES should continue for years into the future and knowing as I do that the LES would not be able to compete properly or not at all if it was opened up to private tender, will she confirm this and give us that reassurance in order that there will not be any question about the work being tendered for privately? Will she also...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Tell us what it is

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes Review (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Would the Minister prefer to retain responsibility in her Department?

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: With respect, the Minister has not got the best advice. She is talking about protecting people from themselves. People here make the decisions and I suggest to the Minister that the only consequence of not allowing a derogation here, as was arranged by Brian Hayes in Europe, is that these people will be driven into the hands of the larger companies where there will be less transparency and...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: 44. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the EU IORP II directive; if a derogation for smaller and single member pension schemes will be applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8051/19]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: The directive is designed to protect the beneficiaries of pension schemes by requiring better qualifications among trustees and controlling how the money is to be invested. A derogation is possible, but has the Government set its face against the notion of one for smaller and single member pension schemes and, if so, why?

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (19 Feb 2019)

Willie O'Dea: Is the Minister aware that, under the IORP I directive which was designed to do the same thing, the then Government agreed to a derogation for this type of scheme, in particular, on the basis that a one-size-fits-all model did not work? Is she aware that her colleague in the European Parliament, Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, confirmed at a meeting on 29 January with the association representing...