Results 2,181-2,200 of 4,782 for speaker:Olwyn Enright

Child Support. (4 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: The Minister stated that he has four extra staff available on some of those days. Would it not make more sense to have those people working in that section on a longer-term basis? Many of these people will be calling from payphones or mobile phones, so even with a lo-call number, waiting for an hour will be quite expensive for them. Can the Minister re-examine this to ensure there are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people eligible for the family income supplement; the number of people in receipt of same; the average length of time to process applications; the reason for any delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32586/07]

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Question 546: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Offaly as outlined in correspondence of 15 November 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32326/07]

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: The time to solve it is now.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (5 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a primary school (details supplied) in County Laois is designated disadvantaged; if it is in the DEIS scheme; if it is not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32728/07]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Question 195: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Laois; the reason for the delay in commencement of construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33028/07]

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (6 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Question 196: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Laois under the summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33029/07]

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: The numbers are rising.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (11 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: I too look forward to a constructive debate. While I welcome this Bill in so far as it provides for increases in social welfare payments, the rate of increase only matches the increases in the cost of living in the past 12 months and falls short of the increase in wages. This debate is an opportunity to test the Government's promises against its delivery, the reality against the rhetoric. I...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (11 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Items like every day, over-the-counter medicines are beyond the means of these parents. Other issues arise, including meeting the children's schooling needs.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (11 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: I will get to that in a moment. Child benefit has been seen by many as the plank to remove children from poverty, with this being repeated at today's committee meeting by CORI and the Combat Poverty Agency. The policy is repeated in the Government's current national children's strategy and the social partnership document, Towards 2016. By imposing habitual residence on child benefit, the...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Does that mean couples currently in receipt of allowances will have to apply for separate payments as it will not change automatically?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Do both members of a couple need to agree?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: We do.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: I want to put one or two points to the Minister. My amendment seeks a report on the payment of the fuel allowance as a once-off bulk payment. I would like the Minister to at least consider that and engage in a discussion with some of the relevant groups in the sector. I am sure the Minister, no more than myself and other Deputies here, has come across pensioners in particular who borrow...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Can we stick to the amendment?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: Will the Minister consider my point on the switch over to the natural gas allowance? It is a cost-neutral measure and will allow people, such as those in apartment blocks whose gas supply may be stored centrally, to change from the electricity allowance to the gas allowance.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: I appreciate there was a review of the fuel allowance payment method nine years ago. While I accept the Minister will not introduce a review, a close eye should be kept on the issue. I know of people borrowing from credit unions to make a bulk purchase of fuel and then paying interest. I appreciate the 1998 review found the majority favour the existing system and there would be a cost in...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: I support Deputy Morgan's amendment and disagree with the Minister's point. I accept that accommodation and food are provided but the figures for the payment remain as they were when direct provision was introduced. It is treated as pocket money, a term I dislike. Every group involved in this area, and the budget submissions from Combat Poverty, state that it causes difficulty for children...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Olwyn Enright: It is significant for the people involved.