Results 2,361-2,380 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The goal of making up to 50% of non-batch connection offers available was mentioned. "Up to 50%" is a fluid notion. What is envisaged in that regard? I refer to Mr. Kenny and Mr. Fogarty. They have a great deal of equity in community projects. While members of a community wishing to exit is not as much of a concern in relation to community projects, we have seen in the United States that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I take strongly and endorse the point around an actual percentage delivery-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----rather than a revenue one which could be written off against the profits of a private company.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We did not get a chance to discuss the capital grants aspect of micro-generation. Do any of the witnesses have comments on that system and how it fits with bids? It would be useful to get those, even if it is in written form. What is the date for the launch of community energy?

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Others have spoken about the context of this budget so I will not dwell on that. There are certain aspects of it that do need to reflect a reality of the increased risk of a no-deal Brexit. I was glad that some of the measures that had been touted regarding changes in income tax were avoided. I think that was the right decision. Although...

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Housing supports continue to have an emphasis on the housing assistance payment, HAP, on landlords, and on the same model again. This will not address the issue. This was the budget to tilt the emphasis massively towards the building and delivery of social housing. That was not the case. It accounts for only €1.1 billion of €6.6 billion when it should account for the...

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will the Minister of State update us on the gender and equality-proofing plans in respect of this budget? This was committed to previously but it was not mentioned in either speech.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a 10% increase in the wealth of the top 300.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To clarify, they do pay VAT.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is in the top third of incomes.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The median wage is €28,500.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It represents another hollowing out of the tax base from those same companies.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I suggest that we have a separate debate on equality and gender-proofing because it is a key commitment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My seconder is on the way and should be here shortly. Can I introduce the topic at that point?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There are two names on the amendment. I have a formal seconder and I know that to press the amendment I will require a seconder.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1:In page 9, line 42, to delete “or submit to”. Amendments Nos. 1 and 8 relate to my concern about the "submit to" language. Again, this is around the tenor and form of engagement. It is one thing to allow an assessment of somebody's needs but submitting to an assessment implies a level of compulsion around what kind of assessment might be involved. For...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I regret that the Minister is not able to accept these amendments. I will withdraw them because there is no point in pressing them.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2:In page 9, after line 43, to insert the following:"(4) The signing of a personal progression plan shall not be considered a requirement in terms of subsection (3)(a) or (b).". This amendment relates to personal progression plans. Having reviewed the conversation with the Minister on Committee Stage, during which she spoke about the guidelines that currently exist in...