Results 2,481-2,500 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Like Deputy Creed, I have people coming into my constituency office looking to extend their participation in community employment schemes and so on. However, the difference between Gateway and the CE schemes is that participants in the latter are doing things like child care which allow them to obtain a qualification at the end of it. In other words, they are upskilling.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: In most cases-----

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: In most cases there is a training and educational aspect and a qualification at the end of it. That is why people find value in those particular labour activation schemes. In the case of Gateway, on the other hand, there is no training element.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: There is no training budget.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: There is no training budget for this scheme. As I understand it, a sum of €200 or so will be given towards health and safety aspects for anyone who is participating in the scheme, but there is no training and education budget and participants will not receive any qualification at the end of it. The website of the Department of Social Protection includes the following statement in...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Deputy Catherine Byrne said she welcomes the scheme because it will give encouragement to people to go back to work. I do not know who she has been talking to but any long-term unemployed person to whom I have spoken does not need any encouragement to go back to work. People in that situation wake up every day dreading the bills the postman will drop through the door and worrying about how...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: If the Deputy wants to look at and debate the figures, we can do that. It is very easy to say 60,000 jobs were created. If one breaks down the figures, one will see exactly how many net full-time jobs were created in this State last year.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: We should have a proper debate with all of the information on the table.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: Deputy Maloney recognises that this scheme has limitations.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: He is damn right. It does have limitations. The Government's response to this unemployment crisis also has limitations. I do not know whether it was Deputy Creed or Deputy Anne Ferris who said these places should be offered to people if they choose to take them up. There is no option to take up these places. There is a compulsion to take them up.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: When I was talking to a guy in my constituency office recently - believe it or not, people come into our constituency offices as well to discuss these schemes - he asked me whether, if he is selected to go on this scheme, he will be able to take up a day's work as a chippie on a building site if he is offered such employment. According to the criteria, as published on the website of the...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is true.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is true.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: If Deputy Creed wants to have a debate on the facts, I suggest he should visit the Department of Social Protection's website.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: He should download the exact criteria for the scheme. The question and answer document that comes with the criteria, which provides answers to 33 questions, states categorically that one cannot avail of part-time work if it interferes with one's participation in a Gateway scheme. This is not a case of the Opposition making something up. I am referring to what the Department of Social...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Deputy asked for some clarity.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: There is no confusion. If the debate on this issue is being confused, I suggest the Department of Social Protection is responsible for that. I am getting my information from the Department, just as anyone who is asked to participate in this scheme will do. One of the questions in the question and answer document to which I referred relates to whether participants have to adhere to the work...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: As a teller, under Standing Order 69 I propose that the vote be taken by other than electronic means.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: 110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review broadband provision in the Clogheen-Kerry Pike area in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12253/14]

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2014)

Jonathan O'Brien: I move amendment No. 1: In page 52, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:"(2) Any conviction covered by the terms of the Good Friday Agreement 1998 is excluded for consideration under this section.".I am deputising for Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn who cannot make the meeting. I believe this issue which relates to political prisoners who come under the terms of the Good...