Results 2,941-2,960 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

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

Róisín Shortall: There are a great many things a person needs besides food and accommodation. What else does the Minister spend money on beyond the basics?

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

Róisín Shortall: The Minister is defending the situation.

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

Róisín Shortall: Nobody is suggesting that.

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

Róisín Shortall: On a point of order, this amendment relates to direct provision and I ask the Minister to confine his remarks to that area.

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

Róisín Shortall: The Minister is trying to defend the indefensible.

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

Róisín Shortall: Amendments Nos. 24 and 26 in my name seek to address two anomalies in the operation of the carer's allowance system. The first relates to those carers who care for more than one person. The system as it operates is unfair in respect of their position. If a person is providing full-time care for two or more people, thus enabling them to live independently and remain outside institutional...

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

Róisín Shortall: The programme for Government includes a commitment to produce a carers strategy before the end of this year. Why is this process delayed and what is the timescale now envisaged by the Minister? What opportunity will there be to avail of his invitation to spokespersons to contribute to the process?

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

Róisín Shortall: That is six months behind schedule. Why is it so late?

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

Róisín Shortall: I support the amendment. I believe it is actually 14 years since the allowance was increased. Does the Minister accept the principle that it is more expensive for one person to live alone than what it costs two people to live together?

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

Róisín Shortall: Does he accept that many of the overheads are the same for one or two people? In recognition of this, surely there is a demand for the living alone allowance to keep pace with inflation?

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

Róisín Shortall: I do not accept what the Minister is saying as there is no logic to it. He has just stated he accepts the principle that it is more expensive for one person to live alone. If that is the case, irrespective of what is being done in general with pensions, by not increasing the living alone allowance those living on their own are being penalised.

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

Róisín Shortall: That is exactly what is being done. The people concerned are not keeping pace with pensioners who are living with somebody else or who have a bigger family. That is the reason I asked the Minister about the principle. If he accepts that it is more expensive for one person to live alone, he must recognise the fact this by making the living alone allowance keep pace with inflation. There is...

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

Róisín Shortall: The Government does not recognise it in the social welfare system.

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

Róisín Shortall: Why does the Government not recognise that in the payments?

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

Róisín Shortall: That is a cheap shot.

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

Róisín Shortall: It is entirely a cheap shot.

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

Róisín Shortall: The Minister should stop playing those games.

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

Róisín Shortall: The Minister was asked about a specific policy area and should answer.

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

Róisín Shortall: It is not for the optics. It is for pensioners paying bills.

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

Róisín Shortall: The Minister should not be so disingenuous.