Results 3,121-3,140 of 4,782 for speaker:Olwyn Enright

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: The second tier is included in the programme for Government but the lack of consensus makes it difficult. The Government was aware of the lack of consensus on this when it was included in the programme for Government, which makes one wonder what exactly goes on at the negotiations in regard to what is to be included in that programme. The programme for Government is like a book of fiction...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: I move amendment No. 27: In page 20, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: "(3) The Minister shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on eligibility criteria for the Early Childcare Supplement. This amendment relates to the early child care supplement. The period for which it is given was reduced by six months in the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: The problem was child care and the solution did not deal with that for many people. The vouched system to which the Minister referred would at least have been for the cost of child care. People within the home who are caring for their children would still have been able to avail of it and would like to have been able to avail of it, so the vouched system would have worked for everyone....

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: I support the amendment. I will be brief because Deputy Wall has outlined what needs to be said. We were told at a recent committee meeting that a survey was carried out by the Department and a majority of recipients wanted the fuel allowance to continue to be paid on a weekly basis. Deputy Shortall was mindful of that, which is why she used the phrase, "Where a recipient of fuel allowance...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: It would be a good start.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Many parts of the country have no gas.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: When a person finds himself or herself in a position to be eligible for the living alone allowance, the reality is that the only expense in the house that lessens is that of clothes and perhaps, in a small way, of food. Every other household bill remains the same as if two people were in the house. This has been brought home to me time and again by people who find themselves in this...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: This issue has been debated back and forth, at Question Time and during earlier Stages of this Bill. The Minister acknowledges that the allowance is important, and yet there have been no changes in this year's budget that might make it easier for people to qualify. I am particularly concerned about two categories in this regard. First, in order to enter third level education, people have...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: It is reflective of the fact it is a six-month rather than a 12-month requirement.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: The Minister is ignoring the issue.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: It does not. The Minister is being disingenuous.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Many people will lose jobs and not get statutory redundancy.

Higher Education Grants. (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the support provisions in place for social welfare recipients, who are marginally over the income levels, due to the Christmas bonus payments, for support under third level grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39447/08]

Higher Education Grants. (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if support provisions are available for children of social welfare recipients, who are marginally over the income levels for support under the third level student grant schemes, to have their grant applications reviewed in conjunction with his Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 133: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of defined benefit and defined contribution company pension schemes in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44603/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 134: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons registered in defined benefit and defined contribution schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44604/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of pension schemes are expected to collapse within the next six to 12 months; if she will provide details of these schemes; if the Government will be in a position to respond in the event of a pension scheme collapse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44605/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated total private sector pension deficit as at year end 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44606/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 137: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has plans to alter the private sector pension regulatory environment to make the minimum funding standard more flexible for struggling pension funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44607/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2008)

Olwyn Enright: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she plans to require occupational defined benefit pension funds to get insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44608/08]