Results 3,121-3,140 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister cannot simply wash his hands of this. He has already said in respect of tax that it is nothing to do with him. If we are to have a properly regulated private rented sector, the Department of Social and Family Affairs should play its part in ensuring that people are registered. Instead of opting out, the Minister should opt in and ensure proper regulation, which could be done...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: In other arenas there are further stipulations for those in receipt of public moneys. For example, a requirement that a person be tax compliant is standard practice. There is, therefore, no difficulty in principle with requiring landlords to be registered and have proof that they have complied with the law. As the Minister knows, his Department pays rent allowance in arrears. Therefore,...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: Yes, I am.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The first amendment which was ruled out of order proposed that the Department change the system by which it pays rent supplement and that it pay it in advance. Under the landlord-tenant legislation, rent is required to be paid in advance. Unusually, however, the Department will not do this — it pays the supplement in arrears. Last week, at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Social and...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: 3—The Principal Act is amended in section 198 by inserting the following subsection after subsection (3D)— "(3E) (i) The payment of a supplement towards the amount of rent payable by a person in respect of his or her residence shall be paid in its entirety by the Health Service Executive to the landlord....

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister makes a critical error in talking about rent supplement. He has done so on several occasions recently, as has his Secretary General. This is to refer to the rent supplement scheme as a short-term measure. That may have been the objective when it was introduced but it is no longer the case. The figures from the Department indicate that more than 50% of rent supplement...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: It is effectively a long-term benefit. Irrespective of long-term plans, the reality is that the rent supplement scheme is a critical element of current housing strategy, whether we like it or not. The Minister must deal with this reality. The Minister referred to those in receipt of rent supplement on a long-term basis being transferred to RAS. That is fine in theory, but in practice the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister could deal with this immediate problem by applying the income limits and disregards which apply to those availing of the rental accommodation scheme to those who are in private rented accommodation. Such an interim measure could solve many problems of this nature. We know the rental accommodation scheme eliminates the poverty trap for people who want to get into work. If the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: I ask the Minister to respond to the point I made about the need to treat existing recipients of rent supplement in the same way as those who benefit under the rental accommodation scheme. Will the Minister consider doing that as an interim measure?

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: It is wishful thinking to believe that many people will no longer be in receipt of rent supplement in 18 months.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister needs to get real on this issue.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: It will not happen within 18 months. Those who are stuck in the poverty trap of rent supplement should be treated in the same way as those who receive payments under the rental accommodation scheme. It is obvious that the experience of the rent supplement scheme was drawn on when the rental accommodation scheme was being established. In the case of the rental accommodation scheme, it was...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: 3.—The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on allowing rent supplement claimants on the waiting list for the Rental Accommodation Scheme switch to the terms of the differential rent of their local authority.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: 3.—The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on restricting the number of rent supplement recipients to 20 per cent in a given location. This amendment was the subject of considerable discussion on Committee Stage. I...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister is at it again, saying it provides short-term income support. It does not; it is part of a long-term housing strategy.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: We will not hold our breath. I am very disappointed with the Minister's response as he seemed to understand the nature of the problem about which we spoke on Committee Stage.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: Unfortunately, it seems the Minister has done nothing to meet us halfway. To say what happens in areas of regeneration is beside the point, as that provision enables local authorities to refuse rent allowance on the grounds of the need to ensure a better social mix in such areas. There is no reference to the principle of a quota system. We are not just speaking about areas of regeneration...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: We on this side of the House in good faith put much work into considering legislation, proposing what we believe are amendments which would improve legislation. It is particularly galling when the Minister admits something is needed or that there is a problem but when it comes to Report Stage, he ignores the problem or the fact an amendment would deal with it. It is very disappointing. He...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: Of course, it would have a practical effect.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (4 Mar 2008)

Róisín Shortall: I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "3.—The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on ensuring that 20 per cent of rent supplement is withheld from direct payments to non-resident landlords." This is the final amendment pertaining to rent supplement. It...