Results 4,021-4,040 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As Barnardos and other organisations, including the State, have said, 65,000 children live in consistent poverty, so I welcome anything that is targeted at them. One cannot beat the Civil Service. It presents the increase fairly "standardise all three qualified child allowances. . . as a single payment of €22 per week".

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I do.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Combat Poverty Agency has pointed out, the total spend on child poverty this year is marginally less than last year. The time has come for additional resources to be targeted at families with children on low incomes as the Minister professed to do. The NESC is considering a proposal to institute a targeted income supplement, either as a supplementary child benefit or as a refundable...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Labour Party supports the broad thrust of those proposals. Again, there is no indication in this budget that they will be implemented.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: While I welcome the pension increases announced, I am disappointed that there will be no reform of the fuel allowance. Given the recent major hikes in fuel prices it was particularly important that the Government should have assisted elderly people with their heating bills. The €4 increase does not impress. The fuel allowance should have been increased by more and, crucially, the income...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: While the cost of this payment is small, it is targeted at the least well off.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister also doubled the cost of gas and electricity and if we did not have a general election coming he would not have done a U-turn. There was a 34% increase on gas prices and 20% on electricity, and he gave older welfare recipients €4.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As I said, there were welcome features in this budget, but the imagination deficit meant that the real issues which affect real people in their real lives were dodged. The budget contains few reforming measures, either of specific spending areas or the budgetary process. Once again, the budget confirms that Fianna Fáil and the PDs are determined to privatise health care. More money has...

Written Answers — Garda Discipline Regulations: Garda Discipline Regulations (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the consideration of the new draft Garda discipline regulations by the Garda Conciliation Council; when he expects that the new regulations will be in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41930/06]

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (7 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 67: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for further development of the probation service; the additional resources that will be provided for the service having regard to additional responsibilities arising from the Criminal Justice Act 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41931/06]

Departmental Programmes. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I offer my congratulations to Deputy Haughey on his appointment as a Minister of State and wish him well in the conduct of his Ministry.

Departmental Bodies. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the communications unit within his Department; if it is intended that the unit will continue to work during the period following the dissolution of Dáil Éireann in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38684/06]

Departmental Bodies. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Did the Taoiseach mean to say the communications unit has no contact with Ministers? I understand it does and I understand why it does. The question is what happens in the course of a general election. Officeholders already enjoy a significant advantage by definition. During the course of an election campaign, although Deputies are no longer Members of this House, Ministers continue in...

Departmental Bodies. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The question arises, if no benefit is conferred on Ministers, what is the point of the exercise in the first place. The information being conveyed and the fact of the communication is to brief and support Ministers and make them aware of what is being said, including by the Opposition, and so no. That benefit is not available to Deputies Sargent and Kenny, to me or any other Opposition...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach the cost in terms of salaries and expenses of political advisers or other political staff within his Department in respect of each year from 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/06]

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Does the Tánaiste have a programme manager and is that manager located in the Taoiseach's office, as was the practice under the previous Tánaiste? Has the Taoiseach's former press officer been replaced or, if not, is it intended to replace him? I am aware he is trying to do for the HSE the job he did so well for the Taoiseach. With regard to the most recent indication by the Taoiseach...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As usual, the Ceann Comhairle is ahead of me.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach might therefore address my other questions.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it a State secret?

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister for Defence will give the Taoiseach a dig out if he needs it.