Results 4,041-4,060 of 4,931 for speaker:Mary White

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Such as?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Senator Zappone said the Minister got some of it right. I would like to know what she is doing right.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I welcome the Minister to the House. What I am about to say is not critical of the Minister, whom I admire very much. This is a vicious budget and is the third regressive budget in the lifetime of the Government. It lacks vision and does not offer any hope for young people. As politicians, it is fundamental that we have a vision for our country and we must offer hope for our people. I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: We need a proper apprenticeship scheme similar to the brilliant German system of dual education. One cannot get most jobs in Germany without serving a practical apprenticeship with an employer. In Ireland, there are apprenticeships, which are good in themselves, for electricians, carpenters or plumbers. We have approximately 29 apprenticeships whereas in Germany there are 342 recognised...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: The point I am making is very important. We should encourage companies to take on young people and pay them a given amount. I am not saying it should be this precise figure or that it should be carved in stone, but let us suppose they were given €200 per week to take on young inexperienced people to teach them a work ethic and help them find jobs.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: The Government could give a subvention to companies to do that rather than letting young people drift into the six month period and then, at five and a half months, they become ineligible to take up a job because they have not done the six months. Does the Minister follow what I mean? This is preferable to letting them get into an unemployment position in the first place. As I have often...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: This is the most important issue in our country.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Job creation is the number one issue in the country.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: In my experience I saw the transformation of young people in Lir Chocolates when they got a job and were able to hold down that job. The only reason I started Lir Chocolates was to create employment. I never heard of the word "profit". I did it to create employment for young people.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: To the weakest in society.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: How could it be positive-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I referred to bringing young people into apprenticeship schemes immediately rather than allowing them to go into unemployment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: That is the point I was making.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I clearly said not to let the people fall into unemployment, but to take them on as apprentices immediately in banking, accountancy or whatever.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Mary White: The Minister should inquire before she cuts.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Yesterday morning I raised the matter of the harsh cut by the Government of maternity benefit to women who are on leave having their babies, It is important to reiterate the point I made that we are in a male dominated environment in the Oireachtas. The senior civil servants who draw up the budgets are also male-dominated. A lack of respect is shown to women who have babies while working...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary White: It is shameful. This is not the first time I have suggested that senior financial officials, with their big salaries and big pensions, are insensitive to what is happening in reality.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary White: We had a very interesting session with the Minister for Social Protection yesterday. She put her heart and soul into the afternoon. I drew attention to the issue of apprenticeships in Ireland during that debate. Angela Merkel and David Cameron are working together to help Britain to emulate the outstanding apprenticeship system in Germany. Most parents in Ireland traditionally want their...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I will conclude on this point. Germany has 342 recognised apprenticeships, ranging from bankers to opticians. Ireland has just 29. The Minister is talking about presenting an Irish plan for youth unemployment to the EU and seeing how we will get on. I am saying that he should develop a relationship with companies immediately to ensure that young people are given work experience. Rather...