Results 4,381-4,400 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the witnesses from both panels. My first question is to those from the social enterprise section of Forfás. There is huge potential for growth in the social enterprise sector, but it is not well understood in Ireland. The witnesses are probably aware that Leader has been quite good at funding projects in this area but it is now in abeyance until the next tranche of funding,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They have not met with it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hopefully.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Where are witnesses feeding in their information? What exactly is the organisation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is crucial. If we want equality budget proofing it needs to happen in every Government Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It needs to be fed in in advance of the budget. It also needs to be fed in strategically and not simply by way of a chat at this committee. I am conscious that the witnesses' campaign is made up of all these organisations, but do they have a dedicated staff to do this work?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: How are the witnesses collating their data and what expertise do they have on their team? They might tell me a little more about that. With regard to the disadvantaged groups, did Ms Bayliss say "working lone parents" as opposed to lone parents?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We need to hear a little more about working lone parents. If we take the case of a lone parent who manages a family and works but who is disadvantaged as a result of that, such treatment is a clear breach of the principle of equality. How are disabled people and the self-employed who have lost their businesses faring? I thank the witnesses for attending. It would be good to get this on a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: May I come in with a small point in this regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is linked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is just a thought on equality budgeting. One problem is having too many agencies that are interested in the sector. For example, in addition to the Equality Budgeting Campaign, there are organisations such as Social Justice Ireland, the Conference of Religious of Ireland, CORI, and so on. It would be really useful were all these organisations to get together and to have a single...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: If such groups ran a co-ordinated effort with an equality budgeting office, to which each group contributed X amount, as well as having a function, it then would be easier for members to ask whether the aforementioned office had been consulted. For example, the ESRI and the CSO have huge credibility, but while everything being done by the Equality Budgeting Campaign merits credibility, it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I agree but it is worth reconsidering this possibility without, if I may say so, seeking new funding. Such groups coming together could bring to bear all their efforts, because what they are doing is so important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Social Enterprise in Ireland: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes, that is a good idea.

Seanad: Charities Sector: Statements (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Charities Sector: Statements (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Senator is using my time.

Seanad: Charities Sector: Statements (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: On a point of order, Senator Cullinane is behaving selfishly.

Seanad: Charities Sector: Statements (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I was hoping to speak for three minutes but I will now have only one minute of speaking time. I thank the Minister for coming to the House for these important statements. His decision to appoint a charities regulator is welcome and timely. The appointment is urgently needed in view of the many scandals we have had and the many more that may yet emerge. I also note the important and good...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Ferry Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I would like the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to ensure all avenues are explored to enable a year long viable ferry service to Inis Mór for its inhabitants. As the Minister of State knows, Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands off the west coast. I would argue, on the basis of the details of what has happened in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Ferry Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State. The only bit of encouraging news in her response was her statement that the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley "is open to undertaking any reasonable steps" to ensure a year-round service can be maintained. There is a dilemma in this response. The operator is saying this route is not profitable. That is why he did not see any point in tendering. It was not...