Results 4,561-4,580 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Perhaps I should have finished that story.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: As the daughter was thinking about it, it occurred to her that nothing had happened and the payments were continuing to be made. She did then notify the Department, but she wondered how many people were in similar circumstances around the country. I wonder why the Minister does not consider putting such a measure in the Bill. I have made inquiries and, as I understand it, there is no...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Will the Minister consider doing something about that? The purpose of this amendment is to save money.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Did the Minister read the amendment? The proposal is that there be a requirement for nursing homes to notify the Department of people who have become permanent residents. That is how the Department would pick up on it. I am not saying people are intentionally trying to defraud the State; that may not be the case. People are busy and have lots on their minds, and there are other issues to...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Would it be too much to prepare a report? The Minister has accepted there is an issue there. Can she report back to us? That is all we are asking her to do.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Can the Minister consider it and report back to us?

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Not really. The Minister is the one who is looking for a fight.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: These are optional contributions.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: I oppose this section. It allows for a person of any age on jobseeker's benefit to be denied payment on a day or several days on which he or she refuses to take a course when requested by a Department official. It is fair enough that people are asked and expected to take courses for their benefit, for self-development and to make themselves more employable. However, under the section there...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: My other concern is that there is no clear definition of what constitutes a development course; it is unclear what the term means. There is no reference to who would pay for the cost of attendance. The principle of the section is fine but where an unreasonable request is made and there are costs associated with attendance at a course which a given person may be unable to afford, then he or...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: The new clause gives regard to personal circumstances in the Bill. Curiously, however, it does not spell out factors such as age, physical well-being, education and family circumstances contained in section 5(a)(iii). Why is this not the case in respect of jobseeker's benefit? I am also concerned that placing the provision in the Bill rather than keeping it as an operational guideline,...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: To correct the Minister in the first instance, those under 20 years of age have rights too and we wish to ensure there is a balance such that unreasonable demands are not made of such people. This provision applies to a jobseeker of any age, not only those under 20 years. I agree with the proposal in principle. It is fine but there is simply no saver in terms of unreasonable demands made...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: I have been supportive of the principle of ensuring that people did not go straight from school or college onto the dole. That is a very bad outcome and a very bad start in life for people and there should be other options in terms of training and education. I am a little concerned that the Minister's proposals are more about cost cutting than actual activation. The concerns I have already...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: At the outset I said I support the thrust of this policy. It is right. However, I am concerned about the lack of flexibility and sympathy on the Minister's part regarding particular categories of people who, for one reason or another, do not fit into this model. I am not sure people realise what is being proposed here. It is not a situation where there is an entitlement to a jobseeker's...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: That is not the point.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: That is nonsense.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: That is fine.

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: I said at the outset I fully support the thrust of the policy to ensure school leavers - 18 and 19 year olds - do not go straight on to the dole and that when they come out of school, they go into further education or training. My concern is about the manner in which the Minister is providing for that. It is a very strange way to bring about those changes. One would have expected a short...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Question 112: To ask the Taoiseach the extent to which his Department is meeting the agreed national target figures for employment of persons with a disability; and when in each case this target will be met or surpassed. [16127/09]

Written Answers — Detention Centres: Detention Centres (28 Apr 2009)

Róisín Shortall: Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and location of all detention places for young offenders; the average monthly occupancy rate in each facility for the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the number of such places. [16203/09]