Results 441-460 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: We all recognise that parents will not welcome the fact that they have â¬16 less in child benefit. However, Members should recognise that this benefit has increased over 300% in a ten-year period. When one considers that for the past year we have had deflation of 6.5% to 7%, the purchasing power of that payment has also increased. To suggest that it is not reasonable to make this cut is...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: When people have sufficient resources and their taxes are paying the â¬22 billion deficit of last year and next year, we will see how they feel about it.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: Has Deputy Durkan joined the Labour Party? I thought he was a bit out of place with Fine Gael.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: Deputy Durkan was not in tune with his colleagues in Fine Gael.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: Our benefits are substantially higher than those in the UK - the mighty British empire, with all of its mighty finances and North Sea oil. Yet, our benefits are two or three times higher.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: When one thinks in terms of where Ireland has come from and where it will go, the programme we have before us today is very balanced and reasonable. With regard to jobseeker's benefit, I commend the Minister for making people under 24 go on educational and training courses. It is one issue I have heard many comments on from my constituents over the years. Quite a number of young people...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: We must incentivise those people to upskill for their own good. Putting a financial disadvantage in their way is one manner in which we may achieve that.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: That is a challenge that we must meet and another Department will deal with that.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: The fact it may be an issue is not something we should ignore.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: We should not leave people sitting at home doing nothing.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: If the Deputies talked to their own constituents, they would tell them that people should be made to do courses or not get the full benefit.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: There will be places for them.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: If the Deputy listens to other Government Ministers he will hear that.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: I am well aware of the figure, I am just making the point that as long as there is no incentive for young people to upskill themselves, we will have a situation where they will continue for their lifetime to draw the dole.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: We know that is not in their interests, those of their families or those of the country.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: Deputy Durkan has retaken his place on the Fine Gael benches so perhaps he might let me finish my contribution. He had his opportunity.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: Perhaps Deputy Durkan should go back to the Labour Party benches.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: I welcome the reduction in the rent supplement budget from next April. Rents have fallen. There are, however, differentials within towns, particularly in Dublin and the other large cities. There are differences within estates and I would recommend that when the Minister introduces the reduction in rent supplement, she would allow discretion. Not every estate will have reduced rent, that...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: We must recognise that fraud is going on and we must get to grips with it. Last year there were more than 600,000 claims reviewed by inspectors. We must continue that programme.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)
Michael Kennedy: For fraud we might do what was done in the insurance business, where newspaper and television advertisements were taken out that referred to fraudsters putting their hands in people's pockets and stealing their money.