Results 481-500 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: After they are appointed.

Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: The Tánaiste is going to sign the pledge.

Written Answers — In-service Training: In-service Training (16 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Question 36: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is committed to maintaining supports for the leaving certificate applied programme in 2012 in view of his recent decision not to sanction the professional development service for teachers national co-ordinator post. [34762/11]

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: I wish to share time with Deputy Smith.

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for acquiescing to Deputy McConalogue's call for a debate on the matter. When Professor Buckley introduced the panel's report on the deaths of children in care, it was striking that she said she felt the panel was not adequately resourced to deal with all cases, which is of concern. The Government has now been in office since February. We were all heartened by the...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (17 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Question 26: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the recently failed referendum on Oireachtas inquiries including costs incurred in relation to the draft scheme of legislation associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35116/11]

Private Members' Business: An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 2) 2011: An Dara Céim, Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (18 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Is the Deputy for it or not?

Private Members' Business: An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 2) 2011: An Dara Céim, Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (18 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Perhaps he will come back to us.

Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: The programme for Government.

Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: It is normal now.

Illness and Disability Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money reimbursed by her Department to employers for sick leave in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; her plans to review this system; if she has had discussions with employer groups on the issue in relation to the Budget 2012; if a cost impact analysis on business has been undertaken; and if she will make a...

Illness and Disability Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: I do not know if the Minister has met representatives of ISME in addition to those of IBEC. ISME has stated the proposed change could be the death blow for the retail sector. Businesses will be facing an increase of 2% in VAT on top of commercial rates at a time when their turnover and retail spending have reduced. This will be a further imposition on employers and appears to be anti-jobs....

Illness and Disability Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Has the Minister met representatives of ISME and other representative associations of small businesses and retailers? Many employers in that sector have been pushed into unemployment in recent years and do not have the cushion others have in terms of access to the social protection system. I acknowledge that in the budget cost neutral measures may be introduced in this regard. It is only...

Social Welfare Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures she is considering in relation to the rent supplement scheme in the Budget 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36439/11]

Social Welfare Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: I appreciate that the Minister will not tell me her intentions in this regard for the budget. Unfortunately, the response to the first question I asked let it slip that employers' sick pay is a kite that will not be taken down by backbenchers, or has not been taken down yet anyhow. We spoke on this issue previously and I asked six weeks ago whether some consideration or initiation of...

Social Welfare Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Is the Minister looking at the prospect of payments being made directly to landlords under that scheme?

Social Welfare Fraud (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: I am glad to hear the Minister will achieve the target of €540 million which the Department inherited this year. I would like her to kill a myth which has evolved in recent weeks. Last week I heard the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, state that of the €700 million reportedly targeted for savings in the Department, €600 million would be achieved by virtue of anti-fraud measures....

Social Welfare Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: There have been recent reports on the issue and comments by various members of the Minister's party. There is also a reference in the programme for Government and comments were made by the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, on the occasion of 100 days in office and when Deputy Nulty entered the House after a successful by-election in the Minister's constituency. In light of these, will the Minister...

Social Welfare Benefits (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: The Minister did not answer my question.

Commercial Rates: Motion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Barry Cowen: Like others I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the motion. As a member of Offaly County Council for 18 years I am acutely aware of the value of rates to a local authority. I am also acutely aware that a county like Offaly has a low rate of large bulk industries and a depends on State agencies such as Bord na Móna, the ESB, Coillte etc., which may be diminished if the Government has...