Results 5,001-5,020 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said. In my opening remarks I said there are so many allowances that it is difficult to know what they are. The review is ongoing. The Minister knew that this issue would arise and he has said that when the review is completed and presented to the Government he will have no difficulty in publishing it at that stage. The Deputy read an exhaustive list of...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: This Bill does not deal with AVCs which are private sector products that are already heavily regulated. The information contained in a table and which applies to teachers was distributed on Committee Stage and I hope it was of some assistance to Deputies. The Deputy has taken a sensible decision to make the argument rather than to table an amendment specifically dealing with this issue...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: My officials inform me that the scheme is generally available across the public service. Progress is being made.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: To take the Deputy's last point, where there is a will, hopefully there will be an amendment. In this case there was none from the Deputies to do this retrospectively. The retrospective issue is the difficulty, as Deputy McDonald knows. There is huge difficulty with retrospection. People come into an employment with a particular contract. They have an expectation of what the benefits...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: Calculating 50% of one's final salary is a much cleaner approach. The figure of â¬60,000 would have to be returned to time and again because, no matter what condition the country is in 20 years from now, constant review will be required. If one applies a ceiling of 50% to the final salary, it comprises an absolute. It is very clear and straightforward as to how one would proceed. As I...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: I move amendment No. 17: In page 25, to delete lines 13 to 44 and substitute the following: "(2) In this section "referable amounts in respect of each calendar year or part of a calendar year", in relation to a calendar year or part of a calendar year of service, meansâ (a) in the case of a pension, an amount calculated at a rate ofâ (i) 0.58 per cent of the Scheme member's pensionable...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: For new entrants.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: I thank Deputy Fleming for putting down the amendment. He is correct as the gap between the 20% level and the 38% level relates to indexation and the later pension age. It is no great secret. The table is based on assumptions. As we are all very much aware, when we deal with pensions we can only work on assumptions because they are in the future. We must make assumptions of a certain...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: It is to ensure people on very low incomes-----
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: Yes.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: It is difficult to know whether this will happen or in what circumstances it could happen. The point is noted. I am sure the Department will examine it. It is difficult to see in what circumstances this would happen. I am sure no matter how the Government of the day was made up, it would ensure such a scenario would not play out. It is a very technical issue and I am sure there will be a...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: The Minister does not have a difficulty with providing any further information which becomes available provided it is complete.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: Is the Deputy sure that is exactly what he said?
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: There is a difference between being very close to what he said and exactly what he said.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: One would want to be blind and deaf not to understand the reasons for that.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: It is agreed that what Deputy Fleming is looking for in his amendment, namely, a report after six months is not long enough in terms of this type of scheme. One would have to give it a little more time. It has been explained to me that it would be okay if a new entrant died shortly after entering the service. One might be able to do an early micro assessment but I do not think that would...
- Written Answers — Speech and Language Therapy: Speech and Language Therapy (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: 5As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
- Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
- Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: In Budget 2012, a special allocation of â¬35m for mental health was announced in line with our Programme for Government. Funding from this allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services which will ensure, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every...
- Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)
Kathleen Lynch: We have only just mended that fence, so please do not-----