Results 5,261-5,280 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is not a criticism.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Not on this occasion.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I have been informed in the past, but to my knowledge I was not informed on this occasion.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I have no great gripe in regard to the Minister of State, Deputy Burke. I bring this case up partially in the context of having been contacted by a few individuals looking for assistance regarding applications. I am very conscious of one in particular. By way of context, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act was passed several years ago. It is a good piece of legislation. It is one...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Assisted Decision-Making (5 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I note the point relating to the steering group. I am sure the Minister will not be able to commit to it on the floor of the House, but I might suggest that he request a meeting. The man to whom I have referred might have useful insights and if somebody from the steering group was in a position to speak to him, it might help. I have been contacted by a few others who are at the start of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Employment Support Services (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 90. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the wage subsidy scheme for people with disabilities, in particular the fact that the subsidy an employer is paid has not kept pace with the increases in the minimum wage. [54238/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Employment Support Services (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Tá mé ag cur ceist ar an liúntas pá do dhaoine le míchumas. This question relates to the wage subsidy scheme and I raised it previously in committee with the Minister for Social Protection. Concern has been expressed that the wage subsidy scheme has not kept pace with the increases in the minimum wage, thus reducing the differential advantage for employers to take...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Employment Support Services (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This is an important scheme. It creates an incentive for employers to take on people with disabilities and reduces any costs that might be associated with same. It makes it easier for employers to take on people with disabilities, which is important given the unemployment rate among people with disabilities. There are lots of obstacles to employment, some of them cultural and others more...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Employment Support Services (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: If we are hoping that employers are taking long-term decisions when they decide to take on people with disabilities, which we should be, then we need to offer them a certain amount of predictability. I know the subsidy is not currently linked to the minimum wage but the Government should consider linking the two. I appreciate that the subsidy is not small and that it was increased. It...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 92. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the pay claim submitted by the rural social scheme and Tús supervisors to the Department for pay parity with community employment supervisors. [54239/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This might be a bit peculiar, but I may be able to offer some clarity on the previous question. Deputy Barry might be interested. My understanding is that people would still qualify through a means test for jobseeker's allowance and would be awarded whichever is the higher payment. If they were not disqualified by means test, which lower and middle-income workers would not be, they would...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am trying to be helpful inasmuch as I can.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will ask my question. It relates to the rural social scheme. The issue of community employment supervisors has progressed, which is welcome. At that stage, the Minister of State said there was a need to look at all schemes, which would include the rural social scheme and Tús. There is currently a pay claim with the Department in respect of people on the rural social scheme, who are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Whichever payment is the higher can be claimed. That was my sense of it as well. I am sorry for that unusual intervention but it just occurred to me. I wanted to reassure myself. I appreciate that the Minister of State has acknowledged, correctly, that the schemes are different in nature, although there are certain similarities. Having said that, I understand the rural social scheme and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I accept that the roles are not the same. This is being dealt with as a separate line item. I apologise if I am misunderstanding the position. It is not a deliberate misrepresentation but may be a misunderstanding. Perhaps that can be clarified. Before I come back to that issue, I first want to address the point that this is very important work regardless of slight differences or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Employment Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank the Minister of State.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Water and Energy Connections in Rural Areas: Discussion (6 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We can bring the Deputy back in again later. I call Deputy Conway-Walsh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Water and Energy Connections in Rural Areas: Discussion (6 Dec 2023)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Did Mr. Finnegan want to add to that? No.