Results 7,101-7,120 of 19,409 for speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The full effect in total is an increase from 156 to 520 in the end.

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: So 520 is gone? Fine, but even at that, it is still between 156 and 260, an additional three years' contributions.

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Two years, but the Minister is not extending it beyond 2013, which is the change. That means anyone at this stage must ensure they can work an extra two years or find another two years. There is no lead in. It is good the Minister made the change and it is no longer seven years, because that was bonkers, especially for those who could not make up such contributions.

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I accept that and I have not made a big play of it. However, for people who are at that age it is still difficult to find an extra two years to make up the contributions required whereas if the Minister allowed a longer lead-in time it might be more appropriate and there might be an opportunity. I am opposed to the change anyway, but I am just saying that it if it was 2015 or 2016, it would...

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: This measure is illogical bearing in mind what the Minister and the Government said about dealing with poverty traps and activation measures. The Minister and her officials have identified one-parent families as a group in society which needs to be supported, in particular, in the transition from unemployment to full employment, given the additional costs incurred such as child care and so...

Defence Forces Strength (13 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the number of permanent members of the Defence Forces to 9,500. [38656/11]

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (13 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the way the role of the Defence Forces will be filled in the provision of services during severe weather conditions in view of the increased level of retirements this year. [38657/11]

Community Employment Schemes (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The announcement has caused consternation among CE participants, supervisors and those who avail of their services. I do not know how the Minister will be able to stand over this but she stated in a recent letter that: "In the event that the reduction in the training and materials grant announced in the budget creates financial difficulties for schemes that would otherwise be viable, my...

Community Employment Schemes (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Does the Minister not understand that the review of the schemes after the fact is illogical and too late? The Minister should reinstate the training and materials grant and carry out the review. Although I believe these schemes have been over-evaluated over the years, if that review is carried out, the Minister will find very few of them are not complying with their mission statements. In...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Tá an Bille seo ag cur cánach nua anuas ar phobal na tíre seo. Cáin teaghlaigh €100 a bhéas ann i dtús báire, ach tá a fhios againn cheana go bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire cáin réadmhaoine agus táillí uisce a chur ina áit chun athrú a dhéanamh amach anseo. Ní cáin fhorchéimnitheach an cháin seo mar níl sí ceangailte, ar aon bhealach, le hábaltacht iad siúd ar a...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: If I decide not to pay, as I am going to, that will be based on a decision I take with my family in the knowledge that I may face fines and a further tax of €2,500. I will stand with others of like mind and I will organise alongside those who take a similar stance but I am not going to encourage people to act without knowing the full facts. This tax is unfair and our pre-budget submission...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Like other Deputies, I am opposed to this legislation. This section contains some of the definitions which, if the Bill is passed, will facilitate the implementation of the regressive tax proposed by the Government. Sinn Féin has outlined an alternative wealth tax that would focus on some of those who have properties worth over €1 million and over €1 million in assets. It would...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: We are dealing with amendment No. 2 and also with the section opposed by the United Left Alliance. Dúirt an Aire níos luaithe go bhfuil an locht ar an Rialtas deiridh. Dúirt sé gurb é sin an fáth gur gá don Rialtas an reachtaíocht seo a chur os ár gcomhair faoi dheifir agus faoi fhuadar. Dúirt sé nach bhfuil aon rogha eile ann. Bhí rogha eile ann, mar a dúirt roinnt Teachtaí...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (14 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: It is excluded provided it is social housing. However, if it requires its tenants to apply for rent supplement, will it be covered by the provisions for exemption? I support this amendment.

Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: During the Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance announced that the legislation that had been promised to deal with upward-only rent reviews - it is in the legislative programme - will not now be proceeded with. Will the Government publish the legal advice on which last week's decision was based? Does the Government intend to proceed in any way with changes that would give retailers...

Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Will the Government publish the Attorney General's advice?

Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: There are differing opinions on whether the advice was correct. It would be helpful if the House could examine it and see whether it could be proceeded with it in a different format from that envisaged by the Government.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I acknowledge the Minister's intent in this proposal. In many ways what is before us is welcome, as is the fact the Minister has taken a decision to tackle the obscene pensions that exist, and that a message is being sent out. However, the message is too late and too little. In her amendment, Deputy McDonald proposes a greater message to be sent out to the public. Earlier the Minister...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 26: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the number of children placed in care, including a breakdown of the categories of reasons for children being placed in care during each of the past five years; and the number of these children placed in care because of the financial difficulties facing their families. [40377/11]

Written Answers — Young Carers: Young Carers (15 Dec 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 52: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the needs of young carers and increase the profile of potential caring responsibilities of young persons among professionals in statutory and non-statutory bodies. [40378/11]