Results 741-760 of 1,311 for speaker:Sheila Terry

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his reply. I greatly welcome that he abolished the six month rule that applied to eligibility for rent supplement. I can understand the thinking behind it, but perhaps it did not extend to the people on whom it would impact. As public representatives, we have all met, heard and received letters from people who deal with the homeless in particular. Homeless people have...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 13: In page 3, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3. The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of excluding Supplementary Welfare Allowance to a couple if one is in full-time employment.". I ask the Minister to report on the impact of this cutback...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 17: In page 3, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3. The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of the discontinuation of the supplement given to recipients of Supplementary Welfare Allowance who have been supported by MABS in brokering a deal with...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his reply. I congratulate MABS for the work it has undertaken. It provides a wonderful service. While 12,000 is a lot of people to help, there are many more who could possibly avail of the service. In recent days it has been brought to my attention that there is a noticeable increase in the number of loan sharks or money lenders operating in some areas of the city....

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 18: In page 3, before section 4, to insert the following new section: "4. The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both houses of the Oireachtas a report on the operation of the Family Income Supplement.". This amendment seeks to elicit information on how well the family income supplement is working. While the FIS is of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 19: In page 4, before section 4, to insert the following new section: "4. The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of the of the increasing of the Back to Education Allowance qualifying period from 6 months to 15 months.". This amendment relates to the qualifying period...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: Senator Cox has made my point for me. I accept what the Minister is saying. His reasoning for not returning the qualifying period for the scheme to six months relates to the people who have spoilt it for those who really need it. We all accept that the reason for last year's change was to prevent those not financially in need of the allowance from qualifying. However, by trying to deal with...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 20: In page 4, before section 4, to insert the following new section: "4. The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of the discontinuation of the transitional half rate payment for lone parents where a recipient of the One Parent Family Payment takes up employment where...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his reply. However, I would prefer if the provisions of this scheme were returned to the situation that pertained prior to this year. The cost of full-time child care makes it difficult for lone parents to take a job. I do not know how they can manage it now. It seems it would be easier for them to stay at home than to take on the expense of child care and the other...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Sheila Terry: I also thank the Minister for spending his time here throughout all Stages of the Bill. I thank his staff for their help and reiterate the many well deserved compliments paid to them yesterday. For many years the Department of Social and Family Affairs officials have been well known for the assistance they have given to public representatives. While I tabled many amendments today they were...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this important and welcome legislation. Any measure that helps the process of combining work and family life must be welcomed. I agree with all the amendments contained in the Bill. However, there are some areas in which I feel the Bill fails to address the needs of parents. The Government has let families down and has missed the...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Will the Senator be tabling amendments?

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: What the Senator has to say is important.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Why not provide for that in legislation? Why leave it to chance?

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Such cases are coming from the Minister of State's side of the House also.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his contribution. I also welcome the opportunity to debate issues relating to defamation and privacy. However, we cannot adequately discuss privacy in any real way if we are not also to discuss the regulation of the press. We had a debate on this matter previously and it is regrettable that little progress has been made in the interim. As regards...

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: It was the Minister for Justice of the day. My apologies. The tort of defamation essentially involves the reconciling of two conflicting constitutional rights. This is why it becomes such a contentious issue. The constitutional rights in question are freedom of speech as against the right to one's good name. Despite advances in technology and the increasing breadth of the media, with the...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I support Senator O'Toole. I wish also to express my disappointment at our amendments being ruled out of order. However, I accept the ruling. As our economy moves forward and we continue to encourage parents, particularly mothers, to re-enter the workforce, we must put in place structures to enable family life to survive. We must also ensure that every support is given to parents and their...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: This is the nub of the legislation as it is the most important section. I do not like to waste anyone's time, but I take the equality issue very seriously. The Minister made no response to the points I made. Does the Minister believe he is treating all parents equally by introducing this legislation? Is a child of a parent who can afford to take this parental leave with loss of pay equal to...