Results 61-80 of 98 for speaker:Sarah O'Reilly

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: At the outset, I commend the good work of many in the education system. We all want a world-class education system that allows every child to real his or her full potential. However, too many people feel that the Department of Education and Youth is ignoring the voices of those who matter most, namely students, parents and teachers, many of whom have contacted me. There are hundreds of...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: How long have I got?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank the Minister for coming to speak to the committee today. In his opening statement, he said on the carer's allowance "... with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government." While this is a positive step and the cost of caring and loss of income are a heavy burden for families, carers often provide 24-7 support and should not...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: My other question concerns workers in Wellman International. Will the Minister answer why a multimillion-euro multinational company has used a tax loophole to cut ties with its subsidiary, gone into examinership and can only offer statutory redundancy, citing lack of funds? It is a multimillion-euro industry. The people who worked there all their lives are being offered statutory...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Deputy Guirke mentioned the lack of supports for people who were self-employed. There is also bogus self-employment. What is the Department doing to clamp down on that kind of thing? We have seen what has been happening with RTÉ. Basically, employees were being categorised as contractors. I actually think the Department knew about this. What will it do in the future to clamp down...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: That is good to hear. On a point of clarity, the Gender Recognition Act 2015 falls under the Department's remit. I was not asking about Scottish legislation; I was only giving it as example. I was asking the Minister if he would commit to amending the Gender Recognition Act 2015. It falls under the Department's remit. As we speak, there are three men in Limerick women's prison, one of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I recently had the privilege of meeting representatives of SMA Ireland in the audiovisual room. Spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, is a rare condition that causes weakness throughout the body. People living with SMA can experience difficulties swallowing, breathing and performing basic day-to-day activities. In recent years, the HSE has approved three treatments that can halt the progression of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Last night, the Dáil debated the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. It was presented as providing for a fair and proportional increase in property tax ahead of the November revaluation. We have to be honest that the tax is fundamentally unjust. It punishes working families, older people and rural homeowners simply for having a roof over their heads....

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister for coming in. I commend her colleague, Deputy John McGuinness, on all the brilliant detective work he has done over the years on this issue and on his determination to seek justice for Grace. I am gutted that justice has not been served. In this country we are very good at looking back at historical abuse but one area the State has failed to examine is abuse in the...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic. I want to speak on my amendment No. 2, which has been seconded by Senators Keogan and McCarthy. With looming threats of tariffs to our economy, we need economic resilience. Now would be an opportune time for the Government to invest more in local and indigenous businesses. We...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 2: After the last paragraph under "calls on the Government to:" to insert the following paragraph: “ - develop a funding stream to allow local authorities to deliver fully serviced sites to stimulate local, indigenous enterprise.”

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want to raise the issue of foster children and the back-to-school allowance. This has been publicised by the Government as a new support for foster children but it has been very disappointing for families to learn it will be means tested. It is concerning that this long overdue step will come with conditions attached and will not be universally applied to all foster children. This will...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: There is no choice but to support this Bill because the Government is aware that many in the Opposition have been calling for an extension to the rent pressure zones for years. However, this legislation is ill thought-out. The reality is that the Government is not being forthcoming in terms of how badly it will impact renters. Rents will rise and extra pressure will be put on renters....

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes for coming. They are very welcome. I say "Well done" on the O'Meara case. I have the same questions as everyone else. On the attempts to remove the pension entitlements from divorced and separated people, what was the rationale in the proposed legislation? Was there any legal basis to it? Is there legislation similar to this in other European countries?...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Okay.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I raise the proof required to prove someone is in an intimate relationship. Do the witnesses know what that entails? I have no idea. What is it that the Department is looking for?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On the point of the poverty rate, or the target, it is set by the Irish Government, in the Department. Is there a European target, or how do we compare? Has the ESRI done comparisons with other countries?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I am interested in the tax-benefit system. Has the ESRI done any work on looking at the potential of tackling tax individualisation? The system penalises one-income families.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Has the ESRI engaged with Mary Reader's work? She has published in the Journal of Health Economics. She found that a small child benefit sum paid to mothers during pregnancy resulted in infant health gains. The cost-of-living survey also made interesting points about this and how a drop in income during pregnancy can impact the child poverty rate of other children. Has the ESRI looked...