Results 8,961-8,980 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Before dealing with the question, I take the opportunity to extend my congratulations to the newly appointed Clerk of the Dáil, as announced by the Ceann Comhairle. My question refers to a recent survey which shows poverty is endemic among single parents. In view of the startling figures set out in the report, particularly in respect of the deprivation rate, is the Tánaiste...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Saying lone parents are now only two and a half times at greater risk of poverty, compared to four and a half times at some point in the past, is quite irrelevant. This report is bald and it is brutal. It states that of all groups in society, the group that suffered the highest consistent rate of poverty in 2014 was lone parents, at a rate of 22.1%. It found those living in households with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Is it acceptable?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, before the change.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I really do not know what planet the Tánaiste is living on. I consulted the lone parents' organisations when I tabled this question, and I spoke to a number of lone parents in my constituency. I can send the details on to the Minister. Every one of them, without exception, is worse off. I refer to lone parents with children between the ages of seven and 14 who have moved on to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: -----whereas they were on lone parent allowance previously. They are not all imagining it. They are not all coming to me presenting false documentation. I can send the Tánaiste the details of various instances. I promise I will send them over to her. Lone parents are worse off. There is a different means test and it is less attractive to go out to work. That is the reality. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: How much will the employer be paying?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Which the employer is paying?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: When someone else is paying for it. By how much did the Tánaiste raise the other one?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The Tánaiste will be judged on her record shortly.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The Tánaiste is kidding nobody.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The lone parents are not fooled.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payments (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: They are not fooled, and I will send the Tánaiste their comments and a few of the examples.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Community Services Programme (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why she has not increased the contribution to the community services programme in line with the increase in the national minimum wage, given that this increase will put community groups under considerable financial strain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1253/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Community Services Programme (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: This relates to not-for-profit groups who will have to meet increased wage bills as a result of the increase in the minimum wage. What provision has been made to enable them to absorb the extra expense?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Community Services Programme (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The position is that those are not-for-profit companies. The Minister of State is correct that only 40% of their employees are on the minimum wage while the other 60% receive wages above that level. If one increases the minimum wage, that increases a company's costs. If the company is not-for-profit, one is not talking about reducing its...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Community Services Programme (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I fully understand what the Minister of State is saying but some are paying the minimum wage and if one increases costs by way of wage costs or otherwise, one will reduce the capacity of the companies to provide the same level of service. One of the companies sent me a communication in the last week it had received from the Department. It stated that the Department had requested Pobal to...

Pension Fund (Prohibition of Levies) Bill 2016: First Stage (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for a prohibition on legislation which would unilaterally impose a levy, or similar charge, on pension funds. This Bill would provide for a constitutional referendum to prevent any future levy on private pension funds. I do this in the context of a very serious looming crisis for pensions in this country. The...

Pension Fund (Prohibition of Levies) Bill 2016: First Stage (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Jan 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the supports and resources available to those affected by flooding; the efforts she is making to assist them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1191/16]