Results 901-920 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I understand the Minister's response but my concern stands. I thank the Minister. I will engage further with her and we look forward to looking into this issue again. I wish we had as a State adopted a more cautious approach. The Leas-Chathaoirleach will be delighted to hear I am moving to whether I will press the amendments. I would like to press amendment No. 1.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2:In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Amendment of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 16.Section 242 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following new subsections after subsection (9):“(10) No information or documentation furnished by a person under subsection (4) or (6) may be shared by the Minister, an...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3:In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Amendment of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 16.Section 263 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following new subsection after subsection (1C):“(1D)Within 8 months of the passing of the Social Welfare Act 2017, the Minister shall publish and lay before both houses...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4:In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Amendment of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 16.Section 263 of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3): “(3) A person shall produce his or her public service card or other appropriate form of identification at the request of a...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator Devine has highlighted an important issue. During the current cold snap, concerns have been expressed about variations in fuel costs, which can change frequently. I support the Senator's proposal. She has highlighted this issue in the House previously. I hope the Minister is able to give satisfaction to the Senator in respect of this issue.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To facilitate a speedy vote the previous amendment on jobseeker's allowance was not debated. It is very important and it would be useful if the Minster, Deputy Doherty, could comment later. There are very serious concerns in terms of the treatment of those under the age of 26. We have lost young people in the high levels of emigration that we have had in recent years. I support the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To clarify, a similar if not identical amendment can be proposed on Report Stage. It would arise from the same matter.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am strongly in favour of this amendment and the review of care-related payments. Care is the lifeblood of society and without it the economy and society would not function. All too often it becomes somewhat invisible and it is not given the full acknowledgement that it should. I have long pressed not only for the homemaker scheme to be addressed, as we have discussed before and will...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 9: In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report on Voluntary Labour Activation20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas examining potential improvements to voluntary access to INTREO and LES employment, training and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: While there may be access in principle, we are often not seeing effective access in practice. I have heard of many instances of people being unable to access full supports or being told that they will have to join the live register and indicate full-time availability, which some of them are unable to do. Alternatively, they have been told that they are not a priority at this time or they...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On that basis, I am happy to work with the Minister through the joint committee.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 10:“Guidelines on development of Personal Progression Plans 20.The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay guidelines before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the principles and parameters which must underpin the development and agreement of “personal progression plans” by any...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister. Unfortunately, there is sometimes a shortfall between policy and practice. There is a slight difference. Of course, nobody is against personal progression plans as a concept and they exist in practice in a number of different areas. What is specific here is that it is third parties. It is a little different because they are only contracted for part of the process...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister has confirmed that should not happen.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That makes it clearer for others.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It makes it clear. Individuals may contact me but it is important and useful to send a signal to all individuals who may be undergoing this process.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: And suggest amendments, if necessary.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for her hands-on engagement on the issue. I will not press the amendment for now. I hope we will be able to look at the issue in the future.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 11:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report on jobseeker’s allowance calculation 20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the possible introduction of an hours versus days approach to calculation of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for her reply. I recognise the amendment on the working family payment was tabled by Deputy O'Dea has been accepted. I also note the fact that the Minister has indicated here, and previously, that she will consider the question of 19 hours. On Second Stage, I highlighted my concern about the anomalies between the 15-hour child care and 19-hour child care provision. I...