Results 10,321-10,340 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: The Deputy had been saying at the beginning of the meeting that in the event that some questions remained outstanding that written responses will suffice.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Is Deputy Michael Healy-Rae saying that notwithstanding the provision that was in the budget on the rebate for those rates of €20,000?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Wait now, it is only-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Yes, but they are losing by as much as they had initially thought. However, I hear what the Deputy is saying and we will raise that with the secretariat with a view to managing a way in which it can become part of our work in the coming months to make recommendations in that regard.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Deputy. Does Deputy Conway Walsh want to come in?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Was there provision for €2.25 billion, allowing for approximately 6% to 10% varying on the year, for the next four years in respect of increases in the development plan figures?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: To summarise before the meeting concludes, the report states the budget is progressive and there were higher gains for those on lower incomes compared with those higher-income households. There were higher gains for households with disabilities compared with those without disabilities. It was gender neutral, with a 2% gain for males and females in terms of disposable income average....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Some people would tell you they would do away with the first home scheme and the help-to-buy scheme. With those in place, we are at full capacity. Without them, if we are not at full capacity, we are losing ground and many would say we are not making enough ground in housing. People talked about this not being a housing budget. The biggest obstacle to housing targets being met, or being...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: If there were enough being constructed----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: -----but they are not being constructed because the capacity is not there in employment and the planning issue is a logjam that is holding back on the provision of much housing. I do not know what the budget could have done per seas a financial measure to address the issues that are there.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Economic and Social Research Institute (18 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Exactly. I thank the representatives of the ESRI for their time. I thank them for responding to the various queries and questions, and comments. As always, we appreciate their expertise in these areas. I look forward to the other responses that are in the offing, in reference to Dr. Tuda.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (19 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when PLC fees are to be abolished for further education students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45577/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Costs (19 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices that will benefit from the once-off reduction of 33% in the contribution fee in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45576/23]

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: The thrust of the budget and the Finance (No. 2) Bill is to position the economy for the long term and for come what may. It is right that it should deal with the cost-of-living measures of now and also salt away some money for the future in infrastructure and other funds. Our ability to do that is dependent on us continuing to have the buoyant corporate taxes we currently have and that is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (24 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of proposals to address inconsistencies in eligibility for disability payments. [46393/23]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Services (24 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 76. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what engagement she has had with disability groups in relation to the recent green paper on disability supports. [46394/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (25 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: 201. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [47025/23]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Business of Select Committee (25 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: Apologies have been received from Deputies Canney and Moynihan, who are travelling on committee business, and from Deputies Doherty and Patricia Ryan. I propose that we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I welcome Mr. Fergal O'Brien, executive director, and Ms Hazel Ahern-Flynn, economist, Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC; Mr. Owen Reidy, general secretary, and Dr. Tom McDonnell, co-director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, NERI, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU; Mr. John McGeady, CEO, Ms Susanne Rogers, research and policy analyst, and Ms Michelle Murphy,...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Post-Budget Engagement: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank the witnesses for their contributions.