Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,221 for speaker:Mark Wall

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I appreciate the promotion. I raise the importance of the housing aid and housing adaption grants that are administered by the local authorities. In particular, I refer to a letter recently received by all public representatives in County Kildare stating that the grants have been paused. My office is aware of more than 20 applicants who have been told to apply...

Auto-Enrolment: Statements (24 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I am glad to get the chance to speak on auto-enrolment which is a very important topic for workers in this country, as has been said by colleagues throughout the House. The Labour Party broadly welcomes the introduction of the auto-enrolment scheme which is very much needed. It will and should provide an uplift to the basic standard of living in the future for workers in this country who...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: 83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide the number of requests for an oral hearing over the past four years; the number of oral hearings that have been held virtually, in-person and over the phone, in the past four years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50021/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I think we can all agree on the importance of oral hearings as part of the social welfare appeals process. To that end, I ask the Minister to set out the number of requests for oral hearings over the past four years, and the number of oral hearings held virtually, in person and over the phone.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister for the reply. My concern is that a reply to a parliamentary question from my colleague, Deputy Duncan Smith, stated that social welfare held 5,397 oral hearings in 2018 and the Minister has confirmed that the 2024 figure was down to 432. I am sure the Minister gets many requests for appeals. I know my office does. One of the mechanisms my office has used is the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I have to disagree on the importance of oral hearings. Much as virtual contact is good and modern, I deal with many people who cannot come to terms with that new technology. I used to attend 30 to 40 oral hearings. I am sure other Members of the House used to attend them as well. I have hardly attended one in the past two years because of the lack of oral hearings being held. When you...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, for coming to the House. I want to talk to her about childcare, particularly in Kilcullen, County Kildare, in my constituency. It was the end of July when I was contacted via email and phone by a number of families in Kilcullen about the lack of childcare in that growing town. I met with a large number of mothers on a very sunny day...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. She is right; it is a problem in County Kildare and a problem throughout the State, but it is particularly bad in the town of Kilcullen. Nowhere else that I know of has 110 families facing childcare difficulties in the one town. The population of Kilcullen is just over 4,000, so one can imagine the percentage of families seeking childcare. I...

Industrial Relations (Boycott of Joint Labour Committees) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (25 Sep 2025)

Mark Wall: In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the latest update on allowing those over 70 years of age drive a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42555/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position with the provision of a school bus ticket for a student in Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42556/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: House Sales (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1480. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government under the Property Services Regulations Act 2011, whether the address of the property sold is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1887. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the projected cost of allowing those in receipt of the State pension to retain a full-rate carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44049/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1881. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the carer’s allowance income disregard to €750 single, and €1,500 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44042/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1864. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of providing a Christmas bonus double payment of each weekly social welfare payment on the same basis as in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of the costs by each weekly payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44025/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1865. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the child support payment for under-12s by €6 or €10 and for over-12s by €10 or €15; to provide the current number of eligible children in each category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44026/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1866. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current cost of the free travel scheme; the number of participants; the projected cost of introducing free travel to students namely those aged 18 to 24 who hold a PSC card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44027/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1867. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the dates the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowances will be paid; the additional cost in a full year to increase each rate by €100; the estimated amount it would cost to extend it to foster carers allowance; the additional cost to provide the current payment to all school going children; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1868. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing eligibility thresholds for SWA by 10%, 20%, 30% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44029/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Jul 2025)

Mark Wall: 1869. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for fuel allowance to all those on the working family payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44030/25]