Results 1,121-1,140 of 1,979 for speaker:Nicky McFadden

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Will the Minister agree that going to jail for petty indebtedness is not the best approach?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: In 2009 the Department had a target of making savings of €616 million in social welfare fraud. In 2010, the target was significantly lowered to €533 million. At such a time of budgetary pressure, is it correct to do this since one would expect us to go really hard against those committing fraud?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 13: In page 6, before section 3, but in Part 2, to insert the following new section: 3.—The Minister shall, within 2 months of the enactment of this Act, report to the Houses of the Oireachtas, on the progress made in reducing the processing time for social welfare payments.". This amendment is about waiting lists in terms of processing claims. In my own area of...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Exactly.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 14: In page 9, line 18, after "regulations" to insert "which shall be approved by Dáil Éireann". This amendment is about insured people and their capacity to attend work. It seeks to insert "which shall be approved by Dáil Éireann" after "regulations" in line 18 on page 9. The amendment is self-explanatory. I understand the gist of the Bill in this regard but it is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: In that case the Minister can accept the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I support the amendment. The child dependant is the kernel of the issue as far as I can see. That is my concern.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 17: In page 20, before section 19, to insert the following new section: "19.—The Minister will take all practicable steps to ensure that courses of training provided in accordance with section 62A shall be appropriate given the person's existing qualifications and experience.". These amendments are about training. I am asking that courses being provided apply to the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I am asking that the course be relevant to his or her qualification.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: It might be, but I am not a barrister. I have concerns. While I completely understand what the Minister is saying about sanctions, that 10% of people, no matter what the Minister does, will want to find a lazy way out, do not want to work, want everything for nothing and have never known anything other than this, however, there are others who need to be motivated. Given that the Department...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: What the Minister has stated is plausible, but I am wondering about the 20,000 who have nothing. After all of the measures taken, there are still people who find it ever so difficult. They are called back for the next interview and so on. I realise it is very difficult within the Department because I know and meet the people involved. I realise some of the FÁS and community employment...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Especially mental health.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: The Minister's heart is in the right place but, unfortunately and sadly, this is not the reality on the ground. The places are not available.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: However, I look forward to the Minister providing those places.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: It is good to have aspirations but the reality on the ground is that the places are not available. Fine Gael believes in activation but the positions must be provided before sanctions can be applied.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I agree, but I will press the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 18: In page 23, to delete line 29 and substitute the following: "section 197. 196A.—The Minister will take all practicable steps to ensure that courses of training provided in accordance with section 195A shall be appropriate given the person's existing qualifications and experience.".".

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 20: In page 25, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following subsection: "(2) The Minister shall, within one month of the commencement of this section, report to the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection on the progress made in reducing social welfare appeals office waiting list.". This is similar to the previous amendment. I would like the Minister to lay a...