Results 1,221-1,240 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I gave the Minister too much credit. The widowed parent's grant increased by €1,300, not by the amount I said, but it is still significant, with an increase of over 50%. Is that paid to every widow? What are the qualifying criteria? Is it a universal payment, providing a widowed parent has a child?

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: No, I said it incorrectly.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: This amendment relates to an important issue. In reply to the Minister's statement on Second Stage, I pointed out that if we want to widen the opportunity for people to contribute to their pensions, it has been accepted that we should include shopkeepers' and farmers' spouses. Regarding people who were previously restricted in this respect, such as those in receipt of farm assistance or...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for taking cognisance of the points we made today and during the year that were reflected in this Bill and the social welfare improvements announced in the budget. We look forward to renewing battle early in the new year and I hope the Minister and his officials have a peaceful Christmas.

Written Answers — Horseracing Industry: Horseracing Industry (13 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: Question 274: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a list of the names and addresses of thoroughbred breeds available to members of the public who might wish to market such breeders relevant information in relation to the availability of new thoroughbred stallions; if so, if same will be furnished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43114/06]

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, lines 26 to 28, to delete all words from and including "in" in line 26 down to and including "Shaoránaigh" in line 28 and substitute the following: "in the Irish language as Comhairle — An Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh or, in the English language as Comhairle — the Citizens Information Board". I think this is reasonable and that the Minister for...

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: We understand and we feel the same as this is the last sitting week.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I will not press my amendment as I accept the Minister's rationale.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 7: In page 6, line 45, after "behalf" to insert ", either at all or in an effective manner,". We had an extensive discussion on this matter on Committee Stage and I do not wish to unduly prolong the issue as I heard the Minister's point of view at that stage. Comhairle can only provide an advocacy service for children under 18 years of age when it is not reasonable to...

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 9: In page 11, line 44, after "advocate" to insert "is instructed to do so or". I made the point on Committee Stage that it is a strange advocate who is not liable to instructions from his or her client. The wording of the Bill seems to leave it up to the advocate as to whether to launch an appeal, for example, against the refusal of a social welfare entitlement. That...

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 12: In page 14, between lines 42 and 43, to insert the following: "(2) The Principal Act and this Act may be cited together as the Citizens' Information Acts 2000 and 2006.". This is an amendment the Minister can accept. It is a collective citation to a Bill and brings some formality to it.

Community Welfare Service. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his view on proposals that community welfare officers should be transferred from the Health Service Executive to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43407/06]

Community Welfare Service. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: The impetus for this arose, not with the community welfare officers or their representatives, but at official level. It is nothing more than a diktat. Imagine imposing something, then calling for the referee to decide something and then calling in the players without having any consultation with them. The first time that SIPTU and IMPACT were given an opportunity to respond was before a...

Family Support Services. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the disclosure by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that it spent some €41 million assisting families in need over the past year; his views on whether it is acceptable that a voluntary organisation such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul effectively should have to subsidise State supports...

Family Support Services. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for his reply. I accept and acknowledge that there has been a substantial increase in expenditure, especially in specific areas of the social welfare system such as for pensioners. Nevertheless, how does the Minister and his officials explain that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul must do this work? The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's ultimate aim is to render itself...

Family Support Services. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: I applaud that appointment.

Social Welfare Code. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: On behalf of many carers, I thank the Minister and I wish to articulate their views on employment, namely, that we are moving in the right direction. Will the Minister remove the insidious June stipulation? For many, the respite care grant is the most money they receive because they do not qualify for carer's allowance, which has been extended, but why is there a strict time stipulation...

Social Welfare Code. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: Four times.

Social Welfare Code. (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: The Minister is not too far away.

Written Answers — EU Surveys: EU Surveys (14 Dec 2006)

Willie Penrose: Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will confirm that there was a meeting between his Department and officials from the Central Statistics Office at which his Department was told that the level of consistent policy is approaching a floor and that it is unlikely to be lowered significantly further; if his Department was further advised that it was unlikely...