Results 1,261-1,280 of 1,311 for speaker:Sheila Terry

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his reply. I should have made the point that I understand the difference between those to whom the habitual residence condition would apply and asylum seekers. I apologise for not making this clear. All I can say to the Minister is that we should keep a close eye on this. The amendment suggests that a report be laid before the House within three months. I know...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of a second-tier, employment-neutral, child income support payments to target child poverty levels.". This amendment asks that a...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I agree with much of what the Minister said and look forward to the next phase when second-tier payments are made. I hope we will see progress in that regard, perhaps in the coming budget. Obviously, we must wait and see who will be in charge then, but whoever is should continue this trend in the next budget. As the Minister said, no child should go hungry or be without appropriate...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of direct payment of the qualified adult allowance to all qualified adults.". I compliment the Minister on the changes that were...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: My point concerned a loophole whereby someone might be put under pressure to leave the payment in joint names. Does the Minister see any benefit in closing off that loophole?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: However, they can opt not to take it in their own name.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: Maybe the situation is not quite as bad as I thought. Is the Minister saying that the two payments will be made automatically as and from September?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: So they would have to go to the trouble of applying to have it changed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: Okay. I accept that as it is clearer.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the progress to date in replacing the One Parent Family Payment with the new parental allowance for all low income families.". We are targeting...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his response and share his regret that he was not able to act more quickly on many of the good recommendations included in the lone parents proposals document published in February 2006. I understand what the Minister has said and realise that much work must be done across a number of Departments to ensure we get this right. We are dealing with a critical area and I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this targeted supports Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of targeted social and community supports for young carers.". As the Minister will be aware, a sizeable number...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: Is it 300 or 3,000?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I agree with the Minister that we need to address this problem. To have 3,000 people caring for so many hours of the week and to have 300 caring full time is unacceptable. No child should have to do this and give up his or her education and social life. The children who do this are wonderful, but that is what they are in this context — children. We are depriving them of an awful lot....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 6: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the impact of the individualisation of the means-test for Carers Allowance applicants.". We have probably covered this ground in referring to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for his response and will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 7: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the success of the rent supplement and rental accommodation schemes.". What progress has been made on the rental accommodation scheme and will the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: Progress is slow. I am not sure whether that is the fault of the local authorities, although it probably is, or whether this proposal will be a success. The length of time it takes to accommodate all these people under the RAS will determine its success. Anything that can be done to increase its delivery will be helpful but I am sceptical as to how it will work out.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 8: In page 22, subsection (1), to delete lines 44 to 46 and in page 23 to delete lines 1 to 4. The new provision in this legislation whereby somebody in receipt of rent supplement would be barred from living in areas designated for urban regeneration marks a movement into a new era, denying people the right to choose where they live. How constitutional is it and has the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Sheila Terry: The Minister referred to problems in areas where large numbers of local authority houses were built. I could point to many very badly built housing estates where individuals on low or no incomes were housed. There are some in Tallaght and Blanchardstown, with which I am familiar, and others throughout the country. One of the main problems associated with such estates was the lack of...