Results 1,381-1,400 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on the implications of abolishing the means test for carer's allowance.". I will not delay on this because I have harrowed this ground often. The Minister, the public and...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: He is keeping that for Saturday.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I agree it is time to redefine the role of the carer. The importance of carers is self-evident. The contribution the redefinition of the role of the carer will make to relieving pressure on nursing homes and reducing costs will certainly be significant. The Minister has had abundant resources and is in a position to do something genuine for carers, who deserve anything they can get, and...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister shall, within 6 months from after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on increasing the living alone allowance.". Deputy Crowe is asking for another report within three months. The election will put that to bed but we are tabling the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I accept the Minister's point that it is a social policy area but our job is to ensure we alert people to the issue. We believe we have done that and ventilated the views as best we can. In light of what the Minister said I will withdraw the amendment.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: 1. The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on the exclusion of social welfare recipients from eligibility for rent supplement in areas designated for urban regeneration. We discussed this provision on Second Stage....

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: My amendment No. 4 is of limited use in the area of regeneration. The Minister has not given an adequate explanation as to why there is a need for this measure. As somebody said to me, it will be a case of somebody who is a rent supplement recipient being replaced by somebody who is a non-rent supplement recipient. That is all the Minister is doing. The difficulty I have in this regard is...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: No, I did not get an opportunity to speak on this matter earlier. I did not realise this issue was included in the grouping. I have tabled amendments on it so I am entitled to speak.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I am entitled to six minutes and I am taking it, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, no matter what.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I am, yes. This is my second contribution on CWOs, on which I have tabled an amendment.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I am not bothered about replying. I have a right to initiate my debate on the matter.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: That is correct. I am speaking for the first time on this area.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: There is no need for anyone to clarify it with me. I am acutely aware of my rights on behalf of my party. Do not say there is somebody else who does not want to hear what I have to say. The Minister should not sign any commencement order. He should allow this matter to come back before the new Government. This is an unnecessary and retrograde step. There was a good reason the late Frank...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: First, I wish to humbly apologise to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Clerk for my misinterpretation of the order of amendments earlier and for getting unnecessarily angry. I understand now that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was in no way precluding me from contributing. I do not think I am the only one confused, however, as amendment numbers appear to have been mixed up. I will not be moving...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: 1.—The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on— (a) the need to improve pre-application information to provide carers with a clearer picture of their chances of qualifying, (b) the need to relax the qualifying...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: Will the Minister send the information available to him to Deputies? It may be helpful.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 6: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on the universal availability of child benefit and the lifting of residency conditions.". My party has always argued that the child benefit payment is important because it...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I will withdraw the amendment if the Minister gives an assurance to produce a report on this issue in three to six months' time.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: Somebody in the Department can prepare the report. We often talk about the permanent government. The habitual residence condition is causing angst among the public. The free legal advice centres organisation, FLAC, has expressed deep concern about it and is strongly of the view that it is an impediment to the universality and applicability of child benefit. I will withdraw the amendment if...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 7: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: 1.—The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on the ongoing effects of the marriage bar in the social welfare and pensions systems. The impact of the marriage bar has left a residue of deeply unhappy people. The bar...