Results 15,281-15,300 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Approval of Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Is the audit complete?

Approval of Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I am aware of that.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: The Taoiseach's does.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It was introduced.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Exactly.

Order of Business (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I refer to topical issues, two Bills on which the Tánaiste might indicate her intentions to the House. One is the legislation to clarify and update the provisions relating to the eligibility for health and personal social services, No. 54. It looks like a suitable Bill for debate in the House in the present circumstances and climate. It might provide an opportunity for the Minister to...

Order of Business (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Mañana.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: When this House adjourned last week we anticipated some speculation over the weekend but I am sure that neither the Ceann Comhairle nor I, nor the House in general, fully anticipated and appreciated the extent of that speculation and to where it would lead. As we sat in this Chamber last Thursday evening, when poor Deputy McGrath and others were wondering what their next move might be, Deputy...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: A standing ovation that lasted for seven minutes. I wondered what all the cheering was about because there was nothing in the budget about which to cheer. There was nothing in it that was reassuring and nothing for elderly people who were about to have their medical cards withdrawn. There was nothing to cheer about so I do not know why the people across the House were cheering. There was...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I believe this was the first time such a thing happened. The Ceann Comhairle, who is an experienced Member of this House, will appreciate that more than anybody else. Turkeys have been known to approach Christmas with a certain amount of trepidation in the past but on this occasion there was none of that. Children and the mothers of children——

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It would not be a good idea to try to have an interview with them, in any event. Let us examine the other reasons the Government backbenchers might have cheered. What about the mothers of children who are to have their child benefit removed when their children reach 18 years of age? This is at a time when education is under pressure and, although higher education grants remain the same,...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: It is a good job the tent at Ballybrit has been closed because it would have been great fun if it had been open this week. It is grossly unfair that children, people aged over 70 years and those on hospital waiting lists will be punished. On the issue of hospitals and the delivery of health services, I am sick to the back teeth of listening to the Minister for Health and Children tell us...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: I am glad Deputy Kennedy has piped up. After ten years of what is alleged to have been the greatest era of development in the history of the State, the Government has awarded a 3% increase in social welfare payments, which is equivalent to the rate of increase introduced by Mr. De Rossa in 1997 when there was good reason to limit it. Government Deputies who in recent years boasted that the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will to take by way of rent or income support in respect of families who find themselves in a negative equity and lower income situation arising from the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34743/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which she will extend the qualification guidelines for carers who are benefiting the taxpayer to the extent of providing community based service that otherwise would require institutional care or hospitalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34742/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 415: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which she proposes to ease the qualification criteria for the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35021/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 417: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will improve or ease the qualification guidelines for respite care grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35023/08]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (21 Oct 2008)

Bernard Durkan: Question 418: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will increase the carer's allowance in order to compensate for increases in the cost of living and the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35024/08]