Results 1,601-1,620 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It gives me great pleasure to welcome former Galway city councillor, Niall Ó Brolcháin, to the House. Senator Ó Brolcháin and I entered politics at the same time and it is lovely to see him in the House. As Niall knows, however, there is a job to be done. I hope to see him use his position on the Government side to ensure projects such as the light rail system for Galway are rolled out.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I did so. Last week the House discussed the Murphy commission report. The Leader will recall that several weeks ago the debate on the plan for implementing the findings of the Ryan report on institutional abuse was adjourned. We must know what action is being taken to prevent such institutional abuse recurring. Mandatory reporting must be introduced and child protection guidelines placed...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I could not agree more with the priest to whom I spoke. The perverted notions of sexuality that have prevailed in this country lie at the root of abuse. The priest in question also stated that the time had come for a review of the formal training for priests. I ask for a debate to discuss these and many other matters. I also call for a debate on the accountability of local government,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister to the House. She moved from one active Department to another. Perhaps it is the place to be, given that is where all the action is with such a large welfare budget. My overarching position is I do not favour a welfare state but social justice is important and that is why I am a member of Fine Gael and why I live and work under this mantle. I am a member of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to make a concluding comment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will sum up on this point. I see some dentists have gone from a stipend of €52,000 a year to €11,000 a year, which is a massive decrease. I am keen to hear the Minister speak on this.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support Senator McFadden's points and welcome the Minister back to the House. I wish to deal with the impact of subsection (2)(a) which deals with the cut in jobseeker's benefit which will affect young people, in particular. It will have an enormous impact on young people. By reducing the payment to €100 for the younger group and €150 for the slightly older group, one is telling them...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Agreed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Government has cut the capital programme in education.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There is no plan.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There are not many graduate opportunities.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There is no take-up from employers.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I refer to young people and the graduate scheme mentioned by the Minister. I welcome this scheme because we are in danger of losing a large number of young people. They do not wish to be hanging around and opportunities must be created for them to gain experience or their valuable third level education will die on them. They need to activate their education quickly. What types of employer...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: With respect, I beg the Chair's indulgence on this.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am referring to the effects of the cutbacks in jobseeker's benefit for young people.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister referred to getting young people back to work but, for example, the capital budget for schools will be reduced. She mentioned opportunities for young people coming on stream in the construction of schools. Will she explain that anomaly? In condemning the cutbacks, people's indebtedness has not been taken into account. That is why there is stress. Everyone fell foul of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Does the employer pay a stipend as well?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Is it any employer?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that.