Results 1,781-1,800 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: May I ask a question on the amendments prior to the Minister's arrival?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. The list of amendments is dated 27 April. Will we have another list of the amendments which will be re-tabled for Report Stage?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: As we are discussing amendments Nos. 6 and 7 together I wish to speak. These matters were discussed at length and I do not propose to go over all of the details we covered on the previous occasion. These similar amendments from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin cover the provision of a sufficient number of additional affordable after-school care places to meet demand. This follows the Minister's...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We all agree that we want improved outcomes and I agree with the Minister's comments about ensuring the payments made to lone parents in the child care sector are targeted. I agree, to a large degree, that the cash payment to families does not necessarily find the way down to children and where it is supposed to be paid. We discussed this with regard to the free preschool year. When the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not. The Government is not accepting the amendments being tabled and we are being asked to take the word of the Minister. We will be making changes to the lone parent payments but no additional child care is being provided. The Minister has not repeated what she stated in the Dáil, and I will not do so. She has not told us when there will be a report to Cabinet, how many additional...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator knew what was going to be in place.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not true. There are 170 people affected straight away. What about them?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I would say I was here.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not suggesting that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I know.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will come back in on that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, so do I.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be very quick.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We are 44 minutes into this sitting.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I hear what the Cathaoirleach is saying. I thank the Minister for her comprehensive response, which was more comprehensive than her opening statement. That is not a criticism. I am not asking the Minister to highlight the number of places but I asked for a roadmap and a timeframe. I am glad to hear the Departments are working together and I am aware that we have child care places, which...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: How is that a point of order? The principle of a free preschool year was announced. The Minister says the three Departments are working together, which they should be doing anyway, on providing additional spaces. In this case, we do not have the bones of what the Ministers want to do. These amendments are sensible because they ask the relevant Minister to report to the Oireachtas joint...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: For a long time Senator Cullinane did not like the whole Constitution. At least he has a problem with only one section now.