Results 1,861-1,880 of 3,871 for speaker:Catherine Byrne

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill, introduced by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. This Bill gives effect to some of the changes to social welfare which were announced in the budget last month. It is only right that we acknowledge that budget 2016 was a fair budget which saw many positive measures introduced. It was the first opportunity the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: JobBridge and the Youth Guarantee: National Youth Council, Ballymun Jobs Centre and Department of Social Protection (4 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I will not take up much time. First, this is a really good document. I have read it a few times and I am really interested in the figures it contains. I thank Mr. Ian Power, as well as Ms Nuala Whelan and Mr. Mick Creedon of the Ballymun Jobs Centre, for their attendance and the presentation. On reading through the documents and on hearing the response from the Department, I note the fact...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: JobBridge and the Youth Guarantee: National Youth Council, Ballymun Jobs Centre and Department of Social Protection (4 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I thank Mr. Carroll for coming before the committee to share his in-depth knowledge. The area I represent is an inner-city working class or non-working class area. I grew up in an area with manufacturing with Lambs jam, Rowntree Mackintosh and the Fleetwood brush factory. One could leave school at 14 and have a job the next day without any qualifications. Times have changed for many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: General Scheme of Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I sincerely apologise to all of the delegates for missing the debate. I am normally a full-time attendee of the committee, but, unfortunately, something came up to which I had to attend and I was delayed as a result. I have, however, read most of the statements received. Since the committee started to debate this issue, we have heard from a wide spectrum of people. What comes to mind...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I am reluctant to say too much because my blood pressure might go through the roof. I pause, first, to welcome the Minister of State and the Bill. It is interesting to listen to the comments of those who were formally in government. They say things should have been done differently. If they had been done differently when the previous Government was in office, we would not find...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome this change and the restoration of the grant to €1,700 from €1,375. I am well aware of the importance of the respite grant. My mother was ill for a long time and my brothers cared for her at home. The respite grant paid for the items that were extra requirements in addition to minding somebody who was very ill. It could be an item such as a clothes dryer. If...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome the small increase of €5 in child benefit. I am sorry, that is dealt with in section 7. I am sorry for the confusion.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: No. I think I covered it under the wrong section, but I covered it.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I could not see the small print.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I welcome the small increase in child benefit. The briefing provided by the Department in respect of the Bill indicates that Ireland has the fifth highest rate of fifth highest rate of child benefit in Europe. The payment here is €140 per month, whereas the rate paid immediately across the water is €29 per month. That is a huge benefit for people who have children. When I...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: Orvice versa.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: We could even be challenging the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, on it. He could be Minister for Social Protection.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: The Topical Issue Debate is taking place in the Dáil.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I have only one question on this amendment and I have listened to Deputies Ó Snodaigh, O'Dea and others. Who will make the final decision in a case? The Minister of State said that this will speed up the process. I agree with that because people have been left waiting too long. In the past, we said that nurses did not get the recognition they deserved when dealing with the people who...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: 7. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the commemorative projects at Richmond Barracks and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin 8, which are being carried out as part of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39496/15]

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Minister for her statement this morning. I want her to know how excited people living in Inchicore and the wider area are that Richmond Barracks has been picked as one of the main projects in the national programme for 1916. I want to highlight the belief people have that this will become a huge part of the cultural events in the area around Kilmainham Gaol, the courthouse and...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I thank the Minister. Work has begun and, just last week, we had an extraordinary day in which people were invited to come to the parish hall with memorabilia to help identify people who had lived in the area when it was Richmond Barracks, Keogh Square and St. Michael's estate. Things are starting to move very fast. Although it probably does not concern her Department directly, I ask the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Library (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: 42. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to address the challenges at the National Library of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39497/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Child and Infant Mental Health: Discussion (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise but I had to go to the Chamber to speak on a particular matter. I read Professor Nugent's submission at length last night and in all of my time as a member of this committee, I have not read a more interesting or moving presentation. It highlighted our responsibilities as citizens but, more particularly, as parents and grandparents to children. I was reminded of my own mother,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Challenges facing Camphill Communities of Ireland: Discussion (12 Nov 2015)

Catherine Byrne: I apologise for not being here earlier but I was at an earlier meeting. I managed to catch bits of the presentation. I have read the statement and one thing jumped off the page, namely, the life-sharing ethos. I know that means a lot to Camphill and it means a lot to us too. Many groups have taken on the challenges in regard to people with intellectual disabilities, long before the health...