Results 19,541-19,560 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy. The Government and I recognise the seriousness of the issues which he has raised this morning and the impact they have had on individual families. It is very distressing for these families. It involves more than 5,000 houses, including local authority and private housing. The Minister received the report recently and is now examining the recommendations. The...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I understand there are eight recommendations in the report which has been received by the Minister, two of which are being implemented immediately. As a number of different stakeholders are involved in this issue, there is a need for the expert report to be analysed and to bring the stakeholders together before I can answer the question precisely. The Deputy will appreciate that we need to...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach in his then role as Minister for Social Protection clearly took action because the processing of maternity benefit payments is now up to date and claims from mothers going on maternity leave are processed as they start their leave. The message I want to get out to pregnant women is that those applications are being dealt with immediately and they will have their payment...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Government has shown total respect for people who are making such claims and always will because we recognise the difficulties claimants have. The Deputy's characterisation is extremely inaccurate and the bottom line is that the issue has been dealt with. The action has been taken. The staff-----
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It has been dealt with because the Department recognised there was an issue and provided the staff resources and training to ensure the people who needed this benefit in a timely way were dealt with.
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The issue has been dealt with. Everyone, including the then Minister and the staff in the Department, recognised that it was an issue that needed to be dealt with. Action has been taken and I ask the Deputy to recognise that.
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I was at the dialogue yesterday. It was an extremely worthwhile exercise. The various partners and stakeholders attended and all contributed in a very positive and constructive way. It has been an extremely useful exercise over the past two days with huge participation by all the stakeholders. I have no doubt interesting initiatives and recommendations will arise from that discussion. I...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Taoiseach addressed the issue yesterday and, as Deputy Howlin said, the Government will publish the summer economic statement in the coming weeks.
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It means in the coming weeks. I do not have a specific date.
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is clear that the fiscal space in 2018, in particular, will be limited and that reflects the carry-over of the full year cost of commitments from budget 2017 and the impact of the recent public service pay agreement, if ratified. Given that Deputy Howlin has raised the economy it is worth reflecting on the fact that we do have the fastest growing economy in Europe. Unemployment is...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: As the Taoiseach said again yesterday, as the budget approaches balance we do have better scope to make decisions about investment in the future. We do have to plan for this growing economy, the growing population and the growing workforce. Because of the prudent management, in which Deputy Howlin himself played a part, we are now in a much better economic position to make those decisions...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: One thing we do not do in this House is re-run court cases. There is a separation of powers.
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: We just heard the result of this case and we respect the court decision. Justice takes its course in any trial. The evidence is considered. This was a jury trial and the jury made its decision. Justice takes its course. We can discuss lots of things in this House but we certainly do not re-run the evidence that is given in a trial and I do not intend to do that now. Deputy Barry...
- Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: While a court case is under way in this House we have always followed the precedent of not commenting on it in detail. We follow that very carefully, as in many court cases there is always the possibility of appeal, and I intend to continue to do that today.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the Deputy that Ireland continues to regard the maintenance of a strong, effective and well-financed CAP that contributes to public good as a priority into the future. As the Deputy said, Commissioner Oettinger has today published a reflection paper on the future shape of the EU budget. That was to be expected. Reference was made to it in the newspaper article. A co-decided...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: More than half of households will be unaffected by the phasing out of flat fees. For those on flat fees, waste collectors will have an alternative usage option in place before the phase-out.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: This measure is targeted at helping everybody in the State to make a contribution to ensuring that we protect our environment. These are very important changes and families-----
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: -----or households can contact their existing service providers today to find out what are their charges and discover if they will be affected by the new arrangements. The new system will commence in the autumn after the Department has implemented the regulatory changes. The phase-out will be over 12 months. In the meantime, families will be able to see the existing charging options and...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: I recognise the work done by Deputy Howlin on this issue. I join him in condemning theses services, which have effectively abused women who are pregnant and have given information that is not truthful or objective. The Minister has been working on this. There has been a consultation. On foot of this, the Minister is proceeding with a designation of the two distinct professions of...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)
Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister will be in a position to do that in September.