Results 181-200 of 409 for speaker:Denise Mitchell in 'Dáil debates'

An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cearta Geilleagracha, Comhdhaonnacha agus Cultúir), 2018: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jan 2021)

Denise Mitchell: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and I commend Deputy Pringle on bringing it before us. Sinn Féin is a strong advocate for economic, social and cultural rights, all of which are covered by different aspects of this Bill. Enshrining economic, social and cultural rights within our Constitution is a progressive step, and one which, I believe, all parties should support....

Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Dec 2020)

Denise Mitchell: Tonight's Bill seeks to introduce paid leave to victims of domestic violence, which should have been introduced years ago. Domestic violence services are being put under considerable pressure to meet the demand of people seeking to engage with them. That is very concerning to all of us. The failure to invest in these services in recent years and the cuts from a decade ago are still being...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (24 Nov 2020)

Denise Mitchell: 95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the review of the income eligibility limits for social housing. [38476/20]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Denise Mitchell: The Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, is aware that the majority of Dublin city councillors last night voted against the disposal of the Lawrence Lands site to a private developer. Let us be clear: the councillors voted for public housing on public land. The proposal that was put forward by Dublin City Council, DCC, was not acceptable to local councillors. The price of the...

Scrambler Motorbikes and Quad Bikes: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2020)

Denise Mitchell: Many Deputies have been contacted by people in their constituencies about scrambler and quad bikes being used in public places. This motion aims to tackle that scourge. The debate on this issue has been going on for years in communities and at joint policing committee, JPC, meetings and it has been raised many times on the floor of the Dáil. The Garda does not have the powers it needs...

Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (4 Nov 2020)

Denise Mitchell: The Finance Bill is the bread and butter of the changes the Government makes as a result of what most people call the budget which happens each year. It comes and it goes overnight. Most people do not know how the budget affects them until they see changes on a payslip, apply for social protection supports or go to the shop to buy some goods. The changes to the USC threshold for lower...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2020)

Denise Mitchell: Budget 2021 should have been the budget that gave workers and families a break. I welcome the positive measures in it but it does not go far enough. It does not give security to those who are worried about their future, given the uncertain times that lie ahead. The failure to reinstate the pandemic unemployment payment is baffling. It should not have been cut in the first place. Not only...

Community Safety and Fireworks: Motion [Private Members] (22 Sep 2020)

Denise Mitchell: My constituency of Dublin Bay North is no different from that of the previous speakers. Since August of this year fireworks, rockets and bangers have been going off morning, noon and night. People are afraid. Our elderly people have had bangers put through their letterboxes. Fireworks have been aimed at people and moving cars. People's property has been damaged and children are afraid to...

Taxi Industry: Motion [Private Members] (16 Sep 2020)

Denise Mitchell: The Minister of State knows that taxi drivers have been some of the hardest hit workers by this pandemic. They received little support from the Government, despite us hearing that the industry is on its knees. There is no work for taxi drivers. This is down to the fact that we have no concerts or football matches, people are working from home, and few people are going out socialising. ...

Mental Health and Older People: Statements (9 Sep 2020)

Denise Mitchell: The last few months have taken a toll on everyone, particularly those suffering with mental health issues. It has been an intense period and the stress and anxiety associated with the coronavirus has put a strain on many of us. Before the pandemic and the lockdown, mental health services across the State were bursting at the seams. They did not have the capacity to deal with the number of...

Back to School, Further and Higher Education and Special Education: Statements (3 Sep 2020)

Denise Mitchell: I welcome the reopening of schools after such a long absence. I hope they can be kept open even though they are going to be facing many challenges in the coming weeks. I thank the principals and staff for being proactive in recent weeks in the reopening of our schools. The concerns of teachers who are in a high-risk category must be heard. This morning, The Irish Times reported that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authority Funding (23 Jul 2020)

Denise Mitchell: In March, the Minister took the decision to freeze rates for businesses. From March to June, rates were waived entirely. This was welcome but it was only an interim measure. How will the shortfalls for the remainder of this year be addressed?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authority Funding (23 Jul 2020)

Denise Mitchell: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I, too, am concerned about the estimated deficit of €90 million predicted by the County and City Management Association. The Minister of State does not need to be told that huge holes will have to be plugged if services are to continue effectively and if the councils are to avoid any staff cuts. Funding is required in three areas,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authority Funding (23 Jul 2020)

Denise Mitchell: I thank the Minister of State. I am sure the city and county managers and local councillors from all parties and none are disappointed by his response. They need absolute certainty. I will give the Minister of State an example of the financial impact Covid-19 has had on Dublin City Council alone. Dublin City Council faces €41 million in additional costs due to Covid-19. It has...

Early Years Childcare: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jul 2020)

Denise Mitchell: When we look at childcare, we see a sector that has been in crisis for many years and whose workers do not have the pay or working conditions they deserve. Childcare costs in this State are among the highest in the OECD. It is the same as the cost of a mortgage payment for many families. We require a State-funded model of childcare that is in line with international best practice, that...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Jul 2020)

Denise Mitchell: The issues of housing and rip-off rents were on the agenda almost every week during the previous Dáil. Housing was the number one issue on most doorsteps during the general election campaign in February. For more than a decade, workers and young families have been let down by the failure to tackle housing affordability and the rental crisis. They have been caught up in a never-ending...

Covid-19 (Justice and Equality): Statements (4 Jun 2020)

Denise Mitchell: I am proud of my community and of my constituents who make it a great place to live. I thank the community groups, educators and gardaí for working as hard as they do to try to make our society a better place. However, there is an ongoing drug feud in my area and communities across my constituency are dealing with a never-ending cycle of living in fear and under intimidation. While I...

Rent Freeze (Fair Rent) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Dec 2019)

Denise Mitchell: Rents in the State are too high and are continuing to rise. It is time to freeze rents and put money back into the pockets of families and workers. Fine Gael has had eight years to tackle the housing crisis and it has simply not delivered. Some 4,000 children are homeless. More and more people are being moved onto the housing assistance payment, HAP, and rent and house prices continue to...

Housing Solutions: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Denise Mitchell: We are having this debate because there are solutions to the housing crisis. Sinn Féin has solutions, as do the people protesting outside the gates and other Opposition parties in this Chamber, but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will not listen. My office, like those of other Deputies, is inundated with people looking for help in securing homes or preventing eviction into homelessness....

Environmental Impact of Quarries and Incinerators: Motion [Private Members] (4 Dec 2019)

Denise Mitchell: I will speak in favour of the Sinn Féin motion. Illegal dumping is a scourge in many communities. In my own constituency, illegal dumping has spiralled out of control. Local residents are at their wits' end as they see rubbish appearing daily on their greens, in alleyways and beside public bins. No one is held accountable. Illegal operators act with near impunity and it is the local...