Results 21,621-21,640 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: On what does the Minister base his assertion that there is no evidence of poverty among asylum seekers? Any of the groups working in this area can tell him about the severe difficulties they face. Surely research is not necessary to convince the Minister that it is exceptionally difficult to live on €19.10 per week. I am not suggesting people will starve because food is provided, though...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: There are a great many things a person needs besides food and accommodation. What else does the Minister spend money on beyond the basics?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister is defending the situation.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Nobody is suggesting that.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: On a point of order, this amendment relates to direct provision and I ask the Minister to confine his remarks to that area.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: The Minister is trying to defend the indefensible.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Amendments Nos. 24 and 26 in my name seek to address two anomalies in the operation of the carer's allowance system. The first relates to those carers who care for more than one person. The system as it operates is unfair in respect of their position. If a person is providing full-time care for two or more people, thus enabling them to live independently and remain outside institutional...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: The programme for Government includes a commitment to produce a carers strategy before the end of this year. Why is this process delayed and what is the timescale now envisaged by the Minister? What opportunity will there be to avail of his invitation to spokespersons to contribute to the process?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: That is six months behind schedule. Why is it so late?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Is it not a problem that persons who are providing significant care do not qualify for these allowances?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: On a point of order, we do not have a schedule for taking the various Stages of the Bill. How does the Ceann Comhairle intend to proceed with this?

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Those details have not been circulated.

Written Answers — Higher Education Review: Higher Education Review (11 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will carry out a comprehensive top level review of higher education here in view of a recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33444/07]

Written Answers — Capitation Grants: Capitation Grants (11 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will provide financial aid to the schools in Adamstown that are facing bankruptcy in view of a recent report (details supplied). [33445/07]

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (11 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: I wish to put on the record of the House an item that is not included in this year's Social Welfare Bill but which should have been if the Government had kept its promise. One of the key promises made by Fianna Fáil prior to the last general election was to halve the rate of PRSI. This was probably the main plank in Fianna Fáil's election platform in respect of taxation. It is arguable...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (11 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: That is clearly not the case. I challenge anybody in this House to survive on less than €200 a week. In a situation where grocery inflation is nearly 5% and where there have been extraordinary increases in the cost of fuel, by up to 17%, it is exceptionally difficult for people to survive on €197.80 per week. I welcome the provisions of this Bill in respect of the qualified adult rate...

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: For clarification, last Tuesday in the House the Taoiseach gave an assurance that he would engage in consultation prior to finalising and publishing the Bill. However, on the following day the Minister for Health and Children said in a briefing that she intended to publish the Bill within the next ten days. Which version is accurate? Is the Taoiseach prepared to reiterate the assurance he...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (6 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Road Safety Authority has briefed him on the performance of SGS in the provision of driving tests; if he has requested the RSA to undertake an audit on the consistency of driver testing provided by SGS; his views on the different pass rates achieved by SGS and RSA driving testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/07]

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: In the time available to me I wish to concentrate on the social welfare aspects of the budget. I assure the Minister of State that I will not take any of these facts out of context so maybe he will listen to what I have to say. His bombast seems to indicate that he thinks there are no problems. Yesterday's budget, however, is the latest in a litany of budgets that have completely ignored...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Róisín Shortall: I wish to share my time with Deputy Ó Caoláin.