Results 23,581-23,600 of 28,162 for speaker:Catherine Murphy

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: I want to raise the growing issue of homelessness, particularly the growing phenomena of families with children becoming homeless. While the main news reports today are focusing on Irish Water and the so-called free allowance for children, the people I am speaking about may not have a home within which to access that water allowance. I have to say I am horrified by what I am seeing. I have...

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: If there is a solution, can the Taoiseach tell me what that is? Does he accept that what I am describing is a crisis? If he does, I ask him to take direct responsibility and ensure that emergency measures of sufficient order to deal with the crisis are put in place immediately. Will he specifically look at the rent caps, which require urgent change, with a view to introducing a more...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services (6 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: 412. To ask the Minister for Health the respite beds available at a facility (detailed supplied); his plans to ensure greater capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20183/14]

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: The Tánaiste's thinking appears to have shifted fundamentally.  Six months after the last local elections, he approached the matter from the citizen's perspective, but he is now approaching it from that of the utilities.  In October 2009 he stated the following about water charges: "One concern with this proposal is that we could be informed in six or 12 months time that the...

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: He stated: "The system of flat rate water charges is unfair, inequitable and not environmentally sound because one ends up with a situation whereby the poor pay the same as the rich. Fine Gael will oppose a flat rate water charge." I fail to see the reason for the delay in reaching a decision. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are not fighting each other, if that is the perspective from...

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: My question stems from something the Tánaiste said in 2009 and I am quoting again-----

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: He asked the then Taoiseach: "Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that there will not be a flat water charge and that this will not be progressed until the metering is done, the allowances are set and a waiver system is put in place?"

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: Why did the Tánaiste seek that assurance when he now appears to be doing exactly what he feared?  What has changed?

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: Like everyone else in this House, I have been out canvassing, knocking on doors, in my case in North Kildare. The issue on everybody’s lips is water charges. It is a lightning rod for this election and invariably other taxes and charges come up in the conversation as well. Members of this House call for certainty on the household bills people will receive but I hear the last thing...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: The Minister of State would agree that there is a limited capacity for the Government to deliver direct builds, which would be the ideal solution. Her answer to me is the fallback position. Is there an impediment to local authorities drawing down this money, even at arm's length? If not, can that process be examined and developed quickly? We already have a significant housing deficit to...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: This situation must almost be put on a war footing, given the tsunami of difficulties coming down the track with the shortage of accommodation. It is a good news story for the construction industry and unemployed construction workers. They can deliver something tangible and necessary to the community instead of being on schemes, etc. Will the Minister of State take a proactive approach and...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: 6. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on promised reforms to regulations governing the voluntary housing sectors in view of the rapidly deteriorating housing and homelessness situation around the country if he has undertaken steps to expedite this process in order that housing associations may apply for external funding to...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Catherine Murphy: Housing associations will increasingly play a part in delivering social housing or at least increasing the number of houses in the rental sector. I acknowledge that voluntary regulation has been developed to deal with the Government's management and financial principles. However, charities have told us that while they are not there to make a profit, neither are they allowed to make a loss....

Housing Provision: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: It is not acceptable that we are now seeing average families becoming homeless. If the Minister of State will not use her power in Government to deal with this, I would say this Government is not fit to govern.

Housing Provision: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: I move:That Dáil Éireann:acknowledges: — there exists a current housing and homelessness emergency in the country that must be addressed as a matter of urgency; — current housing resources and supports are at breaking point; — the current situation is forcing many people on rent assistance, which is set below the market rent level, to engage in illegal...

Housing Provision: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: It is ironic tonight that we debated the Children First Bill before this important topic of housing provision. The Children First Bill is trying to undo many legacy issues that are fundamentally about the failure of the State in the past. In years to come, will we be resolving the matter of housing provision where we are seeing men, women and children on a routine basis becoming homeless?...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: If one is to get good outcomes, it is important to have a good process, but we have skipped one of the fundamental processes here, that is, the Green Paper. The Green Paper should have asked what we want and how we will pay for and deliver it. There was a widespread expectation that when this Government took office, there would be very significant changes to the vehicle that delivers most...

Other Questions: National Archives (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: 13. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the cost-benefit analysis to maximise the use of the Bishop Street premises of the National Archives is complete; if he will share the findings of the analysis; when he expects to make a decision on expanding the capacity of the Bishop Street premises; the timeframe that is envisaged for the expansion; if a new exhibition space...

Other Questions: National Archives (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: A cost-benefit analysis is being carried out on the National Archives in Bishop Street to maximise the use of the space there. Clearly, the space is very deficient. I am trying to find out whether it is expected that a decision will be made on it soon.

Other Questions: National Archives (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Murphy: Has the Minister any idea when work is likely to commence given that it is justified and that the National Archives has statutory responsibility to manage its records? Is it planned to include exhibition space? Is the Minister considering the problematic staffing level in the National Archives? He told me previously that 70,000 boxes of records have not been catalogued at this stage....