Results 2,721-2,740 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I would appreciate the Minister's view on the unusual case of two women, twins, who on reaching 65 years qualified for the transition pension prior to getting the contributory pension, one of whom fell ill and was late making her application and is now being pushed into the another category in respect of which she does not have the required number of contributions, which is most unfair. This...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: No, they do not.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The issue that arises is in respect of the late application.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I said this morning that I would support the Minister's proposal to reduce the age limit of 14 years to seven years as long as child care places and parental supports are put in place in the exact manner suggested by the Minister. I remind Senator Cullinane that I like to be accurately quoted, as opposed to selectively quoted. The Senator quoted selectively during yesterday's debate on the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Perhaps the document is incorrect.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We are in this position because of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is an unfair-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There needs to be a facilitator, and that is built in to the Keane report.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Sinn Féin is not having much success influencing policy in Northern Ireland.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is because of security checking. Europe cannot do it either.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Sin é. Go for it.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am just saying Europe has difficulty with it.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister for taking the time to listen to us. She has a very important portfolio given that social welfare represents the bridge to work and also a bridge to education. At times of recession it is arguably the most important portfolio. The social welfare system is inherently essential in a democratic society. It is an essential tool in aiding those who are struggling most....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I listened to Senator Leyden speak about all of the schemes Fianna Fáil introduced. Its doing so is part of the problem because new structural difficulties in society were created as was overdependency. I have been told in post offices that one of the 64 or 65 social welfare payments is for a washing machine and that everyone in the country is applying for it because it is a €300 payment...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Child benefit should be claimed only if the child is here and going to school, in a notified crèche or in the ECCE scheme. This needs serious consideration. I understand the European rules but we have national authority here and it is possible to change this. With regard to the changes to the Pensions Act 1990 the idea of requiring 11 years to satisfy the risk reserve of the scheme is very...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They could have them if rural schools were left open.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They are all linked.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: A "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum is critical for the stability of the country and will allow us to get on with addressing the issues of most concern to the people. I spent the last two days at a meeting attended by representatives of all 27 European Union member states at which it was clear youth unemployment was the major concern throughout Europe, just as it was in Ireland. If...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (18 Apr 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister. I listened to almost all of the debate and I feel a little bit inadequate in addressing the issue given the poignancy and the power of the contributions made. I will reiterate some of the points because they are so important. I compliment the Independent Senators on bringing forward this motion so quickly. I thought we had just debated this issue recently. I did...