Results 261-280 of 956 for speaker:Mark Wall

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Impact of Means Testing on State Pension and Other Social Welfare Schemes: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: I thank the witnesses for their advocacy and help for older people. It is much appreciated. I have worked with many of those in the room. I wish to raise a couple issues. Cliff edges were mentioned a number of times in our earlier discussion as well as this one, and I come across it daily. People coming into the constituency office was mentioned and it is the same in my office. One of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Implications of Means Testing: Department of Social Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and welcome our guests. Much of this has been covered by Deputy Ó Cuív but there are a couple of issues to pick up on. Carer's allowance is something I regularly deal with, as do other members, I am sure. Notwithstanding the new means test that will come into effect in June, I still hear from a lot of people who are getting very little in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Implications of Means Testing: Department of Social Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I thank the witnesses. Unfortunately, however, the person to whom I refer does not qualify under the other means for warmer homes. The fuel allowance was the only way for her to qualify. It is wrong. Maybe the witnesses could look at that situation because she is only over the limit by €15. As I said, she has been disqualified from a very good scheme that she needs for her home. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Implications of Means Testing: Department of Social Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I appreciate that. That does actually happen, but I am aware that people get requests relating to another bank account they are not even familiar with that has been closed. What bank account details does the Department of Social Protection have for people? In other words, does it know how many bank accounts a person has? I get a lot of queries in my office regarding a request in respect...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Implications of Means Testing: Department of Social Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I would appreciate that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also want to acknowledge that last night I received a phone call from the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to say she would unfortunately be delayed as had a prior commitment today. There is a trend this morning in some of the Commencement matters that have been raised, because this is the third time I have brought up the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I first want to thank the Minister of State for his reply and for going through it in such detail. He underlined in his reply and that they do not require an assessment of need. I have been here before with every family I deal with. The first question they are asked is to give that piece of paper with that assessment the need, so something needs to change there.We need to tell the...

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister for his time.

Seanad: EU Talent Pool: Motion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The Labour Party supports this proposal for Ireland to opt in and be involved in the EU talent pool. As the Minister of State said, we have been very fortunate that many hard-working people have decided to come to, and live and work in Ireland in recent years. They are not just from our EU neighbours but also from outside the EU. As the...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome Mr. Dempsey, and Deputies Phelan, Ó Cuív and Howlin. Like the Cathaoirleach, I will use the opportunity to pay particular tribute to my colleague, Deputy Howlin, for 40-plus years in both Houses. On behalf of the Labour Party, it will be a very sad day when he no longer represents us as he has done so powerfully for the party and the people of Wexford. I am touched by...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome all of the councillors. I thank them for all of the terrific work that they do. We all know they do terrific work. I will go through a couple of the testimonies, starting with Carlow County Council. I am very familiar with Carlow as it is a next door neighbour of mine as I live in Athy, County Kildare. Mention was made about the lack of female representation and I think that is...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I thank everyone who has made contributions today. Councillor Gearóid Murphy started off by mentioning the issue of privilege. My own local authority is talking about CCTV cameras and the recording of council meetings, which will bring a new level to this. There has to be a discussion about privilege and it is something this report has to do. Senators Black and Boyhan are right in...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I cannot answer because I was on one side of the debate. Maybe colleagues who were on the other side of the fence can answer. We tabled amendments on that legislation but democracy being democracy they were defeated on the day.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I will raise a few issues with the Leader today. I have just come from the social protection committee where I once again raised the matter of the housing adaptation grant. The reason I raised it is that I have dealt with three cases in the past two weeks. In one case, a woman has just come from hospital where she spent six months. Thankfully, Clare County Council has approved a grant to...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. I thank my colleagues in the Labour Party, and particularly Senator Moynihan, for preparing the motion. Not for the first time I will mention Garda Sean O'Mahony. He is my local community Garda. I have mentioned him previously in the House. He is on the ground day in and day out. He has built up relationships with everybody including all...