Results 281-300 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (10 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Government is committed to supporting workers and has a very strong record on strengthening and introducing new workers’ rights. The European Union Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Regulations came into effect in Ireland in December 2022. These regulations have ensured that employees are given more detailed information about the important aspects of their jobs....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Schemes (10 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: In May of this year, the Government agreed a range of measures with the aim of reducing costs for small and medium sized businesses. As part of this package and aligned with changes outlined in the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Policy Statement, changes to the LEO digitalisation schemes for small businesses were included. Firstly, the Trading Online Voucher scheme will be doubled to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: To be clear, the temporary blanket waiver of pension abatement continued up until 31 March 2021. This was when the abatement policy for the healthcare sector returned to normal in line with other sectors. This was, as I understand it, communicated to the HSE on 15 January 2021. On 22 January 2021, only a few days later, I am informed that the HSE informed all relevant staff, including, but...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, for his comments and his commitment to resolving these legacy issues with facilities built by developers to provide water services in housing estates. I acknowledge the hard work and the efforts of the engineers listed by the Deputy. The Minister introduced the multi-annual developer-provided water services infrastructure...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this issue today, which I will take on behalf of the Minister for Health. As the Deputy has outlined, on 10 March 2020, the Department of Health informed the HSE that, following engagement with the then Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, approval was given under section 52(4) of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions)...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing an opportunity to address the matter. As he knows, a small number of estates rely on developer-provided water services infrastructure, commonly referred to as DPI, for their water services. They mainly consist of wastewater...

Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Sultanate of Oman) Order 2024: Motion (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Sultanate of Oman) Order 2024, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 19th June, 2024.

Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Jersey) Order 2024: Motion (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Jersey) Order 2024, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 19th June, 2024.

Reappointment of Member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I move: That Dáil Éireann, noting that the Government on 2nd July, 2024, nominated Emily Logan for reappointment by the President as a member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, recommends, pursuant to section 65(1)(b) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, that she be reappointed by the President to be a member of the Commission.

Appointment of An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta: Motion (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I move: That Dáil Éireann, noting that the Government on 2nd July, 2024, nominated Emily Logan for appointment by the President as An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta, recommends, pursuant to section 171(3)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, that she be appointed by the President as An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta.

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legal Aid (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Senators for raising this important matter and I acknowledge their passion for and work on this issue. I will first reiterate my and Minster for Justice, Deputy McEntee's, appreciation of the important role played by barristers and solicitors in the administration of criminal justice. I also acknowledge the important role that women play in this sector, as Senator Seery Kearney...

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legal Aid (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I hear what the Senators are saying and I will convey their feedback to the Minister. The main message is that, from a budgetary perspective, it is very difficult to make budgetary announcements ahead of budget day and I know that the Senators appreciate that. I understand their sincerity and passion about this matter. I also understand that they want to see a resolution and that is...

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Advocacy Service (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I commend him on the passion he has shown for the provision of advocacy services. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, acknowledges the value of the important services the National Advocacy Service, NAS, provides to adults with disabilities throughout the country, as the Senator articulated so well. I, too, value them. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Advocacy Service (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: As the Senator will be aware, talks which were led by Kevin Duffy broke down on Friday without agreement and strike action has now recommenced. That is the reason for that. It is deeply unfortunate and will undoubtedly impact people with disabilities. We do not want that to happen and we do not want that to continue. I understand a number of offers were made over the course of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Advocacy Service (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: -----but that all were rejected.

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Advocacy Service (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Offers included measures to immediately address pay divergences with NAS, an immediate pay increase for all NAS employees, and an independent assessment to establish the grades within CIS to which the NAS staff would be benchmarked. Significantly, the immediate pay increase for staff went beyond the Labour Court's recommendations, which was limited, as the Senator has said earlier, to four...

Seanad: Nithe i dTosach Suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking international protection. The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first 26 weeks of this year, more than 10,000 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 386 people per week. This is more than five times the average from 2017 to 2019....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Health. I thank the Deputy for his support for this Government initiative. The development of a CAST, a multiagency initiative proposed for Limerick city, was a recommendation of the final report of the high-level task force, HLTF, on mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Deputy referenced 2022 in his opening contribution and the report of the high-level task force was published in 2022. Progress is happening. Posts have been approved. Additional progress happened just yesterday. That underscores this Government's commitment to make this pilot happen. I have given him the target date of the fourth quarter of 2024. From a HSE mid-west perspective,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Supports (9 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 290 together. The Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) was established in 2021, by the EU, to support Member States in managing the impacts of Brexit. Ireland, as the country clearly most affected by Brexit, was awarded the largest share, 20% of the entire fund. In 2023, there was €15 million allocated to Enterprise Ireland (EI) for disbursal...