Results 3,221-3,240 of 12,585 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: As the Minister said, the system already disregards time spent working in the home since April 1994 for the purposes of calculating the yearly average contributions. The problem arises in respect of people who took time out before 1994. Does the figure of €290 million refer to the cost of back dating to the very beginning? If he is moving to a total contributions approach, is it...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: As the Minister will be aware, since the abolition of the retirement pension, people aged 65 and over who have been compulsorily retired have to apply for jobseeker's allowance initially for one year. I believe it will be two years when the pension age reaches 67. First, the amount is lower. Second, it has given rise to obvious difficulties. I know the same criteria do not apply. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 45. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will address the anomaly in the calculation of the contributory pension which tends to disadvantage those who took time out of the workforce to care for children or relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36086/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: This problem has been well ventilated. We are all aware of the unfairness in the contributory old age pension system whereby people who have paid fewer contributions can often get a higher pension than people who have paid a greater number of contributions. We discussed the issue last week on Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill and we will be discussing it again tomorrow. I just...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the criticisms being levelled at JobPath; if so, the way he plans to address these criticisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36085/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I am raising this question because of the large volume of complaints that not only I am receiving but also other colleagues on all sides of the House about the operation of the JobPath scheme.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: We all agree that activation is essential, but we disagree on whether jobseekers might be coerced into unsuitable or inappropriate employment. It must be recognised that people who have been out of the workforce for a long time often have issues that make it difficult for them to re-enter it. I am staggered by the Minister's reference to there only being 145 complaints. With as much...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: We must avoid going down the punitive road. Time will not permit me to read all of the e-mails, letters and other correspondence I have received on this issue, but a person from the Minister's constituency e-mailed me after finding the JobPath experience humiliating, stressful and demoralising. I have received a number of other e-mails. One person's connection with JobPath had accentuated...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Surely not in front of their neighbours.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Four weeks ago I raised with the Taoiseach the question of the tenant purchase scheme and how it discriminated against those in receipt of social welfare payments. He promised that he would write to me to give me his views on the matter. I am sure he did write to me and as the letter is probably lost in the post, will he send it again?

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 58. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on the average waiting times for essential payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35931/16]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 62. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce a cost of disability top-up payment to recognise the additional costs of a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35932/16]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Income Inequality (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way he plans to address inequality and social exclusion in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35934/16]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Unemployment Measures (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 92. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way he plans to address the issue of youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35933/16]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (22 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: 537. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the data usage for each docking station per month from 2014 to date with regard to the Limerick bike share scheme; if he will provide the data for point-to-point journeys from each station per month from 2014 to date; the number of annual memberships and temporary passes issued per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Questions on Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The crisis in defined benefit pension schemes has been highlighted in a number of media outlets this morning. The Minister will be aware that 600,000 people are affected by the situation. If nothing changes and things continue as they are, many of them will get nothing, despite having paid into pension schemes all their lives, and many will get much less than they had anticipated and had...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: I understand this section provides for the extension of eligibility for an invalidity pension to the self-employed. Will the Minister confirm that this measure will kick in in December next year? Is it confined to invalidity pensions? I take it that illness benefit, occupational injury benefit, etc. are not covered by it? Will the Minister give an indication of the full year cost of the...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The amendments are ruled out because they would impose a charge on the Exchequer. I can understand the rationale but I believe it is time to look at this rule, especially in the context of the changed political situation. I put it to the Minister that, at a minimum, this regulation preventing Members of the Opposition from putting forward amendments that are a charge on the Exchequer is...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister is extending the various benefits, including dental and optical benefits, to the self-employed. That is welcome. The Minister is also providing for an extension of the benefits as they apply across the board. Can the Minister indicate the date on which those changes will come into operation?

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)

Willie O'Dea: Does that apply to pensions too?