Results 3,321-3,340 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (18 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: 247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the option of accredited grades will be offered to those due to sit the leaving certificate in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56584/21]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Some 63 days ago I said to the Taoiseach that budget 2022 must be different. I pointed out that we had a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restructure our economy. Sadly, that did not happen. Budget 2022 was just a little bit for everyone. The families who are just over the income thresholds for various State supports have again been forgotten. These are the hard-working families, the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I am glad the Taoiseach mentioned the issue of energy because, this winter, increased electricity and heating costs will hit every single family hard. Working families will not only have to meet their own additional costs but they will also have to pay for the increases associated with the fuel allowance scheme. Despite this, the value of the retrofitting grant has decreased from one third...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Apologies have been received from Deputy Paul Donnelly. Before we commence, I remind members participating remotely that they must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. Today, we convene to continue our discussion on the recently published report of the Commission on Pensions. We are all aware that the State pension is valued by all of society and it is the bedrock of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I thank Mr. Duggan and call Ms Feehily to speak now, please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I thank Ms Feehily for that detailed presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Would Ms Feehily like to take those questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. I call Deputy Kerrane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Before I ask Ms Feehily to come in, I ask members who are participating through Microsoft Teams to turn their cameras off and on. There seems to be a technical glitch and they are not on the screens. I call Ms Feehily.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Ms Burke wishes to come in on some of the figures.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: We would appreciate that because the Economic and Social Research Institute, in its evidence to the committee last week, pointed out that where this has been done in other countries, it has not led to the dramatic savings that are being projected here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: With regard to Ms Feehily, the commission and all the staff who supported the commission's work, a substantial body of evidence has been produced. Regardless of what decision is taken down the road, this is significant and useful and it clearly sets out the challenges, issues and options. It starts the conversation we need to have in this country on how we address this challenge into the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: Ms Burke has partially answered my question about putting numbers on those elements. I am not expecting the commission to provide numbers today but it would be useful from a broader policy perspective, and for the role of this committee and the recommendations it will make to the Government, if we could have figures on education, childcare and the different elements to increasing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I accept it is impossible to be accurate, but it is also the case that EU fiscal policy forces Departments to take a conservative view in the other direction. They overestimate rather than underestimate because of the way the Estimates process now works. It does not stack up that the Department of Social Protection underestimated from a conservative perspective because that would be an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Report of the Commission on Pensions: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: I thank Mr. Duggan. I note that Deputy Kerrane wants to come in. I am sure Deputy Ó Cathasaigh will remind me that the carbon tax funds the living alone allowance. It is not coming directly out of the Vote for the Department of Social Protection budget. It is income that has been generated by people paying carbon taxes throughout the country.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (16 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: 88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to achieve the 20% target for remote working across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/21]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (16 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: 100. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to facilitate remote working of civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54976/21]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: 106. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on the €7 million investment in the removal of the pinch points on the River Shannon which will address the scale of summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53578/21]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Nov 2021)

Denis Naughten: 111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the €7 million allocated in December 2019 to alleviate constrictions to the flow of water in the Shannon Callows between Athlone and Meelick will be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/21]