Results 3,341-3,360 of 12,701 for speaker:Willie O'Dea
- 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?
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)
Willie O'Dea: As somebody whose party has quite a number of councillors, I certainly will not oppose the amendment. Unlike other members of the committee, I do not have extensive experience of working as a councillor. My experience is confined to a brief inglorious period on Limerick Corporation, which, quite frankly, I do not miss. My understanding is that the K stamp is being converted into an S stamp...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)
Willie O'Dea: The Minister will be aware of the rates of poverty among lone parents. The deprivation rate is touching on 60%, which is alarming. The Minister will also be aware that an independent report commissioned by his Department and written by Drs. Crosse and Millar was particularly scathing about the changes made to the current system which the previous Minister stated should not be introduced in...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)
Willie O'Dea: The Minister mentioned the number of reports the Department is doing, including one on jobseeker's transition, JST. Is JST exclusive to lone parents? Perhaps the report could cover a number of the issues we are discussing. The Minister said the best way out of poverty was to get a job. The difficulty is that the changes brought about have made it less attractive for many lone parents to...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2016)
Willie O'Dea: I must confess I am a little confused because the Minister seemed to say at the start of his contribution that the report on the jobseeker's transitional payment, which is exclusive to lone parents, would cover the issues we are looking to be covered. He went on to say that he will undertake to commission a separate report along the lines suggested in the amendment. If the report on the...