Results 21-40 of 98 for speaker:Sarah O'Reilly

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes for coming. They are very welcome. I say "Well done" on the O'Meara case. I have the same questions as everyone else. On the attempts to remove the pension entitlements from divorced and separated people, what was the rationale in the proposed legislation? Was there any legal basis to it? Is there legislation similar to this in other European countries?...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Okay.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I raise the proof required to prove someone is in an intimate relationship. Do the witnesses know what that entails? I have no idea. What is it that the Department is looking for?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On the point of the poverty rate, or the target, it is set by the Irish Government, in the Department. Is there a European target, or how do we compare? Has the ESRI done comparisons with other countries?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I am interested in the tax-benefit system. Has the ESRI done any work on looking at the potential of tackling tax individualisation? The system penalises one-income families.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Has the ESRI engaged with Mary Reader's work? She has published in the Journal of Health Economics. She found that a small child benefit sum paid to mothers during pregnancy resulted in infant health gains. The cost-of-living survey also made interesting points about this and how a drop in income during pregnancy can impact the child poverty rate of other children. Has the ESRI looked...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I had a question about the means test as well and how the witnesses would implement that, but they have answered it.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: It is a matter of information as well, Chair. You mentioned a payment there. What payment were you talking about, may I ask?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: More information about that needs to be-----

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Yes.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I recently had the privilege of meeting representatives of SMA Ireland in the audiovisual room. Spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, is a rare condition that causes weakness throughout the body. People living with SMA can experience difficulties swallowing, breathing and performing basic day-to-day activities. In recent years, the HSE has approved three treatments that can halt the progression of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: The recent RTÉ exposé on nursing homes in Dublin and Laois was heartbreaking to watch. Vulnerable elderly people - our mothers, fathers, grandparents and neighbours - were left without dignity and proper care. Yet, the Government continues to outsource elder care to private corporations, many of which put the bottom line before people. It was shocking to watch an elderly man ask...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On a point of clarity, it was announced on 13 May, yet all Oireachtas Members in Cavan received a letter from the housing authority in Cavan on 28 May. That was after the announcement. Applications are in and so when the application-----

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: At the outset, I commend the good work of many in the education system. We all want a world-class education system that allows every child to real his or her full potential. However, too many people feel that the Department of Education and Youth is ignoring the voices of those who matter most, namely students, parents and teachers, many of whom have contacted me. There are hundreds of...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank Senator Flynn and the Civil Engagement Group for their work on this issue. I agree with all the amendments and fully support their proposals. It is beyond time that our laws be updated so that images of child abuse are referred to as what they are. We have a very serious problem of child trafficking and child sexual exploitation in this country. Aontú has exposed a number...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: How long have I got?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank the Minister for coming to speak to the committee today. In his opening statement, he said on the carer's allowance "... with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government." While this is a positive step and the cost of caring and loss of income are a heavy burden for families, carers often provide 24-7 support and should not...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: My other question concerns workers in Wellman International. Will the Minister answer why a multimillion-euro multinational company has used a tax loophole to cut ties with its subsidiary, gone into examinership and can only offer statutory redundancy, citing lack of funds? It is a multimillion-euro industry. The people who worked there all their lives are being offered statutory...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Deputy Guirke mentioned the lack of supports for people who were self-employed. There is also bogus self-employment. What is the Department doing to clamp down on that kind of thing? We have seen what has been happening with RTÉ. Basically, employees were being categorised as contractors. I actually think the Department knew about this. What will it do in the future to clamp down...