Results 4,121-4,140 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Questions on Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is developing that action plan. Clearly, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to build on those various social schemes which, as the Deputy acknowledged, have been helpful. The next social welfare Bill is under discussion. I suggest that is the appropriate place to raise the issues he has outlined today on actions the Minister has taken, but...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is a very important issue. Rising costs have been a concern. The Deputy has outlined a number of individual cases of rising costs for people seeking to renew their premiums. He mentioned both car insurance and the difficulty in obtaining insurance in other areas, including in respect of flooding. This is an issue we take very seriously. We will have a report from the working group...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important to have an evidence-based report. We will have it very shortly. I understand the Deputy's impatience but we will have the report before the end of the year. It will give us detailed information based on evidence the committee has been gathering. I assure the Deputy that we intend to take action. Once we have the report, we will act on the recommendations therein to deal...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand the review is ongoing but I will ask the relevant Minister to revert to the Deputy in detail with the information he requires. I do not have it.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It would be good to have consensus across the House on this issue. Minister of State Deputy David Stanton has been doing a lot of work on this and will shortly be making a presentation to the Cabinet sub-committee on social policy. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, I expect he will be addressing the issue further in the House.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question is why Deputy Eoin Ó Broin is afraid of the democratic process in which we are involved.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why can Sinn Féin not accept a democratic vote in the Dáil?

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Why can Sinn Féin not accept the results of a democratic vote in the Dáil? There will also be a democratic vote in the Seanad where Senators will have ample opportunity to decide how they wish to respond. They will take their democratic decision as well. Why be so fearful of a committee which will bring in experts to discuss the issue? It will be very helpful to have experts at...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the final point the Deputy made, we have a financial services regulator who can deal with the claims she has just made. She outlined several individual schemes where there are problems. I will revert to her on those individual schemes. On the broader point, in the Government's approach to the Lansdowne Road agreement and the unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The points the Deputy made are extremely serious. I acknowledge the impact on individuals and their income after retirement. I also acknowledge the serious consequences of these issues if not dealt with. Clearly, she has raised this with the line Ministers, Deputy Varadkar and Deputy Donohoe. If further legislation is needed, I have no doubt it will be examined. I will ask both Ministers...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I repeat to the Deputy that providing affordable, quality and accessible housing is a priority, as can be seen in every action of the Government, in the work the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, is doing, in the plan published and its delivery to date, notwithstanding the fact that serious issues remain, with people moving into homelessness and a dysfunctional housing market, one of the most...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has not provided many answers on homelessness.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Already this year 320 rapid-build units have been provided.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Construction will have started by year end.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, on 350 units.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There have been 650 housing solutions through the housing assistance payment, HAP, initiative, as well as a 40% increase in the housing budget. A series of actions have been taken. I have acknowledged that they are not-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: They are beginning to work but will take time. That is quite clear.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Everyone across the House has as much sympathy as the Deputy dies for every family that find themselves in this situation. It is shared by all of us. Dealing with this issue is a priority for us and the Minister will make further announcements on the rental strategy in two weeks. We need to consider alternative solutions for families at risk of entering homelessness and they will be...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Dáil will vote on the motion on the establishment of the committee today and I assume Deputy Eoin Ó Broin will accept its democratic will when the vote is taken. The Chairman of the committee is named in the motion as Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh who, as the Deputy knows, is not a member of any party but a member of the Independent group in the Seanad.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am sure the Senator will chair the committee in a way that is fair to all members. As Deputy Eoin Ó Broin knows, the committee has been given a set timeframe of three months from the date of its first public meeting in which to report to both Houses. The expert commission is due to publish its report at the end of the month. I understand the motion on the establishment of the...