Results 4,221-4,240 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the plans for the decentralisation of 300 personnel from his Department to the site at Lynn, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/09]

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the findings of the FÁS quarterly commentary, published on 4 November 2009, which warned of an increase in the pattern of youth unemployment; the steps she will take to combat this trend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41139/09]

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I appeal to the Tánaiste not to write off our young people, who are seriously affected by having to bear the brunt of the downturn. There has been a 60% year-on-year increase in the number of graduates seeking employment or further training. It is clear from FÁS's commentary on today's quarterly returns that young men have been particularly affected by the downturn. Approximately 40% of...

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I concur with the Tánaiste's views. I do not wish to be argumentative in this regard. She has been very fair. I suggest it is time to remove the obstacles, hurdles and impediments that prevent the implementation and application of the Tánaiste's policies. We need to expand the apprenticeship programme. She is right to suggest that many unskilled people suffer from forms of educational...

Hospital Services. (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important matter and allowing me to address this important issue. The status of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, is a major cause of concern and angst among the public, staff and elected representatives. The HSE is a bureaucratic monster and it is engaging in a surreptitious campaign to downgrade the status of the hospital, which is...

Hospital Services. (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: This is chalk and cheese.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: On promised legislation, and in particular the Health Information Bill, is the Tánaiste or any member of the Government aware of how the bureaucratic monster, namely, the HSE is surreptitiously pursuing a campaign to downgrade the status of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar? At 5 p.m. today 41 acute beds will be taken out of the most efficient hospitals in the country. No...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: We might as well not come in here. It is not the Ceann Comhairle's fault, but we would be better off closing this place because the media have a field day telling people we are only open 91 days. The 91 days we are here are a waste of time.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: Something has to be done. We have lost consultants.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I know. I am 13 years here and I am fed up being orderly. I do not want to be disorderly.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I do not want to be disorderly at all, but the HSE is not helping anyone.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: Deputy Bannon knows what the people——

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: There are phantom notes.

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: This is an important Bill and we know the reasons it has been brought forward. Deputy Allen is in the Chamber and much of this material has emanated from the work of his committee, the Committee of Public Accounts. This emphasises the importance of the scrutiny work carried out by committees. Some of this work is done well away from the public view. People often wonder why this House is...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, to delete lines 27 to 30. The purpose of this amendment is to remove the gag which prevents the director general from commenting on Government policy. Directors general of State bodies are often a font of wisdom in regard to issues and developments within their remit. The Government's position is that a situation must not be permitted where such persons...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: In that context, I will withdraw the amendment.

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 6: In page 9, line 22, after "Foras" to insert the following: "or the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment". Protection is afforded in the legislation to FÁS employees, which is proper and correct. As I said on Second Stage, we have laboured for such a long time regarding whistleblower protection legislation that we have been left in the traps. Every other...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: In view of the Minister of State's commitment, I will withdraw the amendment.

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: I move amendment No. 9: In page 10, to delete lines 26 to 31. This is related to earlier amendments and deals with the special definitions of "employee" and "employer".

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Penrose: We have debated this.