Results 4,421-4,440 of 4,887 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, the recommendation is there and I just want to welcome east Carlow home.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Thank you. The second issue I want to highlight is-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----the new pay-by-weight system for waste that will be introduced from 1 July about which I am very disappointed. Over a year ago we spoke about this system but we urged the Department to conduct an awareness and information campaign. We said that it would be important to produce leaflets and to let people know how important it is to reduce the amount of waste produced. We all understand...

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil supports the Bill in principle, however, we believe it is incomplete. Fianna Fáil's position on mortgage arrears is that every effort should be made to keep families in their home. It has been ten years since the onset of the financial crisis but no sustainable long-term solution has come from the Fine Gael-led Governments to tackle the issue and assist families in...

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is estimated that the co-operative will have to raise at least €5 billion. If this money is to be raised through bonds, as was the case with NAMA, this will ultimately have to be guaranteed by the State. The Bill, as drafted, it is not clear on the function of the co-operative. It is unclear from the Bill whether the homeowner is activating the process or not, and how much...

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Government is supposed to be building thousands of houses but we still have not seen them.

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Minister, Deputy Coveney, promised thousands and we have only 200.

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: They were supposed to build thousands of houses.

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It has not happened.

Seanad: Home Care Services: Motion (28 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I second the motion. I am going to speak about dementia. It is an issue that impacts on very many people's lives, not only the lives of people living with dementia or Alzheimer's but on the lives of the loved ones who care for them on a daily basis. The World Health Organization has described dementia as one of the most serious social challenges facing the world today. Dementia is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I, too, wish to raise an issue related to education. Members are currently receiving representations in regard to the SUSI grants system. Over the past two years, there have been a number of changes to that system.If students are working during the summer or part time at Christmas, that is taken into account with the parents' PRSI, whether it is the mother or the father. In many cases, it...

Seanad: University Hospital Waterford Cardiology Services: Statements (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I had asked that he come in to us today. I welcome my colleague, Senator Mary Butler, who has fought tirelessly for a 24-hour cardiac unit for Waterford hospital. Both I and my party send deepest sympathies to Mr. Thomas Power's widow and family on their tragic loss. Thomas Power was in the prime of life, newly married and expecting his first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with previous speakers. I looked at the five pillars again over the weekend. I am disappointed to be sitting here. When I originally read the proposal - around Christmas - we all stayed and were all delighted to make sure that things were going to be going on track. We are 12 months on and one is talking about infrastructure investment of €226 million, and we need to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: On the question of HAP, perhaps I did not explain what I wanted to know. I know that one can make a special case, and that will be taken into account. The midlands rent unit is gone. We always had what was called rent allowance, but it has gone back to the local Intreo social welfare office. However, trying to get the first time payment now can be an issue. Everybody is entitled to one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Is that acceptable when we have a housing crisis? To me, it is not. There should be enforcement though the Department to keep pressure on the local authorities because this is the way forward and it is what we must do. I think-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know. It concerns Tusla.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: There is a lack of information.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I was disappointed to hear from the Department officials last week that they are re-examining the eligibility criteria for the local authority housing list. It is a massive issue. I felt the Minister's response today was a little negative. The current system in regard to the local authority housing lists is unfair. In some counties, there are up to 30,000 people on the housing waiting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Okay. I have lots of issues that I feel the Minister has to address. I will come back to him again on them and I thank him for coming in today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: They are so long-----