Results 4,621-4,640 of 12,701 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Order of Business (16 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: Legislation was promised on the floor of the House to amend the 2012 Bill if it did not work properly. All the evidence indicates it is not working.

Order of Business (16 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: On the basis of a commitment given on the floor of the House by the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Administration (16 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 108. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will commit to keeping the free travel pass in its current form; if she will ensure there are no restrictions surrounding the times that the pass can be used; if the current criteria to be eligible for the travel pass will be retained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31684/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Appeals (16 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 276. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is no specific appeal allowed for refusals to over 70s medical card applications; the reason two single persons over 70 who live together are assessed on the basis of a lower income threshold than a couple; the reason over 70s medical card holders have to appeal a refusal on an under 70s appeal form and, as a result, are assessed on the...

Leaders' Questions (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: The total available is €5 billion.

Leaders' Questions (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Martin gave the facts.

Leaders' Questions (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: The Taoiseach is a hypocrite.

Leaders' Questions (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: This only requires €1 million from a €5 billion budget.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Insurance Payments (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: There is no difference in practice between now and before.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Poverty Data (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: The best obvious route from poverty is to find a job but the Minister may find it surprising that 16% of the people ascertained as living below the poverty line have a job. There is a specific commitment on page 22 of the programme for Government to combat and reduce incidence of poverty. In the Government's national reform programme for 2012, the target for Ireland was that consistent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Poverty Data (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 66. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take to address the increasing poverty levels here; if she will commit to protecting the universal payment of child benefit at its current levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31162/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Poverty Data (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: My question relates to the fact that the most recent statistics on levels of poverty and income distribution in Ireland are two years old. I want to ascertain the progress made by the Government in dealing with these matters in the past two years.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Poverty Data (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: We know that social welfare will always work to reduce poverty. If we did not have social welfare, we would obviously have much more poverty. Regrettably, however, the latest statistics on the incidence of poverty and income distribution are two years old. I do not blame the Minister specifically for this situation but it should be addressed by the Government. We are in the unusual...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Free Travel Scheme Review (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: I appreciate what the Minister has said about the introduction of the new card which will go a long way towards combatting fraud in the system. I note the Minister said her in reply that the Government is committed to the full retention of the free travel pass. Can the Minister give us an assurance today that there will not be a charge, minimal or otherwise, on people who enjoy the travel...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Free Travel Scheme Review (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: No, I have not. I said there have been suggestions; I have not made them. I am asking the Minister to rule them out.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Free Travel Scheme Review (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister will also be aware that in some places where public bus services are not available people have access to privately operated services. Approximately 90 private operators operate the free travel scheme. Some of those are threatening to withdraw from the scheme. Can the Minister give us an assurance that she will be able to retain those 90 operators within the scheme? Does the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Free Travel Scheme Review (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 63. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the review of the free travel scheme; if she is concerned at the possible withdrawal of private transport services from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31161/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Free Travel Scheme Review (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: I congratulate the Tánaiste on her elevation. I also congratulate her new sidekick, the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, on his well-deserved promotion. The purpose of the question is to ascertain the impact, if any, of the review of the free travel scheme, on the people who already enjoy the benefits of free travel.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Unemployment Data (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 62. To ask the Taoiseach the current number of young persons not in education, employment or training here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (15 Jul 2014)

Willie O'Dea: 85. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of pension schemes that have utilised the Social Welfare and Pensions (No 2) Act 2013 legislative provisions; when pensioners in Waterford Crystal will receive their pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30817/14]