Results 48,981-49,000 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan
- Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Question 358: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has assisted or proposes to continue to assist various groups in County Kildare involved in combating drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46443/10]
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Question 359: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the total number of applications for grant aid or other assistance received by him from groups or persons based in County Kildare in the past 12 months to date; the extent to which he has responded positively or intends to do so to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46444/10]
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Question 360: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the total number of applications for grant aid received in his Department under the various headings in the past 12 months; the extent to which he has met such requirements over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46445/10]
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: That is correct.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Nothing should surprise anyone anymore.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: I agree with Deputy Ring. The presumption that computers will be able to read and verify people's signatures is not a fair one. There are those who have no difficulty copying the other people's signatures and who have been very effective in doing so. I will not refer to specific instances in that regard but I am aware of a number of them. I can state without any shadow of a doubt that the...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: No. There has been a great deal of discussion in respect of fraud and there is a presumption that massive fraud is taking place. All of the cases with which I have dealt in recent times involve instances where people's payments were cut off. These individuals did not receive their payments for a considerable period thereafter. The position with regard to deliberate fraud is different. I...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Some of them did not make it.
- Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Given the indicative priority legislation programme for early in the new year will the Taoiseach give some indication as to whether it might be possible to introduce the national vetting bureau Bill and, perhaps, the Central Bank (No. 2) Bill, both of which are considered to be urgently required given the present situation?
- Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: What about the other one?
- Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: The Central Bank (No. 2) Bill.
- Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: No. It is the reverse.
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: Question 83: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the full entitlement to retirement or old age pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46793/10]
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: If that be the case, can the Minister explain to the House why there are so many cases on appeal now when there has not been that number on appeal previously? Why is that the position? Why is there such a backlog of appeals when there was not such a backlog previously? In all my parliamentary questions to which the Minister replies, he keeps advising of the 44% increase in the applications...
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: I am speaking about the hurt and unfairness that will be caused by section 3.
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: I refer particularly to the need for social healing, which I raise in all seriousness. There is nothing in this section, Bill or budget that in any way contributes to that social healing and understanding required in this country.
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: The most obvious lack in the Social Welfare Bill and the budget in general is that of fairness. In the two and half years since this Government came into office, members of the general public have expressed to us at every level that they realise there is a problem in the country and that sacrifices must be made. All they want is that it be done fairly. If it is done fairly, people will...
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: I must tell the Minister that it does.
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: It does happen and the Minister is wrong. I am surprised at you in this respect.
- Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)
Bernard Durkan: I did not interrupt the Minister.