Results 5,301-5,320 of 5,583 for speaker:Paul McAuliffe

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: In dealing with Covid, we have tried to do two things. We have tried to grapple, in some cases, with an infrastructural deficit to try to continue normal life, while at the same time we need to look forward to ensure that the supports that are in place are protected for the security and connectivity of the island. Let me deal with three sectors. In July, I was delighted when the public...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Legislation (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I also raise the issue of the illegal use of scrambler bikes which is plaguing Dublin city and has been for some time. As Deputy Costello said, we saw the tragic incident of a young child being injured when a scrambler hit a quad bike last week. A young man died in Ballymun this month. In 2017, 62 people were injured in quad bike and scrambler accidents. The issue is particularly bad...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Legislation (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: The Minister of State has done a good job in outlining many of the challenge that we face. We need to get all the Departments into a room and start looking for solutions to this problem because, as I said, there is not only one solution. The Minister of State has highlighted some of the potential solutions but the fact that there is no responsibility on parents who buy young children these...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I would like to come in, Chairman, if I may. I apologise for delaying the meeting as I take my seat. I have to catch my breath. Something quite serious happened yesterday in the Dáil Chamber. In effect, it was alleged that witnesses were refusing to attend this committee. I do not think that is correct. I do not think anybody here in the room believes it is correct. It is very...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: It undermines the very strong relationship we have had with witnesses who have come before this committee.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: For Deputy McDonald to effectively say that witnesses were refusing to attend is not correct and the Chairman should clarify that.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I am less concerned about Ministers. Ministers can look after themselves. However, NPHET has been a highly respected body from the start, and to put a slur on the team to the effect that it is refusing to attend the Covid-19 committee is shocking.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Strategic Options for Government Plan to Eliminate Community Transmission (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I wish to put on record my thanks to all the public health experts who have contributed to the committee in recent months. When such people contribute to public debate, it is often really important. If Covid-19 is to be with us for a long period, our political system faces a challenge. If four economists were in front of us, they would all have different views, as do the witnesses before...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Strategic Options for Government Plan to Eliminate Community Transmission (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I thank Dr. McConkey and turn to Dr. Schaffer. There has been an uptick in the 14-day rates of a number of European countries, yet the restrictions in those countries vary greatly in terms of what is permitted. The question many people are asking is why that 14-day rate has increased over the past two or three weeks. Is it a seasonal, weather factor or is it to do with the increased...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Strategic Options for Government Plan to Eliminate Community Transmission (23 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I thank Dr. Schaffer.

Community Safety and Fireworks: Motion [Private Members] (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I will be supporting the Government's amendment to the motion, and I urge the Opposition to do the same, in order that we can send a strong message from this House that the type of activity taking place in Dublin in recent months is unacceptable and this House rejects it. I agree with other Deputies who described the problem, which dates back to July, of people with pets, people with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: 36. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she expects the backdated pandemic unemployment payment to be paid to all recipients who incorrectly had their pandemic unemployment payment reduced. [25006/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: When can we expect that those who had their PUP incorrectly reduced might receive the payment? Many of them include taxi drivers who incorrectly had their car repayments included in the assessment and this has been corrected on appeal. Some of them are being told they will not receive it for some time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: I thank the Minister for clarifying today that the payments will be made this week. Initially, one taxi driver who spoke to me had been told he would not receive it until April next year, which would have been completely unacceptable. I appreciate there is a major workload for the staff in the Department. I also appreciate the huge frustration and sense of loss that many taxi drivers and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Employment Schemes (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: While the service is used to provide much-needed community facilities, the real problem is that the CE scheme is funded by the Minister's Department to provide a training opportunity for people exiting long-term unemployment with the hope they would progress into the job market. I have supervised some of the people involved in these schemes and there is no doubt they benefit greatly from the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Employment Schemes (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: On a wider point than just the CE pensions, the real problem with the CE schemes is the nature of them being independent limited companies. In many ways, it is a little bit of a corporate governance black hole. The Department is effectively the shadow director, the funder and the real decision maker and CE supervisors are often one-man or one-woman shows. They have little support and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Employment Schemes (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: 28. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered the long-term sustainability of services provided by community employment schemes (details supplied). [24342/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Employment Schemes (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: Community employment is used by organisations across the country to support communities, deliver services and maximise community facilities. Is the Minister's Department committed to reforming the community employment scheme to ensure the long-term sustainability of these services, bearing in mind the people who work in them?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Data (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: 211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the advice given by the National Transport Authority to his Department or other Departments on the issue of taxi drivers and the impact of Covid-19 on their work practices and income and their need to return to work; and the date the advice was received. [25160/20]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Sep 2020)

Paul McAuliffe: 523. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason 2018 PAYE and self-employed income cannot be combined for the purpose of calculating the pandemic unemployment rate of a person; the reason it is the case for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25135/20]