Results 5,781-5,800 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As the Minister will also be aware, while there is a legal basis for the requirement for the card, there were concerns and findings on the process whereby persons were being issued with or accessing the card. That was regarding improvements in the internal process. I had hoped that some pause and consideration might be given. That said, given we will get to engage on these issues in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Excuse me, I will press amendment No. 19 because I strongly believe there should be a pause.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I withdraw amendment No. 18.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 19:In page 14, after line 25, to insert the following:“10. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, for a period of at least six months following the enactment of this Act, ensure that a Public Services Card, MyGovID or inclusion in the Single Customer View Dataset are not treated as mandatory or as the only acceptable means by which the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 20:In page 14, after line 25, to insert the following:“10. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within one month of the enactment of this Act, consult with the Joint Committee for Employment Affairs and Social Protection with the intention of attending a meeting of that committee and providing a briefing in relation to the Public...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 20 is on the Minister's engagement with the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I understand from the clerk to the committee that the Minister is scheduled to appear at the committee on 26 October. If the Minister is able to confirm that, I do not need to press the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In the context of having confirmation that the Minister will attend the committee on 26 October I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 21:In page 14, after line 25, to insert the following:“10. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within six months of the enactment of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas outlining potential actions in relation to social welfare supports and services in the context of the Climate Action Plan and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 21 is on the wider issue of a just transition. We have had a lengthy debate on this. I look forward to engaging with the Minister on this elsewhere. We have not had a satisfactory engagement on this issue but it intersects with a number of other processes so in that context I will withdraw it at this point.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 22:In page 14, after line 25, to insert the following:“10. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the enactment of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on policy options to strengthen social protection supports for one parent families with a youngest child between the ages of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: While I appreciate the pressed nature of the Department's budget, and I have argued for a higher budget for the Minister for many policy areas that are of national concern, I am more concerned about the pressed budgets of lone parents with children over the age of 14 and in that sense I am pressing the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b) I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My apologies. Perhaps the-----

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for the clarification.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 23:In page 14, after line 25, to insert the following:"10.The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within eighteen months of the enactment of this Act, prepare and lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the role of social protection supports and services and the provision of educational opportunities for people in receipt of social...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We discussed this amendment at length on Committee Stage. I do not believe it needs much more elaboration and I will press it.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect, the amendment was found to be in line with the topic of the Bill and, therefore, to be in line with social welfare. It is not apply to all of the issues. It refers specifically to the access route through social welfare payments to educational supports, further education and training and literacy support. I am not asking for a major piece of work. I am asking specifically...

Seanad: Free Education (Prohibition of Fees and Charges) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On behalf of Civil Engagement, I wish to speak formally in favour of the Bill. We support it. Senator Ruane, a member of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills, has been vocal in supporting it. It is very much in the spirit of No Child 2020. I join Senator Bacik in commending the Government on the hot meals and books schemes. I hope such schemes scale up from pilot schemes very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Hydraulic Fracturing Exploration: Discussion (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I contacted the clerk and was instructed that this is the appropriate time to raise the fact that at 4.15 p.m. I must move several amendments in the Seanad. I may discuss with colleagues whether I can make my contribution before then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Hydraulic Fracturing Exploration: Discussion (9 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The issue was well signalled, however. There should be sufficient expertise within the Department, which is extensive, for it to be able to provide a representative.