Results 41-60 of 1,032,902 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Jim O'Callaghan OR speaker:Heather Humphreys OR speaker:Catherine Martin)
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2024)
Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald for raising this extraordinarily important issue. Before I answer her directly, may I acknowledge the fact that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has made the decision to step down as leader of the Green Party? Obviously, he has played a major leadership role in this coalition, and I want to acknowledge that. He is an honest, sincere, dedicated and decent politician....
- Prelude (18 Jun 2024)
- Prelude (18 Jun 2024)
Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.00 p.m.
- Prelude (18 Jun 2024)
Prayer and Reflection.
- Prelude (18 Jun 2024)
Paidir agus Machnamh.
- Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil (18 Jun 2024)
- Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil (18 Jun 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish to announce for the information of the House that four Members of the Dáil have been elected to the European Parliament, namely, Deputies Barry Cowen, Kathleen Funchion, Michael McNamara and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. Pursuant to the European Parliament Elections Act, the Deputies will cease to be Members of the Dáil when they take up their seats at the first...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2024)
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2024)
Mary Lou McDonald: We have an epidemic of domestic violence. This morning, Women's Aid reports that last year it received its highest level of domestic abuse disclosures in its 50-year history. The figures cited in the organisation’s impact report are frightening, with more than 40,000 disclosures of abuse against women and children made in 2023. That is a jump of 18% on the previous year. Reports of...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: I thank the committee for facilitating the hearing of Committee Stage of the Bill. I thank members for attending. The Bill provides the legislative basis for a new jobseeker’s pay-related benefit scheme and a range of PRSI increases agreed by the Government, along with a number of miscellaneous amendments. The enactment of this Bill before the summer recess is a priority for me....
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 1: “Amendment of section 13 of Principal Act 4. Section 13(2)(d) of the Principal Act is amended— (a) in subparagraph (i), by the substitution of “€496” for “€441”, and (b) in subparagraph (ii), by the substitution of “€496” for “€441”.”. Section 4 amends...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: I always outlined how, to keep the pension age at 66, we would have to increase PRSI. These are small incremental increases of approximately 90 cent per week for the average industrial wage. They will start in October. We are giving certainty for the next five years and I think that is fair. In five years’ time there will be a review. There are always reviews of the SIF and future...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: I do not know if we have the data regarding their means. The point of this pay-related benefit is that people are better off. That is the whole purpose of it. It is not our intention to try to reduce anybody's payment. That is not the intention behind this. However, as the Deputy said, there may be some who may fall each side of the band. We can look at this as they present. I am not...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the committee members for their co-operation and their contribution to bringing the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill through Committee Stage. I look forward to finally returning it to the Dáil and moving on with it. This is important and significant legislation. Pay-related benefit will mean a huge difference to many people. I am delighted...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: If we can, yes.
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: It is. We will put the general scheme to the committee here for pre-legislative scrutiny. I will start then to bring the legislation through the Dáil. If I can get it through before the recess well and good. It sounds straightforward but it is actually complex enough. It is on foot of the Supreme Court judgment that we are bringing it forward. We will get it to the committee as...
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: Yes.
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: That is fair enough. As I said, I got agreement this morning so we will move on now to get the general scheme of the Bill together. It will hopefully move fairly quickly. I can talk to my officials about the next steps and about whether the committee is happy to leave it without pre-legislative scrutiny.
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: It is just tricky to explain. It takes a few minutes to go through it to be honest with the Deputy.
- Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)
Heather Humphreys: The way it has been worked out is that the definition of "qualified cohabitant" for the scheme will be broadly based on the existing definition of qualifying cohabitant contained in the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. That Act was referred to in the Supreme Court judgment. Therefore, we are working along the lines of that Act in terms of-----