Results 6,161-6,180 of 7,447 for speaker:John Brady

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Eligibility (5 Dec 2017)

John Brady: 485. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that county councillors who meet the financial criteria for family income supplement cannot access this payment because the local authorities will not sign off on less than 19 hours work; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51559/17]

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I want to hone in on one sentence the Minister uttered. He said that ideally we could get to a position where people with disabilities will not need to give notice. However, the move towards unmanned DART stations will ensure that never happens. We need stations to be manned in order that disabled citizens can be assisted in getting on and off public transport. While the Minister may...

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: There is real genuine concern among people right across the east coast who use the DART service that the downgrading of stations seems to be going ahead. It is certainly going ahead in my constituency. I am aware the Minister is also a resident of the Wicklow constituency. To use a terrible pun, it is full steam ahead for the downgrading of Greystones DART station. Iarnród...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I have tabled a similar amendment No. 38, which looks for the report to be published and presented to us within a two-month timeframe in order that the changes can be made as soon as possible. We have given the issue extensive discussion and debate at this committee and in the Dáil Chamber. We know the impact this measure is having on 42,000 older people. In fairness to the Minister,...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I hear what the Minister is saying. The simplest way to address it is to reverse the 2012 changes. In a recent reply to a parliamentary question, the Minister said to reverse the changes would cost about €70 million. We know that much.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I hear that. The Minister and her predecessor, the Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, said there are always winners and losers. I do not want the result to be that some people benefit by the reversal of the 2012 changes and others are losers. It is a situation I do not want to arise and I do not want to be back here next year, on foot of new changes that have been made, discussing the losers,...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I am hearing what the Minister is saying. If we could get that commitment, it would be fantastic. The amendments talk about the larger report and the broader impact these changes have had. That has to have a bearing on this. The Minister has said that whatever recommendations she brings forward might not result in the total reversal of the 2012 changes.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: We need to see the full report. The Minister is not committing to that.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I support the amendment. I would like to see a timeframe associated with it because it is left open-ended. The Minister's predecessors promised reports and we are still waiting for them. It is unfortunate that was not built into the amendment. Cutting the bereavement grant was one of the cruellest cuts made by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in government. I am sure the Minister has heard...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I move amendment No. 38:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following new section:“Report on the pension bands and rates 17.The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the effects of the 2012 pension bands and rates changes and set out the options for restoring the State Pension payments for all recipients impacted by the 2012 changes up to...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I move amendment No. 40:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following new section:“Report on Fuel Poverty in Ireland 17. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the impact of fuel poverty in Ireland, providing a clear insight into the numbers affected, and costed options, with reference to the fuel allowance, as to how the issue can be...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: No. The Minister will be disappointed to hear that I am not happy. I am well aware that there are many reports published. Age Action Ireland and all the other agencies have carried out extensive, thorough work on this issue. They have been to the fore in pushing it forward and putting pressure on Government. I am sure that was factored into the partial restoration of the weeks that had...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: That is the point I was trying to make. I may not have been clear on that. It is about the cuts, the increase in fuel prices and the impact that has had on recipients of the fuel allowance. There needs to be a specific focus on all of that because I believe it is very much a targeted payment going into the pockets of the people who need it the most. With the increase in fuel costs we need...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I will resubmit it, yes.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I welcome and support this amendment. The changes that were made to social welfare rates amount to age discrimination against young unemployed people. I have pushed previous Ministers on this and the impact it is having. In the context of housing and homelessness, the reduced payment is having a serious impact and I know that several agencies have made direct reference to that. In the...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: Can I take it from what the Minister said that, despite not yet having seen the report from NUI Maynooth, her rationale for giving an extra €5 to young unemployed people was to acknowledge the discrimination that exists and the impact it has? Although it is not my amendment, I am concerned by the proposed nine-month timeframe. I welcome that the issue is being considered and I would...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: What is being considered in the report? Will it specifically examine the reduced payment rates for young job seekers? Members should be clear on what kind of report to expect.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: If Deputy Kenny were to amend the amendment in order to specify a six month rather than three month period, what process would ensue?

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I also support it. I tabled an amendment on bogus self-employment. I did not get to speak on it, but obviously there is a serious issue there. I have spoken to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, extensively, as have others. We are missing out on PRSI contributions from employers through the establishment of bogus self-employment arrangements....

Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (29 Nov 2017)

John Brady: I thank the Minister for her reply. It would be remiss of us not to express our condolences on the deaths of two homeless people on the streets of the capital city over the past 24 hours. I do not think anybody really wants to be homeless. The provision of a payment is an essential tool in trying to help people to get off the streets. We need to put money directly into people's pockets....