Results 6,361-6,380 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (7 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: There was a recent attempt by the Government, and particularly the Taoiseach, to try to normalise this, or politically normalise it, and say it happens everywhere so it is not a big deal. It is a big deal, and it is an even bigger deal when we have organisations such as the Peter McVerry Trust and Inner City Helping Homeless and political parties urging the Government to declare a housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (7 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: 52. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he will introduce measures to deal with the numbers of vacant homes here; when he will have accurate figures for same; and if extra funding will be made available for local authorities and approved housing bodies to acquire or compulsory purchase such units. [52275/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (7 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: 138. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 29 November 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the staff of most section 39 organisations had the same cuts imposed on them as their colleagues in the HSE; if he has made provision for increased funding for section 39 organisations in order to ensure the restoration of workers' pay and...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 10:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following:“Report on Employers’ PRSI Contributions 17.Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister will lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on increasing employers’ PRSI contributions with special regard to the models and levels of employers’ contributions in other...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I will not press the amendment to a vote. I do not see the point in doing so because I know it will be defeated. However, I wish to comment on what the Minister of State said. His opening remarks are shocking. The implication is that if one pays young people practically nothing and cuts their dole to the minimum, it will force them out the door to work. That is not true. I would love to...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 9:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following:"Report on changes to State Contributory Pension 17.The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on reversing the changes to the bands for the State contributory pension that have resulted in over 40,000...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 8:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following:"Report on Jobseekers Allowance 17. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the impacts on young people under 24 and 26 years of age of the reduced levels of jobseekers allowance applicable to them...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 7:In page 13, after line 38, to insert the following:“Report on State Contributory Pension 17. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on including claimants for the State contributory pension who raised families prior to 1994 in...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I add my voice to those who are concerned that there has been a retreat by the Minister from the commitment she gave. I do not regard it as just a personal commitment from the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, but all of these things are parliamentary parlance. People say things to get others to move on, and make commitments that they do not believe they can actually stand over. The...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: It was not unfortunate - it was deliberate.

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I have a great sense of déjà vu. Last year, we tried to pass a similar amendment. That amendment called on the Minister to produce a report within three months. That was amended by the then Minister for Social Protection, the current Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, to the effect that he would produce a report within six months. One year later and there is no sign of that report, but...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: Because all of the Deputies want to go home to bed.

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: That is what the Acting Chairman wishes me to do,-----

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: -----not what I wish to do.

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: What? I do not get to speak at all?

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I thank the Deputies for explaining that. I just lost a minute to that explanation, so I will take it back. The question of inequality for pensioners has been well rehearsed in the House. Each of these amendments asks for a report. Can we have that report? Can we not for once walk away from the Chamber having been told that we will get it and then actually get it? I do not know how...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements by Committee Members on Recommendations oif Citizens' Assembly (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: I congratulate the Chairman on the great job she has done in chairing the committee. It has not been an easy job. It is important also to thank all of the experts and others who have presented to the committee. Their strength and integrity took us all by surprise. Most of us came here thinking we had heard and knew it all, but we now know a great deal more following the honest testimonies...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: 148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52150/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (6 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: 157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the families of 320 victims reviewed under the independent review mechanism that commenced in July 2014 will receive their reports prepared by council in view of a promise of transparency in his Department. [52237/17]

Situation in Syria: Motion [Private Members] (5 Dec 2017)

Bríd Smith: It has been hinted at by many Ministers and it has been argued for. We have to stop it immediately and stamp it on the head.