Results 7,281-7,300 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister has confirmed that should not happen.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That makes it clearer for others.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It makes it clear. Individuals may contact me but it is important and useful to send a signal to all individuals who may be undergoing this process.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: And suggest amendments, if necessary.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for her hands-on engagement on the issue. I will not press the amendment for now. I hope we will be able to look at the issue in the future.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 11:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report on jobseeker’s allowance calculation 20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the possible introduction of an hours versus days approach to calculation of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for her reply. I recognise the amendment on the working family payment was tabled by Deputy O'Dea has been accepted. I also note the fact that the Minister has indicated here, and previously, that she will consider the question of 19 hours. On Second Stage, I highlighted my concern about the anomalies between the 15-hour child care and 19-hour child care provision. I...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I accept the Minister's proposal to examine the issue that I referred to in my amendment within the context of a wider review. There is no point in us duplicating work. I imagine it would be more expedient if she considered the matter in the context of the review of the working family payment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 12:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report in respect of Qualified Adults Scheme 20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to introduce voluntary access to a scheme for qualified adults based on...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 13:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report in respect of National Maintenance Body 20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on options to establish a State body to appropriately seek and pursue maintenance...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 14:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:“Report on one parent families with children over 14 years of age 20. The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the specific obstacles faced and supports needed by one parent families...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I will first speak about amendment No. 15, which is on jobseekers transitional payment. One of my key concerns is that those who have a child over 14 years of age cannot access the jobseekers transitional payment and, therefore, are not part of the jobseekers transitional payment supports.I will speak first to amendment No. 15 and then to amendment No. 14, as it will work better. I...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister. There were many who received the shock of moving from the one-parent family payment to a jobseeker's allowance without any of the supports. It is important that this be addressed. I recognise the importance of the casework on tailoring and recognising needs. I have the concern that the full-time availability tool can make it hard for people who are on jobseeker's...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister. In light of that, I will withdraw my amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 15:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following: “Report on jobseeker’s transitional payment supports 20.The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within eight months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the employment, training and educational opportunities and supports currently...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 16:In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following: “Report on State Contributory Pension 20.The Minister for Employment and Social Protection shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the following matters: (a) the potential extension of the Homemakers Scheme to include claimants from...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We can expect a report in respect of the 2012 changes then. There is also an underlying anomaly in how we calculate our pensions which needs to be addressed, and I hope there is scope to do so. I have some concerns. Yesterday in this House we heard about the move to the new supplementary pension system, about which the Minister has spoken previously. I refer to the new auto-enrolment...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister. I very much welcome her comment on the care credit, which is something I have pushed for years since my time with Older and Bolder and the National Women's Council of Ireland. I am very happy this is on the agenda in terms of the total contributions approach, which is good to hear. I am also glad to hear in regard to the auto-enrolment model that the Minister is...