Results 721-740 of 1,979 for speaker:Nicky McFadden

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I thank the Minister for a very comprehensive speech. This Bill, when published on 19 November, was said to include a number of important elements. Last night, the Bill passed through the Dáil and it included monumental and seismic changes, as the Minister said. Many of the changes are very important. We have had very little time to consider them and have had no briefing on some of them....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I am concerned there will be evictions and homelessness.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I assure the Minister it is evident in Athlone.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I am interested in discussing the issue with the Minister afterwards. More detail is needed in order to determine whether resource-poor tenants will continue to benefit or if the new rules will simply be enjoyed in the form of increased tax amounts. The other issue I wish to raise concerns FÁS and the transfer of its employment and community services programmes to the Minster for Social...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I did not interrupt the Minister. The integration of staff and resources from FÁS with the Department of Social Protection means FÁS will cease to have any role in employment and community employment programmes. Instead, it will be involved in training programmes. The transfer of powers from FÁS to the Department is welcome. The youth are the most vital and important resource the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I did not interrupt the Minister. The definition of an intern is one who works in a temporary position, with the emphasis on training on the job rather than employment. Our NewERA document will certainly provide for internship and confidence for our young people. Our youth are now more inclined to emigrate to Canada, America and Australia. We need to take measures to ensure our residents...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: The wilful waste is quite extraordinary.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I welcome the Minister of State. The issue I raise is the long delay in the commencement of building works for an extension at St. Kieran's national school, Baylin, Athlone. Baylin is a beautiful, perfectly manicured village which serves as a suburb of Athlone. It also has large numbers of one-off housing. The school, which has two classrooms of less that 40 square metres, applied for an...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: The roof of the prefabricated building has a leak through which water gushes into the room. As I noted, there are 131 children on the school roll as opposed to 127, the figure given by the Minister. I have my figure from the horse's mouth and the number is increasing. I dispute the Minister of State's view that the school does not have sufficient numbers. Will the roof in the ridiculous...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: My figure was provided by the principal of the school.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: It is not agreed. We oppose it.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Or getting their nails done.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: These two sections are affecting disability allowance and carer's allowance. There were cuts of €8 a week in the budget on Tuesday last and last year the same cuts were applied to both of these categories. An €8 cut to disability allowance in this year's budget along with €8.30 in last year's budget means a person is down €847.60 a year since 2008. The new rate of disability of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: They are saving the State an extraordinary amount.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I acknowledge that the Minister is a caring man who wants to do the right thing. All of us have relatives who need care but we are in the lucky position of being able to afford the support they need. People who apply for the carer's allowance find it impossible to qualify unless they live with those for whom they care. It is one of the most difficult allowances to get. These people save...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: The respite available through the HSE is very limited. It is an impossible situation. Those who care for ill or disabled relatives around the clock are getting a kick in the teeth from the Government with this €16 cut. I have not yet received a response from the Minister on the blind pension. Those on the blind pension will no longer be able to afford food or veterinary bills for the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: Excuse me, Minister-----

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: I am president of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind association in Athlone and we also owned a pet shop; therefore, I am acutely aware of the cost of maintaining a dog. It is a little disingenuous to try to grade disability.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2010)

Nicky McFadden: It is difficult to do that and it is not right. I know people who are diabetic and have lost their sight through diabetes who completely depend on their dogs. I know how much it costs to train a guide dog, how hard it is to get one and how expensive it is to feed one, as they must be fed so they can perform to a standard. One also has to maintain them by going to the vet on a regular...