Results 7,481-7,500 of 8,600 for speaker:Seán Crowe

Education Projects. (22 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Minister did not provide a timeframe for the establishment of the database. She hit the nail on the head when she stated we do not know how many children fail to transfer from primary to secondary education. From speaking to school principals in some disadvantaged areas, it is clear that a substantial number of young people drop out of school or do not attend classes on a regular basis....

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I agree with the other speakers. The existing system is a crude device and we need to give direction. The recent decision on the Trócaire advertisement that was taken off the airwaves brought the area into focus. People are concerned over how it is being interpreted. If we consider the divorce campaign of some years ago, which was a political issue, would the amendment open the...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: It did indeed.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I agree with Deputy Cuffe. We should not restrict our options. I am cynical about people wanting to watch the proceedings here, which is at times like watching paint dry, although I found it amusing to see on last night's edition of "Oireachtas Report" that two of my colleagues present seemed to be having a great time at the committee meeting, which is unusual.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Deputies seemed to be having a good time. I have often heard "Oireachtas Report" described as TV for insomniacs. I have also surprisingly come across many who watch it and are intrigued by what is going on. It opens up options for people to follow what is or is not happening here. It is also useful for people who are blind because they can listen to the proceedings. This is a...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent Israeli illegal military incursion into Nablus (details supplied); the response the Government will make; and if he will demand the suspension of preferential trade with Israel. [10451/07]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Question 149: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to evidence that the imprisoned Kurdish leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has been poisoned and is being continuously held in solitary confinement in breach of his human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/07]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Like other speakers, I want to address the issue and perhaps my colleague, to whom I listened, could listen to what I have to say. I commend the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, for the initiative shown in this campaign. I attended an INTO conference some years ago when Deputy Noel Dempsey was the relevant Government Minister and the General Secretary of the union, Mr. John Carr,...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The only thing of which we can be sure is that the cohort is reducing. I know of some people who benefited from the change. Maybe the Minister knows how many women this affects but the rest of us do not. People had no choice beyond whether to get married. If they married they lost their jobs. We have moved on but how far depends on whether women have a real choice about staying at home...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 8: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, as soon as is possible after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on re-instating child benefit as a universal payment and the lifting of the habitual residence condition.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 10: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on increasing the living alone allowance.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I move amendment No. 11: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "1.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months after the passing of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the success of the rent supplement and rental accommodation schemes.".

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I wish to speak on my amendment, No. 20, which proposes the deletion of the entire section dealing with rent supplement. I argued earlier that it was wrong and discriminatory. I do not believe there was any real consultation, although many areas are being regenerated. The Minister seemed to be under the impression that there was political consensus, but there is no such consensus. If...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: It does not say that in the legislation.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: That has not been put in the legislation.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Bill refers to "the area", it does not say anything about flats or apartments in an area.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: Therefore, it excludes anyone in that area. That is the point. The Minister is building walls around that particular area in order that local people cannot live there.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: From 1 May 2004, 1,557 children have been denied child benefit as a consequence of the habitual residence condition. Some of those refused are the children most in need of this allowance. I made the point during debate on a previous Stage that immigration policy seems to be taking precedence over anti-poverty measures. If the purpose of this allowance is to help children and provide...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: The Minister mentioned the carers' strategy being ready for the end of 2007. Perhaps as part of the discussion, a report could be published within the three month period, unless the Minister is totally opposed to the idea. The overall strategy covers comprehensive services and supports for family carers, enhancing and supporting carers' health and well-being, education and training for...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (21 Mar 2007)

Seán Crowe: I agree with Deputy Penrose, it is more costly to live alone and the living alone allowance has not been increased since 1996. We all know prices have increased in the meantime, with the prices of food, fuel, electricity, heating, clothes, shoes, transport and accommodation seeing massive increases while the allowance has remained the same. The allowance was established because it was...