Results 9,201-9,220 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Other Questions: Legislative Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: In May we approved the drafting of the Bill. We were responding to the commitment in the programme for Government to tackle the problem, but I am also well aware and acknowledge that there are Private Members' Bills to address the issue. The proposed legislation will deal with an area where current employment rights legislation needs to be strengthened without putting an unnecessarily...

Other Questions: Legislative Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: It has not and I will have to find out why. I do not know if there is a reason it has not commenced but it should. I will get instructions thereafter. I give the Deputy a commitment - I say this with tongue in cheek. I am responsible for the Social Welfare Bill and the one that has reached Committee Stage. The Deputy is aware that we are awaiting the amendments which, please God, I will...

Other Questions: Legislative Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I hope to bring it to the Cabinet on Tuesday. If I do, it will be published immediately. The only reason for the delay is the other report. I did not want to publish a Bill and to then have to come back and say to the Deputy I had found a way. The Bill is practically ready. It will definitely be brought to the Cabinet on Tuesday next.

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 62 together. It is important to note that people in receipt of a British state pension are eligible to receive both the household benefits package and fuel allowance on the same basis as Irish State pension recipients. It appears from the Deputy's questions that he believes that is not the case. Persons in receipt of a British state pension...

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I have not yet introduced the Social Welfare Bill and while nothing is final, the measure the Deputy seeks is not included in the Bill, nor was it provided for in the budget. I do not know how many people are affected and would like to see the relevant figures. I agree with the Deputy, however, regarding the valuable contribution made by emigrants to Britain who built roads, tramways and...

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: Everyone has access to the non-contributory pension. If there is a difference between the value of the pension a person is receiving from the United Kingdom and the value of the non-contributory pension, he or she may apply for a payment to cover the difference.

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: Anyone who does not have sufficient means can apply for a non-contributory pension and he or she will be eligible to receive a weekly non-contributory pension payment. If a pension from the British state does not reach the same value as the non-contributory State pension, the recipient can apply for a non-contributory State pension and while he or she will clearly not receive the full rate...

Other Questions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I will check the position in that regard and revert to the Deputy. Given that people without means who apply for a non-contributory pension will be granted the pension, if a person is receiving a pension payment from the British state that is less than the value of the non-contributory pension, he or she should be able to apply for a payment to bridge the gap in value. This does not mean...

Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I come from a self-employed background, and I have experienced some of the difficulties Deputy McGrath has described. I do not even need to meet anyone else to know about it. I have walked the walk and I know exactly what Deputy McGrath is talking about. Given the contribution that the self-employed already make to the Social Insurance Fund and society by providing their services or other...

Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I know what Deputy McGrath is saying. A report was issued – we probably all read it – that referred to an acceptance that these people might take up to 5.5%, but I do not believe we should ask them to pay any more. We should extend from the Social Insurance Fund the benefits that everyone else enjoys. I hope Deputy McGrath will work with me on this. I believe that some...

Other Questions: Unemployment Levels (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: The projections for 2020-21 in the summer economic statement are not targets but forecasts. They emerge from the overall economic analysis. Any forecasts over the horizon are, by their nature, tentative and depend on the environment. In particular, the impact of Brexit has to be factored into those figures. It is commonly accepted in a normal labour market that, as people move between...

Other Questions: Unemployment Levels (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I think I misunderstood Deputy Quinlivan. I am sorry if we were at cross-purposes. That is not to say what I just said is not true, because it is true. Others specifically affected are those over 50 years of age. They do not all fall into the category of construction workers. I was at a jobs fair in Croke Park two weeks ago and I met a gorgeous man from Tallaght. He is an eminently...

Other Questions: Unemployment Levels (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I would rather have this conversation with Deputy Quinlivan in more detail. We are planning an analysis of the over 50s and the under 25s on the live register in order that we can specifically go out to industry in areas with large numbers in those categories. I do not believe it is as simple as believing that everyone who is over 50 lives in Limerick. Anyway, these two schemes will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I am not.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: Why would the State do it?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: The State entirely recognises that when a maintenance payment is made, the vast majority of the payment is for the children and that is not included in the household means test. Deputy Brady is well aware of that. Does Deputy Brady seriously think it is the State's responsibility to chase down maintenance? That just beggars belief. Nobody will be put in a dangerous position. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: Yes, I do.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: What bears fruit in our Department is facts. I say sincerely to Deputy Brady that he should bring it to my attention if he has evidence of anybody being mistreated. We have 7,000 staff members and the vast majority of the people whom I have met to date are committed and wonderful people who want to serve people in public service. They go out of their way to make sure they get looked after...

Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising this question. The question comes within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, but I will respond in his absence. It is a pity the Deputy cannot see anything happening because we are committed to enhancing the position of self-employed people through the provision of services based on the PRSI benefits that are available from...

Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Nov 2017)

Regina Doherty: Deputy McGrath has described a number of reasons that people either lost their own job or small businesses closed in recent years. Thankfully, that situation is being rectified and we have a significant increase in the number of companies that are being registered currently with the Companies Registration Office, CRO. That bodes well going forward. Again, we need to make sure that the...