Results 9,601-9,620 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: The Irish language and the Irish people. I am delighted to name the report and would like to hear the Minister's response.

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: We have had more reports about the Irish language than people speaking the language. The Minister reported recently to me that €800,000 had been spent on consultants to draft the Irish language report yet that report has not yet been published.

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I understand that it has not been published yet.

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I am referring to the strategy for the Irish language. The Minister is getting a report done for which he famously set up a Cabinet sub-committee. How many times has that sub-committee met? I know it met once because I have raised the matter here several times but how many times has it met since? When will that report be published? It has cost €800,000 in consultants' fees. Does the...

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Will it be done within 20 years?

Irish Language. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: The Government consulted plenty of experts on the economy but they did not do too much for us.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his position in relation to the community support for older people scheme; if he will confirm that this scheme will recommence in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16848/09]

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: On 6 April the Minister of State announced funding for this scheme and on 7 April his colleague beside him, the senior Minister, announced the suspension of the scheme. Many elderly people throughout the country are worried. Many people who are living in their homes would be in nursing homes were it not for this scheme. The scheme has had a great voluntary element with many people...

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Of course it would not. I want the Minister of State to answer a straight question. Is this scheme going to continue? That is my question. I want the Minister of State to reassure the elderly people of this country who are waiting for an answer. We do not want a review. This scheme is working and it costs very little money in the context of the Government's overall budget. There are...

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: It shows the Minister of State does not know what is going on.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I will show where in the next question.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Thank you, Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: If there are problems in the scheme, the Minister should tell the House what they are. He has enough officials in his Department to deal with these problems. If there is a problem he should deal with it. The overall scheme worked and elderly people felt safe in their homes. There was a large voluntary capacity. Many people actively supported this scheme and were not being paid. There...

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Question 70: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with cohesing Leader groups and partnerships with regard to assets held by groups in order to protect State interests in the context of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16849/09]

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: That is a very short answer. I have been raising this with the Minister for a while. The previous Minister asked me to find savings for the Department. This Minister announced the Leader programmes. A number of Leader programmes all over the country have not made applications for the programmes and the Minister has amalgamated a number of groups. There is great concern about this issue....

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I will try to give the Minister the evidence I have. There is concern that some of these assets are being offered for sale to the private sector, even though State and Leader funding provided the assets. How many Leader companies had not co-operated with the Minister and will he take legal action against them?

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: There is a number of companies about which I have received information.

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I have a final point. This is very important on behalf of the State.

Leader Programmes. (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: I will not name any names. I shall put it very simply. Leader programmes equal taxpayers' money equal European money. These people did not get the Leader programme and they have major assets. My information is that these people are holding on to assets which were provided by the State. I wish to know whether the State and Europe are being protected because there is concern among the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Apr 2009)

Michael Ring: Question 155: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person would have to pay a pension levy in view of the fact that the person is pension age and continues to work a small number of hours. [16754/09]