Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,979 for speaker:Nicky McFadden

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: This section provides that where unpaid contributions are paid subsequent to the date of the claim, the pension will be payable only from the date on which the contributions are paid. In essence, this is similar to the previous situation we discussed. Another door is being closed. The Minister is aligning all of the schemes, and there is no problem with that if people know their rights and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: This is a retrograde step. People pay PRSI and this was a benefit to that payment. My aunt went around schools with mouthwash before water was fluoridated. We suffered from tooth decay in this country many years ago. This is a backward step that will backfire on us in years to come, because we will have to pay more as a result. I welcome the fact the Minister has not got rid of one annual...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: These measures are a retrograde step. Good oral health is vital from the point of view of pain and suffering. Some people will no longer be able to afford to have a tooth extracted or filling done. While I accept that the examinations have been retained, this is a paltry measure given that people will no longer be able to avail of treatments, even in emergencies. This is a cruel, cold and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: With regard to provision for dentistry within the HSE, the service is practically non-existent and is constantly being cut. In the past three years, there has been very little service, even for emergency work. With the embargo, staff are not being employed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I thank the Minister for attending once again. I seek clarification on the section which relates to the payment of PRSI in error by an employer or a self-employed person. A four-year time limit is introduced for the claiming of refunds, which will have a detrimental effect on a claimant. What percentage of people per annum make such an error? How much does the Department expect to save in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: This is grossly unfair because it is money owed to people who made a mistake. It is their money. I believe this is illegal. This is not acceptable. The Minister said €21.3 million had been recouped. That money belongs to the people. To put a four year limit on it is outrageous. I have met people who are trying to put stamps and contributions together to make up their pensions, as I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: To pick up on my colleagues' idea of an awareness campaign and compensation, these are two important points. If a process is stopping, people need to know so they can make a claim before January. Will there be an amnesty?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: People do not know it is stopping.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: That is a very long time ago.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: How long has Fianna Fáil been in government?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Yes, that is true.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I agree with the Minister. I agree also with my colleagues from the point of view of people snooping. That is an outrage and I would hate to be that poor unfortunate social welfare inspector. However, at the same time it is unfair for people who are obeying the Department's rules and trying to work in low paid jobs to see people cohabiting and claiming two benefits when they should not be....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I referred to the fact that people who are living together are claiming doubly.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: This section concerns child benefit. I called this budget draconian and callous when I spoke on Second Stage because it proposes to take €16 per month from children. We have spoken about the compensatory allowance to help children and families on social welfare. This is the only payment directly to children. From my perspective as a parent, I used this money to educate and clothe the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I will speak about the effects of the section on lone parents and recipients of farm assist. Last year, the early child care supplement was removed from parents, reducing their income by €664 for each child under five years. A single parent family with two children has sustained a cut in income of 10.4% or €1,820 per annum in the past year. I am concerned about incentives to work. The...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I said yesterday that I welcomed this measure. I acknowledge that the Minister is trying to compensate, but children in this group are living in consistent poverty. The whole family are affected when cuts are made. This point has been proved by research, of which the Minister is aware. I ask her to comment on my serious concerns about this vulnerable group. The children in question are...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: It has been reduced, however. That is the issue. I thank the Minister for clarifying both issues. We want to highlight that for farmers, in particular, the schemes I have outlined have been removed or reduced and that farm assist is also now being reduced. Some of those involved, if they have medical cards, will also face additional prescription charges and the removal of optical and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I support Senator Norris's amendment. This section deals with reducing the rate of jobseeker's allowance to €100 per week for persons aged 20 and 21 years. The young people played no part in the collapse of our economy and these are the people who did not even vote in the last general election. It is outrageous that some of them will be facing straitened circumstances. I acknowledge...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: That is for the people who have medical cards.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Not always.