Results 11,241-11,260 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3.–The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the adverse financial effect to lone parents in returning to the workforce under the Fás Jobs Initiative Programme and to report on the number of lone parents who...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. On the lone parent allowance, the current maximum income for one parent families is €293. The €10 increase under the FÁS scheme, which would push people over the threshold, would mean that people would immediately lose 50%. There are 400 women nationwide in that category. Is the Minister suggesting that they can apply to her Department...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: The FÁS payment increase is wiped out.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3.–The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the number of Jobs Initiative Participants who as a result of the Acts implications are now liable to pay PRSI, the reasons why the threshold figure below which PRSI...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: The case for this amendment has been well put by Senators Burke and Norris. This is a crazy proposal. The Minister is a sensible, humane person who has her feet on the ground and knows the problem. This is a problem she can resolve. Will she state exactly the amount of money about which we are talking? The amount involved is small, but its loss will have a profound effect on the people who...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: Get rid of the consultants.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: Prioritise.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: Please do not do that.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: Some €19.6 million.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: That is what he claims.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: In the last two years the Department spent over €19.6 million on consultants.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I am mindful of that. Senator Ulick Burke made the good suggestion that the Department cease availing of photograph opportunities. There is no need to take new photographs, the Minister is forever young wherever she appears.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: The Department could make huge savings in that area this year. One of the advantages of Committee Stage debate is that sometimes good ideas are taken on board by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Officials will remind the Minister that when I was spokesperson in this area I argued that those living in nursing homes should be given free telephone rental. Each year I tabled this...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: There is no credit in the fact that I had to bang on about this subject for three years before the Government suddenly managed to gazump me on it.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I was delighted the Minister had decided to take on board my suggestions.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: The point I was making was concerned with the importance of Committee Stage and others listening to Opposition spokespersons from time to time and eventually doing what they ask, which is always worthwhile. The point has been made very eloquently by Senator Ulick Burke. This is a fundamental change to the scheme. Irrespective of the undergraduates involved, the Minister is abolishing the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: We hear perfectly.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: Presently. The Taoiseach should watch out.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: The Minister's officials could tell her that.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Brian Hayes: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section: "3.–The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report: (a) contrasting the increase in 2002 of the Consumer Price Index with the increases paid to the entitled persons under the Act of 2002; (b) evaluating the suitability...