Results 12,201-12,220 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

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

David Stanton: The Minister has said this is a very important issue and that it is right that we proceed carefully. A number of issues arise. I was told by a lady recently that her son and his girlfriend wanted to get married but they found out that they would lose out financially if they did. There are other issues tied up with this one. On the issue of work, a lone parent with a 14 month old boy...

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

David Stanton: I urge whatever Government is in power after the general election to take up this issue.

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

David Stanton: I move amendment No. 16: In page 5, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: 1.—"The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the introduction of targeted social and community supports for young carers.". I have raised this issue many times. The social partners which make up...

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

David Stanton: Yes.

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

David Stanton: When I met community welfare officers they expressed their concern on this matter. No discussion has taken place and they have not been consulted. I worry when I hear the Minister say there is nothing to fear. Need I say more. I urge the Minister not to go forward with this Schedule to the Bill. He should continue meeting those involved in an atmosphere of goodwill and not have this...

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

David Stanton: That is not the case.

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

David Stanton: I will speak to amendment No. 12 which the select committee discussed in detail on Committee Stage. Free legal aid centres contacted Deputies expressing concern that the parents of certain children resident in the State have few resources to provide necessities. Although they receive food and a roof over their heads, they also have other needs. Some of the children in question have been...

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

David Stanton: The Minister will no longer be in his position by then.

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

David Stanton: I thank the Minister for his comments and concern on this issue. I hope he will be proactive in this regard. He has said he is not aware of any evidence of persons enduring hardship as a consequence of this condition. Perhaps he might ask the Combat Poverty Agency or another suitable body to examine the situation. If children in such circumstances are living in consistent poverty — to...

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

David Stanton: I wish to speak to amendment No. 17 which goes 98% of the way to matching the Labour Party amendment which calls for the complete abolition of the means test. One can see the logic in that because the means test costs a certain amount to administer, involving staff, time and effort. While a carers' strategy is being brought forward, it is a shame this was not done and completed within the...

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

David Stanton: ——and he will say he has an open mind. That is fair enough but we need a bit more. We would like to see the strategy published so we can debate it. It is disappointing that has not happened. I acknowledge all the work the Minister has done. When he came into office he co-operated with us when we were fighting the 16 savage cut-backs and he rolled most of them back. He made advances...

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

David Stanton: On amendment No. 17, why is the Minister proceeding with the major meeting on carers in the coming weeks when we are so close to an election? Would he not be better to wait until after the election? The last thing we want to do is raise people's hopes. We all agree that the meeting is needed and is a good idea, but I wonder about the timing. We do not want to accuse the Minister of...

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

David Stanton: Will the Minister tell us when replying the number of people currently in receipt of the living alone allowance? The Minister said on Committee Stage that he was not increasing the allowance because it would discourage people — he can correct me if I am wrong — from moving in with families if they needed to do that because they would lose it. Will he clarify if that is his sole reason...

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

David Stanton: There are two issues involved in these amendments and I am unclear as to why they are being taken together. Deputy Penrose has comprehensively addressed the first issue, regarding, if one likes, a form of social engineering. The Deputy outlined the matter well. As I understand it those in receipt of rent supplement will be barred from living in areas designated for urban regeneration. Why...

Written Answers — Interdepartmental Committees: Interdepartmental Committees (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 186: To ask the Taoiseach the members and functions of the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. [10579/07]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 435: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number on the waiting list for assessment at the development co-ordination disorder unit in St. Finbarr's Hospital in Cork; the number attending the unit; the amount of funding made available to operate the unit each year since the unit was established; her plans in 2007 to expand and further develop the unit; and if she will make...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 502: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people awaiting public physiotherapy services in the Health Service Executive southern region; the number of public physiotherapists employed in the HSE southern region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10578/07]

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 570: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 1 March 2007, the FÁS training programmes open to people over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10583/07]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 616: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 29, 71 and 90 of 1 March 2007, regarding the 47,000 people who are not receiving a pension payment in their own right or as a qualified adult on the pension of their spouse or partner, if he will provide a breakdown of the number and percentages of men and women and also a breakdown by...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Mar 2007)

David Stanton: Question 617: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 1 March 2007, if the testing of the lone parent proposals in an urban and rural setting has begun; if not, when he expects it to begin; the nature of the testing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10581/07]