Results 12,321-12,340 of 19,409 for speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I have absolutely no problem debating this issue with the Minister at any stage in this Chamber, if she wishes.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The Minister may wish to give way.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: That is parliamentary procedure.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: No, it is not.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The Bill, when enacted, may be cited as the Social Welfare Act 2011. This is probably common procedure, as each new Bill has a Title based on the previous one. However, given what is contained in it, it would be an insult to call this the Social Welfare Act 2011 because it is the exact opposite. I am, therefore, disagreeing wholeheartedly with the Bill, given the level of cuts and the...
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I am objecting to the Short Title because I do not believe this should be called the Social Welfare Act 2011. I am about to conclude to allow other Deputies to speak.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: We have 90 minutes to debate detailed legislation and will not reach some of the issues raised in it. We had to fight to be given two hours for the debate on Committee Stage, yet we do not have even that amount of time now. It is scandalous.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Sorry-----
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: This is Committee Stage.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: You are well out of order.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I oppose section 3 on the basis that it takes us down a dangerous road. We have not had proper scrutiny or debate on the effects of the measure. Is this a move towards degrees of disablement, which it seems to be? In the future, will a person be entitled only to certain benefits? The proposal in the Bill is to allow a payment for a limited disability of at least 15%. Will we soon move to...
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I agree with Deputy Cowen. This is a low attack on the qualified child payment. It is a decrease in a social welfare rate, yet the Minister has made great play of her claim that no social welfare rate has been cut. I oppose the section on that basis alone. I also oppose it on the basis that it targets many who are dependent on social welfare payments. Under the proposed changes, the...
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: We are discussing changes to one aspect of the social welfare code, namely, the qualified child increase, but we seem to be drifting everywhere. Will the Minister confirm that only 50% of social welfare recipients get the full, primary rate? According to the Department, this is a fact. Much of the Minister's response referred to how great it was that the primary social welfare rates were...
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The change in section 6 means someone must have an extra 364 contributions. While we can argue whether it is good or bad, if we are introducing it as of 2013-----
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: It is amended for 2013.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The full effect in total is an increase from 156 to 520 in the end.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: So 520 is gone? Fine, but even at that, it is still between 156 and 260, an additional three years' contributions.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Two years, but the Minister is not extending it beyond 2013, which is the change. That means anyone at this stage must ensure they can work an extra two years or find another two years. There is no lead in. It is good the Minister made the change and it is no longer seven years, because that was bonkers, especially for those who could not make up such contributions.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I accept that and I have not made a big play of it. However, for people who are at that age it is still difficult to find an extra two years to make up the contributions required whereas if the Minister allowed a longer lead-in time it might be more appropriate and there might be an opportunity. I am opposed to the change anyway, but I am just saying that it if it was 2015 or 2016, it would...
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh: This measure is illogical bearing in mind what the Minister and the Government said about dealing with poverty traps and activation measures. The Minister and her officials have identified one-parent families as a group in society which needs to be supported, in particular, in the transition from unemployment to full employment, given the additional costs incurred such as child care and so...