Results 1,221-1,240 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Finance Act 2004: Motion (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approve the following Order in draft: Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2007, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 12th February, 2007, be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with paragraph (1) of the Orders of Reference of...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Order for Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the second of two Bills intended to implement the largest social welfare package in the history of the State at €1.41 billion, announced in last December's budget. This substantial investment brings total expenditure on social welfare in this year to €15.3 billion, or almost €1 for every €3 of current...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Executive has advised that it has refused payment of qualified adult allowance and qualified child allowance (formerly child dependant allowance) to the husband in this case. The Executive has further advised that this decision has been appealed...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Government is committed to producing a Green Paper on pensions as part of the social partnership agreement Towards 2016. The Green Paper will outline the major policy choices and the challenges we face in the pensions area. The two reports completed by the Pensions Board in 2006 — the National Pensions Review and their report on mandatory pensions, Special Savings for Retirement are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. The total cost of family income supplement payments is approximately €2.75 million per week at present. The average weekly payment is €125. Total expenditure in 2006 was €107 million. The Family Income Supplement is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year and is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: At the end of December 2006, there were child dependant increases payable at the full rate in respect of 258,812 children and at half rate in respect of 82,554 children. The current estimated number of families in receipt of child dependant increases is 213,406.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I wish to explain that the Taoiseach——

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Is the Deputy happy?

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance have been engaged this morning in partnership discussions and cannot be here.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs had an important engagement this morning.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Deputies are stuck with me for the moment. I should make it clear that the Government never has and will never interfere with any tribunal.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: No legislation is proposed by the Government to in any way interfere with the work of this or any other tribunal.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Taoiseach stated this morning——

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: ——that he agreed with the Tánaiste's comments yesterday that the issue of legal fees for the tribunals needs to be addressed.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Nobody in this House would privately or publicly disagree with that. Both the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach made the point——

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: ——that the public needs to understand the vast sums of taxpayers' money going to fund the tribunal.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The public needs to understand that point. Neither the Taoiseach nor the Tánaiste make any apology for bringing that to the attention of the public——

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: ——or highlighting that particular fact.