Results 12,821-12,840 of 19,409 for speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 31: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason she will not conduct and publish a cost-benefit analysis of using the PRSI system not only to collect the auto-enrolment pension contributions that are proposed by the National Pensions Framework but also to manage that money and make payments rather than handing those responsibilities over to the private pension industry. ...

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I thank the Minister for her answer, which goes beyond the answer I received to a written question I tabled recently. I welcome the fact that she said part of the State mechanism may be able to tender for this work. I do not think it should be limited to the NTMA, and the State itself should be involved to a greater degree. Does the Minister agree that before the crash, and in spite of huge...

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Yes.

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Can the Minister confirm that there is no preferred option at this stage? Without substantial changes to the private pensions industry, it should not be considered suitable, given that there is a need for greater transparency on costs. Up to 30% of a pensioner's lump sum is often swallowed up in charges. The return on private pension assets was recently only 1%, whereas the return from the...

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views that her plans to raise the pension age amount to a 16% cut to pension entitlements; and if she will abandon her plans to raise the pension age [15338/11]

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Earlier I spoke about the gap in terms of encouraging employers. I agree with the Minister that not all employers are greedy or disrespect their workers. Many employers have built up loyalty to their staff by taking account of their interests but I refer to those who pay rates that are at or around the minimum wage. There is a strong incentive to reduce wages or maintain them at low levels...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I must ask about a technical point even though I have been here a while. If we accept this amendment at this Stage, does it require the Bill to be published again before Report Stage, which is tomorrow afternoon? I asked the people in the Bills Office if they would consider amendments from me for Report Stage, and they said there was no Report Stage scheduled and that it would require the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: These measures will come in shortly. The Oireachtas has been put under pressure to satisfy the diktats of the International Monetary Fund. It says very little for Irish sovereignty if our legislative process is dictated by a deal entered into by the former Government and re-endorsed by this Government. The Dáil is sitting until 21 July. The introduction date for these measures is 2 July,...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: This is an important section and I wish to refer to it in the context of a number of the points the Minister made in respect of amendment No. 2. There is major concern with regard to the number of jobs being lost throughout the country. The authorities in other jurisdictions have used different mechanisms to ensure the retention of existing jobs. I do not think anyone would say we should...

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 28: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is concerned that many older persons will be refused fuel allowance as a consequence of the raising of the pension age in view of the high number of avoidable deaths caused by the cold each year. [15458/11]

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: My question concerns the fuel allowance and the consequences of the change. Given the changes signalled in the social welfare legislation before the House, a certain category of individuals will be affected from 2014 onwards. I am concerned that people whose contracts will finish when they are 65 will not be entitled to a fuel allowance. Is there any intention to ensure that those who...

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: The Minister is saying no account is taken at this stage of the effects of the change to the fuel allowance provided for in the social welfare legislation being taken today. As of 2014, those who are 65 will not be entitled to a fuel allowance until they are 66. After 2021, the age of entitlement will be 67. Am I correct in stating one cannot qualify for a fuel allowance until one is on...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 29, after "Part" to insert the following: ""Minister" means the Minister for Social Protection and". This amendment was linked to a number of other amendments which I tabled, some of which have subsequently been ruled out of order for the usual, bizarre reason that they are a charge on the Exchequer. It is very difficult for Opposition Members to be...

Written Answers — Employment Action Plan: Employment Action Plan (8 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has taken the responsibility from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to implement the proposals relating to the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; and in view of the fact that one of its key initiatives is to promote equal opportunities for that sector in the employment market, if he...

Estimates for Public Services 2011 (8 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: My main concern is that we should learn from this debacle and review the situation where retired people rather than the long-term unemployed are engaged as enumerators. The census offers an opportunity to get people off the dole for one, two or even three months. It is a pity we are down to the wire in regard to the remuneration of those people who took part in gathering the 1.6 million...

School Staffing (8 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 12: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, with redundancies in the primary sector and the prohibition on permanent appointments in the primary sector, he has not facilitated a teachers' panel for Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge while facilitating panels for other patronages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14450/11]

Estimates for Public Services 2011 (8 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: It is bizarre to hear the previous speaker condemning the Government for something for which the previous Administration is responsible. Last year's Estimate for the CSO should have taken account of the census taking place in April this year. I am no friend of the Government, but it is bizarre that this should be one of the criticisms levelled against it.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (7 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 195: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if any changes are being made to the J1 scheme; if redundancies are currently being made; and if so, if all are voluntary. [14352/11]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Question 198: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 has had no social welfare payments or rent allowance for some time. [14366/11]

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jun 2011)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an deis againn, in ainneoin go mbeidh an deis srianta amárach, labhairt ar an ábhar seo. Is trua go bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Rialtas an t-am chun plé ceart a dhéanamh ar an Bhille seo a shrianadh, ní amháin ar an Chéim seo ach ar Céim an Choiste agus na Tuarascála chomh maith. Gabhaim buíochas le hoifigigh na Roinne a thug an míniúchán dom ar an...