Results 13,141-13,160 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Disposal Charges (7 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 129. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the actions of a waste company (details supplied) and his proposed actions to ensure that the company is honouring the agreement reached between his Department and waste companies with regard to charges; the steps he will take to ensure that this company honours the agreement that was reached; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (7 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 218. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of a situation where persons who are in nursing homes under the nursing homes support scheme, fair deal, are being charged additional flat social charges beyond the agreed contribution, regardless of their means as assessed as part of the contribution; his views on the impact that this has on families and persons with already limited means;...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: I am pleased to speak on this Bill but it is regrettable that the attendance is so poor, which reflects the general attitude of the political establishment towards issues associated with drug misuse. I welcome the new Minister in her new role. I had the opportunity to meet and greet her in Ballymun in my own constituency last week and we appreciated her visit to the area. I know she has a...

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (6 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: When?

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (6 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his target date for the complete unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public interest measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19801/16]

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (6 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: I have three points to put to the Minister. Last year, when the then Minister, Deputy Howlin, introduced legislation to start the restoration of pay that had been cut, he said there was a real threat of legal action given that the State was no longer in an emergency situation. Has the Minister taken legal advice in this regard and, if so, what did it state? By any measure, the State is no...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (5 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 383. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if recruitment to the Office of the Ombudsman is done on an open basis or is restricted to existing civil servants. [19401/16]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ombudsman's Remit (5 Jul 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 384. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consequences or penalties that apply, if any, for senior officials following an adverse finding of the Office of the Ombudsman. [19402/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Poverty Strategy (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: I thank the Minister for his reply. We are all conscious of the scale of poverty in this country and how the poverty rate has increased in recent years. The current rate of consistent poverty is 8%. The greatest scandal in that context is that almost 140,000 children live in consistent poverty without enough food, heating or clothing. In addition, other cohorts such as lone pensioners,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Poverty Strategy (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: There are various references to poverty and child poverty, in particular, in the programme for Government but the notion of going with an integrated framework for social inclusion is not adequate. Does the Minister accept an overarching strategy with clear targets that involves every Department is needed? All the anecdotal evidence indicates that the Department will fall far short of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Poverty Strategy (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: That is very simplistic.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Poverty Strategy (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 8. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to draw up a new national anti-poverty strategy; the timeframe for the completion and publication of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18816/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Poverty Strategy (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: The purpose of the question is to ask the Minister if he intends to draw up a new anti-poverty strategy. The previous strategy has lapsed. Unambitious targets were set in a programme, which not have been met. Does the Minister intend drawing up a national anti-poverty strategy? If so, to what timeline is he working? When can we expect the strategy?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 5. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on the role of JobPath, with particular reference to the need to ensure a strong focus on upskilling the long-term unemployed. [19049/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: The question relates to the mismatch between the needs of the economy and jobseekers, on the one hand, and the central purpose of the JobPath scheme, on the other. It is a very pressing issue. It is not a JobPath but a job cul-de-sac in many ways and the Minister needs to address it urgently.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: A key concern is that jobseekers who participate in JobPath are, at best, offered courses of between three and six months duration. We know, given the skills shortages in the economy that have been identified, that the type of training required - FETAC level 5 and level 6 - requires training for a minimum of eight months and up to two years in most cases. The Department spends €300...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: It is a contradiction in terms, as I am sure the Minister will agree, to talk about having a sustainable job for three months. A key issue is skills shortages in the economy. Another is the lack of skills among the long-term unemployed. These are the two issues which should be served by the Department, but they are not. Does the Minister accept that potentially there is a significant...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: Quality employment.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: JobPath Implementation (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: Generally, it does not happen in low-paid low-skilled jobs.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (30 Jun 2016)

Róisín Shortall: 74. To ask the Minister for Finance further to the ongoing review of insurance policy in his Department if he will set out the consideration he is affording to the massive premia hikes faced by the small and medium-sized enterprise sector; the actions he is taking to urgently address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18917/16]