Results 1,401-1,420 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (23 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 20. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which his Department proposes to review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, towns and villages, including vacant or underutilised areas over ground floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process as outlined in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (23 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 27. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the investment of €37.5 million as outlined in point 50 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to implement the social inclusion and community activation programme is in addition to the funds previously committed by the Department of Social Protection to the programme; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (22 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make direct contact with Bord na gCon with a view to requesting it to reconsider its decision to dispose of Harold's Cross Stadium and to establish a mediation process involving it and the relevant stakeholders and with a view towards achieving an outcome that would achieve the objectives of all parties; and if he will...

Other Questions: Rural Social Scheme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the uptake to date on the new rural social scheme, RSS, places announced in budget 2017; and his plans to amend the terms of the scheme to open it to other areas. [8423/17]

Other Questions: Rural Social Scheme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: Could the Minister provide an update on the uptake in respect of the expanded RSS, which he recently announced, and indicate if there are any plans to amend the scheme so as to widen the category of people who might be in a position to participate?

Other Questions: Rural Social Scheme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is very encouraging to see the increase in the numbers that he has allocated. There could be a requirement for another 500 to 1,000 in those areas. It is less restrictive than some of the other schemes. Could the Minister extend the same broad eligibility criteria into the community employment, CE, schemes? Other community groups are finding it...

Other Questions: Rural Social Scheme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: Yes, worse off.

Other Questions: Rural Social Scheme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: That is extremely positive and encouraging. The Minister has hit the nail on the head. Particularly in rural areas people may have to travel five miles to the schemes and €20 is eaten up in a day or two. The Minister must examine the three-year and five-year rules. A person who is aged 60 or 61 may not be able to return to full-time employment and this would be an opportunity for...

Priority Questions: Legislative Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: This does not make sense. I know what the Minister is saying. I think he is being wrongly advised by his own Department. Let us cut to the chase. I know the Minister is aware of this matter because he is very bright. I do not say that in a patronising way. His Department is stuck in a time warp. There is a pensions regulator who just collects levies. What did he do to protect the...

Priority Questions: Legislative Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: I appreciate that.

Priority Questions: Legislative Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 30. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the heads of the proposed social welfare and pensions Bill will be published; and if it will include measures to protect defined benefit pension schemes, the pension rights of workers and those already retired. [8531/17]

Priority Questions: Legislative Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: Deputy Brady, Deputy O'Dea and I met representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and it is concerned that the Government is guided by financial experts who made the rules as to how defined benefit schemes were to operate. Costly legislative changes were introduced to revalue deferred pensions, the cost of which has added to the burden of active members, and the regulator...

Priority Questions: Legislative Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: I have no doubt the Minister is trying to reform the system and he is committed to that but time is of the essence. The current minimum standard overstates schemes' liabilities and acts as an incentive for employers to welsh on their responsibilities. That is basically it. It is clear that fund liabilities are calculated on the basis of annuity prices, as we stated in the House on the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Projects (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 46. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reduce funding for labour activation schemes as recently reported in the context of the review of Government expenditure; his plans to close the Tús and gateway schemes; and if he plans to reduce funding for community employment schemes. [8422/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Administration (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 54. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will be proceeding with plans to abolish the local boards of 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, companies and 42 citizens information services. [8424/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Administration (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 65. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected costs for the new regional governance structure he plans to introduce for local MABS and citizens information services; and the current costs of the present local structure. [8425/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 66. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the action he has taken on preparing for Brexit. [8426/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Deposit Protection Scheme Establishment (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 284. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason a deposit protection scheme has not been introduced, given the fact it was promised five years ago; the level of progress being made to put in place a structure to enable such a scheme to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8784/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (21 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 579. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied) is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8783/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (16 Feb 2017)

Willie Penrose: 34. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures her Department proposes in conjunction with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation under point 76 of the action plan for rural development to conduct a revaluation of commercial properties in nine rural counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4243/17]