Results 1,661-1,680 of 2,965 for speaker:Robert Dowds

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Child and Family Agency: Discussion with Chairman Designate (23 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: On my behalf and on behalf of Deputy Ciara Conway, who is the Vice Chairman of the committee and who specifically asked me to say so, I welcome Ms Gibbons to the meeting following her appointment. Like many people on the committee I have had a good deal of experience dealing with children. I was a teacher before I was elected to this establishment. One thing that frustrated me in my years...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: With regard to rent ceilings, I was here for the interaction between Ms O'Donoghue and Deputy McDonald. It is an issue in my constituency but not to the same degree as in hers. Social welfare officers have drawn my attention to the inconsistency in some of the amounts payable. For example, a couple in my area are entitled to a higher level of rent subsidy than the equivalent of two single...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Can there be an examination of whether there are top-ups? It is a difficult matter to examine. Some work has been done on this and it has improved the situation but we should keep a close eye on whether levels of rent subsidy are appropriate around the country. One of my colleagues spoke about the difference between rent supplement in north Kildare and south Kildare and how levels need to...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Can I provide Ms O'Donoghue with the name of a particular estate I would like her to examine? I do not want to say the name in the meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: A number of private landlords operate through auctioneers and so on and there is an incentive for auctioneers not to encourage them in that direction. It is important that there be an awareness that it may be more difficult to set up long-term agreements.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I just wanted to draw the matter to the Secretary General's attention. It was caused by a failure to provide enough council housing over the years. Does the Department monitor the number of rental properties available? We may get to a stage where there is an insufficient number of rental properties available for those on the housing list and there is not enough council housing being built....

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I wish to return to an issue on which Deputy McDonald touched. I am concerned that there is insufficient examination of rental properties where State money is paid to cover the rent. I was glad to hear the Secretary General say there was some sort of review group. It is important that robust proposals result from the process because substandard housing is a serious problem. One or two...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: The Secretary General has mentioned that councils have a responsibility in that regard.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I am not aware of it, but perhaps that is due to my ignorance. I suspect that the information would have come my way if was available. I am not aware of councillors taking an active role in that regard. Can the Department encourage them to do so?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I accept that is a little different.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I am seriously concerned about slums developing, even in relatively new housing estates, which is not good for anybody. Given that so much State money is being invested, it would be far better to ensure better outcomes. For example, there is a view that no more than 30% of houses in a private estate should be rented. We should try to maintain that proportion. I have further queries. I...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Can we insist on the agreement being kept on file, given that State money is being used?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Can the Department insist on this happening before tenancy is taken up?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I shall return to the subject of substandard housing. Is it not possible to block arrangements involving substandard housing such as through withholding deposits?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: Okay. Therefore, I really need to put pressure on councils to do something about the matter. Disruptive tenants are a problem. Social housing was never meant to be a long-term option and I know this it is not always done as successfully as either the county councils or I would like. There is a system in place to deal with anti-social tenants. In some instances involving private rented...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: It does happen.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: I understand the youth guarantee is starting as a pilot project in Ballymun. What specific aspects will encourage people to move towards work, in being able to work or successfully compete for work?

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: It is intended to roll out the programme elsewhere in the country.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter - 24 Supplementary Welfare Allowance (18 Jul 2013)

Robert Dowds: With regard to initiatives taken up to now, has there been a collation of evidence on the extent to which people have moved towards employment?