Results 1,901-1,920 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 175. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received by the Passport Office each month from September 2022 to February 2023 inclusive; the number of applications processed in each of those months; the current average processing times for each application type; the total number of applications currently awaiting processing; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (30 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 203. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to allowing for the admission of retired people to the newly expanded community employment scheme at a half rate payment similar to the half rate carer’s allowance payment; her future plans, if any, to allow those who are retired to take part in the scheme; and if she will make a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Disability Services (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister of State for his response. Interestingly, he stated, "day service funding does not include transport". We have been told that by HSE south and the Cope Foundation. However, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis. That is not good enough. It should not be discretionary, but mandatory. It should be an entitlement...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Disability Services (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this Topical Issue. I also thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Minister of State for being here. A number of weeks ago, I got an email from a family in which they state that their daughter, Orla, who has Down's syndrome, will complete her secondary school education next June. Orla is a wonderful, fun-loving girl who is looking...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Richard Bruton who sends his apologies. He is concerned about whether the Minister is undertaking an assessment of the take-up of the working family dividend and whether she has consulted with the Revenue Commissioners which collects income data to ensure this support is fully taken up. He is concerned that it may not be and, if it is not, that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister for a good and comprehensive response. I congratulate on her what she has done in respect of this payment. It is an important payment for working parents on low incomes. Obviously, the low income is another issue and the minimum wage is helping. There is more to come in that regard. Since the promotion the Minister mentioned has started, has there been an increase in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Payments (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: The Minister has answered all of my questions. It is a good payment. Does the Minister plan to keep the awareness campaign going? It is very important. Not everyone is online or listens to mainstream media. There are old-fashioned communication methods, such as putting up posters in various centres around the country. People may see the information and apply for the payment. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pensions Reform (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I came across a case recently where a gentleman had not quite made the 520 contributions. His wife is working and the household income deprives him of the non-contributory payment. He has no payment, but he is just short of 520 contributions. In the past, we had pro ratapensions for people who did not quite make the 520 contributions. Will the Minister give consideration to that again,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation regarding overpayments in respect of non-contributory pensions in circumstances where the amount of capital in the estate of a deceased person exceeds the allowed amount; when the current amount was decided; her plans, if any, to increase the amount allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15127/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: This is one that goes back quite a number of years. It relates to people who are in receipt of the non-contributory pension and, being very frugal and careful, save up more than they are allowed. Very often, these people are elderly. They do not realise they have gone over the limit. When they pass away, there is ruaille buaille because the estate has to give the excess money back to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister for that very positive response. I think the Minister said the figure was set in 2005. Am I right in saying it is €20,000 at present? Has the Minister given any consideration to raising the amount and to informing people that saving up all their pension, living on bread and tea, is not doing anyone any good? People worry about nursing home payments, the funeral...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: Will the Minister, maybe not now but later on, tell me how much has been clawed back in the past two or three years from people and estates? Would the Minister agree with me that it would be a good idea to remind people, on a regular basis, that if the amount in their account goes over a certain level, it will have an impact on their pension? Maybe they should be spending it and enjoying...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 137. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has given consideration to pro-rata contributory pensions in the event that a person has not been able, through circumstances such as illness, to have the current 520 required paid contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15152/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the guidelines, if any, issued to schools with respect to the reporting and recording of accidents that occur on school premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14757/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: 384. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the information that parents are entitled to receive from schools in respect of accidents that occur on school premises which involve their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14758/23]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I have been told the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, that is, the regulator for pre-hospital clinicians such as emergency medical technicians, EMTs, and general and advanced paramedics, requires that paramedics be privileged by each organisation for which they work or volunteer. If, therefore, an advanced paramedic who works full time for the National Ambulance Service wants also to...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: I thank the Minister of State. This is a serious matter, of great concern to highly qualified people. For three years, a general paramedic and an advanced paramedic have been trying to volunteer to cover events in their local communities and mentor the next generation of volunteers in their training and qualifications but are being held up by the issues relating to the Civil Defence...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: This is having a significant impact on members of Civil Defence, who are highly qualified, and they are very worried about it. We are discussing the Civil Defence Bill, which is why I raised it here. I may bring forward an amendment on the issue on Report Stage unless the Minister of State has a response for me by then, whether from himself or his colleagues. This issue has been going on...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2023)

David Stanton: That is fine. I thank the Minister of State.