Results 361-380 of 5,126 for speaker:Joan Collins

Social Welfare Benefits (26 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the continuous delay in processing applications for social welfare benefits and allowances and in particular the average of six months for processing applicants for carer's allowance and benefit. [4749/12]

Social Welfare Benefits (26 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: I hear what the Minister is saying, but our experience in dealing with these claims is as outlined in the question. We are dealing with cases going back to July 2011 for the carer's allowance. It is not good enough that people have wait around that long to get clarification on whether they are entitled to the allowance or not. People have to get credit union loans to keep themselves going,...

Social Welfare Benefits (26 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: I do not accept that. The volumes are up, which means that these people are saving the State huge amounts of money. It is imperative that these are put into place as quickly as possible. Is the Government continuing with the clientelism that we all hated with the last Government, where people had to go to Deputies who had a hotline to get through to a particular area? This Government has...

Social Welfare Benefits (26 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: The staff are great.

Social Welfare Benefits (26 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: It is not getting the-----

Written Answers — Flood Insurance: Flood Insurance (31 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 161: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will fund a house insurance scheme for those who cannot access flood insurance due to repeated flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/11]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (31 Jan 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 582: To ask the Minister for Health if there was a change of policy in regard to charging patients with medical cards for blood tests in local health clinics (details supplied); and if he will clarify any changes relating to this matter. [4912/12]

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Germany and France.

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (1 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 32: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meeting with European Central Bank President Mario Draghi in Frankfurt last week; if he will report on discussions on the fiscal compact treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5578/12]

Written Answers — EU Summits: EU Summits (1 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meeting with the EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn, in Brussels last week; if he will report on discussions on the fiscal compact treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5577/12]

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (1 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 160: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is appropriate to appoint a person (details supplied) who had previously outsourced jobs to the board of Bord Bia. [5751/12]

Health Service Plan 2012: Statements (Resumed) (2 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: I am pleased to be able to contribute to this discussion because it is an issue on which there has been significant debate. Much attention has been given to the issue of health services and the Government has made much of its commitment to primary care services and to reducing the demand for acute hospital services by developing community care. I would like to point out one example of how...

Debt Management Companies (2 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. This issue came to our attention on Monday when a number of people called to our office to say the doors of Rents & Co., a bill payment company, were closed on Monday morning. There was a certain anxiety among people in regard to the money they had given the company to pay their bills. Subsequently, customers received a letter dated 31 January from the...

Debt Management Companies (2 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: I thank the Minister for his reply, which covers a lot of points, but he is not saying that there is any guarantee for those involved with this company that their moneys will be refunded to them in some way through the Central Bank, or that they will be paid first. That is a huge concern for the people involved. I know the Minister is saying that he cannot comment further prior to the...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (2 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 32: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government what precedent there is for granting foreshore licences to drill for oil; how that compares with international standards; his views on the granting of a foreshore licence so close to an special area of conservation (details supplied) in which there are both protected and endangered species; and if he will...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (2 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Question 27: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the handing over of Dublin City Council's waste collection to a company (details supplied); his views on the €100 charge, and the steps he will take to rescind this charge in view of the fact that it is contrary to the polluter pays principle; if he will bring in regulation to ensure that...

Family Home Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (3 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: I support the Bill put forward by Deputy Donnelly today as part of the resolution of debt that people face. The proposal is positive because at the moment judges have no discretion when it comes to a couple or family who are in the courts and whose home is being repossessed by the bank. This legislation would permit the judge to allow any offer made by the borrower to be taken into account...

Family Home Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (3 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: This is relevant to the Bill because it is a part and parcel of the debt resolution that must be addressed. It is important to note that workers are paying approximately 30% more in income tax compared to last year. Therefore, their ability to pay back debt-----

Family Home Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (3 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: Yes. It was stated in the Central Bank report this morning.

Family Home Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (3 Feb 2012)

Joan Collins: The Central Bank report this morning made it clear that there is now more income tax being paid than last January. This is unfolding hand-in-hand with increases in our utility bills and VHI costs have gone up today etc. People have less income to be able to pay towards their mortgages. Several points were made about family homes including the fact that one in 12 mortgages is in arrears...