Results 1-20 of 57 for carers speaker:Catherine Connolly

Support for Carers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Catherine Connolly: ...; thaobh cúramóirí de. Tá an ceart iomlán aige agus aontaím leis. I thank the Regional Group for putting this motion before the Dáil. Every year since I was first elected, I have argued in advance of every budget for a value to be put on the unpaid work of carers, who are predominantly women. When we look at the figure we have been given...

Supporting People with Disabilities and Carers: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2024)

Catherine Connolly: ...We should keep that with modern language without a reference to duties, while recognising the importance of parents in a home and the parental work that they do. A parent's work is not the same as a carer's work, although of course they overlap. I refer to what the Minister should have done. I hope this goes down on Friday, not to score points with the Government but in order that we...

International Women's Day: Statements (5 Mar 2024)

Catherine Connolly: ...in this debate, and that the Minister is still here. I welcome his written speech, and he has set out various issues I hope I will get a chance to look at, including equality in the workplace, carers, children, etc. Then he goes on to use this opportunity to say yes, yes for the referendums. I might come back to that. This is my eighth year doing statements, and I acknowledge some...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (20 Feb 2024)

Catherine Connolly: 53. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the long-term carers contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8028/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (20 Feb 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I am looking for an update on the very welcome long-term carers contribution scheme, or the pension for carers. I am asking for all the details, specifically the number of applications to date, the numbers approved and rejected, and the number of applications the Minister expects under the scheme.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (20 Feb 2024)

Catherine Connolly: ...a community employment scheme? I asked the Minister if there was a review or appeal mechanism in place. One of the recommendations of the Pensions Commission was the establishment of a family carers register. Has progress been made on that? I cannot praise this scheme enough but I need more details to be able to explain it to constituents who contact me. What period of time is...

An Bille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jan 2024)

Catherine Connolly: ...That has not been answered. The second is that, "The amendments (as currently worded) will not deliver meaningful enforceable rights and stronger constitutional protection for women, families and carers - as well as other groups who experience discrimination and disadvantage, such as people with disabilities. Instead, they are focussed on symbolic recognition alone." The Minister is...

An Bille up an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023: An Dara Céim - Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Catherine Connolly: ...out the courts I just mentioned, have been open to interpreting the Constitution as a living document and a woman in the home would have to be a man or a woman in the home, whoever is the primary carer. Unfortunately, it has never been tested. Judges themselves have expressed surprise. Mr. Justice Hogan has expressed great surprise that this particular article was never tested because...

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (28 Sep 2023)

Catherine Connolly: ...sexual and gender-based violence such is the extent of it across the world. When we clap ourselves on the back and we talk about a thriving economy and a rich country, we are doing it on the back predominantly of women and carers. They should be recognised and valued. If the Minister of State is serious about this, and I believe he is, I am happy to work with him. However, I would...

Home Care and Support Services: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jun 2023)

Catherine Connolly: .... I welcome the fact that the Minister of State has taken action. She did so back in 2021 when she listened to the various debates and set up in March 2022 the workforce advisory group on home carers. I have read its report. The Minister of State received it in September of last year and it was published in October. I give her full marks for that and the work that was done. It is a...

Reform of Carer's Allowance Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (22 Mar 2023)

Catherine Connolly: ...at what is in this motion. Deputy Harkin has put a focus on what we have all talked about for a long time over the years. At every single election, there is always a presentation regarding carers and what is happening in the Government's approach to carers, which I will come back to in a minute. This very practical motion is an indictment of our economic system. We talk about a...

Report on the Summer Programme 2023: Motion [Private Members] (2 Feb 2023)

Catherine Connolly: ...disabilities need ongoing attendance at different types of school venues and when summer provision fails them, there is regression. This is very upsetting. Another key issue is the strain on carers and families caused by delays in schools confirming participation in the summer programme. The expansion of the cohort to whom the summer programme is available also arose as an issue which...

Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters (25 Jan 2023)

Catherine Connolly: ...-on-Shannon to Sligo. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss using the retained fire services as first responders in east Cork, in particular Cobh. Deputy Pauline Tully - To discuss pensions for long-term family carers. The matters raised by Deputies Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Holly Cairns, Mattie McGrath and Pat Buckley have been selected for discussion

Home Care: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Nov 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...to enable them to make a profit when that money should be going to direct care. That started with the Progressive Democrats and it is now way past time we changed that. Part of the problem was the model. Some 96% of carers are women and 43% are over 60. If 97% or 96% of carers were men, this problem would simply not exist.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (30 Jun 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...will report on his Department’s role on the recently established Strategic Workforce Advisory Group which will examine and make recommendations around strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes; the number of meetings attended to date by representative from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34630/22]

Respite Care Services: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jun 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...integral role that respite services play in the provision of assistance to those caregivers; further notes: - the unacceptable number of people on waiting lists for essential respite services; - that carers have provided increased levels of care with less support and respite during the Covid-19 pandemic, and on an on-going basis this impacts on the wellbeing of carers and persons...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Jun 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...over the country, but I am going to focus on Galway. The battle there is a twin crisis. The first aspect is to get enough hours allocated. When hours are allocated, however, there are no home carers. The Minister may not have this before him, but certainly the Taoiseach and many other people, including all the TDs in the area have. Most unusually, a doctor in Connemara has put his...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Catherine Connolly: I draw the Taoiseach's attention to the crisis situation in Galway regarding the absence of respite beds and carers. I have an up-to-date position on the numbers. Pre Covid, we had 25 respite beds in the city and country; we now have four. There are four respite beds, post Covid, in the entire city and county. On carers, we now have 278 people on a waiting list who are assessed as needing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Low Pay Commission (10 Feb 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...? I will refer to my previous question. I am not promoting the use of permits in this regard; I am looking to see why it is not possible. There has to be fundamental reform of the conditions for carers in Ireland and for it to be recognised that this economy cannot thrive without such reform. That is what we need. This question relates to the Low Pay Commission.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (10 Feb 2022)

Catherine Connolly: ...on that. I thank him also for the clarity on highlighting that it is not just a shortage or workers, which it is, because nationwide there are 5,322 people approved for home support but with no carer available. In Galway there are 278 persons on a waiting list and in the region, that is the community healthcare organisation, CHO2 region, there are 698 persons on a waiting list. Clearly,...