Results 1-20 of 146 for long speaker:Emer Higgins

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

Emer Higgins: ...December of last year and a €400 lump-sum payment for people receiving the carer's support grant, which was paid in November 2023. In addition, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has acted to provide a pension solution for long-term carers. A range of other supports for carers, provided by the Department of Social Protection, are not based on a means assessment. These include the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Consultations (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: ...to stay in employment until the age at which they can first access the State pension, which is 66. The measure will improve older workers’ adequacy of income in retirement and reaffirm our long-standing policy to support longer and fuller working lives. The membership of the Pensions Commission included representation of workers, employers, civil society, academics, and those...

Rare Diseases: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Emer Higgins: ...to therapies and medicines for their rare diseases. We are talking about people's lives that can be transformed if they have access to the right treatment. How can we deny them this through long wait times?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Feb 2024)

Emer Higgins: .... We should make health and wellness tax deductible and start with those people who are working from home because they need it most. That would be good for workers and society as a whole. In the long term, it would be good for the healthcare system. My question to the Tánaiste is whether he would look at prioritising health and wellness for workers, in particular, those working...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Schemes (28 Feb 2024)

Emer Higgins: 146. To ask the Minister for Health when he intends to next review the long-term illness scheme with a view to expanding the list of illnesses. [9471/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Feb 2024)

Emer Higgins: ...on the construction plan for a new school building (details supplied) that is in danger of losing their approved contractor if delays persist, which would be a very costly set back to this already long-awaited urgent building project; when approval will be issued to the design team to commence construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7750/24]

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Emer Higgins: ...for research development and innovation, which responded to the community’s outcry for more fundamental research. It was the only programme offering funds for fundamental research in Ireland for a long time. SFI funds all kinds of awards, individual, projects and big centres. Big centres are where researchers from across Ireland collaborate under a common theme. That is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2024)

Emer Higgins: Peamount Healthcare is a facility in my constituency which I know very well and does incredible work in rehabilitating people and providing long-term nursing care and support. I know resources are always an issue in any of these facilities but is there an opportunity for support to be provided in the interim in an outpatient perspective for people in that situation, if expertise 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)

Emer Higgins: ...and, instead, move us closer to greater equality for all women. While this upcoming referendum represents significant progress towards achieving gender equality, it is crucial also to recognise how long it has taken to get here. That begs the question how much longer we have to wait for more reforms. Delays like this, in fact, are reflective of a broader issue that is observed...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...when I look around this Chamber, I can see clearly that the family of 1937, when the Constitution was originally written, has changed and that the Ireland of 1937 is no more. We have come a really long way in those recent years. Our small island has become increasingly more tolerant and more welcoming of all sexualities, gender identities and family structures. We are better at...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...is in harmony with European standards as well as environmental commitments. Key reforms in the Bill focus on aligning national, regional and local planning strategies and fostering a coherent, long-term, plan-led system. That is the kind of vision we need in politics and in planning. The Bill elevates the status of ministerial guidelines. They will no longer be just suggestions;...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...due to a diversion of resources but I understand that the Department officials are working collaboratively with the Attorney General on this important legislation. The Taoiseach and I know how long families, particularly families through surrogacy, have been waiting and now they are told that things were deprioritised over the summer and legislation we were expecting a number of months...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...Minister with a list, although I am sure her Department has it. I will mention in particular my former secondary school, Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, that expected to break ground on a long-awaited building this year, but is still caught up in red tape in the Department. The Department design team sought final clarifications from the school and its design team, which were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Future of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...of that to this role and to this really important office because it is really important we have someone who is eminently qualified because this is an extremely important new agency. It has been a long time in the making and is backed up by legislation. It offers huge potential for Ireland not only for planning, skills and technology improvements but also for monitoring, protection,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Oct 2023)

Emer Higgins: 213. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she acknowledges the long-term benefits of supporting organisations such as CASP Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme, which aim to reduce crime through addiction recovery and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45658/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Ethics of End-of-Life Care: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...her heartfelt plea and Mr. Curran's steadfast support for her. He was always by her side and doing interviews. I thank him for being here with us ten years later because I am sure that has been a long and frustrating ten years when he saw the High Court effectively ask for the Oireachtas to look at that. Two whole cycles of Oireachtas people have looked at it since. I hope this...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...for this school would have to have happened outside because it has no other option. After 30 years, there is still no permanent building for Gaelscoil na Camóige. Unfortunately, it is just one of a long list of schools in my area awaiting a permanent building, an extension or a new school. These include Gaelscoil na Camóige, Scoil Chrónáin, St. Thomas, Scoil...

Children's Health Ireland - Patient safety concerns and reviews in paediatric orthopaedic surgical services: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Sep 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...to hear Bernard Gloster, the CEO of the HSE, confirm that planned spinal surgeries are not being postponed but we must acknowledge the grim reality. Families continue to endure unacceptably long waits for critical surgeries and the trust these families have in the medical system has been shaken. Every aspect of the situation needs to be examined, from the unauthorised use of springs in...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Sep 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...to profit at the expense of people in our communities. The recent decrease in electricity prices is a welcome step in the right direction, but more can and should be done. We must therefore focus on long-term solutions to make electricity more affordable for everyone. The disheartening reality is that despite Electric Ireland being a semi-State company, it is providing a lower decrease...

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Emer Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I am glad we are debating it before the summer recess because we have waited long enough for the Bill. We first started discussing safe access zones in the wake of the eighth amendment referendum in 2018, some five years ago. In the interim, while we have seen some women finally receiving access to necessary and essential healthcare,...