Results 241-260 of 1,049,446 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:Colm Brophy OR speaker:Thomas Pringle OR speaker:Cormac Devlin OR speaker:Patrick Costello OR speaker:Jim O'Callaghan OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Réada Cronin)

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Michael Ring: We move to Sinn Féin. Several speakers are sharing time. I call Deputy Conway-Walsh.

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Rose Conway-Walsh: I thank my colleagues, Deputies Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Pauline Tully, for bringing this debate to the House and for insisting that our last debate on Private Members’ business would be on carers because it is such an important issue. I will set out why the Government needs to engage with and act on the concerns of carers about the punitive carer’s allowance means test...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Pat Buckley: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for bringing this powerful motion to the floor. It is about having respect for carers and those with disabilities, and giving them support and a voice. It is about doing the right thing. I hope the Government will not oppose the motion and will come on board and support these people who are affected. As previous speakers said, these jobs are done out of...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and colleagues for bringing forward this very important motion. It has the potential to be transformational. It is a necessary measure. People have mentioned the importance of it in recognising the work carers do. It is about valuing and respecting carers. It is a question of dignity and trust. I will make the point that it is usually women who are...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Martin Kenny: Many carers are finding it very difficult to manage and survive. As was said by my colleagues, they are doing a job that cannot be done by anyone else, in many cases. People come to me who have somebody with profound disabilities and have had serious problems for many years. They may get some home help from the HSE but when they look for additional home help, they are told they will have...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Joe O'Brien: The Government is not opposing the motion. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the important issue of carer supports provided by the Department of Social Protection, in particular, the carer's allowance payment. I thank the Deputies for bringing forward the motion. On a personal level, I know that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has always sought to make sure the interests of carers are...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Pauline Tully: Yesterday morning, I attended a hustings event organised by Family Carers Ireland. It laid out its asks of political parties going into this general election and what it wants to see included in every party's manifesto. At the top of that list was the abolition of the carer's allowance means test. It was going on what carers themselves were asking for. The room was full of carers and many...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Claire Kerrane: I am proud that we are putting forward a motion to abolish the means test for family carers, many of whom take on the role of care, which they did not ask or look for, out of love. In many cases, it is for a child. In other cases, it is maybe for a parent. I was reminded of what was perhaps the first time that we heard from family carers at a committee meeting, when I sat on the committee...

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises: — the crucial and vital role that carers perform in supporting their loved ones; — that many carers are struggling financially and are receiving payments which fall way below the established Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL); — that carers do their work with extraordinary dedication and deserve respect,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Jennifer Whitmore: With all due respect, what the Minister of State has read out is a wish list. The majority of what is contained in his response does not relate to projects that are actually happening and that people would be able to see and use in the near future. He spoke about the Luas to Wicklow and modelling - just modelling - the DART+ programme. There is no actual project plan or funding there....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: The Minister for Transport thanks the Deputy for her comments and I will bring them to his attention. In terms of current developments, design work is ongoing on the DART+ coastal south project to plan for the enhanced DART service level to Greystones and a public consultation for this project is planned to take place shortly. The proposal to extend the DART to Wicklow town, which is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Cuireadh an Dáil ar fionraí ar 9.45 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 9.58 a.m. Sitting suspended at 9.45 a.m. and resumed at 9.58 a.m.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. Since 2020, the Department has invested more than €5 billion in our schools throughout the country involving the completion of more than 950 school building projects and with construction currently under way at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently in construction involve a total State investment of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Public Transport

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Jennifer Whitmore: I wish to raise with the Minister of State today the issue of public transport in Wicklow. It is one of the main issues people talk to me about. Constituents are being absolutely let down and failed by the Government's approach when it comes to the delivery of public transport. We could see no better or clearer example of that than the absolute chaos on the N11 every single morning. It is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising the important issue of public transport for Wicklow. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens’ quality of life and addressing our climate action challenge, and this Government is committed to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (6 Nov 2024)

Mattie McGrath: I am extremely disappointed to hear the Minister of State read out another waffle from the Department. The Department is currently assessing the options. Just imagine that. I have a document here from December 2022, when the Department promised 12 modular classrooms to deal with the accommodation. In February 2023 the Department of Education changed it and listed five modular classrooms,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to outline the position of the school. The Department of Education continues to provide very significant funding in support of the education of children with special educational needs, which is a priority for this Government, with over a quarter of the entire education budget dedicated to special education in recent...

Estimates for Public Services 2024: Message from Select Committee (6 Nov 2024)