Results 41-60 of 891 for speaker:Johnny Guirke

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Annual Progress Report 2025: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: The State put in €30 billion. While the banks might have paid back €30 billion, they did not pay back the interest that cost the State. They claimed at the weekend that that alone was €7.5 billion and the State was still paying back that interest.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Annual Progress Report 2025: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: No, I am asking why we are not getting that money back while the banks are making huge profits. Why is that money not being paid back to the State? While we come out and say that the banks have paid back the money they were given, they have not paid back the money it cost the State to borrow that money.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Annual Progress Report 2025: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: How does the Government plan to ensure that economic growth translates into improved social inclusion and reduced inequality for people?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Annual Progress Report 2025: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Given the unpredictable nature of global markets and events, how flexible is the current economic strategy in adapting to sudden changes in the international environment?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: I thank Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes. I have a couple of questions although some may have been asked. How can the two-year cohabitation requirement for a partner to be a qualified cohabitant be justified? What evidence is there to suggest that this duration adequately reflects the emotional and financial independence that may exist in shorter relationships? On the transition period, given...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Will there be a public awareness campaign on this to make people aware of the changes?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: I thank the witnesses for coming in. How many children in Ireland are in poverty now? How many children would a second tier of child benefit lift out of poverty? What are some examples of in-kind child benefits mentioned in the report and how do they contribute to reducing child poverty? Why do the authors suggest that tracking at-risk-of-poverty rates based on household income, including...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Would the witnesses like to see a situation in the context of child benefit where there was a certain budget that could go a lot further? I refer to a situation where child benefit was means-tested and an awful lot more being available for the people who need it the most. What is the witnesses' opinion in this regard?

Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (11 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: I thank the Minister and his staff for giving us an update. I will raise a couple of things. We all know pensioners are struggling to make ends meet but I always felt a single pensioner was under an awful lot more pressure than a couple. Could something be done in cases where single pensioners need a bit more? They still face the same bills for rent, electricity and heat. The only...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Protection Issues: Minister for Social Protection (11 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: I forgot to raise one or two issues earlier. One relates to access to social welfare for the self-employed. It seems to be much harder for them to get anything if they are off work. They do not qualify for injury or illness benefit unless they have the required PRSI contributions. In many cases, social welfare benefits work out better for the rich than the poor. Benefits should be more...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Departmental Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Johnny Guirke: 1191. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided in Budget 2026 to deliver a community neurorehabilitation team for the midlands and north east, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to complete the rollout of community neurorehabilitation teams across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Independent what?

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Independent government.

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: Yes, you are.

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: This Bill.

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: The protection of employees and workers' rights.

Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: The Bill is quite complex and technical, and it is important that the State protects workers. I take this opportunity to reaffirm a core principle that has always guided Sinn Féin, namely is our commitment to standing with workers. Throughout our history, we have been to the forefront in the context of workers’ rights, fairness and dignity in the workplace. For too long,...

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: In Gaza, we see a situation so dire, it defies comprehension. An Oxfam worker with 20 years of experience working in conflict zones worldwide has said he has never seen anything like this. Children in Gaza are being starved. Israel has blocked all aid supplies from entering, leaving millions to go hungry for the past 11 weeks. It is genocide. That is what is happening and yet most of the...

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: The Taoiseach is using our time.

Assessment of Need: Statements (20 May 2025)

Johnny Guirke: In 2025, just 7% of assessments have been completed within the legal timeframe set out in the Disability Act 2005. To say that some children are being failed is an understatement; 93% of children requiring an assessment of need are being failed. Experts in the field advise that early intervention is critical. It allows for a family to plan the supports that a child with an autism diagnosis...