Results 681-700 of 1,048,757 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Emer Higgins OR speaker:Johnny Guirke OR speaker:Michael McGrath)

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...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Emer Higgins: I am very pleased to present to the committee a draft sectoral employment order for the construction sector. The draft order proposes to amend the previous SEO made in 2023 by confirming new minimum rates of pay, pension and sick pay entitlements for workers in the construction sector. If approved, the order will be the fifth of its kind to be made since the first SEO for the construction...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy for welcoming the SEO. It is really important that we have these. It is a form of collective bargaining where we have trade unions, and where we have employers come to the table and collectively agree on the way forward for their industry. With regard to compliance with the provisions of the SEO, inspections carried out by Workplace Relations Commission inspectors...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Emer Higgins: If there is noncompliance, a case can absolutely be taken to the WRC. It can be taken by an individual, and it can be reported to the trade union and taken that way. If the Deputy is aware of a situation where there is noncompliance, please let us know because that is something we will look at. We have EROs and SEOs in other industries. They work very effectively and it is very rare that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Emer Higgins: In terms of collaboration with Revenue and the Department of Social Protection, I assure the Deputy that does happen. On 11 July, I chaired a meeting with officials from the Department of Social Protection and Revenue looking at the issue the Deputy described and the determination of the employment status working group. The working group had been set up on foot of the Supreme Court ruling...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Emer Higgins: I understand that the draft of it is nearing completion and that a review has been undertaken by the Department of Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and the Workplace Relations Commission. I should add that the commission was also represented at that meeting and a lot of collaboration is happening in that regard. It is now being shared with the group members for final...