Walsh, Joe

Thursday, 22 February 1996

Dáil Éireann Debate
Vol. 462 No. 1

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Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Security for the Elderly.

Asked the minister: the consideration, if any, he has given to offering some direct assistance towards the cost of burglar alarm systems for old age pensioners living alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

Asked the minister: the proposals or measures, if any, he has to secure the homes of the rural elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.More Button

Does the Minister agree that the tax concession in the budget will not help people in this situation to any great extent? Elderly people living alone in rural areas, where there is so much disquiet, ...More Button

What is the Minister's estimate of the number of non-contributory old age pensioners living alone who will be able to avail of the tax concession?More Button

The Minister said very categorically that the concession would be of considerable assistance which is why I asked the supplementary question on how many would qualify.More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.

Asked the minister: the consideration, if any, he has given to giving limited free travel passes to the long-term unemployed in order to facilitate them in attending for interviews.More Button

Asked the minister: the plans, if any, he has to extend the free travel pass to the long-term unemployed who gain employment in order to facilitate travel to and from work within a certain specified travel range; and if ...More Button

In the situation where an advertised job is located some distance from a long-term unemployed applicant, would the Minister not consider providing limited free travel passes — not an extension of the ...More Button

The level of long-term unemployment is the highest on record and from April to October 1995 it increased from 48.1 per cent to 48.5 per cent. We have to look at all avenues and measures to reduce it....More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Backdating of Social Welfare Applications.

Asked the minister: the plans, if any, he has to ensure that social welfare recipients receive payment from the date they become eligible rather than the date of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter...More Button

Does the Minister agree it is unfair that people, particularly widows, who, through no fault of their own and perhaps as a result of bad advice, apply for a pension more than six months after they bec...More Button

Will the Minister agree what is at stake here is equity and fairness? If people are overpaid in error, they are obliged to repay the amount involved which, in some cases, may be deducted from their sa...More Button

Is the Minister aware that the Ombudsman has reflected negatively on the Department's attitude to this issue? I can only assume it will be a matter of time before it is referred to the European court...More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Would it not constitute better housekeeping and a tidier budgetary arrangement to have this provided for at budget time rather than await a Supplementary Estimate at the end of the year?More Button

Has the Minister given any consideration, at least for the coming year, to paying long-term disability recipients a Christmas bonus? Does he not consider it quite unfair that somebody in receipt of u...More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Income Limit Regulations.

Will the Minister agree that the category in question are putting up the greatest struggle against deprivation? They go out to work because they do not have an adequate income, sometimes, regrettably...More Button

In any scale of prioritisation this category is one of the most deserving of help.More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

The Minister of State's policy at least has the merit that if we keep reviewing it for long enough it will resolve itself. I have some sympathy with that as a former Minister who knows about using sc...More Button

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equality Payments Legal Fees.

The Minister has indicated that £800,000 has been paid to date.More Button

To how many legal firms was this amount paid?More Button

A total of £800,000 Exchequer funding has been paid out to date. It is unbelievable that the Minister cannot answer my straightforward question. How many firms were involved in the payment?More Button

We are back to the same old tune.More Button

The Minister should answer the question he was asked.More Button

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Asked the minister: whether he met Commissioner Pádraig Flynn in November 1995, to discuss Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU; if so, the nature and extent of their discussions with particular reference to the im...More Button

Written Answers. - Skibbereen (Cork) Sewerage Scheme.

Asked the minister: what plans, if any, he has to provide a sewerage treatment plant for Skibbereen town, County Cork.More Button

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Asked the minister: the number of persons overpaid by his Department on claims found to be fraudulent; the amount owing; and the amount recouped.More Button

Last Updated: 21/05/2011 14:05:08 First Page Previous Page Page of 96 Next Page Last Page