De Rossa, PrionsiasWednesday, 27 March 1996 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
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Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.
On behalf of Democratic Left I extend sympathy to the family of the late Seán Browne. I did not know Seán as he left the House shortly after I became a Member. However, it is clear from what has bee...
Social Welfare Bill, 1996: Report of Select Committee.
Now. Agreed to take Report Stage today.
Social Welfare Bill, 1996: Report Stage.
I move amendment No. 1:
I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, line 7, to delete “SECTION 18A” and substitute “SECTIONS 18A and 22”. Amendment agreed to.
On Committee Stage I indicated that I was supportive of the principle the Deputy was proposing. I believe that the terminology which defines people as “adult dependants” is unacceptable. The vast maj...
Tuigim go maith an moladh atá á chur chun cinn ag an Teachta ach caithfidh mé a rá gur athrú bunúsach a bheadh ann sa chóras leasa shoisialaigh dá ndéanfaí sin. Leis an disabled person's maintenance ...
The Deputy referred to the fact that I proposed an initiative when in Opposition, and that is true. He referred to it on Committee and Report Stages. It is a useful vehicle to debate the question of...
When a Minister is implementing concrete policies to deal with poverty we hear a charade of concern from Fianna Fáil about the poor.
I have no qualms whatsoever in opposing this amendment.
We have gone beyond that and are now a stage ahead.
They cannot think up their own amendments.
It is a pity Deputy Ó Cuív is leaving because I wanted to correct a few comments he made.
I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, to delete lines 27 to 33 and substitute the following: “‘12. Employment under a scheme administered by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair and known as Community Employment...
I welcome the support for my amendment. The position with regard to community employment and the programme sponsored by CORI is those participants, who pay Class J social insurance contributions at p...
We cannot debate an amendment ruled out of order.
On a point of information, the Deputy can ask the question and if I have the information I will give it to her.
The Deputy does not remember all of the questions.
We should get on with the business of the House. This is a charade.
Deputy Wallace is an amazing person. She succeeds in confusing Report Stage with reports of commissions and in confusing genuine offers to provide information with lack of clarity and lack of commitm...
——which is one of the most innovative social welfare Bills for many years.
As I was explaining to the Deputy, this is one of the most innovative social welfare Bills for many years. We are debating sections all of which are positive, give new rights to people in receipt of ...
I was trying to get the Deputy's attention. I am not seeking anything other than the Deputy's attention at this time.
It would expedite the business of the House if the Deputies would listen. It would prevent them repeating the mistakes they have made so far in this debate. The evidence is that when I receive a repo...
I reject the amendment tabled. It is unnecessary. The Bill already provides the type of protections the Deputies are seeking to provide. If they read the Bill they would know that.
It is in the Bill.
I move amendment No. 4:
My understanding is that the Deputy's question does not relate to the amendments. My amendments relate to the disregard of compensation which people who go before the hepatitis C tribunal may receive...
The Deputy's question relates to the rural environmental protection scheme but this amendment suggests exempting compensation for hepatitis C infection. Therefore, the Deputy's does not arise on this ...
Was that in the last century?
It is difficult to know where to begin. On the many allegations made by Deputies Wallace and Walsh about long queues in the rain, there are no reports in my Department of such cases. To give the im...
It is inaccurate criticism and I must defend Deputy Woods against the allegations being made against him by his party colleagues in relation to the services provided by the Department.
I did not say that, Deputy.
On a point of information, a Cheann Comhairle, I do not want it to stand on the record that I stated or implied that people who apply for old age non-contributory pensions were seeking to avoid tax, t...
If they were honest they would declare their capital.
On a point of order it is important it does not go on record that the Department of Social Welfare presumes a person to be dishonest when he or she applies to it. I stated on Committee Stage yesterd...
Then the Deputy would accuse us of harassing elderly people.
Social Welfare Bill, 1996: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage.
I wish to refer to a number of questions raised by the Deputy during his discussion on the amendment. In the Bill as initiated, Schedule I deletes obsolete references to the Land Commission in the S...
The Bill proposes to give the Minister of the day the power to extend the period by six months if he or she deems it necessary to enable the Combat Poverty Agency to produce its three-year strategic p...
That is openness and transparency.
It was not asked for on Committee Stage because we were in such a hurry to get our tea.
On a point of order, Sir, I do not think it appropriate to apply a political label to a chairperson, regardless of who appoints him.
There is provision in the precedents of this House that we do not apply political labels to people who have agreed to take on a public role on behalf of the Minister of the day. The Deputy is misappl...
The Deputy is applying a political label to the person and I ask him to withdraw it.
On a point of order, Sir, what basis does the Deputy have to draw this conclusion? How can he assume the political affiliations of a person on the basis of their closeness, personally or otherwise, t...
I am concerned that the Deputy has labelled the person I appointed as chairperson of the Combat Poverty Agency as a Democratic Left chairperson. Will the Deputy withdraw that label from the person? ...
I must insist that he withdraw the allegation that the person whom I appointed as a chairperson of the Combat Poverty Agency is a Democratic Left chairperson and that is inappropriate. The Deputy mus...
That is McCarthyism.
On a point of order, is it appropriate for the Deputy to seek to debate the Combat Poverty Agency, its policy and strategic plan on the basis of this amendment?
The Deputy does not know that.
The Deputy is a waffler.
If the Deputy was given enough rope, he would hang himself.
I am not upset.
I only get upset when the Deputy waffles.
The Deputy is in Opposition now and he will be there for a long time.
This is not appropriate to the amendment.
The Deputy is despicable in Government or in Opposition.
I am not upset. The Deputy is as despicable as ever.
The only thing the Deputy has exposed is that he is a waffler.
If I had even let the thought of accepting the amendment stay in mind for a second, I would no longer entertain it.
The Deputy would not recognise them.
I would not believe everything Deputy Woods said.
On a point of order, I draw attention to the fact that because of the nature of the debate I am not in a position to reply to the Deputy's figments of imagination.
The Deputy says he will not provide for an extension for the Combat Poverty Agency but his amendment provides for an extension of up to six months. I want to explain that in case anybody might be mis...
I move amendment No. 5: In page 36, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: “(2) Section 11 (1) (b) of the Health Contributions Act, 1979, is hereby amended by the insertion after ‘Act of 1...
It is extraordinary that Deputy Wallace can, on the one hand, welcome the recommendations of a committee and the action taken by the Government, yet, at the same time, continue with her waffle about u...
I move amendment No. 6: In page 36, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “(2) Section 22 (1) (b) of the Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981, is hereby amended by the insertion after ‘Act o...
I move amendment No. 7: In page 46, to delete lines 8 to 19 and substitute the following: “SCHEDULE I
I wish Deputy Clohessy a speedy recovery and I hope to see him back in the House soon. Leaving aside party political views, any objective consideration of the Bill would suggest that it is an innovati...
Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 1995: Second Stage (Resumed).
I moved the Second Stage of this Bill on Wednesday, 13 March. I outlined that it is mainly a technical Bill based on reports made to me by the Pensions Board and is the completion of a cycle that beg...
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the heavy additional living costs borne by deaf people as a result of their deafness; his views, if any, on the system in the United Kingdom whereby a monthly disabl...
In common with those suffering from disabilities generally, I am conscious of the problems faced on a day-to-day basis by deaf people. With that in mind, this year's Social Welfare Bill marks a major...
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payment Methods.
Was asked: the concerns, if any, he has regarding the lack of ATM and other banking facilities in many areas in view of his proposal to pay pensions directly into bank accounts; and if he will make a statement o...
As part of an ongoing programme to improve service to the public the direct crediting of certain social welfare payments to bank, building society or post office accounts is offered to people on an op...
Written Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.
Was asked: the estimated cost of removing the time limit on the use of the free bus pass on Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Time restrictions which have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception apply generally from 7 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday inclusive. They are ...
Written Answers. - Equal Treatment Payments.
Was asked: whether more moneys are due to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 in respect of equality treatment arrears.
Retrospective equal treatment payments are made to married women who were paid lower entitlements than married men in similar circumstances in the period December 1984 to November 1986. The provision...
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Was asked: if 1996 budget changes which granted the free scheme to pensioners within £30 of the social welfare equivalent only applies to those on occupational pensions or if a person over 70, originally self-em...
As announced in the budget, the free telephone rental allowance, free electricity allowance and free colour television licence are being extended from next July to low income pensioners who do not qua...
Was asked: the new instructions or guidelines, if any, given in recent months to health boards which explain the reason community welfare officers have cut back on allocations to some categories of recipients; a...
The categories of payments to which the Deputy refers can be broadly classified into two supplementary welfare allowance — SWA — payment types. These are exceptional needs payments — ENPs — and rent ...
Was asked: the plans, if any, he has to streamline the arrangements for the transfer of free services to any eligible person in a house where the recipient is no longer entitled to such service as a result of de...
Free travel is available to all persons in the State aged 66 years or over and also to certain disabled people under the age of 66. The other free schemes, such as free electricity allowance and free...
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