O'Dea, Willie

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: her plans on increasing the threshold for rent supplements in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

This question relates to rent caps. I wish to ascertain whether the Government is going to increase those caps in view of the fact that actual rents have outstripped the rent cap levels in various...

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Will he confirm that the Department's directive to community welfare officers in Limerick to allow flexibility represents a change in policy? I rep...

At the moment in Limerick, the rent cap for a married couple is €400 per month. There is no place suitable for a married couple in the Limerick city area available for €400 per month. The cap f...

I am glad that the Minister spoke to the district managers again yesterday because the directive issued in July had no impact in Limerick and I can state that quite categorically.

The Minister of State referred to the fact that approximately 860 people in Limerick have moved onto the rent allowance scheme recently. However, if one studied that group, one would find that a...

Regarding the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme, Limerick was used as a pilot for the roll-out of that scheme. The Government committed to the HAP in its programme for Government four year...

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (Continued)

I think it is approximately 200.

European Court of Justice Rulings

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: when she will address the issues arising from the Dano judgment in the Court of Justice of the European Union; her views at the possibility of benefit tourism here; and if she will make a statement...

I am asking Minister if her Department has studied the Dano judgment and what actions, if any, it proposes to take on the basis of the judgment.

I tabled a question and received a reply on 18 November, four weeks ago. It said the Department was considering the implications. Can I take it the Department has finished its consideration? The...

I understand the Minister's point that it underpins our system. Does it do more if she decided to implement it in Irish law? Would it exclude some categories of EU migrant who can claim social as...

Leaders' Questions (Continued)

How many of the recommendations has the Government implemented?

Order of Business (Continued)

The Tánaiste has been very vocal regarding the problem of low pay in the private sector. The legislation to establish a commission to examine this problem is not expected until sometime late next ...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (Continued)

I am sorry the Minister has left the House because I find her response totally unconvincing. Every Deputy has received numerous e-mails, telephone calls, letters and correspondence about the flawe...

He suggested that an extra contribution of €50 million from the companies that are contributing would solve this problem. I am sure he has done his research and that what he is saying is correct. ...

Two of the amendments, Nos. 19 and 20, are in my name. Amendment No. 19 proposes that a solvent and financially healthy company operating a defined benefit pension scheme should not be allowed t...

Yes.

No. She addressed her own amendment specifically.

Amendment No. 18 was in Deputy Shortall's name.

I move amendment No. 19:

I move amendment No. 20:

I move amendment No. 24:

I move amendment No. 26:

I move amendment No. 27:

I move amendment No. 28:

Pensions Legislation

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: the actions she will take to increase pension coverage here; if she will provide an update on the operation of the provisions contained in the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013; and if ...

Child Poverty

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: the actions she will take to address the increasing child poverty rates here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: the criteria for granting the carers' allowance for persons who care for children with severe autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Departmental Strategies

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: her plans to transfer payments from her Department to an electronic system; if she has discussed this proposed change with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and if she...