Listen back to my interview on Galway Bay FM on this issue and on social welfare supports and the self-employed I warmly welcome the publication of the Paternity Bill this week by Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar and Minister of Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. The bill will provide fathers with two weeks of… Continue Reading
Over 1,000 jobseekers in Galway and Mayo are participating in JobPath. Launched last July, JobPath is a new employment activation programme which provides one-to-one support and assistance to long term unemployed people. The figures for Galway and Mayo were confirmed to me by Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Mr Kevin Humphreys to… Continue Reading
The ‘Back to Work Family Dividend’, introduced in January, is supporting over 400 families in Galway and 228 in Mayo. The figures were supplied by way of Dáil question which I raised in in the Dáil with Minister for Social Protection and Tánaiste Joan Burton. The Back to Work Family Dividend’ was introduced as part… Continue Reading
I welcome this debate on the Social Welfare Bill 2015. This is our fifth social welfare Bill in government. The first three of these were particularly difficult, with hard decisions that had to be made and, unfortunately, cuts that had to be implemented. This is the first opportunity we have to reverse those cuts and… Continue Reading
Finance and Public Expenditure The Universal Social Charge has been reduced for the second time by the Government – Incomes of €13,000 are exempt entirely €0 – €12,012 – 1% (Down from 1.5%) €12,012 – €18,668 – 3% (Down from 3.5%) €18,669 – €70,044 – 5.5% (Down from 7%) €70,045 – €100,000 – 8% (unchanged)… Continue Reading