Senator Micheál Carrigy

We are here to pay tribute to our friend and colleague Shane and, importantly, to support his family.

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Wednesday) said the Government is making progress on introducing reforms to the social welfare system to combat fraud. In a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, Deputy O’Donovan asked for an update on a number of measures aimed at combatting fraud, including ICT improvements and the introduction of bio-metric cards.

He was an outstanding Minister of State in terms of his own portfolios and as a support to everyone in the Department

He was an outstanding Minister of State in terms of his own portfolios and as a support to everyone in the Department

He was an outstanding Minister of State in terms of his own portfolios and as a support to everyone in the Department

He was an outstanding Minister of State in terms of his own portfolios and as a support to everyone in the Department

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the EC targets to increase the number of charging points for electric cars here by 2020; his plans in relation to this policy; if he will be engaging in talks with the industry; if there has been a projected cost of this policy to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the 2012 figures showing that almost 50% of applicants who were refused disability allowance were awarded the payment on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost to provide a springboard course per person per year; the average cost of a FÁS student per year to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.