Louth Senator James Carroll has called today in Seanad Éireann on Vodafone to do the right thing and not hold on to unused credit from dormant phone accounts which they said that they would be doing this week.
“Vodafone wants to recycle numbers and will therefore cut off mobile accounts that have remained dormant for more than eight months.
“Vodafone is proposing to deactivate dormant mobile telephone accounts and take back the unused credit.”
“It is unclear how much money this would be worth to Vodafone, but it presents a real opportunity for them to do the right thing and give back those funds to local charities or community projects that could really benefit from a cash injection.”
“Vodafone is a very successful company that has made significant profits from Irish users. A unique opportunity exists here to do the right thing and put that unused phone credit, which is real cash, to good use,” concluded Senator Carroll.
ENDS
Gabhaim buíochas as an deis labhairt ar an rún seo sa Seanad. Tá áthas an domhain orm seans a bheith agam ráiteas a dhéanamh ar thuarascáil an Ombudsman. This is my first opportunity to speak in my new role in Seanad Éireann with the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, present. I look forward to working with him until June 2012.
As Senator Twomey said, we all acknowledge the great work done by the Ombudsman and her office, which is top drawer. The investigation carried out by her and her team into this specific case has been to the highest standard.
As the newly appointed spokesperson on fisheries, I am delighted to contribute to the debate. In recent months I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a number of fishermen in my own county of Louth at Clogherhead’s Port Oriel, a great resource for the country, one we should develop further. Clogherhead’s prawn festival, for example, is restarting this year after a lapse of 14 years. I look forward to working with those involved. I attended the launch of that festival a number of weeks ago by Clogherhead Tourism Council. We should be focusing on the tourism potential of areas like this. Other towns and villages throughout the country have taken on this mantle, including Carlingford in north County Louth which has transformed itself as a tourist hub for customers North and South. It is an example of how people and businesses in the South can appeal to businesses in Northern Ireland and how people in Northern Ireland can do their business North-South as opposed to the current position in terms of all business being South-North. The Government should strategically consider the development of places like Clogherhead.
As the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, indicated the lost at sea scheme was a limited scheme introduced in June 2001, with a closing date for applications of 31 December 2001. Many people were misled or, sadly, chose to be misled in regard to how the scheme worked. The scheme was specifically targeted at people who had been fishing and wanted to continue fishing. It is important to remember that it was a bounded, time-limited scheme which was intended to assist families obtain a replacement for a lost vessel which would be owned and skippered by the applicant or an immediate relation. The objective of the scheme was to allow fishermen or their immediate family, including women involved in fishing, to return to fishing and not to award any monetary benefit which, as articulated by the Minister of State, is key.
When the new sea fishing boat register was introduced in 1990 all vessels registered at the time were awarded the capacity of their vessels effectively free of charge. However, any vessel that had previously sunk or had otherwise been destroyed clearly could not be registered. Any person or team of people wishing to return to a career in fishing would have had to buy a replacement vessel and have the necessary capacity, which in time would become a valuable commodity because the overall capacity of the Irish fleet was capped under EU management rules.
The Minister of State mentioned earlier that the scheme, when introduced, was opposed and supported within the industry. Opinion was divided, which I can understand. It seemed unfair to be seen to be awarding free tonnage to some while others had to pay a high price for their tonnage. I reiterate the point made in this House and in the Dáil that, from an administrative perspective, it was important to ensure the scheme could be strictly limited to those who met the necessary criteria. Once the decision to have a scheme was made, the terms and conditions that emerged had to reflect the views of all stakeholders, national legislation and any EU rules.
As articulated by the Minister of State, the conditions which were objective and quite difficult to meet were intended to ensure that only those who met the criteria in full were successful, that only the immediate family could benefit from any capacity awarded, that the benefit of capacity for the scheme was to allow the family to return to fishing and that the capacity awarded could not be sold or turned into a monetary amount, as can happen with other schemes. Some 16 fishing vessels were at the time lost at sea, the owners of which received written notification of the new scheme and were invited to apply. The scheme was focused on those who had been in the fishing industry and wanted to continue a family tradition of fishing and where the grant of capacity would enable the applicant or an immediate relation to return to fishing. The advertising was quite successful and the scheme, despite its tight restrictions, was well responded to. As stated by the Minister of State and Senator Twomey, 68 applications were made, of which six were successful.
The scheme was aimed at people and families who had a tradition in fishing and was widely advertised in the major fishing trade, including The Marine Times, Irish Skipper and Fishing News. The 62 unsuccessful applications failed to meet one or more of the qualifying conditions. I want to reiterate the point that the scheme did not provide for the purchase of a replacement fishing vessel.
I noted when reading the report during the past few days that in November 2004 the son of the owner, who had been lost at sea with his vessel, had complained to the Ombudsman on two grounds: his family had not been made aware of the scheme’s existence and their circumstances were such that they ought to have qualified under the scheme in the first instance. I recall, as a graduate of law in UCD, being taught on the first day that the most fundamental of legal rules is that ignorance of the law is no defence. Sadly, this same principle applies to this scheme. Following exhaustive examination and correspondence between the various parties, the Ombudsman found in her first report for the complainant. This appears at odds with the views of different Departments which had studied the report. The Ombudsman concluded that the particular family did not meet at least two of the conditions of the scheme and that advertisement of the scheme was not adequate despite it having been advertised in the three major fishing publications in Ireland. Also, the fishermen’s representative organisations were notified of its existence and had communicated that information to the 16 known cases, which appeared to me to be the most appropriate approach in the circumstances. There is no 100% assured way of ensuring everybody eligible under a scheme is notified of its existence. We, as public representatives, are well aware of the considerations in terms of hitting one’s target audience be it in respect of public meetings or clinics. All considerations, including how, when and where, must be examined fully.
The Ombudsman has expressly acknowledged that she found no evidence to suggest the scheme once launched was not applied fairly and equally. The compensation figure of almost €250,000 recommended by the Ombudsman was, as pointed out by the Minister of State, arrived at using the rates used in the 2008 decommissioning scheme, which is a totally different and separate scheme. I will not reiterate the specifics of that scheme given they have been already articulated by the Minister of State. Suffice to say that I concur with his views on the matter.
The Minister of State set out the Ombudsman’s finding, that the design of the scheme and the manner in which it was advertised were “contrary to fair and sound administration”. I do not accept this. The Ombudsman’s desire for flexibility makes sense. We are all agreed on the need for flexibility in all schemes. However, how flexible is flexible in regard to this matter? Does that mean dropping one, two or three criteria and, if we do so, will any applicant be eligible under this scheme?
Deadlines are a fundamental feature of most schemes and need to be strictly enforced and adhered to when accepting or rejecting applications under schemes. Transparency is key. As stated by Senator Twomey, transparency in regard to deadlines and criteria in specific schemes like this is key for delivering the transparency we all wish to see. Totally discounting deadlines by more than 12 months and accepting as valid an application more than one year late, as has been suggested by the Ombudsman, would have extremely wide and incalculable financial and other implications for all Departments, semi-State agencies and schemes. To what will we be leaving ourselves open if we drop deadlines and accept as valid applications made one year late?
James Carroll has welcomed the news that south Louth and east Meath schools are to benefit from funding under the School Building Programme.
“I discussed the needs of south Louth and east Meath schools with the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe. We have a growing and young population so it is vital that our schooling needs are met and planned for.”
“The Minister has announced today that three local schools are to benefit from this year’s funding.”
“In Drogheda a new primary school will be ready for September 2010.”
“Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh in Laytown and Scoil Cros Bán in Whitecross, Julianstown have received permission to appoint a design teams to work on extensions and refurbishment.”
“These projects will also provide an employment boost to the local construction industry.”
“The schools will be contacted shortly on how to proceed and I look forward to seeing the work at it progresses,” concluded Senator Carroll.
ENDS
Community and voluntary groups can benefit greatly from the skills and experience of jobseekers who can volunteer their services and retain their entitlements while remaining available for work, according to Louth Senator James Carroll.
“I believe the announcement by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin T.D. of the details of the Voluntary Work Option scheme is very important.”
“There are many local and national organisations which can use the valuable skills and experience of men and women who are willing to help out. For the jobseekers concerned the voluntary work can help them keep their skills up to date, give them valuable experience as well as make new contacts which can help them in their on-going search for paid work,” added Senator Carroll.
The twin aims of the “Voluntary Work Option Scheme” are:
1. to encourage voluntary organisations to involve jobseekers to the greatest extent possible in their existing activities by creating new opportunities for voluntary work
2. to inform jobseekers of their freedom to involve themselves in voluntary work and to encourage them to do so.
Examples of voluntary work in which jobseekers may engage include helping the sick, older people or people with a disability or assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations or local resident associations.
One such organisation is Special Olympics Ireland. This year the Special Olympic National Games are being held in Limerick in June 2010. The organising group will need 3,500 volunteers to plan, organise and run the games and are planning to hold recruitment events during February at various locations in the Limerick/Clare area. However, jobseekers from any part of the country may volunteer.
Minister Hanafin said “jobseekers who avail of this opportunity to support the Special Olympics by volunteering their services may continue to be entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance provided that, in engaging in the voluntary work, the customer continues to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work.”
ENDS
Further notes:
Applying for the Voluntary Work Option
The jobseeker or the voluntary organisation/group involved should request an application form VW 1 from their Social Welfare Local Office. The completed application form should be sent to the Local Office and a Deciding Officer will determine whether the customer may take up the work in question without affecting entitlement to the jobseeker’s payment.
In considering all applications under the Voluntary Work Option, a Deciding Officer of the Department of Social and Family Affairs has to determine whether the work concerned is voluntary within the meaning of the scheme and will have to be satisfied that the customer is available to take up employment, if offered it, and that genuine efforts are being made to secure employment. This applies whether the voluntary work is full or part-time. Some of the factors to be taken into account would include:
• the type of work involved,
• the aims and standing of the voluntary body,
• the weekly hours worked, and
• the amount of any payment received by way of out-of-pocket expenses.
The voluntary work would normally involve only a few hours a day or a few days a week but full-time involvement in voluntary activities would not necessarily be ruled out. However, there should be no implication of job replacement or cheap labour. Any reimbursement should generally be limited to out-of-pocket expenses such as travelling expenses.
More information is available on www.welfare.ie or at the following hyperlink http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/JobseekersVoluntaryWorkOption.aspx
Senator James Carroll has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, Áine Brady TD that she is beginning a series of meetings around the country to hear at first-hand the views of older people on issues that affect them. The meetings are a further part of the Minister’s work to develop a new Positive Ageing Strategy. The Minister said that the new Strategy will set the direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland.
“I want in my time in national politics used to ensure that the Government recognises and appreciates the position of older people in Irish society. Minister Brady will be coming to Louth soon and this reflects the importance that County Louth needs to attach to the needs of older people,” Senator Carroll said.
“The Minister has noted that she was particularly keen to hear the views of older people themselves about the barriers they experience in their day to day lives and how these affect them as well as their ability to participate in their communities. Some of this, she suggested, arose from ageist attitudes and practices and quite often people were not even conscious of these,” Senator James Carroll added.
“The Minister added that her call for submissions to the National Positive Ageing Strategy had been very successful. 186 submissions had been received from a broad range of agencies and organisations as well as individual older people from all over Ireland. She now wants to follow that up with face to face meetings around the country, including Louth. She is planning to have eight meetings in all over the coming months.”
Minister Brady plans to attend the meetings on the new Strategy around the country during the months of March and April. The first of these will be in Cork on March 4th. These will be followed by subsequent meetings in Galway, Limerick, Wexford, Kildare, Louth and Dublin. Specific details of the Louth meeting will be announced nearer the date.
Members of the public who require further information can contact Senator James Carroll’s Office at 1 Dyer Street at 041-9843974 or the Strategy Development Unit, Office for Older People, Department of Health and Children – Tel: (01) 635 3057 or e-mail Positiveageing@health.gov.ie.
ENDS
“I am backing a call from my colleague Fianna Fail Whip in Seanad Éireann, Diarmuid Wilson for a debate on the behaviour of financial institutions who are contacting consumers who default on payments. While I fully recognise that financial institutions have every right and obligation to pursue those who default in repayments of loans to them or outstanding balances on credit cards, I have heard some very distressing stories recently. Since I opened my constituency office in Drogheda, the number one issue I have dealt with are constituents who have come under what they perceive to be undue pressure from financial institutions. I have heard stories of people receiving telephone calls at all hours of the day, on an hourly basis. Many people facing personal debt now have never experienced it before. Job losses, reductions in hours and pay can all have a serious impact on household and personal budgets. I think that it is important that people are supported as they face up to their changing circumstances. Financial providers should deal with people with compassion and understanding in the first instance and try to work with them to reach agreed solutions.”
A Chathaoirleach,
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran. It is the first opportunity I have had to do so since I became a Member of the Seanad seven weeks ago. His presence and that of the Minister, Deputy Harney, show how seriously the Government is taking this issue. I welcome that both were present and I congratulate the Minister on her performance on “Liveline” earlier today regarding savings made on different drug schemes. Obviously, these are legal medicinal drugs, not what we are discussing now.
I was heartened to hear Senator Healy Eames talking about the link between alcohol and drugs because that is a very significant issue. Many studies in Scandinavia have shown that the way to tackle addictive substances such as alcohol and legal drugs, including products of head shops, is to increase price or have tighter regulation. These are the two paths we must go down regarding the entire range of drugs and drug related problems.
I was contacted personally, as were many Members, in my case by teachers in the Louth-east Meath area I represent. They spoke of the responsibility they have in this area, trying to stay one step ahead of drugs and the potential problems they might cause. I was told a horrifying story less than an hour ago about a young person who was seen by a community garda. He had no recollection of the previous two days of his life. He had taken drugs, or products from head shops, and just as Senator Healy Eames described, he woke up two days later without any recollection of where he had been.
If the pun can be excused, these shops are growing like mushrooms around the place and that is the reality we must tackle. A further element is that the shopkeepers or those who own such premises seem not to care about the effects of the drugs. Their sole care is that they have a business and they will try to make as much money out of it as possible. As I heard it from people who have gone to shops of this kind to research them, there is no regulation about how much of any product one can purchase. The only limit seems to be how much money one has in one’s pocket. The worry is that a person could literally buy the entire stock of a shop. That is a grave concern I have.
The other associated factor is the cost factor to the State, the health services and the Garda, whether in the resources spent by the State dealing with people who are suffering from the side effects of the drugs or the gardaí who must deal with the consequences of what people do or the hospitals that have to deal with the serious consequences. We saw this at Christmas when some people were caught up in this situation.
I welcome the Minister of State’s strong response last week to the threat that issued from the head shops in regard to so-called legal and herbal highs.
We must co-ordinate our response to these establishments across the various Departments involved. Some are concerned that certain Departments operate almost as silos or bunkers and do not co-operate with each other in order to tackle problems. The Minister of State has a unique role to play in this regard, particularly because he holds portfolios in a number of Departments. It is great that he has met various Ministers and officials to develop a strategy to deal with this matter. It is essential that a cross-departmental approach be taken. Such an approach should involve the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health and Children and the Minister of State present.
I am somewhat perturbed by statements from other Members to the effect that by changing one chemical component of an illegal drug, it suddenly becomes legal. Senator Norris inquired as to whether we might consider the legislative position in other countries such as such as the United States or other EU member states to discover how they are tackling this problem. The concern is that the Executive and legislative arms of the State will be rendered impotent by virtue of the fact that one need only change one chemical component of a drug to make it legal and prevent action being taken. I hope the Minister of State will give consideration to this matter as soon as possible.
As stated, we must consider how matters relating to drugs and alcohol are regulated and how they tie in with other aspects. The main such aspect is the sexualisation of young people through advertising, nightclubs or their perception of so-called role models from the media and pop music spheres. Some role models appear to comment on the matters under discussion in a jovial manner. In the 1990s, for example, mere weeks after a young woman in England had died after taking half an ecstasy tablet, Brian Harvey of the band East 17 stated ecstasy was great. Certain members of the media and sports stars take the major responsibility of being a role model very seriously. Perhaps the Minister of State might encourage sports stars to point out to young people that if they want to be the next Brian O’Driscoll, Robbie Keane or Shay Given, they should not consume drugs or alcohol. Those who engage in such behaviour would never be capable of replicating the sporting successes this country has enjoyed during the past 18 months.
I was interested to hear about the experiences of other Members in this matter. I have learned a great deal from what was said. I am 26 years old and as the youngest Member of the Oireachtas, I hope I can bring a different perspective to the matter. In that context, it is important to bring a mixture of youth and experience to debates on the various topics debated in the House.
I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. The major concern that arises relates to the fact that certain drugs, regardless of whether they are legal or illegal, are becoming freely available in society. The reality is that people are able to get so-called legal highs from taking that which is on offer in head shops. The only people who will frequent these shops at 4 a.m. are those leaving pubs and nightclubs and who will perhaps already have imbibed alcohol or taken other drugs. I do not know whether the Misuse of Drugs Acts can be used in respect of this matter. However, I hope legislation to regulate the position on head shops can be brought forward as quickly as possible.
We must ensure we deal simultaneously with issues relating to alcohol, so-called legal drugs and the changing of chemical components to make illegal drugs legal. I reiterate that we have to consider increasing prices or introducing tighter regulation to deal with this matter.
ENDS
The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Monday] launched an interactive website to improve teaching and learning of spoken Irish in post-primary schools in a move backed by popular comedian Des Bishop.
Welcoming the annoucement, Senator James Carroll said “Abair Leat! is a virtual online language laboratory in which students can improve their Irish by interacting over the internet with native Irish speakers.”
“Students can use the website to listen to native Irish speakers, record their own material in Irish and undertake self-correcting exercises.”
Further aspects of the website are teachers can assess students’ work on the website and give spoken feedback online or written feedback by email.
The pilot phase of Abair Leat!, which will be rolled out in 14 post-primary schools initially, is aimed at supporting the oral syllabus in first year of post-primary school.
“The website encourages independent learning by allowing students to practise their oral Irish at home and in the classroom and it gives teachers the opportunity to assess them online. Des Bishop has generated significant goodwill for Irish and championed the cause of the language as a living part of the community”, Senator Carroll added.
“The proportion of marks for oral Irish in the Leaving Certificate examination will increase from 25pc to 40pc from 2012 so it is timely to examine new ways to improve students’ oral competency by leveraging the power of the internet.”
Des Bishop will now embark on a tour of a number of the pilot schools demonstrating Abair Leat! to students and teachers.
13 of the 14 schools are part of the Government’s €16 million high-speed wireless broadband plan.
It is expected that these schools will have wireless broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second before the Summer.
Abair Leat! is at www.abairleat.com
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
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