Results 2,561-2,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The amounts are €7.10 and €8.40. The Deputy should try to learn the rates before coming in here.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: This completes the transition to a higher rate of child benefit as promised last year. The monthly rate for the first and second child in 1997, when Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's party was in Government, was €38.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The rate is now four times higher.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The budget summary contains a wide range of other social welfare improvements.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Social welfare recipients would like to hear the details of the budget and we should respect that. The budget summary contains a wide range of other social welfare improvements the full details of which will be announced by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. In the light of my opening remarks on the social welfare package, I would like to highlight the following planned improvements:...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: ——and I will also announce cuts in home heating oil taxes later in my statement to address fuel deficits on a broader basis; an increase in the rate of respite care grant to €1,200; an enhanced carer's allowance rate of €200 per week for people aged 66 or over and €180 for those under the age of 66——

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: ——and improvements in the terms of the disability allowance, back to work allowance and back to education allowance schemes to assist participation in the labour force. In addition, in line with commitments under Sustaining Progress, the rate of maternity benefit will be increased from 75% to 80% of reckonable earnings. Caring for older people This Government has always given high...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: While previous Governments have aimed to support this desire, this Government has decided to make a step-change in the level of care and support service for older people in their home or community. The Tánaiste has discussed with me the need to take an important initiative in this area. The Government has decided to fund an additional package of measures at the level of €150 million in a...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: This will include new home care packages, substantially more home help, more day care support and additional palliative care for the terminally ill. This will help people avoid unnecessary residential care and prolonged stays in acute hospitals. For people who need residential care in nursing homes, we are also improving nursing home subventions.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children will set out the full details of the new services tomorrow.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: In passing, I might mention that I will also be examining issues relating to certain limited circumstances where adult individuals may require to be cared for outside their own homes because of particular care needs. A new five-year child care strategy The Government is very conscious of the difficulties faced by many parents and families in securing affordable child care. Our task is to...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: We can only do so much in one budget. A complete solution will take time but the structured medium-term approach I am announcing will, I believe, increase the options for parents in a balanced way.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I hope it will be recognised as a constructive step forward in this area. In devising the strategy the Government was particularly anxious to develop further supply side measures to increase the number of child care places.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government is also very conscious of the importance of the first year in the life of a child and the strategy provides for a significant extension of maternity leave. The strategy also seeks to address the immediate cost pressures facing parents of young children by providing a new child care supplement for all children under the age of six years.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am making a significant start in implementing the programme today by providing €317 million in the 2006 budget for this purpose. The cost will increase to more than €600 million a year by 2008. Supply measures I am providing for a number of measures which will increase the supply of child care places. As part of the overall child care strategy I am today announcing a major new five-year...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: ——and continued support to community providers of up to €1 million per facility subject to a maximum grant per place of €20,000.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: This new investment programme will build on the success of the €500 million equal opportunities child care programme which has already been provided under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the officials in the relevant areas for the roll-out of these programmes. So far this funding has generated more than 26,000 new places...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: This will cost a total of €35 million in 2006. I will be following this up with a further four weeks of paid maternity leave in 2007. Thus, by 2007, mothers of new-born children will be entitled to a full six months of paid maternity leave. Furthermore, unpaid maternity leave will be increased by four weeks in 2006 and a further four weeks in 2007, bringing total unpaid maternity leave to...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: This is in addition to the existing 14 weeks' unpaid parental leave. In total, parents will be entitled to 56 weeks between paid and unpaid leave by 2007. Early child care supplement The increase in maternity leave and the additional measures I have just announced to improve supply will take time to have their full impact. In the meantime, working parents continue to need additional support...

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: These payments, which will be exempt from income tax and levies, will be made on a quarterly basis in respect of more than 350,000 children who are less than six years of age. The first payment will be made in mid-2006 and will cover the second quarter of 2006. This scheme will cost €265 million in 2006 and €353 million in a full year.