Results 28,521-28,540 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Other Questions: Child Benefit Administration (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy is suggesting that the payment of child benefit should be entirely conditional on a child attending school.

Other Questions: Child Benefit Administration (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The law requires children to receive an appropriate education. For almost all children, this is provided in a school environment but, as the Deputy is aware, there are families who are dedicated to home schooling.

Other Questions: Child Benefit Administration (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: We have to allow for parental choice.

Other Questions: Child Benefit Administration (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As Deputies will be aware from media reports, the Department of Education and Skills has undertaken to use personal public service numbers, PPSN, for children at primary level, as is already the case at second and third level. The Departments of Education and Skills and Social Protection are co-operating on mapping the location of children for the purpose of planning new schools. When the...

Other Questions: Social Welfare Code (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As only a short time remains, I will not read out the reply. As I indicated in answer to the previous question, child benefit is a major payment that is made to more than 600,000 families in respect of 1.2 million children at an annual cost of €1.9 billion.

Other Questions: Social Welfare Code (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As I pointed out to Deputy Naughten, it is my view that child benefit should be universal payment. It is one of the few universal payments in our social welfare system. All of our research shows that the payment goes directly to the caring parent who is, for the most part, the mother, and is very well spent on children. I do not have any proposals to tax the payment. I am aware of the...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Obviously, I am not aware of the details of the case he has raised. In the case of Caroline – I think the Deputy said that was her name - he would want to make detailed representations on the specifics of the case to the Minister. I am not in a position to respond here and now. The Government is committed to reducing numbers on waiting...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: By way of a direct query, the Minister for Health would deal with the specific case mentioned.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I am not happy that we are not meeting all of the targets set, but it does mean that three out of four are receiving treatment within the target times and that there is significant investment in the development of better practices in order that, in particular anyone, such as the lady referred to, who has been waiting over 18 months, will be dealt with.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I am not aware of it.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy is already in discussion with the Minister for Health of the details of the cases mentioned. I do not have the details of all the numbers which would be available to the Minister for Health. As I said, the Deputy should continue to discuss it with the Minister who has the details.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: On waiting lists, the number of inpatient and day cases at the end of November 2014 was 61,000, of which 12,500 had exceeded the target waiting time of eight months for a procedure-----

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: -----while the cases of more than 2,000 children had exceeded the target paediatric waiting time of 20 weeks for a procedure. As I said, three out of four receive treatment within the target times. However, that is not satisfactory and it is the job of the Minister for Health to improve it.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: In 2014 the number of patients waiting in excess of 12 months for an outpatient appointment was over 55,000. Again, while I am not satisfied with this, it does mean that approximately 85% of outpatients were waiting less than 12 months for an appointment.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: Up to the end of November, there had been a 3% increase in outpatient attendances, as compared with the figure for 2013. This means that 98,000 more patients were seen. The reality in the health service is that the vast majority of patients are being seen. I agree with the Deputy that for anybody who has been waiting a lengthy period to be seen, it is distressing and that changes to their...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy will be aware that prior to Christmas, the Government launched an action plan to address homelessness. As discussed previously, not all of the beds provided were taken up before Christmas. However, once the new year arrived, there was a significant increase in the take-up of these beds. Under the action plan, an additional 271 beds were put in place. The number and availability...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As per the Minister's commitment, additional beds will be brought on stream should the need arise. The Government shares this commitment. The Minister recently updated the Cabinet on how the protocol had worked. I take the opportunity to pay tribute to all of the voluntary and advocacy organisations which worked on this issue with officials of the local authorities and the Department. I...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As I said, once the new year arrived, the number seeking a bed increased. This was not the case before Christmas, at which time some people, including in the media, were talking about vacancies. Should additional capacity be required, it will be provided. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald also asked about the provision of additional accommodation and the protocol in this regard. The needs of a...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy has asked three separate questions. First, she asked about homelessness and the pre-Christmas initiative for those who are homeless and using emergency hostel accommodation. In all fairness, I answered that question. I said that before Christmas not all of the beds were used but, once the new year arrived, they were. I also said should more beds be needed, they will be...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy asked questions and, in all fairness, I have given her the answers. Her third question was on rent control. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, is reviewing it to see if it is possible to bring in rent certainty into how rents are structured, a move which I strongly support. This is detailed work which will require levels of...