Results 28,701-28,720 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton
- Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: All I will say about the issue is that, because the matter is under investigation-----
- Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: -----I am not at liberty to make any comments in relation to the investigation. By the way, Deputy Coppinger suggested that I have made complaints to the Garda Síochána. I do not know if Deputy Murphy has made complaints to the Garda Síochána, but I certainly have not.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: In fairness to Deputy Higgins, I do not associate that kind of language ever with him, in many long and detailed discussions and political arguments. I want to be clear. In terms of the honour due to the gardaí, many of whom have lost their lives or suffered serious injury in defending this State, it would be wise for Deputy Coppinger to remove and resile from the figure of speech that...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: It is proposed to take No. 2, Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 7, Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 - Second Stage (resumed).
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I anticipate that the collective bargaining legislation to which the Deputy just referred will be introduced later this year. As the Deputy knows, the HSE received significant increases in its budget for this year and last year. It was also the recipient of sizeable supplementary budgets. I understand that major challenges remain in the context of improving both the health service and...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: On the question of the Minister for Health making a statement or taking part in a debate in the House in respect of both the additional funding provided to the health service for this year and the way in which the Minister is seeking better deals with regard to drug prices, I am quite sure the Whips, subject to discussions among them, would be happy to arrange for this to happen at an...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: My understanding is that the children and family relationships Bill, which was the subject of a briefing given by the Minister for Justice and Equality to Deputies of all parties both yesterday and this morning, will be brought before the Government next Tuesday. I anticipate that the Second Stage will take place, subject to agreement among the Whips, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: As the Deputy is aware, a group has been advising the Minister for Education and Skills and her Department in the context of the provision of resources and supports for children with special needs, including those with Down's syndrome, in our schools. The Minister is proposing that a series of pilot projects be put in place in the coming years. I have met the parents of children with Down's...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: In the context of the proceeds of crime (amendment) Bill, consultations are taking place with the Criminal Assets Bureau. I do not have a date, as such, in respect of the introduction of either item of legislation.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I do not have a date for it but realise it is an issue on which the Minister is anxious to make progress.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: On Deputy Troy's question and the health (transport support) Bill, the legislation has been included in the legislative programme of the Department of Health for 2015.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: As I stated to Deputy Troy, work is ongoing on the policy but I do not have a date. On apprenticeships, Deputy Durkan may be aware that the apprenticeship council has been constituted under the chairmanship of the CEO of the ESB. Happily, the ESB, Irish Rail and, more recently, Eircom and other large companies have begun to advertise a significant number of new apprenticeships. These...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I do not have advice on a date for that yet.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: The question on children with Down's syndrome is more a matter for detailed discussion with the Minister for Education and Skills. The Minister is interested in seeing additional resources directed towards children who need supports and resource hours in school. Having secured an additional 1,700 new appointments, including approximately 350 special needs assistants, in primary and...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I understand it will be later this year.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I do not yet have a date for the Bill.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I am aware from my contacts across the city and tenants that there is a great deal of interest in a new tenant purchase scheme. However, I do not have any date for it as we speak.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: If somebody has a change of circumstances arising from debt issues, it really should be conveyed to the Department of Social Protection when calculating means for grant purposes. There have been no changes in this regard but if the Deputy has some detailed proposals on it, it might be appropriate to raise them with the line Minister or, perhaps, at the committee so as to have a detailed...
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 February 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the...
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Appeals (12 Feb 2015)
Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that on receipt of an appeal in respect of a disallowance of family income supplement (FIS), where it appears that the reason for the decision may not have been fully understood, the letter of appeal is referred to the FIS Section requesting that the decision be clarified to the appellant. In the case of the person concerned his letter of...