Results 31,981-32,000 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: On the important issue of debating all the reports from the Convention on the Constitution, I would be happy to suggest to the Whips, including Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh, that they might provide for more Friday and Monday sittings so that if we have a backlog we can utilise the time to allow the Members to come in here and debate-----
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I am just trying to be helpful to the House. We have no difficulty in putting on additional time and particularly utilising Fridays and Mondays to address any of the outstanding recommendations that the Deputy feels would benefit from more detailed discussion and debate in here. We can provide a lot of time for that and I am sure many Deputies would be anxious to avail of the time to debate...
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: Any direct attack on anybody who is part of the emergency services, of the kind described by Deputy Calleary, would be considered a criminal attack and would be a matter for the Garda to prosecute in the normal course of events.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I will ask for a report and send it to the Deputy. Speaking for my Department, when I became Minister for Social Protection there were a number of urgent issues relating to the social welfare status of retained firefighters around the country. As Minister, I gave priority to addressing the issue. We addressed it as a government as speedily as we could. It had been an outstanding issue for...
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: My understanding is that NAMA is working very hard on the matter and has already delivered more than 1,500 apartments and houses, which have been used to house families.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I understand that ongoing issues arise in certain local authorities in terms of whether certain accommodation is acceptable to them. I am not familiar with the detail of the development which the Deputy identified, but it is NAMA's objective, in particular where there are houses and apartments in urban areas where the level of demand is high but it is a bit more difficult in more remote...
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: NAMA already allows for the transfer of property.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I am sorry.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: It is allowing for transfers.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I am aware that the trial is due to take place and that it should finally go ahead on 4 October. As Deputy Crowe is aware, the difficulty has been that there have been constant delays and adjournments of the court proceedings. The Government's objective in the case of Ibrahim Halawa is to see him released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in...
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I am sorry, we have consular staff and they have been providing constant assistance to him in the context of him being held in custody. We would like to see Mr. Halawa returned home to Ireland and reunited with his family as soon as that is possible. I hope we will have a speedy conclusion and see him restored to his family.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: The University of Limerick is a very fine institution and it has provided first-class educational and development services to students, not only from Limerick but from the entire country. It is rightly recognised as one of our most outstanding third level institutions. It is important to say that about the university, which I have had the privilege of visiting on many occasions.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: In my experience as a former member of the Committee of Public Accounts, the remit would properly lie with it. I am quite sure that were the Deputy to bring this matter to the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Deputy McGuinness, it should be possible, given the urgency the Deputy attaches to the statement he has just made, for the Chairman perhaps to schedule hearings of that...
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: On the apprenticeship Bill, that should be published early next year. In respect of the Criminal Assets Bureau and the proceeds of crime, I understand the discussions with CAB are ongoing with a view to bringing forward legislation that will facilitate more proceeds of crime being made available, in particular, to be used ultimately for the public good.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: The public health (alcohol) Bill will be introduced this session, while I understand the sale and consumption of alcohol Bill will be some time next year.
- Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I thank Deputy Conway for raising this important issue and will ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when this will be forthcoming. I do not have an answer to hand for the Deputy but it is an important issue for the families and, in particular, for the children concerned.
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Personal Micro Credit Scheme (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: A proposal for a Personal Micro Credit scheme in Ireland is currently being developed under the auspices of Citizens Information Board and the Social Finance Foundation. A preliminary outline of the scheme envisages a microloan facility, operated by Credit Unions, providing small loan amounts (circa €500), over an average term of 12 months, at an interest rate of approximately...
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Data (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: In line with its commitments when it took office, the Government has protected core weekly social welfare rates. Any increases in social welfare rates can only be considered by the Government in the context of its overall deliberations on Budget 2016.
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: I confirm the Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) on 14 August 2015. In order to determine the circumstances of the person concerned, her file was forwarded to her local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI). The SWI will arrange to meet with the person in question as soon as possible. A decision on her entitlement to DA will be made on receipt of the Social...
- Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (1 Oct 2015)
Joan Burton: The person concerned is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance (CA). The continued eligibility of the person in question for CA is currently under review. To this end, the person concerned was asked to submit up to date evidence in relation to the care recipient and, specifically, in relation to the ongoing requirement for full-time care and attention. In order to assist the Department...