Results 13,781-13,800 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: I just would like to know the date. It is a reasonable request.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: The Deputy should tell us the dates.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "— acknowledges that the plans set out by Government in Budget 2012 form an important step in returning Ireland's economy to a sound footing and regaining our economic sovereignty; — commends the commitment, dedication and work of all those involved in the management and administration of...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Even after the changes in one-parent family payments announced in the budget, a lone parent with two children who is an existing participant in a community employment scheme will receive a payment of €423 a week for 19.5 hours work where previously, such parents were in receipt of €460 a week. Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to a lone parent with three children who was previously in receipt...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Due to the current economic circumstances and the need for the Department to find savings of €475 million in the budget, it is necessary to examine all aspects of expenditure of my Department. I can inform the Deputy that no cut is easy or pleasant to implement but the country is in a very difficult place. The payments in the Republic are way in excess of-----

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: -----the supports Sinn Féin's government offers in the North.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: I have much personal experience of community employment schemes. I know the valuable contribution they can make. However, if we are honest we must say that not every community employment scheme has the same positive outcomes for the people who participate. As Minister, I take seriously what researchers say. For example, the 2011 report of NESC - with which all the social partners, NGOs...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: That said, the OECD stated that "even allowing for the diversity of CE, Ireland should have scaled it back further during the long period of low unemployment, when its participants could more easily find regular jobs." I accept that relates to the past but it is pity it was not done. The OECD concluded that "The existing Community Employment (CE) programme should not be expanded greatly,...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: It is my goal to find a solution that takes account of the objectives of getting people ready for real jobs, getting value for money for the taxpayer and supporting schemes that deliver much-needed social services. I want to develop policies that help people keep close to the labour market, taking into account advice on new employment growth areas and developing skills needs. I am pleased...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Despite the statements-----

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: To get value for money.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Not all schemes are the same. Since the budget, I have repeatedly stated there have always been significant flexibility and discretion for departmental officials to vary the amount of the grant paid, depending on the needs of individual schemes. As the schemes did not come to the Department of Finance until 1 January, we could not conduct a review prior to that date.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: In practice, the internal guidance to officials is that up to €1,000 may be available to a scheme through the training and materials grant for this year, subject to demonstration of need. I can also advise that I have instructed my officials that all discussions with sponsors on these matters are to be conducted in a constructive manner. The schemes are dealing with the Department of...

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: The Deputy may laugh, but this is not a laughing matter for communities.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: For many years there have been supports available for lone parents. I am unsure whether lone parents have done as well on community employment schemes as they might have done had greater emphasis been placed on educational progression and opportunities to take up generalised employment.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Anyone who is honest and has worked with organisations representing lone parents knows that many lone parents would like to have a job, financial security and independence.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: Most lone parents are dedicated to working, not just for their children, but for themselves. The Deputy should be open to considering whether the provision of various State supports for 30 years under the current system has achieved the outcome we would like to achieve for lone parents and their children.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: I can also advise-----

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: It is about progression.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Joan Burton: What everyone wants is to provide opportunities for people to work and become financially independent. That is my ambition.