Results 14,961-14,980 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Under the current decentralisation programme, the Department's Head Quarters, Social Welfare Appeals Office, Information and Communications Technology Division (ICT) and Citizens Information Board are designated to relocate to Drogheda. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is charged with securing accommodation in Drogheda for this Department. That Office has advised that they have purchased...
- Price Inflation. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: In the previous Question Time, I indicated that persons over the age of 75 years would not be required to use the social services card. However, I should have stated that they would not be obliged to use it in the first tranche this year. An information campaign will be launched to support them in this regard. Given the discussion on the economic downturn, I wish to reassure people that...
- Price Inflation. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I have discussed the important issue of fuel poverty with the Ministers for Finance, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Given that fuel price increases affect a considerable number, the Government is anxious to ensure that it does not further disadvantage the vulnerable. The Deputy is wrong in stating that the issue is not being...
- Price Inflation. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: A primary contributor to fuel poverty is not the absence of money to pay for fuel, but the inefficiency of household heating systems. For this reason, the work being carried out by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on housing standards and energy issues is important. It should not just be a case of giving pensioners money to heat houses if that heat is going...
- Price Inflation. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Not necessarily.
- Price Inflation. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Some 40% of those deaths relate to housing. Given that houses must be of a certain standard, it is important that the Government continue to support initiatives in this regard. Last year, we increased the fuel allowance by one week. Its amount has been increased over a number of years. An income disregard of â¬100 over the contributory pension was introduced for those who could avail of it.
- Anti-Poverty Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I welcome the recent research by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, which clearly demonstrates the considerable progress made by the Government since the publication of its original research entitled, Minimum Essential Budgets for Six Households, in late 2006. This is one of a number of research models and presents some useful information. The updated findings will be studied...
- Anti-Poverty Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: As I said initially, this is only one of a number of research models. Many models and figures were presented by the various groups I met in recent weeks. They each come up with different measures. One of them is the Vincentian minimum essential budget, which is only one such method. It proposes an income level of â¬265 per week for an unemployed single male. An alternative, which is...
- Anti-Poverty Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: No, therefore, there is no question of us simply adopting one model over the others. The Government has already accepted that there are different cost implications for different groups. The early child care allowance was introduced in the first instance because of the particularly high child care costs involved in rearing very young children. That is why children under the age of six were...
- Industrial Disputes. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The Civil Public and Services Union, CPSU, the union which represents clerical and supervisory grades in the Civil Service, is currently engaged in industrial action in pursuit of a claim for the extension of flexi time bands in the Department. Initially, the industrial action commenced with the withdrawal of co-operation with the implementation of a new time and attendance system by the...
- Industrial Disputes. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I am not aware of any backlog and it is unlikely one would develop at this stage, particularly now that the escalation of the strike has been stood down. It is important that people realise that given that applications must be made in writing, that they will be dealt with. People should download the relevant forms or obtain them from the Department's offices and submit their applications....
- Industrial Disputes. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: No it has not been brought to my intention that there is any danger or likelihood of that happening. It is probably a bit early to be discussing these issues, given that discussions on this matter will take place at the Labour Relations Commission tomorrow and that the advice is to have it resolved before 1 July, which will be next week.
- Employment Rights. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The question of introducing a paternity benefit payment would depend on establishing an underlying entitlement to statutory paternity leave in the first instance. Responsibility for issues relating to paternity leave rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Following commitments made in the social partnership agreement Towards 2016, a working group led by the Department...
- Employment Rights. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: It is not possible for the Department of Social and Family Affairs to move ahead without an entitlement being established. However, the establishment of an entitlement to statutory paternity leave comes under the remit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That is why we are working together in the working group. The Government has always shown itself to be committed to...
- Employment Rights. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: It is my intention to await the report of the working group, which is due at the end of the year. The group will consider all the implications of the introduction of such a statutory entitlement, including cost and issues relating to competitiveness. These are significant implications which must be considered by each of the relevant Departments. The report is due at the end of the year,...
- Employment Rights. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I await the outcome of the report.
- National Carers' Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The development of a national carers' strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the programme for Government. The focus of the strategy is on supporting informal and family carers in the community. While social welfare supports for carers are a key issue in the strategy, other issues such as access to respite and other health...
- National Carers' Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: It was not possible to meet the deadline of the end of 2007 because the section of the Department dealing with this issue was also working on the Green Paper on pensions, which involved a broad range of consultation, as well as the development of new arrangements for payments to nursing home. However, since this process began, there has been a significant level of positive consultation. The...
- National Carers' Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: That is not what I said. That is part of the consultative process.
- National Carers' Strategy. (25 Jun 2008)
Mary Hanafin: My Department is not the lead Department on this. The intention is to publish it later this year but there are other Departments involved. It is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach.