Results 15,621-15,640 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: That issue is not contested.
- Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The overall budget is â¬19.6 billion. We believe that with increased control savings, some of which I referred to in the first answer, we will be able to save another â¬4.2 million. A figure of â¬19.6 million is an enormous sum in this context. Judging by the success of some of the activities we have undertaken this year in our controls, particularly in regard to the jobseeker's and...
- Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: This is only early November, which is why we have not yet reached the target of â¬25 million, but we would envisage doing so by the end of December.
- Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: To the end of September, total savings of â¬331 million were made by the Department in all kinds of savings and control.
- Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I will be reviewing those that have been the most successful, and I have already highlighted some. Out of a budget of â¬19.6 billion, it is my intention to save the further â¬4 million that would have been required under this disability allowance initiative.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The objective of the back-to-education allowance scheme is to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the modern labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full-time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so. The allowance is paid...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy is incorrect in saying there has been a cutback in the back-to-education allowance. There has been none and I am particularly encouraged by the numbers applying for the scheme. This summer we focused the scheme on those who want to take it up. The more people we can encourage to join the scheme, the better. The facilitators are doing a good job in highlighting the scheme. It...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: That is the back-to-education initiative. The Deputy's question was on the back to education allowance. This is provided to people involved in full-time education. There will be an increase in the amount available for people in that scheme. The back-to-education initiative under education concerns part-time courses and is completely different.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: No, it is not. If I may, Acting Chairman.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: There is no cutting back on the back-to-education allowance. Its purpose is to facilitate people in full-time courses and I am anxious to ensure as many people as possible benefit from it. A person who lost their job on 31 October this year would be able to enter second level educationââ
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: If I may, Acting Chairman. A person who is part of the national employment action programme can, within nine monthsââ
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: ââwhich would expire at the end of July of next year, then start on a third level course. People on the live register are called for the employment action plan every three months to ensure we are targeting the right people. The opportunities are there. To claim someone is left on the live register is not the case. The employment action plan is designed to interview people, support...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: If they are involved in that, they can getââ
- Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Yes, if they are involved, they can get to third level education in nine months.
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The Government's decision to integrate the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion within my Department was informed by the findings of a review of the Combat Poverty Agency which was undertaken on foot of a Government decision on 6 June 2007. The review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas today. I intend through the integration of the Combat Poverty Agency...
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: I intend to ask the new division to prioritise the development of procedures to ensure the views of all stakeholders, including people experiencing poverty, continue to be available to Government in developing and monitoring social inclusion strategies.
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that the process started in June 2007 with the review of the role of the agency and an examination of how it could be more effective. Although the main impetus was not financial, to answer the Deputy's question, the amount currently spent on the agency is â¬4.6 million, although some staff will transfer. There are costs with regard to staffing, community projects...
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: That was actually in the review.
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The agency has been in existence for 22 years, which was an issue. We must now find a mechanism whereby the views of the whole team of peopleââ
- Departmental Staff. (11 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: ââcan be taken on board in conjunction with those of all the other groups that have emerged since the Combat Poverty Agency was established. All these groups play a valuable role, particularly those in the community and voluntary area, although the community and voluntary pillar was unheard of at the time the agency was set up. The amount of statistical information we get on a national...