Results 15,661-15,680 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: When I worked in the Department of Education and Science, the Department's social inclusion unit drove the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools initiative, which successfully combatted disadvantage.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Mechanisms and procedures are in place to provide information. The Combat Poverty Agency will enjoy the best possible future if it is integrated with the Office for Social Inclusion.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Nobody is gagging anybody.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I answered that question earlier when I mentioned the figure of €4.6 million, which is how much has been spent on the Combat Poverty Agency.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: It is obvious that the staff will be transferred.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: It is obvious that negotiations will take place with the staff. We intend to enhance the amount of research we do. That is important. I intend to ensure we have a strategy, mechanism or forum in place to ensure the voices of those who are experiencing poverty are listened to and heard on a regular basis.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I envisage——

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I envisage that we will spend more money in some areas, such as research, and far less money in other areas, such as advertising and consultancy.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I have indicated to the Deputy that as soon as we have made the final plans and arrangements——

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I expect to spend a lot more money on some of the more relevant things, such as research.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: We will not pay for more advertising and more consulting.

Combat Poverty Agency. (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The aim of the review, which has been ongoing for a year and a half, is to ascertain the best mechanism for ensuring the voice of poverty can be heard. This was the recommendation.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: Tá an-áthas orm an Bille seo a chur os comhair an Teach. The legislation will implement the €515 million package of social welfare improvements announced in budget 2009. In very difficult economic circumstances this package will bring total expenditure on social welfare in 2009 to €19.6 billion, which is an increase of €2.6 billion or 15.5% over the Estimates allocation for 2008. At...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: They take a while to light up but then they shine brighter and longer.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 101 together. The continued reduction and eventual elimination of poverty and in particular child poverty remains a top priority for the Government. The latest poverty statistics from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), released in November 2007, indicate that there was a decrease in the rate of consistent poverty from 8.2% in 2003...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The Family Income Supplement is designed to provide support for people with families who are on low earnings. This preserves the incentive for them to remain in employment in circumstances where they might only be marginally better off than if they were claiming other social welfare payments. FIS is a central element of a programme of reforms targeted specifically at addressing child poverty....

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: The statutory basis for the introduction of a personal advocacy service under the Citizens Information Board (CIB) was provided for in the Citizens Information Act, 2007. However, having regard to the current budgetary circumstances, it will not be possible to proceed with this next year. The provision of an advocacy service remains a priority for this Government. In this regard, significant...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 105 and 114 together. The MABS provides a high quality personal service to the public and makes a difference to peoples lives. However, it has been recognised for some time that the Service needs a proper legislative basis and structure. The Programme for Government envisaged that such a new structure for the MABS would involve strong national...