Results 16,521-16,540 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: A number of actions have been taken on pension schemes, one of which allows people extra time to show proposals on how the funding standard will be met——

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: ——and allows them two years before they need to purchase their annuity, by which time hopefully the markets will have picked up. A number of issues were outlined in my answer to the first question.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The judgment in the Robbins case is being considered by the European Commission to determine what, if any, additional obligations this places on member states. We will co-operate with the EU when it starts this investigation.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Regarding the national pensions framework, a Green Paper was published, followed by consultation and a conference on international best practice and we are now in the process of finalising the recommendations on this. It is currently being considered by Government.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: This includes a number of short-term measures.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I appreciate that people, particularly those close to retirement, find it difficult to watch the state of the pension funds. We have allowed additional measures for funds, giving extra time to formulate funding proposals, greater flexibility for recovery plans and a replacement recovery plan to extend the end date of the original plan.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The pensions board can take into account voluntary employer guarantees. We also allow people two years before purchasing annuities. These immediate actions were taken in respect of the current situation. The figure of €30 billion is an estimate of what might be the deficit if those funds were to close in the morning. There is no indication this will happen but because these are private...

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Green Paper was published in a different environment but it was always the intention that the national pensions framework would be a long-term framework because it will affect the next generation.

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The back to work allowance scheme is designed to assist the long-term unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and other social welfare recipients to return to work. The scheme is designed to support people who would not otherwise be able to return to the workforce for financial reasons. There are two strands to the scheme, the back to work allowance for people who take up...

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I share with the Deputy the idea that the back to work enterprise allowance, in particular, is useful. A distinction should be made between the back to work allowance and the back to work enterprise allowance, although both come in under the same scheme. Approximately €80 million is set aside for the scheme for this year. I mentioned earlier the Cabinet sub-committee on economic...

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Yes.

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: As I stated at the outset, I am certainly open to changing this particular aspect of the back to work scheme. It is being examined in the context of that interdepartmental committee and we hope that in the next few weeks we will be able to come forward with proposals.

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We are working on the issue. People going into enterprise might have options under other schemes to be able to get grants to set up businesses etc. from other Departments.

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: This is a social welfare payment which allows somebody going to work through setting up a business to be able to hold on to some of the social welfare payment.

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It was always designed for somebody who was already unemployed, which the Deputies appreciate. I see the value of trying to encourage people who have ideas and may employ not only themselves but others. We want to facilitate them as much as possible.

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Under the national employment action plan, NEAP, all people between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching three months on the live register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to assisting them enter or re-enter the labour market. The NEAP process is a key element in addressing the progression needs of those...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We are looking at all cases to see how we can streamline processes. I mentioned earlier people going from jobseeker's allowance to jobseeker's benefit looking for information and this would fall into that category, as people may go to FÁS and come back. Another example is where people working in the education sector contact social welfare offices during mid-term break and holiday periods....

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Some would say that the some of the FÁS training courses should come under the remit of the Department of Education and Science.

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: These turf war arguments go on between Departments, but the important point is that there is good co-operation among them, whether it be through the partnerships or through the LES. The Deputy is correct in saying that a myriad of bodies provide such services. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has a responsibility for a number of them as well. There is good...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Three issues were raised. In reply to Deputy Morgan's question on FÁS training courses, new initiatives were taken to ensure that training is available in the installation of green energy projects, etc. New courses are being offered. The more people who are able to move off the live register and into training the better. Such upskilling of people who have lost their jobs in the...