Results 16,681-16,700 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: We are in an exceptionally difficult financial position and Sinn Féin is suggesting the Department should push up private rents.

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Deputy Ó Snodaigh has just made allegations-----

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: -----about staff in the Department of Social Protection.

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Deputy Ó Snodaigh has not accepted that the staff in the Department of Social Protection are working very hard.

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: The staff are the Department.

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: The staff are the Department. I am glad Deputy Ó Snodaigh has withdrawn his comment about them.

Rent Supplement Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Deputy Ó Snodaigh never objected before, so obviously he has been holding a lot of it back.

Sick Pay Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: From 2008 to 2011, inclusive, total expenditure on illness benefit, invalidity pension and disability allowance was €10.6 billion, of which €3.6 billion related to illness benefit. It is estimated that expenditure on illness benefit in 2012 will be €847 million. The introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay, whereby employers would directly meet the costs of illness-related...

Sick Pay Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: I have stated on a number of occasions that in the context of the consultative forum held a short time ago, a statutory sick pay scheme would have to take into account the needs of different sectors of employment, particularly those small businesses, and other specific situations. The costs relating to illness benefit, disability allowance and invalidity pension are enormous. The number of...

Sick Pay Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Absolutely.

Sick Pay Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: That is in a full year. It would be introduced halfway through the year.

Sick Pay Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: The savings indicated have been exactly the same on every occasion on which I have commented on this matter. As stated earlier, introducing a statutory sick pay scheme involves a series of very detailed steps and an in-depth examination must be carried out. Both the dialogue and the consultation process which have taken place indicate that all sick pay schemes generally take into account...

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together. The Government is committed to tackling Ireland's economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced and recognises the need for social solidarity. The appropriate level of overall expenditure by the Department of Social Protection will be considered in the context of budget 2013 and subsequent budgets. This consideration will be informed by...

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: I cannot make any commitment about what will or will not be included in the budget. That is a matter to be decided by the Government. The announcement of the budget will be made in this House. I acknowledge and share the Deputies' concerns that during this very difficult period for the economy we should protect those who are most vulnerable, particularly the elderly and people who have...

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: The important study published yesterday by Social Justice Ireland includes figures relating to the Fianna Fáil budgets in the 2009 to 2010 period.

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Deputy Joan Collins referred to the platform on which the Labour Party contested the last election. That platform included a commitment to protect basic social welfare rates, which I am pleased to say was done in the budget for this year. In addition, we ensured some 330,000 people on very low pay were taken out of the universal social charge net, which had an important impact for those...

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: To be picky about history, it was Aneurin Bevan and the British Labour Party which created the National Health Service.

Budget 2013 (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: I am sure Deputy John Halligan from Waterford is aware of the work of Mr. Bevan from across the water in Wales. Credit should be given where it is due, to the British Labour Party and to Mr. Bevan. To respond to Deputy Halligan's comments, unemployment is the most important issue we face. Since becoming Minister, I have reinstated the minimum wage because it is vital that people avail of...

Community Employment Schemes (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: Total expenditure on the community employment programme in 2012 will be approximately €340 million. The number of places available on the community employment programme has remained constant at 23,300, including supervisors. The financial review of the schemes has been completed, and the Department has contacted schemes to advise them of their revised materials and training allocations....

Community Employment Schemes (17 Jul 2012)

Joan Burton: It was a very substantial piece of work because, as the Deputy knows, the FÁS employment officers and responsibility for the community employment, CE, schemes transferred to my Department on 1 January. The review was a major undertaking and I received the report in recent weeks. I do not have the exact date, which I can get for the Deputy, but it was towards the end of June. As soon as I...