Results 18,561-18,580 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The level of fraud is extremely small. However, the level of fraud among some categories of people on certain schemes can be quite high.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: That is why we have clamped down on the activities of such individuals. That is why the Bill contains new measures which will assist the Department in combating fraud. We have ensured that we will do whatever is necessary to work with agencies in this and other jurisdictions to combat fraud because, after all, taxpayers' money is at stake.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: A great deal of misinformation was bandied about last evening in respect of young people. Despite the fact that Fine Gael criticised our proposals in this regard, its pre-budget document suggested that it would reduce the payment to young people by €50 per week if they did not take up opportunities in training or education.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We will increase their payments by up to €50 per week if they take up such opportunities.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: That is an important element of the legislation.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It was important that the Government provide leadership. We have done this in respect of our work and we must do it in the interests of the country. I regret the difficulties this will cause for people.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I will move an amendment on Committee Stage to ensure that young people aged 22 to 24 will obtain the full rate of payment if they participate in the Government's work placement programme.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Title of the Bill, which is appropriate, states that this Bill is dealing with social welfare and with pensions.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Deputy Naughten asked about the position of a pensioner whose spouse is a qualified adult aged under 66 years. The rates for qualified adults, whether aged over 66 or under 66 years, have been protected. My statement that pensioners have not been affected by the budget is, therefore, true. Deputy Shortall asked about a poverty impact assessment. An assessment is being done. The Combat...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It is being prepared and will be published in the next few days.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I do.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Yes. I am well aware of what the Deputy is talking about. The poverty impact assessment is being prepared by the social inclusion unit of my Department which has incorporated the Combat Poverty Agency, as I indicated already. It is being prepared and it will be published over the next few days as has always been the case.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It is.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Cabinet considered all elements of this budget including the impact it would have. We considered not only the rates and value of cuts in respect of social welfare but changes in other Departments that might impact on the same people. We also took into account the consumer price index, CPI, figures. I accept that not everyone has benefited in the same way from the change in prices. An...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: As I indicated, the Cabinet discussed the matter in full. We were well aware of what would be the impact and we were satisfied that the adjustments that were being made-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We were satisfied that the adjustments being made to social welfare were being kept to a minimum-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: -----in order to ensure that we did not have a serious impact on poverty. The assessment will be published in the next few days.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Tá.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Is she over 66?

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I thank those Deputies who have raised genuine issues and I will address as many of them as I can.