Results 2,141-2,160 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: A couple with two children can earn in the region of â¬37,200 and still receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance. In light of the disregards that exist, we are trying to ensure that carers, depending on family circumstances, have the opportunity to work outside the home as well. We recognise and appreciate these individuals for the work they do. The same applies in respect of the...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: While it is regrettable that we have been obliged to cut the weekly rate, it would not have been possible to exclude just one group. We could not, for example, have cut the rates paid to carers and not cut those relating to another of the working-age groups. There has been a great deal of discussion with regard to the sensitivities that apply in respect cutting allowances for people with...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The rate of payment on disability benefit has increased from â¬89.70 in 1997 to â¬204 this year.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The rate of payment has increased by 130%. However, it is not just about the payment.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: In meeting the relevant groups, I discovered that what is of as much concern to them as the rate of payment is the level of community and health supports in place.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: If cuts were not made in the social welfare budget, the burden would have fallen on making cuts in, for example, the health budget.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: It would have been far worse for people with disabilities if we had been obliged to cut back on home help, home care packages, respite care or day care places.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: An additional â¬10 million has been invested in home care packages.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: We are ensuring that there will be no diminution of the services available for people with disabilities. That is the type of choice the Government faced when trying to frame the budget. There were recommendations to the effect that the various disability groups, carers groups, and so on, should have been left out.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: If that had been accepted, we would have been obliged to take â¬100 million or â¬120 million from another Department's budget, which would have caused undue hardship. I mentioned reductions in the cost of living. I know the figures are far better for people who perhaps have a mortgage or cars, but the prices relating to energy, clothing, footwear and food have also decreased and this has...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: There has been much discussion with regard to fraud and combating fraud, which is a major priority for the Government and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: There is absolutely no evidence that the figures which were bandied about on a recent television programme to the effect that 10% of the people on social welfare schemes are engaged in fraud.
- 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 â¬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 â¬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.
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Dec 2009)
Mary Hanafin: Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid in respect of children under 16 years of age who have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living....