Results 25,161-25,180 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Can I explain my reasoning? The other problem I have, and I have discussed it with various Members of this House at different stages, is the dreadful history here in terms of what happened to the children of women parenting on their own. The late Frank Cluskey, the former Labour Party leader and Minister, changed that forever when he brought in allowances for mothers who were unmarried,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Not until the child is seven.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: It will take effect from two to three years hence.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: It does not apply to a seven year old child.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The Senator's Government started the change, however, in 2010.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The point is-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I was not under any pressure.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: There is a timetable.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: For some of the lone parents who might be affected in the next two years and who will be, I am sure the Senators will appreciate, small in number, because most of those who become lone parents do so by virtue of having a baby and, therefore, one would be talking about seven years, the conditions of the scheme for claiming jobseeker's payment include that a person must be available for...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I have the same problem with Bruton and Burton.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: We can put the Senator out of his misery.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I apologise, as I was delayed by traffic and roadworks in the Phoenix Park on my way back to the House. I was at an historic opening of the first multidenominational school campus, which houses a new community national school and secondary school and a large sports centre, at Phibblestown in Ongar.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I hope I did not inconvenience the Seanad too much. The campus is a great achievement and a great reflection on all of the political parties that have been involved in the development. This multicampus approach will be the forerunner for many such schools. It comprises children of approximately 60 nationalities. One reason for the delay was the blessings and thoughts from no fewer than...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Inevitably, an initiative such as this takes time to bear fruit but is an important and radical step. I am also bringing forward several other important changes to the social welfare system in this Bill. The Bill will apply restrictions on the payment of mortgage interest supplement to provide that it will not be payable for a person in the first 12 months of the mortgage arrears resolution...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Frank Cluskey introduced the deserted wife's and prisoner's wife's allowances.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: All parties have contributed to the social welfare system.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The total number of people affected is approximately 1,000, and this includes Members of the Oireachtas who may make voluntary contributions even though they receive no entitlements. It is a small distinct group, most of whom have lived abroad or have returned to Ireland from abroad. I will provide a note to the Deputy.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I have no idea.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The Bill, which has been referred to the Seanad by Dáil Éireann, is very important. As Minister for Social Protection, the needs of the people who depend on social welfare for vital support are foremost in my mind. However, I am also very conscious of the harsh economic environment within which the country now operates. Spending on social protection cannot be viewed in isolation. It...