Results 28,061-28,080 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: There is a lot of merit in examining that. Many years ago, in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I believe, a similar scheme resulted in the development of special needs assistants in schools.

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: We need to have a series of pathways. While people want to do something useful and gain work experience, there ought to be the balance we talked about during the JobBridge debate. We must ensure employers do not exploit the system and that people get an opportunity. Under JobBridge there is, in almost all cases, a good balance. I have arranged for the evaluation of JobBridge. The cost of...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: At the same time, there is approximately €74 billion in Irish pension funds. Irish pension funds, by and large, can put a small percentage into hedge funds. The latter take the bets against the euro and individual European economies based on their prediction as to how the bond market is likely to move.

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: There is a profound argument that one should ensure we develop a system in which it is possible to invest in Ireland when certainty and calm have returned. All other European countries are considering this approach. In Holland, the amount in pension funds is approximately €800 billion. Therefore, there must be a way of offering investment opportunities. It may be partly through simple...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: We are going to set up a commission on the future of pensions because, after the crash, we will have to reconsider how best to protect people investing in pensions. The issue of tax relief on pensions is not under my remit but under that of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. He is looking very closely at this. The IMF documents indicate that savings of up to €940 million could be...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I thank all the Senators who made such thoughtful contributions on social protection. In his initial contribution Senator Mooney asked how to make work worthwhile and several other Senators referred to that also. He referred to a statistic of €38,000 per year of State benefits for a married couple with two children. The first thing to bear in mind is that these examples which crop up...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I stress that the Department of Social Protection has no expertise in housing. Housing is the function of local authorities and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. There is fairly widespread agreement among all the political parties and Independents that we would have a better system if it was dealt with by the local authorities. That is the objective. One...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: This would, perhaps, be some version of the suggestion made by Senator Quinn to allocate the money to schools. This would then be spent locally and would give local businesses the opportunity to bid for schemes like the book rental scheme or the provision of school uniforms. There is merit in looking at the proposals that have come forward to ensure the money is spent on the children and in...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for the opportunity to brief them on a range of social welfare matters and to discuss developments-----

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I will outline the changes I have made since I was appointed Minister in March and give a flavour of the challenges facing us and how I propose to tackle them. I have looked with fresh eyes at the existing social protection system, schemes and policies. I am targeting aspects of the system for change and development while, at the same time, following through on commitments for my Department...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: A number of other developments in the Department are ongoing. A group is examining child and family supports which hopes to commence an examination of the position of self-employed people when it comes to social protection. As Members probably know, self-employed people are entitled to pay a contribution of only 4% which entitles them to the old age and widow-widower pensions....

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: From 1st January 2011 policy and funding responsibility for FÁS functions in relation to employment and community employment services was transferred to the Department of Social Protection in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. FÁS remains responsible for the day to day operation of community employment in accordance with the terms of a...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: A redundancy lump sum payment in respect of the person detailed was awarded on 14th November 2011 and a cheque will issue shortly.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: There are three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, namely the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department. The information sought regarding location, staff numbers and funding allocated to the above statutory bodies...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 03 August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The community welfare service and the community welfare officers providing it, transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection from 1 October 2011. The person concerned was in receipt of a monthly rent allowance of €812 up to September 2011 when she commenced a community employment scheme. Her entitlement to rent allowance was reviewed due to her change in circumstances and a...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP. The person concerned has made an application for rent supplement on the 10th of October and has been requested to provide further information in order to process her claim....

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Community Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 September 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 23 November 2011. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for...