Results 3,661-3,680 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: There is a bit of a conflict in that people welcome the introduction of the preschool year. They think it is a good idea but it has to be funded from somewhere. We are not in a situation where we can continue to pay the supplement and introduce the preschool year. On balance, it is better to take the direction we did.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: There are courses for everybody. There are more courses available throughout the country than ever before. We will work with the Department of Education and Science to ensure priority is given to 18 year olds and 19 year olds. We would like to see them doing courses that would lead to them getting skills that would help them to get jobs. That is what is behind the Youthreach programme....

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It is about profiling.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: One of the first things that struck me with regard to people who make applications for social welfare is the fact that we gather very little information about them. Then we send them to FÁS, which fills in another form and gathers the information that is needed. It would be better, more efficient and in the client's best interest if they give information such as their age, education...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: That is the ultimate goal. I am trying to ensure there is no duplication and that we can finally get agencies, Departments and systems talking to each other in the interests of the individual.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: When we published the amendments yesterday, we became aware of the fact that we might be excluding some companies which had made the decision to wind up but had not discharged their liabilities. However, following an amendment I tabled yesterday, the Bill before the Seanad includes the provision Senator Hannigan seeks. The Bill now reads: "or had wound up and had not discharged any of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I am not saying that. Any company which is insolvent, has a pension fund in deficit and which has already made the decision to wind up or has yet to make the decision to wind up and has not discharged any of the liabilities of the scheme as of the date of the passing of the Bill will qualify under the provision. I cannot speak about any particular company because obviously there is a...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: This is a specific scheme with two important criteria - an insolvent company and a pension fund in deficit. Those criteria must be met under the scheme. Where a company meets those criteria, even if it has made the decision to wind up and has not discharged its liabilities, it is covered. The Senator's amendment is already in the Bill but I cannot say whether it covers a specific company...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I do not propose to accept the amendment which effectively would impose a cap on the level of benefits based on salary. This would reduce the benefits of those on higher salaries who have an expectation of a higher pension. Scheme members paid into the scheme according to the salary they were paid.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: They paid a percentage of their salary into the scheme so they will only get benefits according to what they put into it. Where a fund is in deficit, people on the higher salaries will lose more because they had higher entitlements. It is worth noting that there are different schemes within companies whereby people of a similar salary range or status within the company have their own...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It is not possible to set a limit at this stage when people have been paying in over their working lives, albeit at a higher rate. They were paying in at a higher rate because they were on a higher salary and have an expectation of a higher benefit. I do not believe it is possible to turn around at this late stage of a person's contributions and cap that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: There are three different elements in the Bill that affect workers. The issue regarding insolvency only applies to the purchasing of what would be known in the open market as annuities, the purchasing of the PIPS, but the restructuring and the changing of the priorities will benefit a fund that is winding up, even if the company is not insolvent. Where the company is not insolvent but the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Unfortunately, I cannot speak about any particular company but this scheme is not a bail out of pension funds. A total of 90% of defined benefit pension funds in the country are in deficit. There is no way the State can take on the liability of all of those funds but where there is the double whammy of a fund which is in deficit and a company which is insolvent, we are trying to give...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I cannot give a commitment to put into legislation something that benefits just one company. That would not be possible. It would have an enormous knock-on effect for other companies. It may even be illegal to put something into legislation which is for the benefit of one company.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I regret I cannot give that commitment because the liability that would fall on the State would be far greater than any of us would be able to meet.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Bill gives legislative effect to the social welfare elements of the supplementary budget of April 2009. In the context of the current economic circumstances it has been necessary for the Government to take steps to reduce overall public expenditure to restore order to and stability in the public finances. In the context of very tough decisions having to be made across the range of...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We all agree the aim is to ensure that those aged 18 and 19 years of age receive an opportunity and incentive to participate in education and training courses. The provision was left as broad as possible in respect of education, training and development. There are many young people who may have left school very early and who are not at the point of being able to participate fully in what...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: As the Deputy is aware in the first instance, there is a facilitator in the office. People are referred to FÁS under the national employment action plan. People there are well-trained in assessing the needs of individuals and to assess the employment and training needs of such people to establish what education opportunities could be made available. The national employment action plan is...

Social Welfare Bill 2009: Committee Stage (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I do not anticipate there will be vacancies on such FÁS courses in the future, particularly in the case of the 18 and 19-year olds. There will be a greater demand and vacancies will be taken up. A total of 40 adult guidance officers are in place all over the country who will also be able to give real advice based on the person's background and experience. It is an important element for...