Results 4,181-4,200 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Social Welfare Code. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It was always designed for somebody who was already unemployed, which the Deputies appreciate. I see the value of trying to encourage people who have ideas and may employ not only themselves but others. We want to facilitate them as much as possible.

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Under the national employment action plan, NEAP, all people between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching three months on the live register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to assisting them enter or re-enter the labour market. The NEAP process is a key element in addressing the progression needs of those...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: We are looking at all cases to see how we can streamline processes. I mentioned earlier people going from jobseeker's allowance to jobseeker's benefit looking for information and this would fall into that category, as people may go to FÁS and come back. Another example is where people working in the education sector contact social welfare offices during mid-term break and holiday periods....

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Some would say that the some of the FÁS training courses should come under the remit of the Department of Education and Science.

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: These turf war arguments go on between Departments, but the important point is that there is good co-operation among them, whether it be through the partnerships or through the LES. The Deputy is correct in saying that a myriad of bodies provide such services. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has a responsibility for a number of them as well. There is good...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Three issues were raised. In reply to Deputy Morgan's question on FÁS training courses, new initiatives were taken to ensure that training is available in the installation of green energy projects, etc. New courses are being offered. The more people who are able to move off the live register and into training the better. Such upskilling of people who have lost their jobs in the...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: This would be a major shift in policy which I would be happy to implement. It has been the policy that whether one is 18 years old with no work record or 50 years old with a 30 years' work record, one can sign on and get €204.30 a week. This would be a significant change. I share the Deputy's views that it would be far better to have the 18 to 20 year olds involved in education and...

Employment Support Services. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: That is my intention.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Under the Pensions Act, defined benefit pension schemes must meet a minimum funding standard which requires that schemes maintain sufficient assets to enable them discharge accrued liabilities in the event of the scheme winding up. Where schemes do not satisfy the funding standard, the sponsors-trustees must submit a funding proposal to the Pensions Board to restore full funding within three...

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I do not accept that there has been poor regulation of the funds. However, because they are investment funds, the value of the investments has fallen. Where there is scope for further regulation and tightening up — as there is in some cases — we will certainly do that, particularly in the case of employers etc. who are not handing over the pension contributions. We are looking at...

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: If we consider what has happened in other countries, the USA established such a fund that is now €11 billion in deficit. The UK has 68 schemes that are part of its protection fund with 20,000 members. Some 7,500 schemes are eligible to enter it with a potential deficit of €200 billion. This is what is happening in other countries that have a state protection fund. The Government is...

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I have already made two or three different policy announcements on pensions.

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I have indicated that the long-term policy framework is being considered by Government. When the Government has made a decision, obviously that will be published. I believe the Deputy quoted a journalist — not an expert. As I said earlier, the European Commission is assessing the judgment in the Robbins case to ascertain what additional obligations there may be. As of yet we do not...

Pension Provisions. (5 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy is correct in one regard. There are many people who had expectations from their pension schemes, believing they had a guarantee of a particular pension following all their contributions only to find it was not a guarantee and that they were at the mercy of whatever the investment was at the time. There is no doubt that there is an obligation and should be further obligations on...

Departmental Strategy Statements. (4 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Caring for another person, especially on a full-time basis, can have a huge impact on the carer and his or her family. While it can be a very rewarding experience, it often involves sacrifices, particularly in employment opportunities, and it can also affect the carer's own health. While the work of carers can be unseen, the important and valuable role played by them in society has been...

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (4 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. It was introduced in the context of the Government's decision to open the Irish labour market to workers from the 10 new EU Member States, without the transitional limitations which were imposed at that time by most...

Written Answers — Carer's Strategy: Carer's Strategy (4 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: During 2008 an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with secretariat support provided by my Department, undertook work to develop a national carers strategy. Unfortunately, in the current economic climate it is not possible to consider introducing any developments in services for carers at this time. In that context, rather than publishing a document which does...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Government discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents", put forward proposals to tackle obstacles to employment for lone parents and other low income families. These included proposals for the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents, focused provision of child care and the introduction of a new social assistance payment for low income...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (4 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Under the PRSI system social insurance contributions are compulsorily payable by employers and employed and self-employed workers. Employees contributions are determined by reference to reckonable earnings in a weekly period, and are subject to a range of thresholds and an annual ceiling. Approximately 76 per cent of workers pay PRSI Class A and Class H at the rate of 4 per cent and accrue...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (3 Mar 2009)

Mary Hanafin: In 2007 the Department received €1,539m respect of employee's PRSI contributions from the Revenue Commissioners. The amount collected in employee PRSI is based on PRSI returns (Form P35) submitted by employers in respect of their employees. The information requested is not currently available and will require significant analytical work over the coming weeks. The results of the exercise...