Results 4,881-4,900 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Under the Government's current decentralisation programme for the civil and public service, some 1,200 posts comprising the Department's headquarter sections and the Social Welfare Appeals Office are relocating to 6 locations â Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Donegal Town, Buncrana, Carrickmacross and Drogheda. To date, 212 posts have relocated from the Department's Dublin Offices to...
- Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: That is a laguna.
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The back-to-work allowance scheme is part of the department's employment support programmes designed to assist and encourage the long term unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and other social welfare recipients to return to the active labour force. These allowances are designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are long term dependant on social welfare payments to...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The total expenditure on Child Benefit in 2006 was â¬2,056M, for 2007 the figure was â¬2,232m. The percentage of total Child Benefit expenditure paid to non national customers in respect of resident children is estimated at 13.5% in 2006 and 14% in 2007, this would equate to circa â¬277m in 2006 and â¬312m in 2007. The amount of Child Benefit paid to EU workers in respect of non resident...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Further to my response to PQ 39068/08 on 6 November 2008, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned was notified on 2 September 2008 that her case was referred to an Appeals Officer and that it was proposed to hold an oral hearing in her case. A time and date has not yet been arranged for her hearing, but every effort is being made to have it dealt with as...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuÃochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaà uilig a labhair ar son agus i gcoinne an Bhille seo. D'fháiltigh iad siúd a labhair i gcoinne na reachtaÃochta roimh de sonraà an Bhille. Chuir siad go mór leis an dÃospóireacht. It is significant that so many people on both sides of the House chose to speak on this Bill, recognising its significance. It is possibly the...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: All of this is included in the Bill. These improvements are certainly to be welcomed and have been included in the Bill. When examining the rate of change and growth in the bill it was important to make cuts in some of the entitlements, keeping in line with what is done in other countries and the relationship between work and welfare. It is wrong that somebody receives more on welfare than...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: It was wrong that one was entitled to a year of social welfare having worked for only one year. Changes needed to be made and there has been little comment about most of them.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Those who qualify for the jobseeker's allowance on a means test basis will receive it. The rate of pay of the jobseeker's allowance is the same as that of jobseeker's benefit.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: It is important that people realise that the Department is there to support those who need it most. That is what we will continue to do.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: The annual rate of expenditure on child benefit has escalated in recent years to â¬2.53 billion, which is a very substantial sum. The provision of this tax-free benefit is indicative of the Government's commitment in recent years to ensuring that we support families and children. Those who are currently 18 years of age are the ones who have benefited the most from this increase over the years.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: In considering how that budget can be curtailed in some way, the measure that was taken was the one likely to cause the least difficulty because, as I outlined yesterday, 70% of leaving certificate students are under the age of 18 years.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: A substantial number turn 18 within several months of completing the leaving certificate. Students who go on to third level and require support will qualify for a maintenance grant.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Those who need them will qualify on a means tested basis for grants for post-leaving certificate courses and higher education. The Government recognises that people dependent on social welfare, young people with disabilities and those in receipt of family income support should be protected next year and the year after. That is what we have done.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: We set it out at the time of the budget and we have also set it out in this Bill. The compensatory payment will be made to those concerned on a weekly basis and also through an additional back to school clothing and footwear allowance.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: This is an important provision which will allow those people who have supported their children through second level education to allow them to continue on to third level. There is nothing in these provisions which will in any way deter children from completing their education.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Other issues were raised by Members, particularly in regard to young people and families. Deputy Shortall asked about the definition applicable to the one-parent family payment. The provision in this Bill seeks to ensure that a category of unmarried persons who are currently excluded from eligibility for this benefit, via an anomaly in the legislation, will be included. Under the current...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: We have been looking at this issue.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Various Departments, agencies and the senior officials group on social inclusion have also examined it.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Mary Hanafin: Various Deputies have also raised this issue in the House. Non-income recommendations set out in the discussion paper were looked at in Coolock and Kilkenny. These studies were useful because they involved both lone parents and qualified adults. This was done on a voluntary basis and the take-up was very low.