Results 6,721-6,740 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Home-makers Scheme (26 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (26 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (26 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The Department received an application for Invalidity Pension (IP) from the person concerned on 20 July 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 21 September 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person concerned requested a review of this...

Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: A debate of two hours and 30 minutes has been ordered, during which each party will have time to put forward its position on this very important matter. If the Deputy wants to refer it to the Whips for further debating time-----

Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: Yes, the Whips agreed to the proposal and I assume that if the Deputy requires more time, which I am open to, and she advises her Whip, subject to the agreement to the other Whips, perhaps next week or the week after I would be perfectly prepared to do my best to facilitate further debate.

Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The Deputy's Whip did not object to a two and a half hour debate on it.

Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: If the Deputy's Whip has a problem with the two and a half hours, I suggest he take it up with the other Whips.

Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: While I am perfectly open to more debating time being provided, the Deputy needs to consult the other parties and the Whips. That is how we do our business.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: With regard to education and schools, from the day the Government was elected we agreed we would have a relentless focus on unemployment.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: For that purpose, we set out rebuilding the schools of this country.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: Around Donegal we have invested in school refurbishments and new schools. Not only that but we hope to be in a position to phase out prefabs over the next few years.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: Both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are on a county by county basis specifically seeking the development of local business. I am happy to say there has been a large surge in the formation of new businesses. There are approximately 10,000 people being supported with back to work enterprise allowances and quite a number are in Donegal.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The Deputy has obviously chosen to see the glass as half-empty but there are many-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: -----opportunities for people in Donegal.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: I see their strength, resilience, creativity, energy and vigour, which has seen Donegal thriving, particularly in the tourism area.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The improvements in social protection, in particular, have been of some assistance, specifically to older and retired people living in Donegal.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: I am glad the Deputy remembers that.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: With regard to specific measures to support County Donegal, I remind the Deputy that one of the first actions of the Government was to reduce the VAT rate for tourism and similar services from 13.5% to 9%. The Deputy may speak to any hotelier, restaurant owner or hospitality provider in Donegal and they will tell him that. Before the budget, they lobbied intensively to ensure the reduction...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: Yes. The Deputy should read the IMF report and ponder it.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2016)

Joan Burton: The public sector is a major employer in County Donegal and that includes my Department of Social Protection. We have super staff in Donegal.