Results 11,661-11,680 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Respite Care Grant Expenditure (3 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The financial supports available to carers in Ireland, are among the highest rates of income support in Europe. Expenditure on carers has increased significantly in recent years and it is estimated that the overall expenditure for 2015 will be €822 million which is €11 million higher than the expected outturn for 2014. This does not include the value of other welfare payments...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (3 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand that is expected later this year.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand the legislation may be later this year. The protocol I mentioned in response to earlier questions from the Sinn Féin deputy leader is working very well and has now been extended throughout the country.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy knows, we have committed €4 billion, probably the largest amount of funding in the history of the State, to a social house building programme. That will be critical in addressing the kind of housing need about which the Deputy is speaking.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As I said before, I understand that Bill will come before the Government in the next few weeks.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand the heritage (amendment) Bill will be later this year. The Deputy asked a detailed question about points around the country. I suggest he take that up directly with the Minister. I can answer on a few points, but I cannot answer for every location in the country.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand the concerns expressed in the Deputy's area.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I do not have those details available to me now.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Bill will come before the Dáil in the next period of time. I do not have an exact date.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I was very happy to attend a ceremony in the ESB for the launch of its programme to train 300 apprentices and to meet some of the young people involved in taking on the apprenticeships. It is a great sign of recovery in the economy to see the ESB taking on 300 apprentices. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy English, is awaiting submissions on the apprenticeship council and he will...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I do not have a date for publication on the Aarhus Convention Bill.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy is aware, SOLAS is seeking proposals on new areas of apprenticeships. In Ireland we have a very confined number of traditional apprenticeships whereas other countries have a much wider range of apprenticeships. With the establishment of the apprenticeship council, SOLAS and the apprenticeship council are entering discussions and receiving submissions regarding broadening it...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I do not have a date for that as yet.

Membership of Committees: Motion (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I move:That Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy be discharged from the Select Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and that Deputy Helen McEntee be appointed in substitution for her. That Deputy Helen McEntee be appointed to the Select sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I am sure the Minister for Health and the HSE will sit down with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to go through the options for departmental efficiencies, particularly on the significant cost of drugs, so as to provide the best possible delivery of services to the people the Deputy talked about.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand that the water services (amendment) (no. 2) Bill is to come before Government shortly.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: Second, regarding the issues the Deputy raised concerning SICAP, the Minister inherited a situation where there was a tender process in place.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: As I understand it, that tender process is still under way and is due to conclude in the near future. As the Deputy will understand, it would not be advisable to comment on any detail of that tender process while it is under way. However, when the tender process has concluded, it will be a matter for the Whips if they want to arrange a debate. The best mechanism is for the Deputy or her...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I will deal first with the question about children with an assessment of mild Down's syndrome. Clearly, this has been a major concern for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. She has had detailed discussions on the various reports on the allocation of resources. I know she is satisfied that the issues raised by the parents involved can be addressed. In addition to...