2008
December 2008
31 December
Hanafin announces social security bilateral agreement with the Republic of Korea from 1st January 2009
30 December
More than 1.7 million people to benefit from New Year Social Welfare Increases
19 December
Hanafin moves to ease pressures on Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
12 December
Minister Hanafin visits Croom Family Resource Centre, Co. Limerick
12 December
Information and advice services in Limerick expanding throughout the county
11 December
An Post contract to be renewed to continue to provide services to welfare customers for next five years - Hanafin
8 December
Hanafin announces capital funding of over €1.8 million to improve facilities at six Family Resource Centres
5 December
115 extra staff to deal with increasing number of people attending Social Welfare Local Offices
3 December
Hanafin welcomes significant progress in achieving Government poverty reduction target
1 December
Minister Hanafin launches Mental Health Ireland Information Leaflet
November 2008
28 November
Hanafin launches report on the ever-changing formation of Families in Ireland
27 November
Hanafin launches Pensions Ombudsman Annual Report
26 November
Hanafin opens 5th Social Inclusion Forum
24 November
Hanafin provides €1million for groups funded under the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme
20 November
Launch of the OECD Report - Sickness, Disability and Work: Breaking the Barriers
17 November
Lifting children and lone parents out of poverty through motivation, support and active involvement of agencies – Hanafin
14 November
Voluntary organisations urged to apply for counselling services funding
14 November
Mullingar chosen to have first centre delivering co-ordinated employment programme for people with disabilities
14 November
Hundreds of Mullingar people benefit from advice from CIC and MABS
13 November
Ministers Ryan & Hanafin aiding warmer homes this winter
11 November
Hanafin says funding available for jobseekers targeted at those who most need assistance
7 November
Minister Hanafin visits Naas Citizens Information Centre
7 November
Minister Hanafin visits Newbridge Family Resource Centre, Co. Kildare
4 November
Hanafin publishes Social Welfare Bill to give effect to Budget changes
October 2008
31 October
"Don’t let the ghost of Christmas spending haunt you in the New Year"
31 October
Advice and information on a range of civil and social issues available in Blanchardstown
30 October
16 and 17 year olds will continue to get Disability Allowance – Hanafin
27 October
Hanafin says Christmas bonus will be paid to 1.3 million social welfare recipients
14 October
Spending on Social Welfare grows by almost €2.6billion to over €19.5billion in 2009
6 October
New statistical report shows Social Welfare targeting resources to support 1.5 million people in last year
September 2008
30 September
Hanafin publishes Report on Pensions Policy Consultation Process
26 September
More than 13,000 people avail of money advice and information services in Thurles and surrounding areas
26 September
Minister Hanafin officially opens Phase 2 of the Millennium Family Resource Centre, Glengoole, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
25 September
New Programme Encourages Students to Get Smart with their Money
22 September
Statement from the Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding Live Register figures reported in the Irish Examiner
19 September
30 voluntary and community groups meet with Minister Hanafin at pre-Budget Forum
17 September
Celebrations to mark 100 years of the State Pension
12 September
Minister Hanafin opens new Social Welfare Local Office in Bray, Co. Wicklow
9 September
Information Campaign to Help People Get Back to Work – Hanafin
4 September
Targeted supports to help Social Welfare customers access training or employment opportunities in 2008
August 2008
24 August
Hanafin urges parents to apply now for help with Back to School costs
11 August
Hanafin moves to reassure public after C&AG confirms missing laptop contained personal details for SW customers
8 August
€238 million saved in first six months of this year through Welfare anti fraud crackdown
1 August
€159 million available to cover increased Electricity and Gas allowances for social welfare recipients
July 2008
31 July
Report of the Data Protection Commissioner on Data Protection in the Department of Social & Family Affairs published
25 July
Taoiseach opens new Social Welfare Local Office in Tullamore
21 July
Weekly collection of payments will ensure that those who are entitled to benefits get them – Hanafin
18 July
Almost €50million funding provided to MABS and Citizens Information to help people throughout the country
13 July
Hanafin set to tackle worrying increase in under-25 year olds signing on Live Register
June 2008
30 June
Supporting and recognising carers across society
30 June
School may be out but uniforms are in the shops
26 June
Helping people of working age get off illness benefits, into employment and to remain in employment
26 June
Statement from the Department of Social and Family Affairs
25 June
Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements
24 June
Minister Hanafin Launches Pensions Board Annual Report 2008
6 June
Minister Hanafin opens Mines of Information exhibition in Ballingarry
5 June
Hanafin approves €11 million to support families through Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling Services
5 June
Carers Respite Grant increases by €200 to €1,700
May 2008
29 May
Over 1 million workers have no private pensionMinister Hanafin to open major Pensions Conference
22 May
Minister Hanafin - Over 15,000 people avail of new mobile phone benefit from Government. Almost €100million being spent helping families keep in touch
22 May
Minister Hanafin officially opens Southend Family Resource Centre in Wexford town
15 May
Minister Hanafin officially opens Three Drives Family Resource Centre in Tipperary Town
6 May
Minister Cullen – Improvements To One-Parent Family Payment Earnings Threshold & Means Test Come Into Effect
April 2008
30 April
Minister Cullen Launches Pensions in the Workplace Day
24 April
Minister Cullen Launches 2008 National Pensions Action Campaign
21 April
Minister Cullen Launches Community Advocacy Project for the South-East
18 April
Minister Cullen addresses Family Resource Centre South East Regional Forum Seminar
18 April
The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. Presents Public Service Excellence Awardto the Department of Social and Family Affairs
9 April
Cullen - Appeals Office Annual Report Published
8 April
Minister Cullen launches One Family Strategic Summary and New Futures Project
4 April
Cullen launches Action Plan for Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm in Waterford City
1 April
Minister Cullen – Over 570,000 families and 1.1 million children set to gain from Child Benefit increases
1 April
Minister Cullen - Over 40,000 Older People Avail of All-Ireland Free Travel Scheme Cards
March 2008
31 March
Minister Cullen – April Change to Payments to Benefit over 3,000 Carers
7 March
Minister Cullen - 15% reduction in electricity usage At department of Social and Family Affairs
7 March
Minister Of State Hoctor Encourages Carers' Strategy Contributions
February 2008
28 February
Minister Cullen launches Lone Parent Support Publication
26 February
Minister Cullen Publishes People of Working Age Portrait
14 February
Minister Cullen – more than 300,000 social welfare recipients to get once–off payments this week reflecting Budget Pension increases
12 February
PENSIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY
12 February
Minister Cullen introduces the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008
January 2008
31 January
Minister Cullen encourages voluntary and community groups to apply for counselling services funding
23 January
Minister Cullen launches 'A Short Guide to the Irish Social Welfare system'
21 January
Minister Cullen visits local MABS and publishes Money Saving Tips Leaflet
4 January
Minister Cullen urges people with post-Christmas debt to avail of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service
3 January
Cullen - 420,000 pensioners to benefit from increases in weekly payments