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During his historic visit to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI, the self-described “pilgrim of peace,” took the golden opportunity and spent a lot of time to strength frayed ties with both Muslims and Jews.Many Muslim leaders have forgiven the German-born pope for remarks made during a speech in his native land a few years ago.Pope Benedict has to be commended for undertaking this visit to the Middle East.By all standards, his visit was not only highly successful, but it also speeded up the healing process.During his papacy, the present pope has infuriated both Muslims and Jews. First it was the pope’s speech linking Prophet Muhammad to violence.Pope Benedict also angered the Jews with when he lifted the ex-communication of a Holocaust-denying bishop.A Vatican spokesman, commenting on the pope’s visit to the Middle East, said the trip was a sign of hope that the pope can contribute to reconciliation in the Middle East.The stop in Jordan was Pope Benedict’s first visit as pope to an Arab country, although he visited predominantly Islamic Turkey three years ago.The pope’s itinerary for Jordan surprised many, both in length and substance.Pope Benedict spent three days in Jordan.Included in the visit was a major address at a mosque built in honour of the late King Hussein of Jordan.There is no doubt Pope Benedict is trying his best to mend relations with Muslims and Jews.The pope puts a lot of stress on the importance of Christian-Muslim relations for the 21st century.Pope Benedict is most eager to renew his message to the Islamic world.That message has four aspects:1. Mutual respect between Christians and Muslims2. Religious liberty for all3. Shared witness to religious witness to religious values against secularism4. The importance of reason for all believers.During the visit to Jordan, Pope Benedict was full of praise for Islamic faith and culture.He did not issue another apology for his 2006 Regensburg address, which raised questions about the status of violence within Islam.His remarks were met with anti-Christian riots throughout the Muslim world.However, the pope insisted that Christians and Muslims must live together in mutual respect and harmony.The pope appealed to Christians to “build bridges” with other religions and cultures.The same message is also being spread by many other moderate Muslim leaders.Since he became the pope, Benedict has surprised many with his attempts to improve dialogue with the Muslim world.The pope has already said he was “deeply sorry” over the reaction to his speech.It is time to move on.The pope has been encouraging Christians to build new bridges to enable a fruitful encounter of people of different religions and cultures.Others have to do the same if we are determined to enrich the fabric of society.And, during the trip to Jerusalem, the pope called for the establishment of a Palestinian state as Israel’s new Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has refused to endorse the idea, sat silently a few steps away.This was a bold statement from a highly respected pope.United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also called on Israel to fundamentally change its policies on settlements and prove its commitments to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. SeaWay News
The Department has a range of benefits available to people who are unemployed. The application forms for Jobseeker's Allowance and Benefit can be accessed through the Useful Links box on the right.
Jobseeker Supports
Jobseekers BenefitIf you are unemployed you may qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) which is based on your social insurance record. A fundamental qualifying condition for Jobseekers Benefit is that you must be available for full time work.
Jobseekers AllowanceIf you are unemployed and do not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit you may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) which is based on your weekly means
Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance Frequently Asked QuestionsSupplementary Welfare Allowance
Supplementary Welfare AllowanceSupplementary Welfare Allowance is run by the Health Service Executive through Community Welfare Officers at local offices of the Health Service Executive. The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme consists of a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult or any qualified children.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) - Will I Qualify?Rent SupplementIf you are having difficulty paying your rent and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Rent Supplement.
Mortgage Interest SupplementIf you are having difficulty paying your mortgage and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Mortgage Interest Supplement.
Back to Work
Back to Work Allowance (Employees)If you are getting certain social welfare payments, the Back to Work Allowance (BTWA) for employees can provide you with a financial cushion to help you to return to work. Under this scheme, you may keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 3 years, without having to pay tax or PRSI on it
Very Long Term UnemployedThe objective of the programme is to address the particular problems faced by the very long term unemployed in gaining a foothold in the active labour market. The Allowance incorporates an additional payment of €44.50 per week for up to six weeks compulsory training with an employer followed by an automatic transfer to the BTWA when the person takes up regular employment. The Programme is targeted at those who are at least five years on the Live Register. Recipients of One Parent Family Payment, Carers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension can also qualify (subject to the 5 year condition). In addition, you will also receive two payments of €254. One when the six week training is completed and the second payment when you complete six months in employment.
Revenue Job AssistIf you are getting a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months and take up a job for at least 30 hours a week, which you expect to last at least 12 months, you may qualify for Revenue Job Assist.
Continued Child PaymentThis scheme provides for continued payment, for up to 13 weeks, of increase for a qualified child (IQC), where payable at the full rate, to certain persons who have been receiving jobseeker's payments (JA/JB) for a year or more and who take up full-time employment for at least 4 weeks.
Part-Time Job Incentive SchemeThe Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme allows certain long-term unemployed people to take up a part-time job and receive a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker's payment.
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (Self Employed)This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 4 years and is not subject t o tax or Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
Educational Supports for Jobseekers
You can avail of a full-time second or third level course, VTOS or an educational training and development course, and still receive a jobseekers payment. If you are not eligible for any of these options or if you don't wish to do a full-time course, you can attend a part-time course
Back to Education Allowance (Second & Third Level Options)If you would like to return to education, and wish to pursue a second level course of education at any community, comprehensive, secondary or vocational school or a third level course at any university, third level college or institution or you may qualify for Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Education, Training & Development If you are getting a jobseeker's payment and your choice of course is not covered under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme, you may keep your jobseeker's payment while doing a course of education, training or development. It must be clear that the course will enhance your employment prospects
PartnershipYour local partnership company offers a range of supports, including information, training and assistance about finding work.
Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
'Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)Credits' while unemployed'Credits' are automatically given for any period you get Jobseeker's Benefit. 'Credits' may also be given for periods of Jobseeker's Allowance or if you participate in an education or part-time work scheme for unemployed people.
If you are sick or unemployed, you may qualify for 'credits' even if you are not getting Illness Benefit or an unemployment payment. This can happen, for example, if you:
do not have enough PRSI contributions to qualify for benefit;
have used up your benefit, or
are disqualified from getting unemployment payments because of a trade dispute.
If you are unemployed, you may be entitled to sign for 'credits' at your local Social Welfare Office.
In order to get 'credits' while you are ill and unfit for work, you must send regular medical evidence as long as your illness lasts to the:
Department of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 1650Dublin 1or hand in your medical certificate at your local Social Welfare Office
Employer’s Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) ExemptionIf you, the employer are taking on new employees who receive the Back to Work Allowance for the first time, at the date they start work with you, you may qualify for the Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme. This means that you will be exempt from paying the employers share of the employees PRSI contribution for a maximum of 2 years subject to you submitting a current Tax Clearance Certificate or C2 card.
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The country's seven universities will for the first time get funding for small-scale building works and high-tech equipment upgrades as part of a €40 million scheme announced today by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD.
The fund, which until now only covered works in the country's Institutes of Technology sector, has been extended to the universities.
Projects carried out in the past includes refurbishments, lighting, signage, security works, resurfacing of roads and footpaths, drainage and health and safety works.
But the scope of works under the scheme has now been broadened to cover the upgrade of information communications technology and investment in science facilities.
Announcing the move, Minister O'Keeffe said: 'Students can expect to return to more modern campuses this September as a result of the €40 million fund I'm announcing today.
'The scheme had been providing funding of about €15 million each year to help the institutes of technology to undertake a range of small-scale capital works.
'So I'm pleased to announce that we've almost tripled the fund, broadened its scope and extended it to include both universities and institutes of technology.
'Each institution gets a basic allocation of €68,500 and then €235 for every student enrolled.
'The extra amount for high-tech equipment and investment in science facilities is paid at €80 per student.
'Three-quarters of the grant will be allocated over the coming weeks, with the remaining amount paid in October and November.
'It's expected that most of the works will be carried out over the quiet summer months to minimise the disruption for students.
'By devolving the funding, the institutions can manage their own projects without recourse to the Department.
'However, I'd ask each institution to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market.'
Please see link below which details the allocations.
http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/PR09-05-18A.doc
