Joan Burton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Burton
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Burton in 2017
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| Tánaiste | |
| In office 4 July 2014 – 6 May 2016 |
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| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Eamon Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Frances Fitzgerald |
| Leader of the Labour Party | |
| In office 4 July 2014 – 20 May 2016 |
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| Deputy | Alan Kelly |
| Preceded by | Eamon Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Brendan Howlin |
| Minister for Social Protection | |
| In office 9 March 2011 – 6 May 2016 |
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| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Éamon Ó Cuív |
| Succeeded by | Leo Varadkar |
| Deputy leader of the Labour Party | |
| In office 4 October 2007 – 4 July 2014 |
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| Leader | Eamon Gilmore |
| Preceded by | Liz McManus |
| Succeeded by | Alan Kelly |
| Minister of State | |
| 1994–1997 | Foreign Affairs |
| 1993–1994 | Social Welfare |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2002 – February 2020 |
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| In office November 1992 – June 1997 |
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| Constituency | Dublin West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 February 1949 Stoneybatter, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse |
Patrick Carroll
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Joan Burton (born 1 February 1949) is an Irish politician who used to be a leader for the Labour Party. She held many important jobs in the Irish government. From 2014 to 2016, she was the Tánaiste, which is like a Deputy Prime Minister. She was also the leader of her party during this time.
Before that, Joan Burton was the Minister for Social Protection from 2011 to 2016. This role meant she looked after things like welfare payments and support for people. She was also the Deputy leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2014.
Joan Burton served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin West area. A TD is a member of the Irish Parliament, called Dáil Éireann. She was a TD from 1992 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2020.
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About Joan Burton's Early Life
Joan Burton was born in Stoneybatter, a part of Dublin. She was adopted as a baby and grew up in Inchicore. Her adoptive father worked in a local iron factory.
She went to school at St. Gabriel's NS and St. Joseph Sisters of Charity Secondary School. Later, she studied at University College Dublin (UCD), where she earned a degree in business. She also became a qualified accountant. Before becoming a full-time politician, she taught accounting at the Dublin Institute of Technology and in Tanzania.
Joan Burton's Political Journey
Starting in Politics: 1989–1997
Joan Burton first tried to become a TD in 1989 but wasn't elected then. In 1991, she was elected to Dublin County Council, which is a local government body.
Her first time becoming a TD was in the 1992 general election for Dublin West. She quickly became a Minister of State for Social Welfare. This was part of a government made up of the Fianna Fáil and Labour parties.
Later, in 1995, she became the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. She held this job until the government changed after the 1997 election.
Losing and Winning Her Seat: 1997–2007
In the 1997 election, Joan Burton lost her seat as a TD. However, she was re-elected to Fingal County Council in 1999.
She made a comeback to Dáil Éireann in the 2002 general election, winning her seat back for Dublin West. After this, she became the Labour Party's spokesperson for Finance, meaning she spoke for the party on money matters.
Becoming Deputy Leader: 2007–2014
In September 2007, Joan Burton became the Deputy leader of the Labour Party. She was re-elected as a TD for Dublin West in the 2011 general election. She received a lot of votes and was one of the first TDs to be elected to the 31st Dáil.
Leading the Labour Party: 2014–2016
In 2014, the Labour Party didn't do very well in local and European elections. Because of this, the party leader, Eamon Gilmore, resigned. Joan Burton decided to run for the leadership position.
On 4 July 2014, she won the leadership election. She became the first woman to lead the Labour Party. On the same day, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Enda Kenny, appointed her as Tánaiste. This made her the second most powerful person in the government.
When she became leader, Joan Burton said the Labour Party would focus on "social repair." This meant helping people and making society better. She also kept her job as Minister for Social Protection. During her time as Tánaiste and leader, she helped stop the sale of state-owned companies. She also worked to protect welfare payments and increase the minimum wage twice.
Even though some polls predicted she might lose her seat in the 2016 general election, Joan Burton managed to keep her Dublin West seat. After the 2016 election, the Labour Party lost many seats and went into opposition. Joan Burton continued as Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for a short time while a new government was being formed.
On 6 May 2016, Frances Fitzgerald became the new Tánaiste. Leo Varadkar took over Joan Burton's role as Minister for Social Protection. On 10 May 2016, Joan Burton announced she would step down as Labour Party leader. Her replacement, Brendan Howlin, was chosen on 20 May 2016.
In the 2020 general election, Joan Burton lost her seat as a TD.
