Results 23,001-23,020 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I agree that this scheme is a priority and I have worked hard to make sure it comes forward. I hope to have the scheme announced. I have to examine all the regulations. I will then sign the order and bring the scheme into place. I accept it would have been better if that could have been done faster but if we did not do the job thoroughly and if there were loopholes in the scheme that were...

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I said, we will have the scheme up and running in a month. It will run to the end of the year. We can then examine the scheme to see how it is working. It is important that the scheme-----

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: No. As we said already, it will be backdated.

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. There are 52 independent MABS companies operating the money advice and budgeting services from 65 locations throughout the country, with national support provided by the MABS NDL. In addition, the MABS national telephone helpline is available from 9 a.m....

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Deputy Enright asked the average waiting time.

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I understand the average waiting time is four weeks. Meetings are priortised and if there is a need for a more urgent appointment that is also considered. There are protocols agreed with the Irish Banking Federation. It agreed to approach debt problems experienced by the clients. The objective is to agree affordable sustainable repayment plans for people with debt problems. It includes a...

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I understand that there are discussions taking place to try to extend the protocol to other major groups such as credit unions and utilities and that they are also discussing this issue with one of the sub-prime lenders.

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I agree that the review needs to be brought to a conclusion. I would also bring to Deputy Enright's attention the Cooney committee, the special committee set up to look urgently at the question of indebtedness.

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I met with Mr. Cooney also and my Department is part of it. My understanding is the committee is to report next month. I agree that this is probably one of the most urgent issues that I must deal with as Minister. The Deputy can rest assured that since I came into the Department, I have put a great deal of time, effort and emphasis on the need to move forward with viable proposals to deal...

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That is correct.

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I fully agree there is need for urgent proposals on how we deal with debt problems. One of my big concerns is that often I find where there are mortgage problems there are a great many other debt problems on top of them and dealing with the mortgage in isolation is not the solution. Having spoken to many of the people involved in MABS as I go around the country, they also bring that to my...

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My hope is that we will get this report quickly-----

Debt Management (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: -----and then we can act on it quickly. I agree on the urgency, and particularly that it is important to protect people's houses.

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Self-employed persons pay PRSI Class S contributions which provide cover for long-term benefits such as State pension and widows/widowers pension. Employees are covered by PRSI classes A, E, H and P, which provide cover for the above benefits as well as for short-term contingencies such as jobseeker's and illness benefits. PRSI coverage is related to the risks associated with employment or...

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Deputy Enright is correct in stating that there are many self-employed persons who did not understand that they were not covered, for example, for jobseeker's benefit, until the employment dried up. There were many in the construction industry who never thought the work would cease, particularly those with trades, and suddenly they find themselves in a situation where they are not entitled...

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I said, legislation is required to transfer the legal powers to deal with these matters.

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Exactly. Please God, the powers will be transferred and then we will be able to deal with creating activation in order to give people an opportunity-----

Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I fully agree with the Deputy that there is a challenge here for self-employed people and I intend bringing forward proposals to see how to deal with this issue. Obviously it will be required to go to Cabinet. I do not have the legal responsibility at the moment but I am sure the Deputy agrees that this is an issue that needs to be tackled because there is a significant challenge for...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Approved retirement funds or ARFs are funds managed by a qualifying fund manager into which an individual may invest the proceeds of his or her pension fund on retirement. The income and gains of such funds are exempt from tax within the fund. Any amounts withdrawn from an ARF are referred to as a distribution. A distribution is treated as income from an employment. It is subject to...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: First, I do not have any private pension fund so the direct question does not apply to me.