Results 5,941-5,960 of 12,701 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: What progress has been made in implementing that measure? The budgetary cuts have already kicked in.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: The Government has reduced the period of time for which payments are made.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: People are living in penury.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: At least we can say we increased them over a long period, unlike the Labour Party.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: We increased social welfare payments enormously.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister and her colleagues have never done anything other than reduce them.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: They will find out about it when they go to the polls.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: When are the places going to appear?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: That could mean any time up to next Christmas.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Code (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the Commission on Social Welfare and Taxation (details supplied) will be published; if the Programme for Government commitment on Social Welfare rates still stands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4269/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: I understand I am entitled to raise a second query.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: In dealing with a priority question we are entitled to ask a second question.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: I disagree with the Minister on the issue of times. Her Department's official statement sets out that there is an eight month waiting period for claims for invalidity pension and a further eight month waiting period where there is a need to appeal. That applies to summary decisions, not oral hearings. The waiting period is 16 months from beginning to end. Does the Minister agree that this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: Not according to the Deparment.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: It has got worse since.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: The session has been cancelled.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: There are two aspects to this, the questions of eligibility and delay, and I will deal with them separately. I sought this information from the Department some time ago and I received figures for up to the end of September 2012. I understand the figures the Minister is providing now relate to the full calendar year. Is that the position?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: Anyway, they do not vary much in terms of success rates. According to the Minister's reply there is a 66% refusal rate for domiciliary care allowance. In other words, two of every three claims are refused. It is similar for invalidity pensions: almost two of every three claims are refused and the refusal rate is somewhat less for disability allowance but it remains at approximately 60%....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for disability allowance, invalidity pension and domiciliary care allowance in 2012; the average waiting times and total percentage of successful applicants for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4268/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Applications (29 Jan 2013)

Willie O'Dea: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the implementation time frame of the Budget 2013 changes to jobseeker's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4092/13]