Results 15,261-15,280 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: -----properties available to rent in Dublin.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: On the same date four years previously, there were some 6,700 properties available for rent. The actual solution to this problem will involve the recommencement of housing construction, which the Government is-----
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: Large sums of money have been allocated in respect of housing construction. I hope the level of investment in this regard will rise significantly during the coming period as we seek to increase the rate of construction from approximately 6% of GNP to probably double that figure. That will address the supply issue. Chasing rent increases will not give rise to an expansion in supply.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: At present, landlords are ticking boxes - and certain agencies are inviting them to do so - to the effect that no one in receipt of rent allowance need apply, which is wrong and unfair.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: If Deputy Boyd Barrett actually goes around Dublin city, which I am sure he will, he will-----
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: I am glad to hear it. Perhaps he might count the number of boarded up units throughout the city which are owned by local authorities. This is not a matter which is proper to the Department of Social Protection, but I am happy to say that the practice known as "voiding", where perfectly good homes can be closed up and the contents, including fireplaces-----
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: The Deputy is very familiar with what is involved. He should not go into denial.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: It is a significant number.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: All these houses are important, particularly to the families who get them. There are far too many boarded-up houses in different parts-----
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: The first and immediate action to be taken in the context of supply is to bring to an end the practice of boarding up houses and apartments and to ensure new tenants are moved into such dwellings immediately upon their becoming vacant.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: Local authorities have significant funds.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: It may have escaped the Deputy's attention but much of taxpayers' money goes directly to them.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: That is the reality.
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: People pay significant amounts of tax. More importantly-----
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: Deputy Wallace suggested there is a cartel in operation. I will bring that matter to the attention of NAMA and the Minister for Finance in order that they might investigate what is happening.
- Other Questions: State Pensions Reform (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: In 1994, as Minister of State in the then Department of Social Welfare, I was involved, together with the Minister at that time, Michael Woods, in introducing the credits scheme. I recognised that access to State pension and retirement entitlements is very important for both men and women. It was a landmark scheme introduced by the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil in government. The...
- Other Questions: State Pensions Reform (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: As I said, I was involved in the introduction of the credits scheme in 1994, in conjunction with the former Minister for Social Welfare, Michael Woods. That scheme represented a landmark breakthrough in retirement provision. It is an issue we need to keep under review and monitor closely. Any change, however, is dependent on resources. In each of the past three budgets, in difficult...
- Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together. There are approximately 78,000 rent supplement recipients, at a cost of €344 million for 2014. A top-up payment occurs where the applicant declares a rent lower than that actually being charged by the landlord. No evidence has been presented to the Department showing widespread incidence of illegal top-ups, although I am aware of...
- Other Questions: Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: More importantly, when I met the farming organisations and their representatives, I learned, understandably, that what they were concerned about in the run-up to last year's budget was that farmers who were experiencing difficulties because of fodder shortages were likely to have much worse outcomes in terms of their income than might have been anticipated the previous year. What I did, and...
- Other Questions: Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility (16 Apr 2014)
Joan Burton: I would give the example of a farm family who have a gross income of €19,600 and costs and expenses of approximately €14,800, leaving them with an income of €4,700. That farm family would get a payment of €310.20 per week. That is in line with the benefit that both self-employed people and jobseekers would get. It is a significant support to the family....