Results 19,981-20,000 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Report on Child and Family Income Support: Statements (26 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: It had the scope to look at the tax credits on family income supplement.

Seanad: Report on Child and Family Income Support: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: I would be happy to return.

Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: In 2010, speaking from the Opposition benches, I said the terrible ordeal of the women committed to the Magdalen laundries was one of the last unresolved issues of the hidden Ireland. I am glad to say the Government is now acting decisively to resolve the issue and that at long last what was hidden and covered up has been exposed and brought into the light. It has been revealed that the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Unemployment Measures (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The 2011 Census provides the most recent statistics on the youth population in Kerry. According to the Census, there were some 16,300 young persons (aged 15-24) in Kerry in 2011, which represents 14% of the population (aged 15 and over). There were 2,559 persons under 25 on the Live Register in County Kerry in January 2013, down 7.6% on the same month last year. Young people, typically,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: In January of this year, there 16,825 persons signing on the Live Register in Kerry, of which 36% (5,983) were long-term registrants. Long-term unemployment is a primary focus of the Government’s activation policy both in Kerry and nationally. In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle long-term unemployment is to create the environment for a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned (Constituent A) Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: In January 2012 the rent supplement limit for the family size of the person concerned was set in legislation as €825.00 in accordance with S.I. 412 of 2007, Part 3, Article 9, 2 (i) (iii), wherein it is stated that rent supplement shall be awarded on condition that "the rent payable by the claimant is just and proper having regard to the nature, character and location of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Means-tested Schemes (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The Estimates for the Department published on Budget day provides for expenditure of €20.257 billion on schemes, services and administration in 2013. Of this, just under €595 million or 2.9% of total estimated expenditure will be spent on administration. My Department operates a range of means tested schemes and these schemes, including the means testing elements, are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 25th February 2013. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 31st January 2013, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 13 June 2012. The application based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 3 December 2012. The person submitted further medical evidence in support of her claim and a review of his application is underway. Once a decision is made on this review the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The rural social scheme provides income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participants are engaged for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. The funds allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 19th June 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who considered that the child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued on the 7th August 2012 outlining the decision to refuse the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The Job Initiative (JI) scheme was launched in 1996. The Job Initiative programme initially provided three years full-time employment for people who – on entry to the scheme – were 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that period. In November 2004 the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment decided...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for people with families who are on low earnings. The person concerned made a first time application for FIS on 18 October 2012. As part of an application for FIS applicants are required to enclose their most recent payslips along with their latest P60, in order that their average net assessable earnings can be determined....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Appeals (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Correspondence (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The correspondence referred to by the Deputy was received by my department on 31st January 2013 and concerns matters raised by Dublin based local development companies delivering Tús, the community work placement initiative, on the application of changes with respect to PRSI introduced as part of Budget 2013. A written response was issued by the Department on 12th February 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Review (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: An extensive review of the expenditure requirements of Community Employment (CE) schemes was carried out in 2012 as part of the CE Financial Review. A majority of all CE schemes reviewed fell within the €500 - €1,000 per place per year funding requirement bracket with the remainder requiring less than €500 per year. The outcome of the Review permitted the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Funding (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: The top-up materials grant to which the Deputy refers was only applicable in 2012 pending publication of the CE Financial Review. At that point, the scheme budgets were finalised based on the detailed discussions between Department officials and the Community Employment (CE) Sponsors.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Review (27 Feb 2013)

Joan Burton: A financial review of the CE schemes was carried out by Department officials last year. One of the findings was that the requirement that an annual audit be conducted for each scheme without any limit being placed on the amount allowable for audit costs, had in certain cases resulted in value for money not being secured. A comparison of audit fees indicated that there was a wide variation in...