Results 20,541-20,560 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (23 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. In light of representations, the case was referred back to the Appeals Officer for review. The Appeals Officer has decided a revision of his original decision is not warranted in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (23 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15 April 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in to an Appeals...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: Under the supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment, ENP, to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Department provides money for clothing for adults and children in exceptional circumstances. The Government has provided...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: When the former staff of the HSE, the community welfare officers, came into the Department of Social Protection about a year and a half ago they made many comments on how they could spend scarce money to the best advantage of people in need, both individuals and families. They came up with this proposal and pointed out that in the north west - Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim - such payments were...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: -----that we had to find savings because we were relying on others.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: No.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The fact is we have maintained spending on social welfare at €20.3 billion. We have done that in the face of the enormous difficulties in which the Fianna Fáil Party left the country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: It is difficult to find money in the challenging economic situation left to us by the Deputy’s party.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: However, I have found nearly €50 million for special needs payments. The Deputy can scoff all he likes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The Deputy has a cheek.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: Fianna Fáil-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: This year the Department of Social Protection will spend €20.3 billion. That is a figure with a lot of noughts in case Deputy Willie O’Dea had not noticed.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: It comes from hard-working taxpayers’ tax and PRSI payments.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: I will not apologise to the Deputy for having to make a decision to target that budget of €20.3 billion as best I can among older people, parents with children-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: -----and the 250,000 people who, unfortunately, lost their jobs owing to Fianna Fáil’s policies after 2008.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: We are getting people back to work.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: Some 250,000 jobs were lost under Fianna Fáil.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: On the other hand, we are getting people back to work. Under Fianna Fáil, 250,000 jobs were lost.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: For the first time since 2008, we have got considerable numbers of people back to work.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The Deputy has his legacy and has to live with it.