Results 20,741-20,760 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Household Benefits (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The household benefits package comprises the electricity/gas allowance, the telephone allowance and the free television licence. In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €284 million on this scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with a package worth almost €700 per year. The estimated expenditure on the television licence element of the household benefits package for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (30 Apr 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 27th March 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: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The jobseeker’s allowance application of the person concerned was disallowed on the 26th of April 2013 as he failed to provide documentary evidence to show that his means are less than the weekly rate of jobseeker’s allowance appropriate to his circumstances. He also failed to provide documentation to establish if he satisfies the habitual residency condition. The person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Care Services Provision (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: In December, 2012, I announced, along with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, a new pilot after-school child care scheme that will be funded from the transfer of savings from my Department as part of Budget 2013. The new pilot scheme will provide 6,000 after-school child care places and will cost €14 million. The first pilot phase of the scheme commenced on 29 April,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Assist Scheme (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: As of 25th April 2013, 16,791 people had commenced JobBridge internships, 6,030 participants were participating on JobBridge internships and 2,443 internship opportunities were advertised on the JobBridge website. As of the same date, there were 532 internships in County Tipperary since JobBridge commenced on 1st July 2011, of which 199 are currently ongoing, and there were 43...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Applications (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: It is not clear as to why the Deputy is querying these cases as free travel has been awarded in both instances for some considerable time. In the case of the first individual, a free travel pass was awarded on 31st May 2002; the second individual was awarded the free travel pass on 12th January 2004.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Asylum Support Services (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334and 336 together. Since April 2000 the needs of asylum seekers are catered for under the direct provision system operated by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality. Under the system asylum seekers are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities such as laundry services and access to leisure areas....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (30 Apr 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 03rd April 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: Carer's Allowance Applications (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: The person in question is caring for 2 people. I confirm that the department received applications for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 25th May 2012. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipients are not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Review (30 Apr 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together. Officials from the Department have met with the Childcare Committee Ireland (CCI) in relation to their Report and in relation to the Department’s proposed changes to improve the quality of training provision and work experience for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These changes include a review of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The recently published OECD report outlines proposals for long-term pension policy. While the findings and recommendations of the OECD report are not prescriptive, the report provides a wide choice of measures for consideration which involve a number of Government Departments. I am already addressing the issue of increasing the working age in the context of the sustainability of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the available evidence, has allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Appeals (1 May 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 they have been received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the available evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. 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 or new facts....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Appeals (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together. An application for a State pension (contributory) was received from the person concerned on 8 January 2013. The application was disallowed as he had an outstanding self-employment PRSI liability for the 2007 tax year. This decision was communicated to him on 12 March 2013. Both Sections 23(4) and 110(1) of the Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Reform (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I have no plans to introduce a payment along the lines proposed by the Deputy. However, my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, who has responsibility for the mobility allowance, has established a special Project Group, which is independently chaired, to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people, and I understand that the Group’s...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Respite Care Grant Payments (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: Expenditure on carers has increased significantly in recent years. In 2013 it is estimated to be €776 million compared with an estimated outturn of €771 million in 2012. The expenditure on carers in 2012 included: €509 million on carer’s allowance; €24 million on carer’s benefit; €135 million on the respite care grant and; €103 million...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence partially allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Appeals (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 25th April 2013 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer decision when the appeal has been determined. The...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Registration Issues (1 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The General Register Office has advised me that an application has been made to the Registrar General by the Humanist Association of Ireland to register eleven solemnisers. I understand that to date one solemniser has been registered. The General Register Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and is responsible for the registration of solemnisers. Section...