Results 23,681-23,700 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The Deputy said something about the Irish courts.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: I thank all of the Deputies who contributed to what has been an extremely informed debate. I appreciate the fact that people have welcomed the Bill, because a huge amount of work has gone into it and some difficult decisions have had to be made to find the best balance to protect the various interested parties in regard to pensions. Striking that balance is difficult. Some people have...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Referral to Select Committee (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Reports (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The 2012 Annual Report for the Department of Social Protection was published on 6 June 2013 and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the same date. The 2012 Annual Report is available for download on the Department of Social Protection website at .

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 80,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Data (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons in receipt of farm assist at the end of each month since January 2012 to date in 2013 is detailed in the attached tabular statement. Number of Recipients of Farm Assist, 2012 and 2013 to date. 2012 Month Number of Recipients January 11,351 February 11,364 March 11,346 April 11,158 May 11,154 June 11,137...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: Eligibility for treatment benefit (including medical appliances) is based on a person’s PRSI record. A claimant must have at least 260 reckonable PRSI contributions paid since first starting work, and 39 such contributions paid or credited in a relevant tax year. Only PRSI paid at classes A, E, H, or P count towards benefit. While the person concerned has a full PRSI record, these...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: Further to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 28 November 2013, a person who is in receipt of rent supplement who commences the back to work enterprise allowance may retain entitlement to rent supplement, subject to the means test, if they are deemed as eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) by a housing authority. The back to work enterprise allowance scheme is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: This client made an application for rent supplement on 24 October 2013. The Department is awaiting information required to determine eligibility that was requested on two occasions, most recently on 2 December 2013. A full assessment will take place on receipt of the information.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned informed Blanchardstown Intreo Office that he would be absent from the country for 4 weeks from 24 September to 21 October 2013. As is normal procedure, his payments of jobseeker’s allowance were suspended pending him contacting the office upon his return. After 4 weeks, when the person concerned did not present himself at the office, his claim was closed. He...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The household composition in the case of the person concerned is that of three adults and one child. Each of the adults in the household is in receipt of a social welfare payment. The minimum combined contributions to the rent of the person concerned and the liable adults residing as provided for in the regulations is €92.00 per week or €398.60 per month. The monthly rent...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Mortgage Interest Supplement Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned re-applied for mortgage interest supplement on 9 October 2013. On 23 October 2013 he was requested to furnish supporting documentation. While some documentation required has been received, a letter requesting the outstanding information issued on 28th November 2013. A decision on eligibility will be made when all the necessary documentation is received.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is currently in receipt of a weekly illness benefit payment at a reduced rate and a top-up supplementary welfare allowance payment. His total payment is equivalent to the maximum weekly personal rate of supplementary welfare allowance payable less a deduction of €10 regarding an overpayment on illness benefit payment.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment at the weekly rate of €223.40 which comprises: Allowance Rate Personal rate €188.00 Increase for Qualified Adult €124.80 Increase for 2 Qualified Children €59.60 Sub Total €372.40 Less means from spousal employment €149.00 Total Weekly Payment €223.40 This is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Guardian's Payment Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The deciding officer dealing with the claim of the person concerned is awaiting further information before a decision can be made on the applicant’s eligibility to guardian’s payment. On receipt of the outstanding information the applicant will be notified of the decision without delay.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Guardian's Payment Appeals (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The claim of the person concerned to Guardians payment contributory was disallowed on 30 May 2012 as the deciding officer was satisfied that the care arrangements in place for the child were on foot of a private mutual agreement between the child’s mother and the applicant, and therefore the child was not deemed to be abandoned. The applicant was notified of this decision. The...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Reform (5 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: Increasing State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are steps that have been taken to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future. The decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. These changes are already provided for in legislation. The Social...

Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish to express my deep sadness on the death of Nelson Mandela, Madiba, a man who it can truly be said changed the world for the better. If I speak with great sadness, I also speak with the great conviction that the example Mandela set in fighting injustice, poverty and inequality will not be forgotten. In his long life, Nelson Mandela was many things - the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Registration Legislation (10 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: The Registrar General is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of civil registration in the State. Where, as in this case, a person has been divorced in another jurisdiction these divorces are required to be recognised under the law of the State before any of the parties to the divorces may marry in the State. I have made enquiries of the Registrar General and I...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Dec 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. Free movement of workers and other citizens of the Union is a fundamental right granted by the EU Treaties and one which can bring benefits, economic and otherwise, to the individual and to the EU as a whole. Accordingly, it is something to be facilitated and encouraged. However, we must also ensure that the right of free movement is...