Results 24,341-24,360 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Youth Guarantee: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I am sure the Senator will agree that it has transformed the social welfare experience. We are converting it into a public employment service. An Intreo-serviced office is a place where people can get income supports, including jobseeker's payments, but it is primarily a place where everybody can be placed on the first step back to work, education or training. I hope this service can be...

Seanad: Youth Guarantee: Statements (5 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: If I may suggest to the Cathaoirleach that another discussion could be arranged. I agree with Senator O'Donnell and Senator Moloney that this is a very important issue and perhaps we can agree to return to it in a couple of months when we will have more confirmation from the European Commission as to what it will commit to Ireland. I suggest that Senators call to their local social welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 August 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Applications (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: There are four personal rates of payment for jobseeker’s benefit. Should an entitlement be established, the rate that a person will receive is dependent on that person’s average weekly earnings during the PRSI contribution year from which the entitlement is established. In the case of the person concerned, his rate of entitlement was based on his average weekly earnings for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: When the entitlement to rent supplement for the person concerned was assessed, it was based on a rent cost of €105.00 per week. This was the amount of rent payable by him as stated in writing by both the person concerned and his landlord when his claim was last reviewed on 6 March 2013; furthermore it was also confirmed by the lease agreement provided for the accommodation. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud Investigations (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The control process is an integral part of the day to day operations of the Department. All staff of the Department involved in the administration of the various social welfare schemes are acutely aware of the need to implement appropriate controls at every stage of the claim life-cycle process. There are approximately 650 staff whose exclusive responsibilities are related to control...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud Cost (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The vast majority of people receiving social welfare payments are legitimately entitled to them. It should be borne in mind that there is often a perception of fraud, however when a case is examined the individual may be doing something that is allowed under the rules for receipt of the particular payment. For example, a person may work and still receive the one-parent family payment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 November 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The retirement age of Community Employment (CE) participants and supervisors is amended in the CE Operating Procedures to match the provisions of Section 7 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 regarding the qualifying age for the State Pension. This means that the revised retirement age will be based on the date of birth of the person as follows: - For persons born before 1 January...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. The correct level of rent supplement in the case of the person concerned is €731.30 per calendar month. A deduction of €50.00 per calendar month is being made by the person concerned in respect of an outstanding overpayment, resulting in a net payment of €681.30 per calendar month. The correct level of one parent...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 21 October 2013. Under legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance Eligibility (6 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: In addition to a number of other qualifying criteria, a person must be in receipt of a designated social welfare payment for a period of 312 days in order to qualify for the back to work scheme. It is open to the person concerned to call to his local employment services office in Maynooth where a member of staff will be in a position to advise him of the options currently available to him.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Guardian's Payment Appeals (6 Feb 2014)

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 person concerned appealed this decision to the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure (11 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 298, 310 and 322 together. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (11 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st November 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (11 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I am informed that Ballytruckle Post Office reopened at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesday 4th February 2014 and all social welfare payments are being processed as normal. The Post Office had been closed due to flooding on Monday 3rd February 2014 and arrangements were put in place to make payments at Waterford Post Office - payments were available from approximately 12 noon on Monday 3rd February 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (11 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 5th February 2014, 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 Appeals (11 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27th November 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social...