Results 25,981-26,000 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: While this is not the subject of the legislation, if the Deputy has a specific case I will be delighted if he brings it to my attention and I will certainly examine it.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I will be happy to consider that suggestion. Obviously, a general arrangement would need to be made with regard to the whole of the Dáil and all the different Departments.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 17:In page 14, line 20, to delete “cessation referred to in that paragraph” and substitute “such cessation”.This is a technical amendment that is required to correct an inaccurate reference in paragraph (a) of section 11(1).

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I do not propose to accept amendment No. 18. The Deputy noted and welcomed the provisions in respect of the two-year rule. Consequently, the issue here is that unless this kind of change is introduced, it could result in the State continuing to pay social assistance to claimants who may no longer have that entitlement, having, for example, lost their status as migrant workers. Essentially,...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: This is a pilot scheme. It is envisaged that the secondment will be for a period of 12 months. The proposal has been progressed by the Department, the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. The primary function of any garda assigned to the Department's special investigation unit will be to investigate allegations or to initiate investigations into social...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am happy with that. We update the anti-fraud initiative from time to time. It has yielded very significant revenues to the Department, which is very important, including recovery of moneys. I would be very happy to report on the project. Probably the appropriate opportunity to report will be when I am reporting to the committee or to the House on the anti-fraud initiative and the work...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The issue of the recovery of overpayments, particularly in relation to fraud, is significant for the Department. If my memory serves me correctly, it amounted to €73 million last year, almost the cost of the free travel scheme. The sums involved are significant. I do not propose to accept this amendment. In response to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the Committee of Public Accounts and...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am sorry but I had to leave for a couple of minutes. I have some detailed notes on the comments. Since becoming Minister for Social Protection, my officials and I have devoted an enormous amount of time to getting defined benefit pensions schemes in particular across the line so as to save schemes from closing. That has happened to significant numbers of schemes, particularly since the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I appreciate the Deputy’s interest in this and her detailed knowledge, given the constituency she represents. I also know many in all three categories - workers, people whose pensions are deferred and pensioners - and I understand their huge concern about their retirement pension. The legislative changes I have brought forward are an attempt to ensure that as many defined benefit...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Acting as the State Claims Agency (SCA), the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) manages personal injury, property damage and clinical negligence claims brought against certain State authorities, including my Department. The vast majority of claims under the remit of the SCA (over 11,000 received since 2009, across all State authorities) are resolved without confidentiality...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The purpose of rent supplement 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. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme Payments (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. The level of expenditure from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) under the insolvency payments scheme for each year from 2003 to 2013 is as follows: YEAR EXPENDITURE € 2013 22,047,453 2012 21,664,104 2011 18,498,538 2010 23,585,349 2009 19,958,050 2008 10,059,545 2007 5,710,777 2006 4,280,271 2005 4,544,798 2004...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the 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. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Communications (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: My Department receives in excess of 650,000 telephone calls per month, across its network of Intreo Centres, local offices, branch offices and headquarter buildings. In addition to the telephone service the Department provides a range of contact channels for customers including e-mail, SMS (text), through our website and face to face. LoCall numbers are in operation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned's request for copies of all documentation in their case in advance of the oral hearing was overlooked. The Social Welfare Appeals Office apologises sincerely for this fact. Copies of all the documentation requested will be sent to the person concerned expediently. The Social Welfare Appeals Office have agreed to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30 April 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 appeal in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 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 10 June 2014, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. he Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 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 10 June 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 and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Following a review in March of this year, the client was afforded 13 weeks to seek a rent reduction to the appropriate rent limit allowable for her family composition and geographical location. This review period was extended until 31 July 2014 to allow the client an additional period of time to obtain such a reduction or source alternative accommodation. The client concerned should contact...