Results 26,161-26,180 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Section 3 of the Pensions Act.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes. There is already a provision whereby trustees have to notify members. The issue the Senator raised is slightly different in the sense that members may feel very aggrieved by the actions or the proposals of trustees but there is a requirement to notify them. That is subject to sanctions, as I have outlined, so it is already provided for.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payments (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The customer concerned applied for a one-parent family payment in December 2013 which was disallowed in March 2014 on the grounds that she was not separated from her spouse. The case was reviewed in May 2014 on request of the client and information requested by the Department has not been furnished. The case will now be forwarded to the appeals office for consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (3 Jul 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 11June 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 is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department is committed to ensuring that arrears due to customers are paid without delay. Due to the increased number of disability allowance applications received and decided over the last 12 months there has been a corresponding increase in the volume of requests for reviews and/or appeals against adverse decisions. This has led to increased waiting times for arrears to issue in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the request by the person concerned for copies of all documentation in their case in advance of the oral appeal hearing was overlooked. The Social Welfare Appeals Office sincerely apologises for this fact. Copies of all the documentation requested will be forwarded to the person concerned immediately. The Social Welfare Appeals Office...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Details of the number of sick days taken by staff in my Department in 2011, 2012, 2013, and the 2014 year to date are provided below. The table provides details of the total number of staff and the staff who took sick leave in each of the specified areas as follows: the total number of uncertified (self-certified) sick days taken by employees; the total certified sick days taken by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Consultancy Contracts Data (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework. The Department engages consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice)...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Services Programme (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The services provided by the company are supported by funding from a variety of sources and by the Department of Social Protection under the Community Services Programme and as scheme sponsors by the Community Employment Programme. The Department has engaged with the company to ensure that appropriate practices are in place to manage the public funds granted. Additionally, I am advised that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. The main objective of CE is to enable long-term unemployed people to re-enter the labour market through the provision of training and work experience on a fixed-term basis. During the placement, the participant should be provided with quality work experience and gain skills that are transferable to the open labour market and should be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Payments (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Child benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the State. Child benefit section was advised that the child concerned was attending school in Spain. Following investigation, it has been established that the child is residing in Spain for educational purposes only and is therefore considered to be ordinarily resident in the state. As a result, child benefit has...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is currently in receipt of rent supplement. With effect from 01 July 2014 his rate of payment was reduced by €130 per month as his daughter is in receipt of jobseekers allowance and has therefore been assessed as a liable relative in accordance with the guidelines of the rent supplement scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: As part of the Department’s ongoing review of payments a continuing eligibility (CE) certificate was posted to the person concerned on 28 May 2014 to complete and return. This form was returned marked “unknown at address”. There is an obligation on persons in receipt of a social welfare payment to inform the Department if they change their address and of any other change...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: A request for further information was sent to the client concerned on 27 May 2014. When outstanding information is provided, a decision can be made in full.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: A request for further information was sent to the client concerned on 15 May 2014. When all outstanding information is provided, a decision can be made in full.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (3 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10 April 2014. 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...

Free Travel Pass: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: I hope Deputy O'Dea appreciates that I was involved in discussions, and the bells do not sound clearly where I was. I welcome the opportunity to open the debate and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Donohoe, for his opening statement. The Government has provided steadfast support for older people and, in that context, I want to say loudly and clearly that the Government has protected...

Free Travel Pass: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Age Action Ireland is entitled to make policy choices and engage in campaigns. The Deputy and Fianna Fáil want to put a statement on the record of the House. As Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection I say, as I have said since this campaign began, that there is no threat to free travel for older people, pure and simple.

Free Travel Pass: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: I do not want older people to feel worried and scared because of a campaign for which, with due respect to Fianna Fáil and the people involved, there is no requirement. People are free to campaign on whatever they wish to campaign on. The free travel pass is safe. The population of Ireland is aging rapidly. It is estimated that the over-65 population will rise by nearly 220,000 over...

Free Travel Pass: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: I rest my case. The free travel pass is safe.