Results 27,561-27,580 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I answered them.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Equal Opportunities Employment (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 59 together. The Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability and is committed to removing barriers which prevent those persons with a disability from availing of employment opportunities. The Department provides a wide range of income and work-related supports specifically for people...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Legislation (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together. I would like to assure you that Ireland is compliant with its requirements in relation to the transposition of EU directives concerning occupational pensions. While I am aware of the complex issues arising in relation to Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme, you will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on issues...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Appeals (13 Nov 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 4thNovember 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: Respite Care Grant Expenditure (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The respite care grant (RCG) is an annual non means-tested payment made to all carers who provide full time care and attention to others. In 2014, more than 80,000 carers benefited from the respite care grant at an estimated cost of €122 million. The RCG forms part of a range of income supports for carers provided by the Department. In total, over €822 million is being...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Services Card (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Public Services Card (PSC) has been introduced to enable individuals gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the Free Travel Pass and the Social Services Card (SSC) of this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Persons who had applied for or were awarded Fuel Allowance prior to commencing on TÚS can be paid Fuel Allowance where they satisfy or continue to satisfy the conditions. It is not possible to obtain entitlement while on the scheme. The person concerned commenced on TÚS on 1 September 2014 and did not have an entitlement to Fuel Allowance at that time. An application for Fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The introduction in Mullingar of INTREO, the Department’s integrated income and employment supports service, will involve a single service delivered over two sites: Blackhall and Bellview. When building works are complete, Blackhall will be the location of most of the INTREO services. Some of the employment supports will be located in Bellview, along with other DSP services. ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Industrial Relations (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There is no report in relation to this issue. These cases are being dealt with on an individual basis and are the subject of ongoing investigation in my Department. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the likely outcome of these investigations at this stage.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There have been no recent changes to the eligibility criteria for entry to Community Employment programmes. Should the Deputy wish to supply further information regarding his jobseekers benefit query, this will be addressed immediately.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Redeployment (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There are currently five Community Development Officers, (CDOs), in Kerry, supporting the delivery of Community Employment (CE) schemes, Jobs Clubs and Employability Kerry. Personnel changes in the past year have meant that two staff from other areas within the Department have recently been allocated and trained to work in Community Services. They are in the process of increasing the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3rdSeptember 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: Child Benefit Applications (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: A child benefit application was received from the person concerned on 17th October 2014. A letter requesting further information was issued to her on 10th November 2014. Upon receipt of the requested information a decision will be made and she will be notified of the outcome in writing.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: As outlined to the Deputy in reply to question, reference No. 36403-14, on 25th September 2014, the correct level of one parent family payment payable for the person in question cannot be determined as no such application had to date been received. If the client wishes to make a one-parent family payment application, she should contact her local social welfare office.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The maximum level of rent supplement support that may be available to a client in this location in similar circumstances is €590 per calendar month.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: As the Personal Public Services Number (PPSN) detailed by the Deputy is invalid, the Department is not in a position to advise.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The clients concerned has not made an application; should they wish to do so they should forward it to be assessed for entitlement to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24. In general, persons engaged in full-time employment, in excess of 30 hours per week, are not eligible for Rent Supplement.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (13 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I am very conscious of the funding difficulties encountered by many pension schemes in recent years. You will be aware that a range of legislative measures have been put in place over a number of years to assist both employers and trustees of pension schemes to respond to these difficulties and to achieve a sustainable pension provision for all scheme members and beneficiaries. Section 48...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Administration (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for approximately 800,000 people, elderly, disabled and carers at an annual cost of €77 million. The Government made clear in the “Statement of Government Priorities, 2014-2016” that it is committed to the full retention of the Free Travel Scheme. Consequently, I have not...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 30th May 2014. The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that she was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week and was not providing full time care and attention as required. The person concerned was notified of this decision on...