Results 27,581-27,600 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

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

Joan Burton: There are currently approximately 800,000 people in Ireland in receipt of free travel at an annual cost of €77 million per annum. The provision of free travel in the United Kingdom, including for people with epilepsy, varies depending on the locality, with a combination of involvement by the UK Government, devolved administrations and local authorities. In many cases, there are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Overpayments (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Overpayments are generally defined as “money obtained contrary to or in excess of a valid decision”. An overpayment will arise where, in accordance with Part 11 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a revised decision is made by a Deciding Officer on a claimant’s entitlement resulting in a retrospective reduction in their entitlement. In deciding whether or not...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 Nov 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied for Disability Allowance and this claim was disallowed. An appeal may be made against this disallowance. He may also be entitled to make an application for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) and in this regard the necessary application forms were issued to him on 14th November 2014, along with a request for the relevant supporting information. His...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 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 29 September 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: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned has been in receipt of a dietary allowance since 01 September 2012. A review form issued on 30 July 2014 and to date has not been returned. In order to confirm continued entitlement and establish the correct level of payment, this form should be returned to her local Community Welfare Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Rehiring (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There are three staff in the Department and three staff in the agencies operating under the aegis of the Department , who have retired and have been brought back on a temporary basis as outlined below. The Department’s Chief Medical Advisor was retained beyond his retirement date of 29 February 2012. The decision to re-employ the Chief Medical Advisor was taken due to his specific...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: European Court of Justice Rulings (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The case in question deals with the right of residence under EU law and the implications for this where a person from another Member State claims access to special non-contributory benefits in the host Member State. A special non-contributory benefit is an EU term for what in Ireland are regarded as assistance payments; examples are jobseeker’s allowance and disability allowance. ...

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

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I announced on budget day a number of welfare initiatives which will benefit pensioners, carers and people with disabilities who are in receipt of a welfare payment. These initiatives included the re-introduction of a Christmas bonus and an increase in the living alone allowance. The Christmas bonus was abolished by the previous Government in 2009. This year a bonus of 25% will be paid in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Reform (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: As outlined in my previous reply on 6 November last, the Recovery of Benefits and Assistance (RBA) scheme commenced on 1st August 2014 and requires that a compensator (generally an insurance company) must apply for a statement of recoverable benefits, before making a payment to an injured person in respect of a non-fatal personal injury. In relation to the specific recommendation being made...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Investigations (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There are 28 individual cases involved in this investigation. The application dates for these cases range from September 2010 to April 2012. This matter is 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: Farm Assist Scheme Appeals (18 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 04 November 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...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I am listening.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate on the Bill. This is a very short Social Welfare Bill by normal standards. Nonetheless, it marks a positive shift in our economic and social recovery. I will revisit some of the points mentioned by Deputy Creighton because much of her information is wrong. The Department has undergone enormous reform from what was described by the...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (19 Nov 2014)

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) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Today marks a fresh start for Ervia-Irish Water. This new beginning has been made possible through the viable and tangible economic recovery under way. This is a welcome turnaround in a little over three and a half years. From despair that could have ground us down, we have moved to the cautious but realistic hope of a future rooted in shared prosperity. This has been achieved through the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: It is therefore essential that we provide for enhanced investment in the network and encourage conservation of a precious resource. I believe many on the Opposition side want clean water, but we cannot have that without investment.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: This is a critical point which I want to make seriously. I know many of the Members present have listened and debated, and I have listened to them as well. Rather than have water services compete with other demands on public funds such as school buildings, hospital beds and broadband networks, the Government established Irish Water as a self-funding body that is separate from the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Look at the list and read it back.