Results 27,941-27,960 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Insurance (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: -----and that he would like the boat owner to have access to the class P insurance. We can certainly examine that. In 2012, for instance, 16 individuals opted to pay class P contributions. I do not know if the people the Deputy is describing are full-time fishermen or fishermen and farmers because they may have other social welfare connections. We would need to examine it on a case by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Insurance (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social Insurance (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am certainly prepared to look at it because I know that people in the fishing industry work very hard, particularly the inshore fishermen. It is a tough occupation. There is not a vast amount of money in it except from time to time. However, if they decided to go with the class P contribution, and the Deputy is indicating they would accept paying the extra 4% on the terms and conditions,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: The freedom to move and reside freely within the territory of the member states of the EU is a fundamental right guaranteed under the EU treaties to all citizens. However, it is important that those availing of these freedoms are not intent on abusing the welfare systems of other counties and, specifically, the welfare system of this country. The right of residence afforded citizens from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department has been considering the implications of the case carefully. In the context of the forthcoming election in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom made a speech setting out his electoral position. These issues are of great significance to Ireland. We examine all of them carefully, particularly the Dano judgment. The consideration is still ongoing but...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: We keep the habitual residency condition under review constantly to ensure that only people who have established a strong link with the country can receive benefits. We continue to monitor that because, as the Deputy is aware, returning Irish people may have lived abroad in another country for a long period. Under the habitual residency condition, they must establish definite links with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domiciliary Care Allowance Review (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: The domiciliary care allowance scheme transferred to the Department of Social Protection in 2009 and is now paid to over 27,100 parents or guardians in respect of some 29,100 children at a cost of €110 million per annum. In addition, recipients of domiciliary care allowance get a further €38 million through the annual respite care grant. The number of children currently in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domiciliary Care Allowance Review (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am happy to that because co-operation exists on both sides of the House on the reviews of the domiciliary care allowance and there is a number of groups, including a stakeholder group, in the Department addressing this issue. The stakeholder group includes parents, obviously, and they help with the design of the forms, which is important. Parents in receipt of the domiciliary care...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domiciliary Care Allowance Review (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am a strong supporter of plain English and plain Gaeilge forms. The forms we are discussing can have very significant income consequences for people but a certain amount of officialese is required. I am happy to do what the Deputy has requested. The stakeholders groups include carers and we meet carers associations regularly - I meet them several times a year in the Department and in...

Other Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: Under Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, every citizen has the right to move and reside freely within the territories of the member states. Those rights can be exercised in accordance with the conditions and limits defined by the treaties and by the measures adopted thereunder. The conditions governing free movement and the right of residence are set out in...

Other Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Other Questions: European Court of Justice Rulings (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: No, Ireland intervened at the Court of Justice of the European Union along with several other countries in support of the German authorities since it was considered that the outcome of the case could seriously affect our ability to refuse assistance to non-employed European Union citizens who had arrived in the country never having been in employment here, with no resources and never having...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: It was done last week, Deputy.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: In regard to the points made by Deputy Brendan Ryan, he expressed his concerns about the different people, including the 5,000 people at work who are affected by the different changes and who have decisions to make on the changes proposed by the company and the trustees in respect of the IASS pension fund. I refer also to a very important matter Deputy Clare Daly raised the last day when she...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: Two Deputies made quite valid comments. I believe I am answering those comments. Other Deputies made valid comments also and I am going to try to answer them. The power of the authority can be exercised. I ask Deputies Ryan and Daly to formally bring any concerns that either of them have in regard to the conduct of the trustees to the attention of the Pensions Authority. I think Deputy...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am addressing the specific Sinn Féin amendment in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: It is amendment No. 23.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: Under the rules of the House, Deputy Ellis is entitled to speak about an amendment which has been ruled out of order and I am entitled to comment on the point he raised.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am referring to the one to which Deputy Ellis referred. The Deputies seem very reluctant to allow anybody's points to be addressed. That is a pity.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Joan Burton: I am aware of the issues arising around the IAS Scheme and recently met, as have several people here, with representatives of the deferred members’ groups. They articulated very clearly their concerns arising from proposals to address the significant deficit which I referred to earlier that has unfortunately arisen in this pension fund. That is the source of the difficulties and the...