Results 3,661-3,680 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I do not have any role in that matter.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We will consider the matter and come back to the Deputy.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is being published tomorrow.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Bill is set for early summer 2007. That is the current position.

Finance Bill 2007: Allocation of Time Motion (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (1) The proceedings in the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service on the Finance Bill 2007 shall be brought to a conclusion in accordance with the following timetable:— Date: Proceedings: To conclude not later than: Tuesday, 20th February Chapters 1 and 2 (part) of Part 1 (sections 1 to 13) 2 p.m. Chapters 2...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Executive has advised that it has refused payment of qualified adult allowance and qualified child allowance (formerly child dependant allowance) to the husband in this case. The Executive has further advised that this decision has been appealed...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Government is committed to producing a Green Paper on pensions as part of the social partnership agreement Towards 2016. The Green Paper will outline the major policy choices and the challenges we face in the pensions area. The two reports completed by the Pensions Board in 2006 — the National Pensions Review and their report on mandatory pensions, Special Savings for Retirement are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. The total cost of family income supplement payments is approximately €2.75 million per week at present. The average weekly payment is €125. Total expenditure in 2006 was €107 million. The Family Income Supplement is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year and is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: At the end of December 2006, there were child dependant increases payable at the full rate in respect of 258,812 children and at half rate in respect of 82,554 children. The current estimated number of families in receipt of child dependant increases is 213,406.

Finance Act 2004: Motion (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approve the following Order in draft: Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2007, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 12th February, 2007, be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with paragraph (1) of the Orders of Reference of...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Order for Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the second of two Bills intended to implement the largest social welfare package in the history of the State at €1.41 billion, announced in last December's budget. This substantial investment brings total expenditure on social welfare in this year to €15.3 billion, or almost €1 for every €3 of current...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Health Service Executive has advised that it has issued an application form to the person concerned. When it has been received, it will be considered and a decision given as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The living alone increase is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and who receive payments under one of a number of invalidity type schemes. The increase is intended as a contribution...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: In assessing means for social assistance purposes account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property (except the home). Amounts held in Special Savings Investment Accounts are treated in the same manner as other capital. In 2005 the amount of capital disregarded for means test purposes for all schemes (except supplementary welfare...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), an exceptional needs payment may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: From September 2007 people in receipt of another social welfare payment who are also providing full time care and attention to a person will be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which will be equivalent of a half rate carer's allowance. A person currently in receipt of a carer's allowance who may have an underlying...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As part of improvements announced in the Budget measures for 2006, I introduced legislation (under the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pension Act 2006) whereby all persons in receipt of State Pension (Transition) who attain the age of 66 transfer automatically to the State Pension (Contributory). In these cases, a once-off payment of an additional days pension is being made in recognition of...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (20 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together. Social welfare programmes aim to be responsive to the needs of those who depend on income maintenance support while providing incentives to assist people to become more independent financially, particularly through employment. Lone Parents and others on rent supplement who participate in community employment (CE) schemes are financially...