Results 3,801-3,820 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (13 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 to 650, inclusive, together. A policy to introduce the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pensions calculation was adopted by Government in the National Pensions Framework in 2010, as was the decision to base the entitlements of all new pensioners on this approach from around 2020. The move to such a system has been signalled, therefore, for a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (13 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14thNovember 2017. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: JobPath Programme (13 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: As the Deputy is aware JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. The person in question was referred to the JobPath programme in July 2017 and agreed a personal progression plan in August 2017 and has attended a number of appointments and workshops over...

Topical Issue Debate: Citizen Information Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and appreciate how forensic she has been in outlining the background to it. The Citizens Information Board is a statutory body established by the Oireachtas. In addition to its statutory responsibilities relating to information and advocacy service provision, it has statutory responsibility for the countrywide networks of Citizens Information...

Topical Issue Debate: Citizen Information Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: The CIB is a statutory body which must carry out its role as set down by resolution of this House, including its responsibility for CIS and MABS. From my experience as the Minister involved in this particular service delivery, the members of the board of the CIB comprise some of the most experienced and competent individuals I have encountered. It is those people who have made the decision...

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I can stay. If I am not able to provide an answer, I will revert to Deputy Burke. Will that be sufficient?

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I am quite happy to take this Topical Issue debate instead of suspending, which would just waste everyone's time.

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. From personal experience with my own little lady at home, I can speak about the length of and variations in the waiting lists. In line with the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government to provide more timely access to orthodontic care, the HSE has undertaken a procurement of orthodontic services with a number of private service...

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I appreciate everything the Deputy has said. The only thing I will say again in the HSE's defence is that it is actively trying. It is not as if we do not acknowledge there are waiting times we are not happy with. That is why there are specific objectives in the Programme for a Partnership Government to address those. The national dental care policy is being devised. We have been waiting...

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce this Bill to the House. It is being brought forward in response to the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government to address the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work. The key objective of the Bill is to...

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: It is against the law.

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: It is not just the ladies, Deputy.

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: I agree with the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes Data (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the tabular statement. Number of qualified child increases in payment at end 2017 by scheme aged 12 to 22 years of age Scheme Qualified Child Increase Full Rate Qualified Child Increase Half Rate Jobseeker’s Benefit 1,448 945 Jobseeker’s Allowance (excluding Jobseeker’s Transition Payment) 31,186 8,141...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, all income and capital, including property other than the family home, is assessable for means-testing purposes. For recipients of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension, where the claimant sells their principal residence in order to purchase alternative accommodation which...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: The Department is not clear as to the nature of the Deputy’s query in this instance. This Department does not have underpayments as such. We have claims that may need to be backdated and arrears paid in certain circumstances. Once a decision is made and a claim has been awarded payment issues promptly. This payment will also include any arrears due to the customer at that point...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Gender Recognition (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: As the Deputy will be aware, I launched a review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 last November. The group established to review the Act is chaired by Ms Moninne Griffith and is comprised of members of support and advocacy organisations, other independent experts in the field, as well as representatives of Government bodies with an interest in this area. My Department is represented on...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Water Conservation Grant Applications (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: Statutory Instrument 434 of 2015 provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of a completed application for the Water Conservation Grant to the Department of Social Protection from 8th October 2015 to 22nd October 2015. An application was made in respect of the details provided for the first named person and property using the online application system available at that...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Data Protection (14 Feb 2018)

Regina Doherty: Section 263 of the Social Welfare Consolidation, Act (as amended) provides that: (a) the following information is inscribed on the Public Services Card (PSC): forename, surname, Personal Public Service (PPS) Number, photograph, signature, card issue number and expiry date; and (b) the following information is encoded on the chip of the PSC: forename, surname, date of birth, place of...