Results 4,081-4,100 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: There are a number of things I must say in response because I am not sure who is giving the Deputy the information he is getting but it is not accurate. First, regarding the negotiations, or the process that was established to negotiate and listen to and hear the representations made on behalf of individual branch managers by the Branch Managers' Association, the facilitator was chosen by...

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: He was the person the branch managers chose and he acted admirably to come to an agreement on which we all agreed until it was not agreed on 19 February. However, if anyone wants to open the door and start that process again, we will be there in a flash. Let that be put on the record first. Second, again, I have no idea where the rumours and innuendo about branch closures are coming...

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: I cannot give him that guarantee.

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The services we will provide-----

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: If the Deputy would like me to reply-----

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: -----without constantly interrupting me, it would be helpful.

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: I am not putting words in the Deputy's mouth; I am responding to him.

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: I am responding to the Deputy.

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: It is my time to respond, if the Deputy would like to let me do so. The aim of the Department is to provide the same level of service through our branch managers as one receives through our Intreo offices. This is why we started the negotiations a number of years ago, first recognising that the remuneration of these branch officers was decreasing because the workload was reducing, but also...

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: Let me be very clear on the record. That door is open; it can be open tomorrow. If the branch managers want to come back to the table, I would be absolutely delighted if they did so.

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (7 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: I also reiterate that the remuneration package that had been previously agreed will be paid from 1 January. The very first person who comes and signs a new contract or agrees to the conditions that were laid down will see his or her payments backdated to 1 January.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Services Card Data (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: A Public Services Card cannot be issued to a person unless they first complete a SAFE registration process. My Department operates a number of methods to SAFE register a person. The usual method involves a combination of all of the following including: - A face-to-face meeting at an Intreo Centre or a dedicated SAFE registration centre; - The collection and verification of the basic...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks from October to April, to over 365,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Payments (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The Deputy will be aware that in view of the severity of the weather in recent days, I have announced that all people in receipt of the fuel allowance will receive an extra payment of €22.50. The fuel allowance is a payment payable at €22.50 per week for 27 weeks (a total of €607.50) from October to April, toover 365,000 low income households. I believe that increasing...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will consider the appeal in light of all the evidence submitted. It is expected that a decision will issue to the person concerned within the next week. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: Tables 1 and 2 set out the number of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes and members from 2010 to the end of 2017. DB scheme data is issued on an end of year basis so it is not possible to provide figures for 2018. Table 1 – DB schemes and members subject to the funding standard Year Total number of schemes Frozen schemes Schemes in wind-up Number of active members 2010 1,013 85 -...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 613 together. The Roadmap for Pensions Reform details specific measures that will modernise our pension system. It sets out under Strand 4, ‘Measures to Support the Operation of Defined Benefit Schemes’, that the Government is committed to advancing the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 to respond to the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Administration (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: Self-employed workers who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory) and widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (8 Mar 2018)

Regina Doherty: The details supplied raise the question as to whether “one and a half times carers allowance be available if both parents cannot work or have to drastically scale back work to take care of a child”. Carer's allowance is a means tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full time care and attention to a person requiring such care. The carer may work...