Results 5,161-5,180 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I assure the Deputy I never put legal interpretation-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: But it is a legal interpretation, therefore, the Department informs me we are bound by law in this regard. If the Deputy wishes, I will ask my officials to double check whether we are bound by law. I do not have any great feeling on the matter one way or the other. We are examining the issues fully with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance and that is the best way...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: They may look the same but there is some slight legal difference. I know the Deputy feels very strongly about this matter and he raised it in the Seanad with the Minister for Finance. I will have it double checked from a legal perspective. I want to be helpful on the issue. If the double check shows the law is as it is, we will try to see where we go from here. I want to ensure there are...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 84 together. The current Government policy in regard to pensions is laid out in the National Pensions Framework which was launched in March of this year. The framework includes a number of changes to the State pension in order to make it more transparent, simple and equitable for those reaching pension age. From 2012, social insurance credits will be...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My answer was in response to a question about a budgetary issue. I am concerned that the remark was misinterpreted by people in a certain way. I gave the standard reply that I give to any query about the budget before the Budget Statement, that is, it is not in my power to pre-empt my Cabinet colleagues on any budgetary issue. Therefore, if the Deputy asks me any specific question about...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Unfortunately, the Deputy is again trying to get me to give some specific commitments one way or the other on the budget. As I said, however, there is long time to go between now and the budget. I will not in any way pre-empt any Cabinet discussions or any Government announcement on the budget. Therefore, no matter how often or how persistently people ask me what I will do concerning the...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: There will be differences on how we might proceed but we must adhere to what we said in the 2010 budget and must work within that framework.

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I would like to provide an assurance to those in that segment of the social welfare budget who are over 66 and depend on social transfers but I must also look at pensioners, the unemployed, those with disabilities, those in receipt of domiciliary care, child payments and so on. I must also examine the issue of consistent poverty, including vulnerable pensioners, those with disabilities and...

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: What I say to the Deputy is-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I will not in any way pre-empt-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am sorry, Deputy.

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am not going to disclose anything to do with the discussions before budget time-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am not going to answer questions on what I am bringing forward in any circumstance because it would pre-empt-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I will not confirm whether I am bringing proposals to Cabinet.

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: What I have said is that anyone who asks me a specific question-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Deputy Barrett or any other Deputy or person who asks me a specific question on budget proposals ahead of the budget announcement will not get a specific answer. I will not be tricked into-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It has been customary, as Deputy Barrett is aware from when he was in government, not to disclose what one will do prior to a budget. I remember a certain Minister of State in Deputy Barrett's party had to resign because he disclosed information on the day of the budget.

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Therefore, I-----

Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: -----will not be disclosing anything.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 46, 49 and 75 together. The national average processing times for jobseeker claims decided during April were 2.33 weeks for jobseeker's benefit and 6.92 weeks for jobseeker's allowance. This compares to processing times of 2.12 weeks and 7.10 weeks respectively in March. Processing times can be affected by the requirements of the schemes such as a...