Results 5,181-5,200 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I agree with the Deputy about the importance of ensuring that people get answers as speedily as possible on social welfare claims. As Deputy Enright is aware, it is also important and it is a big help when people provide all the information requested urgently. In the same way as Deputy Enright, I have often dealt with cases in my office which involved helping people to get the necessary...

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That is a discretionary payment. I understand a relatively small number of people applying for payment get supplementary welfare. However, it is available. We must have a discretionary system in place that can provide a quick answer on a short-term basis but obviously the issue of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit is a longer term one.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Obviously, the payment of jobseeker's allowance or benefit is a longer-term issue. I will comment on the appeals issue even though it is not the subject of this question. One of the other questions that have been tabled is about this issue. I am concerned about the length of time it takes to deal with appeals. I assure the Deputy that the response to the other question will make it clear...

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Consequently, almost all jobseeker's allowance claims involve an at-home visit. This has had a severe impact on processing times in this area. The OPW recently advertised for accommodation in Edenderry. This will improve customer service by providing accommodation for two welfare inspectors and a facilitator, thus providing a facility for desk assessments rather than home visits. The OPW...

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not have the information in respect of Boyle, unfortunately. I will get an answer for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not know of any requests for extra staff. I will double-check that. I was also asked about the longest time for a claim. A table that will be circulated sets out the relevant time in each office. I have to say that in my experience, cases in which claims are not dealt with for a very long time often relate to people not providing information. Therefore, it is not always a measure of...

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The list I am circulating will provide that information. It takes 12 weeks for jobseeker's allowance to be processed in Blanchardstown, for example. It takes just 1.72 for jobseeker's benefit to be processed there. We will have to deal with offices with long delay times. If it is a question of individuals with long delay times-----

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Okay. There are offices with waiting times of two weeks for jobseeker's allowance.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: A quick perusal of the table shows that there is a waiting time of 12 weeks.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have the table here. The waiting time in Boyle for jobseeker's benefit is 3.08 weeks for jobseeker's benefit and 8.74 weeks in the other case. It does not have the longest waiting time. I did not realise it was in such a handy format here.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The waiting time for jobseeker's benefit in Blanchardstown is 1.72 weeks. It is 12.49 weeks in the case of jobseeker's allowance.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I accept that.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I have said, a great deal of work has been done on the global scheme to deal with delays. I agree that we have to keep working with a particular focus on areas where there are unacceptable delays in processing claims.

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Deputy can be absolutely sure-----

Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I cannot give the Deputy chapter and verse for each individual office. I will work with my officials. I will continue to stress that we need to take action on a range of fronts, as outlined in the answer, to deal with the delays that exist. That can involve the use of technology and staff, etc. I agree with Deputies that it is important for people to get a speedy service from the...

Written Answers — Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 44 together. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The role of money advisors is to help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors. MABS is now dealing with increasingly complex debt situations in respect...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Social Insurance Fund comprises a current account and an investment account. To the extent that annual income is not required for benefit payments, this finance, together with the accumulated surplus from previous years is transferred to the investment account. Annual surpluses were a feature of the fund between 1996 and 2007. The highest annual surplus was realised in 2006. The...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: All recipients of the one-parent family payment are asked to complete, an annual review form (OFP 40) to certify that they continue to fulfil the conditions for payment. The form is generated automatically and the customer is allowed two weeks to return it to the Department. If the form is not returned or not returned in time, the payment is automatically suspended by the computer system....

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 69 together. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there were 26,000 appeals received in 2009 and it is estimated the number in 2010 could reach 30,000 compared to the average number received over the previous 4 years of 15,000. This represents a near 50% increase in the number of appeals received. At the end of 2009 there were...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 May 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Facilitators work closely with FÁS and other agencies, at national and local level, to identify appropriate training and developmental programmes for social welfare recipients of working age to enhance the skills those individuals have and, ultimately, improve their employment chances as well as helping them to develop personally. The facilitator service is available to social welfare...