Results 5,461-5,480 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Written Answers — Enterprise Allowance Schemes: Enterprise Allowance Schemes (16 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Department of Social Protection operates the short term enterprise allowance (STEA) and back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) schemes to assist unemployed people who wish to take up self employment. A person in receipt of a social welfare payment who decides to set up as an approved driving instructor may be eligible to apply for STEA or BTWEA. However, one of the important steps...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (16 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The person concerned claimed one parent family payment from 21 May 2009. His claim was disallowed on 11 September 2009 as he failed to disclose his means. The person concerned lodged an appeal on 30 September 2009 and his file was sent to an inspector for a review of his case. All documentation requested by the inspector has not been furnished despite a number of requests to do so. The case...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I thank all the Deputies who have made significant contributions and in the main have been very constructive in their contributions. Since Deputy Ring is here and he could be in other places, I would like to address some of the very valid issues he has raised. I have spent a lifetime trying to create employment and a better life for ordinary people in an area the Deputy knows very well...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am delighted to hear that. Issues were raised about reasonable offers. That is an issue we can discuss at length on Committee Stage. In order to make the activation part possible I need the ability to weed out those who are not entitled to social welfare. I have great sympathy for the point made by Deputy Ring that there are people whom I would define as being unemployable. There is...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: In the short term we will employ retired appeals officers because an extraordinary knowledge of social welfare and other laws is required. It would take too long to train people to work this year.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Yes, in the short term. It is the lesser of two evils.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We have already appointed two extra appeals officers. I will work towards a position where in the normal way appeals officers will be promoted from within the system, and we have a sufficient number of trained appeals officers to deal with the backlog. There is much work to be done on the way the appeals system operates as some are more complicated than others. There must be a fast-track...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Absolutely. The number of decisions appealed in the first place is approximately 2%, so 98% of decisions are accepted. However, the figure for successful or partially successful appeals at 40% is high on the face of it. We must examine the issue. I have often written appeals for constituents and gone to appeals hearings with them, although this changed when I became a Minister. I got...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I know.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have discussed it at length with the chief medical officers and there is a system in place. There may be a way to get the information from medical practitioners as most of the medical examinations are done from desks; the assessor does not see the person and only information is provided. Methods are being developed to bring in more information, which would make it easier to make a...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I assure the Deputy that I do not. Deputy Ring would vouch that I do not know such people.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I know but the allegation is often made that we know these people. I certainly do not know them. I accept what the Deputy says and, like every aspect of fiscal policy, the issues in question are all worthy of consideration. The Deputy also referred to reimbursements being made to the Department by insurance companies in the context of social welfare payments deducted from awards of special...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Is cuma cén mhéid bréag-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Níl siad fíor.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: An féidir liom dul ar aghaidh? Ní dúirt mé focal nuair a bhí an Teachta ag caint. Níl sin fíor.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Níl sé fíor. Níl aon bhunús leis. Na leasuithe atá molta, pléifear iad leis na grúpaí a dhéanann ionadaíocht do theaghlaigh aontuismitheora. Tá mé sásta dul isteach sa choiste; rinneadh pointí maithe sa díospóireacht agus pléifear iad go mion. Níl aon bhaint ag na moltaí le sábháil airgid. Duine ar bith a chreideann go bhfuil seo á dhéanamh chun airgead a...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I will not delay the House overly long. The Government Chief Whip is sitting behind me and I am sure he will give me a signal to conclude.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Yes, it is unbelievable.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We accept that. I would like to engage with Members in respect of the proposal relating to one-parent families on Committee Stage. I listened carefully to many of the points raised in respect of it during this debate. As already stated, the proposal is part of a much wider package. I fully accept that if we are going to take this route, what we are doing will not work if we do not provide...