Results 6,481-6,500 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: -----it is 770. It would be inaccurate and unfair to characterise all such marriages as sham marriages but it is noteworthy that the number of such marriages has been falling dramatically this year. That is because of increased vigilance and scrutiny surrounding marriages of convenience in this country and abroad.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As to whether it is a criminal offence, the position is that there is no such legal offence as a sham marriage but if a marriage is not valid it is not valid. My understanding of this issue, although I am not a criminal lawyer, is that the position regarding these marriages is the same as that concerning any other marriage wrongfully entered into.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I understand legal advice was given on the application of the rules. We are examining the possibility of changing the law as well as best practice in other jurisdictions and, if necessary, legislation will be brought in to deal with this issue.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Deputy is right in that Latvia has been very much to the fore in protecting its female citizens in this regard. I understand other foreign embassies have stated their concerns by contacting the General Register Office. The feedback from these embassies suggests that the requirement in the new guidelines to obtain official authentication of foreign birth certificates is of assistance to...

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Sorry?

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Yes, but in the short term we are dealing with that by seeking authentication of foreign birth certificates.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That is happening, yes. That is what I am saying to the Deputy.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am also saying to the Deputy that I am very concerned about this issue. The Árd Chláraitheoir is working on the issue, and it is my hope that we will introduce legislation because I believe every possible step should be taken. I understand consultations are taking place-----

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I pointed out in the original reply, this became a matter of serious concern following the European Court of Justice judgment in the Metock case.

Marriages of Convenience (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not have a definite date for legislation, but the matter is being worked on proactively and I have had consultations with the Árd Chláraitheoir. The Deputy can be absolutely-----

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day to day work of the Department. A key objective of the Department's control strategy is to ensure that the right person is paid the right amount of money at the right time. A four-pronged control strategy has been adopted by the Department, namely, prevention of fraud and error at the initial claim...

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I answered that question comprehensively with facts and figures on Committee Stage of the Bill we debated during the early summer. However, I will send the detailed facts to the Deputy. These show that the week in question was not exceptional in terms of the number of people not signing on. Off the top of my head, around 90% of the people who did not sign on that week were Irish. Of the...

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Deputy-----

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Yes.

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: On the Deputy's first question, I will obtain the information for him. I hope that when he gets the information he will consider it factually and objectively.

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: He will see that the story is not as it has been portrayed. We are very keen to eliminate fraud and, as the Deputy will be aware, we have made substantial savings through, for example, the fraud control measure on child benefit this year. I will do anything I can to try to eliminate fraud. The Deputy asked about the identity card. I would hope to have the first of them by the end of the...

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I believe it will stop many of the abuses that are taking place and is a necessary step in the right direction. We are also stepping up on the national employment action programme. If one listens to what is being said on the street, there is a temptation for people to work and draw at the same time. We need to activate people back into work and to close down on that. What was the Deputy's...

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is very hard at times to identify whether-----

Social Welfare Fraud (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I will revert to him, but I must warn him that it is very hard to know in some cases whether it was genuine error or whether someone purposely gave wrong information. Where we know it is genuine fraud, we prosecute and if it is a genuine error, obviously we do not.

Employment Support Services (2 Nov 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Activation and support for those who are unemployed is a key priority for Government. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced a number of changes to improve the delivery of employment, training and community services to the public by bringing together related responsibilities in these areas. These changes included the restructuring of departmental responsibilities with the objective of...