Results 7,241-7,260 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen
- Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: That is ahead of schedule.
- Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs. In order to qualify for rent supplement a person must satisfy a number of conditions...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of my Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: A new pension scheme, known as State Pension (Non-Contributory) was introduced in September 2006 and incorporated all means-tested schemes for people aged 66 and over. As part of this reform, the basic income disregard for the purposes of the means test for non-contributory pensions was increased to â¬20 per week and a new disregard on earnings from employment of â¬100 per week was...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Improvements in social welfare schemes and services are introduced by way of the Budget. In framing my Budget proposals, I have regard to a wide range of factors. My priority will be to make progress in delivering on the commitments contained in the Agreed Programme for Government, the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 and the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016. The...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but to provide assistance towards these costs. A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. All carers in receipt of carer's allowance and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance, regardless of their age, also receive a free travel pass. It is also available to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type welfare payments,...
- Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) 2007-2016, published in February 2007 and the social inclusion commitments in the National Development Plan (NDP) were drawn up in consultation with the social partners and after a wide ranging consultation process with other stakeholders. The...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: A person who is unemployed may apply for Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance. Entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit is determined by reference to an individual's social insurance record. Entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance, which is a social assistance scheme, is based on an individual's weekly means. Increases in respect of a spouse/partner and children are dependent on the...
- Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The Programme for Government states that 'we will abolish the PRSI ceiling for full rate payers and reduce the rate at which this tax is levied from 4% to 2% over the lifetime of the next administration. We will also reduce the rate of PRSI paid by the self employed to 2% from 3%. These moves will eliminate remaining inequality in the income tax system and enhance its progressive nature. The...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The One-Parent Family Payment is a payment for men and women who are bringing up a child without the support of a partner. It is a means tested payment with an earnings disregard to allow for the increased costs involved in returning to the workplace. Current arrangements allow for a weekly earnings disregard of â¬146.50, with half of any additional earnings up to a weekly limit of â¬400...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: In the decades ahead, Ireland will face the same challenges in relation to pensions and other age related costs as many of our EU neighbours are facing at present. However, as a country, we are fortunate that our demographic position will remain favourable for sometime yet. This allows us time to review our situation and to decide on an appropriate course of action which will be affordable in...
- Written Answers — Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: The MABS National Helpline, Lo-call number 1890 283 438 (1890 BUDGET), was formally launched on 4th October 2007. The Helpline operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and it provides an accessible and confidential support service for those experiencing debt problems. Up to 9th November, the National Telephone Helpline has received over 1000 calls. Posters advertising the new telephone...
- Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Information on poverty levels, deprivation and social exclusion are provided in the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EUâSILC), which is conducted on an annual basis by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and which commenced in Ireland in 2003. The most recent results are for the year 2005. The results for 2006 are due to be published before the end of this year. In 2005 the...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. Expenditure on rent supplement in 2006 was â¬389m. Estimated expenditure for 2007 is â¬392m. The purpose of rent supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their...
- Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: A Green Paper does not give the answers. It is the purpose of a Green Paper to set out the debate. A White Paper would point the way.
- Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Then it would not be a Green Paper.
- Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: I thank the Members of the Seanad who have already spoken. In particular I thank Senators O'Malley and Cannon for tabling the motion. It is important to have a robust and substantive debate on the issue. Seanad Ãireann is often a place to get leadership on such a debate. Interestingly, some Senators, including Senator Quinn who has left the House, have taken an employers' point of view....
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (15 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Section 175 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that a qualified parent for the purposes of the one parent family payment, shall not, if and so long as they and any other person are cohabiting as husband and wife, be entitled to and shall be disqualified for receiving payment of the one parent family payment. Any amendment to this provision would require primary...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2007)
Martin Cullen: Since the formation of the new Government I have made use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) on one occasion in October 2007. No further travel costs have been incurred as I have made use of the official Ministerial car to attend all other engagements. There is no Minister of State assigned to my Department.