Results 7,261-7,280 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: Although there are no statistics available in relation to the number of pensions that operate on an integrated basis, it is generally accepted that the system applies in the vast majority of defined benefit schemes. There were 1,411 defined benefit schemes registered with the Pensions Board at the end of 2006. The manner in which integration is implemented can vary, but the most common...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: As I explained in my previous reply, my Department was approached by third parties to assist them in contacting individuals who could not be contacted at the address held in their name on the third parties' records. My Department has consistently maintained that it should be a last port of call in overcoming problems with contacting individuals and has engaged with third parties to the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: This person was awarded a State Pension Non-Contributory from 8 October 2004. In January 2007, the Department was notified by the UK Department of Social Security that he qualified for a British Retirement Pension with effect from 21 June 2004. His entitlement to State Pension Non-Contributory for the period 8 October 2004 to 4 January 2007 was therefore reviewed and an overpayment arising...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: All applicants regardless of nationality are from 1 May 2004 required to be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance, child benefit and certain social welfare assistance payments. The Eastern Area of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused supplementary welfare allowance on the grounds that he is not...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive has advised that it is awaiting documentation from the person concerned so that it can make a decision on any entitlement to rent supplement. It has further advised that it will inform the person concerned of its decision on the matter in writing in due course. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together. The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1st of May 2004. The basis for the restriction is the applicant's habitual residence. The restriction is not based on citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (20 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 Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal by the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of my Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Construction Federation Operatives Pensions Scheme, was first put in place in 1965, and operates as a Registered Employment Agreement under the Industrial Relations Acts. There is a statutory obligation on employers to register eligible employees in the scheme and to pay the necessary contributions. The scheme was reformed in 2006 after an extended review process between employers and...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together. A Deciding Officer awarded the person concerned jobseeker's allowance at the weekly rate of 10 cent from 26 September 2007. She has weekly means of €309.00 derived from benefit of partner's earnings. In practice the Department does not issue payments each week for such small amounts but this award will entitle her to credited pay...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: My Department is involved in a number of programmes some of which are part funded by the EU. Details of the amount received by this Department from the EU over the last ten years are not immediately available. However, my Department will write to the Deputy with these details as soon as they are available.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The person concerned was in receipt of jobseeker's benefit from 12 October 2005. Following a review of her entitlements, a Deciding Officer disallowed the jobseeker's benefit claim of the person concerned from 10 May 2007 on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking full-time work. The person concerned appealed this decision. An Appeals Officer subsequently upheld the Deciding...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The estimated cost of the 2007 budget increase in the earnings limit for recipients of deserted wife's benefit (DWB) was €1.54 million for a full year. For those who first claimed DWB after 31st August 1992, the increase now allows for the retention of full-rate deserted wife's benefit with earnings of up to €20,000 per annum. This would entitle a recipient earning €20,000 to an annual...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: Due to the sad and untimely death of the Branch Manager in Dunmanway an arrangement had to be put in place immediately to ensure continuity of service to customers. The number of customers involved includes approximately 230 in receipt of a jobseekers payment and a further 120 on farm assist, back to work and pre retirement allowance. These customers are being facilitated by neighbouring...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of all my Department's offices, plan to undertake a major refurbishment of the Social Welfare Local Office in Newcastle West. Any improvement works to the entrances and exits of the car park will be addressed as part of that programme.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 29 weeks from end-September to mid-April and are not intended to meet the full cost of heating. Eligibility to the fuel allowance scheme is subject to means...

Written Answers — National Carers Strategy: National Carers Strategy (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: My Department provides income support to carers by way of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant. The respite care grant, which is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention, is payable from age 16. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means or social insurance contributions but it is subject to certain...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: There are two strands of the scheme — back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) for self employed and back to work allowance (BTWA) for employees. The allowance is payable at a tapered rate of the qualifying payment. The self employed strand is payable at 100% of the qualifying payment in year one, 75% in year two, 50% in year three, and 25% in year four. Participants on the employee strand...

Written Answers — National Carers Strategy: National Carers Strategy (20 Nov 2007)

Martin Cullen: Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and...