Results 7,841-7,860 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Social Welfare Benefits. (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: New measures have not yet been introduced due to the substantial engagement taking place with groups representing lone parents or working in this general area. One does not always secure agreement on a way forward. We have engaged in substantial discussions with all the relevant groups to move forward. One of the recommendations arising from this engagement was that the Department would...

Social Welfare Benefits. (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy stated, there probably are prejudices.

Social Welfare Benefits. (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: That issue is central to what I am trying to do and I would like to achieve this objective before budget 2009. We do not know the identity of a large cohort of disqualified adults, so to speak, or what means they have at their disposal. We want to ensure everyone avails of their rights to the available supports. That is a significant challenge ahead.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the issue.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their contributions to this debate. I am also heartened by the fact there was generally a warm welcome for the improvements in budget 2008. The social welfare package was larger than many had anticipated and its share of the available resources was considerable. In this regard I acknowledge the support of the Minister for Finance and his...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee. (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: People are regarded as being in consistent poverty if their income is below 60 per cent of median income (€202.50 per week for a single person) and they experience deprivation in relation to a list of specific items. The items chosen are based on surveys of what people consider are essential for a basic standard of living in Ireland. The measure, originally developed by the Economic and...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 114, 139 and 143 together. The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The staff and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed having regard to the workload arising and...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have already described in my answer to Deputy Naughten's question the reasons for the introduction of the habitual residence condition and its application to carer's allowance, so I will confine this answer to its application in general and to other schemes. The following schemes are subject to this condition: Jobseeker's Allowance State Pension (Non-Contributory) Blind Person's Pension...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: The legislative provisions relating to late claims for social welfare benefits are set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, and in Regulations made under that section. These provisions set out the times within which a person must claim, the disqualifications which apply where a claim is made late, and the circumstances in which the time limits may be extended....

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 149, 152, 155 and 157 together. Fuel poverty has been described as the inability to afford adequate warmth in a home, or the inability to achieve adequate warmth because of the energy inefficiency of the home. The primary contributory factor to fuel poverty is the energy efficiency of the private and public housing stock. As such, the Department of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: Responsibility for questions relating to entitlement to paternity leave rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The question of a social insurance funded payment for paternity leave would be contingent on an underlying entitlement to statutory parental leave. While male employees are not entitled under Irish law to either paid or unpaid paternity leave, they may be...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I understand that the Deputy is concerned in particular about the current arrangements applying in the case of old age pension where a land-holder leases land or is otherwise in possession of land which is fallow or idle. Currently, a Group in my Department is undertaking a review of means testing arrangements generally and I understand that the issue raised by the Deputy is being considered...

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 129 together. Rent Supplement is administered on my behalf by the community welfare service division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 128, 135, 138, 147, 151, 158, 159, 167 and 171 together. The Government discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents," put forward proposals for the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities for lone parents; the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents; focused provision of...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 124 together. As the House is aware, I published the Green Paper on Pensions on the 17th October which sets out a comprehensive discussion on the issues relating to both social welfare and occupational pensions. The purpose of the Green Paper is not to recommend any particular approach, but rather to facilitate a debate on the issues and possible...

Written Answers — Departmental Estimates: Departmental Estimates (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Estimates allocation for jobseekers benefit in 2008 is €614.52 million. This compares to an allocation of €509.31 million in 2007. This year's allocation is based on an underlying live register forecast of an average of 170,000 for the year. Live register forecasts are determined by the Department of Finance. Developments in relation to jobseekers benefit will be closely monitored...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (13 Feb 2008)

Martin Cullen: The main developments proposed in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) 2007 to 2016 in respect of social welfare payments are as follows: Maintain a minimum payment rate of €200 per week, in 2007 terms, for all social welfare pensions over the course of this Plan and, if possible, having regard to available resources and the Government's commitment in Towards 2016,...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

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...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Feb 2008)

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...