Results 8,161-8,180 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — National Carers Strategy: National Carers Strategy (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 128, 146 and 545 together. The development of a national carers' strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" and the Programme for Government. A working group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, has begun work on developing the strategy. My Department provides the secretariat to the working...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 114, 143 and 150 together. Estimated costings were agreed between the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Finance in relation to the PRSI commitments in the Programme for Government. These suggest that, were the commitments to be implemented in full, the cost to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) would be €645 million, in 2006...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The purpose of the review of the social welfare code, which is currently being undertaken in my Department, is to examine its compatibility with the Equal Status Act, 2000 (as amended). The review will examine all the schemes and services provided for both in social welfare legislation and the administrative schemes operated by the Department. It will identify any instances of direct or...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The habitual residence condition currently applies to the following schemes: Jobseeker's allowance, one parent family payment, disability allowance, old age non-contributory pension, widow's non-contributory pension, guardian's non-contributory payment, carer's allowance, blind person's pension, child benefit and supplementary welfare allowance. It does not apply to exceptional or urgent...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (2 Apr 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 late claim is made, and the circumstances in which the time limits may be extended....

Written Answers — Social Welfare Fraud: Social Welfare Fraud (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The number of overpayments which are attributed to fraud for the five years from 2002 to 2006 are as follows. Year Number 2002 13,800 2003 16,700 2004 19,200 2005 16,000 2006 16,800 The figures for 2007 are not yet available. Overpayments may be recovered in the following ways: a single payment covering the full amount owed regular periodic payments deduction(s) from the customer's...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The European Commission's proposal to designate 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion is currently under consideration by the European Council and the European Parliament. This proposal essentially arises from the decision of the European Council at Lisbon in March 2000 to invite Member States and the Commission to take steps to make a decisive impact on the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Forms: Social Welfare Forms (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and application forms covering each social welfare payment or scheme. These are available in a wide range of outlets across the country, including all Social Welfare Local Offices and Branch Offices, Citizens Information Centres, Post Offices and in other organisations such as local community centres. Extra stocks are...

Written Answers — Employment Laws: Employment Laws (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department's inspectorate, appointed under Section 250 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 is responsible for ensuring that employers comply with their legal obligations in relation to Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. Employer compliance in this regard, is monitored by Inspectors conducting employer inspections. The nature of these inspections can vary; ranging from...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Fraud: Social Welfare Fraud (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department undertakes surveys of levels of fraud and error as part of its control strategy, to identify types of claims which should be prioritised for review purposes. The Department is committed to undertaking at least two such surveys annually and these are done in accordance with specific criteria laid down by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (C&AG). The objective of the surveys...

Written Answers — PPS Numbers: PPS Numbers (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: My Department assumed responsibility for the allocation of PPS Numbers in June 2000. Because the PPS Number is a unique identifier for access to services provided by Government Departments and other public bodies it is essential to have effective controls around the PPS Number registration process. Controls, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis, are exercised at both the initial allocation...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Offices: Social Welfare Offices (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Under the current arrangements the majority of Social Welfare Local Offices are open to the public from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, including lunch hours. In 2004 opening hours were extended to include lunch times as provided for in the Department's Modernisation Action Plan under Sustaining Progress. Social Welfare Branch Offices and some smaller Local Offices do not open during lunch...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Family Support Agency was established on 6 May 2003 by the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs and brings together programmes and services to support families introduced by the Government in recent years. Its mission is to promote family and community well being through the provision of appropriate supports and services to families. Funding for the Agency has increased from...

Written Answers — Socio-Economic Review: Socio-Economic Review (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: In its Socio Economic Review for 2008 CORI Justice proposed that the issues of child poverty and childcare be addressed through substantial increases in child benefit and/or early childcare supplement. Child benefit (CB) is a universal payment, paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: 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 1 May 2004. It was introduced in the context of the Government's decision to open the Irish labour market to workers from the 10 new EU Member States, without the transitional limitations which were imposed at that time by most...

Written Answers — Combat Poverty Agency Reviews: Combat Poverty Agency Reviews (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The reviews, in relation to the work of the Combat Poverty Agency, are at different stages of progression. The review of the Agency's Research Programme, initiated in May 2007 by the Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion of the Department, was carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants. Its objectives were to Assess the activities, output and outcomes of the research programme;...

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department has taken a lead role over the years in developing and implementing identity management policies and procedures based on the use of the Personal Public Services (PPS) number. This number was previously known as the Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number. The name was changed to indicate the broadening of its role to one which supports delivery of a broader range of public...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The current range of payment options offered by my Department to customers includes payment at a local post office or to a bank or building society account; or certain credit unions that have been authorised by the banking and credit union regulators. Customers opt for a particular payment method having regard to their own personal circumstances. The Department is implementing a three year...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Guardians' payment schemes allow for the provision of a weekly allowance to a guardian of a child who has either been orphaned or whose parents have deserted and failed to provide for the child. The review of the Guardian's payment within my Department commenced in late 2006 and involved a detailed analysis of a large sample of guardian's payment files. Issues emerging from the review...

Written Answers — Advocacy Service: Advocacy Service (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The introduction of a personal advocacy service is provided for in the Citizens Information Act, 2007. The service will assist individuals in identifying their needs, understanding their options and assist them in securing their entitlements to social services which include health, social welfare, education, family support, housing, taxation, citizenship, consumer matters, employment and...