Results 15,361-15,380 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: 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. The effect of the condition is that a person whose habitual residence is elsewhere would not normally be entitled to social welfare assistance or child benefit payments on arrival in Ireland. Each case received for...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: In the past, income support for people of working age, including lone parents, has been passive in nature, with little systematic engagement by the State with the customer. This is now changing. Long-term welfare dependency and passive income support to people of working age are not in the best interests of the recipient, of their children or of society. The long-term income support that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: There are a number of vacancies in the Department's offices in Longford and Westmeath, due to recent staff retirements in these locations. The staffing needs of all offices in my Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The Department will continue to source available staff...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The application in respect of the person concerned is being examined to ascertain whether all eligibility conditions for the scheme are satisfied, including the requirement to be habitually resident in the State. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her claim, a decision will be made, and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome. A...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: In order to qualify for a rent supplement a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation or accommodation for homeless persons or an institution (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm an application for carer's allowance was received from the above named. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of his claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23rd November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 26th...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: For the period, 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012, 168 Parliamentary Questions tabled to this Department were transferred to other Departments as they did not come under the remit of this Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (26 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Responsibility for Rural Development Policy rests with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department supports the rural economy and rural development through a range of benefit payments and work placement and activation initiatives, including the rural social scheme, Tús, community employment and similar programmes. There is no provision for...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The Bill, which has been referred to the Seanad by Dáil Éireann, is very important. As Minister for Social Protection, the needs of the people who depend on social welfare for vital support are foremost in my mind. However, I am also very conscious of the harsh economic environment within which the country now operates. Spending on social protection cannot be viewed in isolation. It...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I am confident this will succeed. In the 1960s, we introduced free secondary education which many people thought impossible at the time. In the 1970s, on the advice of the OECD, we introduced a system of regional technical education which now makes up the institutes of technology system. At the time many critics felt it also could not be done. In the 1990s, I was involved with the then...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Inevitably, an initiative such as this takes time to bear fruit but is an important and radical step. I am also bringing forward several other important changes to the social welfare system in this Bill. The Bill will apply restrictions on the payment of mortgage interest supplement to provide that it will not be payable for a person in the first 12 months of the mortgage arrears resolution...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Frank Cluskey introduced the deserted wife's and prisoner's wife's allowances.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: All parties have contributed to the social welfare system.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The total number of people affected is approximately 1,000, and this includes Members of the Oireachtas who may make voluntary contributions even though they receive no entitlements. It is a small distinct group, most of whom have lived abroad or have returned to Ireland from abroad. I will provide a note to the Deputy.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I have no idea.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I apologise, as I was delayed by traffic and roadworks in the Phoenix Park on my way back to the House. I was at an historic opening of the first multidenominational school campus, which houses a new community national school and secondary school and a large sports centre, at Phibblestown in Ongar.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I hope I did not inconvenience the Seanad too much. The campus is a great achievement and a great reflection on all of the political parties that have been involved in the development. This multicampus approach will be the forerunner for many such schools. It comprises children of approximately 60 nationalities. One reason for the delay was the blessings and thoughts from no fewer than...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I have the same problem with Bruton and Burton.