Results 15,441-15,460 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I do not have it before me but it is probably based on equities worldwide. The National Pensions Reserve Fund, when operational in the equities market, used various standard programmes for investment in equities around the world. Many defined benefit schemes are closed to new members and as such their membership is older. Obviously, as membership age in pension funds increases there is a...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: That was something between the former Minister and the promoters. I was always rather surprised that the price tag reported appeared to be as high as it was. I will not say more than that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The unilateral decision was taken-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: The unilateral decision was taken to give a unilateral guarantee to the banks which, in turn, had consequences for our capacity for further fund raising. The banks, the promissory notes and the NAMA structure have all imposed obligations on Ireland which are very difficult and onerous for taxpayers, so they limit our freedom of action in regard to other areas but I will not go into all of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Report and Remaining Stages (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I have explained my views to the House. I welcome that we have had a positive debate on the necessity of a programme of preschool and after-school care. We have a number of years in which to progress that programme in an active way, given the fact that the threshold of seven years of age arises from 2014 for new entrants and 2015 and 2016 for existing recipients. It would be a good day's...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (30 Apr 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank the leaders, especially of the Government parties, for the absolute support they have given to me during these important days of debate. I also thank the leaders of the Opposition parties and the Independents for the courtesy they have extended to me during this discussion. The debate has been extremely worthwhile. We have had a considered discussion, particularly about child care...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: Pensions are a long-term investment aimed at ensuring that people have an adequate income in retirement. Government policy supports this aspiration through generous tax reliefs and we are currently reforming the pension system to ensure its future sustainability. At the moment, people are generally only permitted to access their pension savings at the retirement age defined in their pension...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The FÁS Employment Service, which deals with the interview process referred to, has been transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from the beginning of this year. Under the current National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) system, all those who are unemployed and signing on are referred to the employment service when they reach three months singing on. These NEAP clients...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The total number of internship placements that have commenced to date is 6,648. Of these, 192 placements have commenced within the local authorities. 19 local authorities have participated in the Scheme. The largest take up is from Cork, Clare, Galway and North Tipperary County Councils who have commenced 38, 26, 21 and 21 interns respectively. The remaining 86 internship placements are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 February 2012. 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 04th...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned was refused disability allowance following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the allowance. He was also disallowed on the grounds that his weekly means exceeded the statutory limit allowable for disability allowance purposes. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The criteria for participating on the Community Employment (CE) programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying Irish social welfare payment, as defined on the Department's public website. This requirement is based on Government policy and Departmental guidelines...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th February 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29th February 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be assigned to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. Following the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th January 2012. 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 29th...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. Following the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that an application for carer's allowance has been received from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case on 2nd May 2012. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (1 May 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of his case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.