Results 1,721-1,740 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Seanad: Commencement Matters: State Pensions (21 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: I am probably speaking out of turn but it does seem to be incredibly unfair. I made representations for a particular lady in the last number of years. She worked in the UK for two years when she was younger and gets a pension cheque from the UK every week and yet we will give her nothing. There is an anomaly there and we certainly will be looking at it.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Bereavement Grant (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: In recent Budgets my Department has protected primary social welfare rates. Abolishing the bereavement grant provided a significant annual saving and allowed my Department to protect other core social welfare payments such as the State pension. Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations. It’s...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Legislation (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The possible implications, both positive and negative, of the proposed measures have been subject to considerable deliberation by my Department. It is not feasible to carry out a financial analysis given the variability of schemes, employers and market conditions. All defined benefit (DB) schemes are different, with their own trust deeds and scheme rules, setting out contribution rates for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Paternity Leave (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: Paternity benefit was introduced in September 2016 to support new fathers to take time off work within the first 26 weeks following the birth of their child. The benefit covers two 2 weeks leave and is available to employed and self-employed fathers who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.It is payable at a rate of €235 per week with possible increases for adult and child...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned made an application for jobseekers allowance in the Kilbarrack Intreo Centre in April 2017. This application was refused on the basis that he was not habitually resident in the State. The applicant was informed of this decision in writing and afforded the right of appeal, which he declined. If a person is unemployed and does not qualify for an unemployment payment, they...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: A fuel allowance (FA) is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments and who also satisfy certain other conditions. The person concerned is in receipt of carer’s allowance from my Department. Carer’s allowance is not one of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The introduction of an allowance for pensioners for domestic refuse collection by my Department would not be feasible given the wide range of charging regimes and cost structures that exist in respect of waste management throughout the State. As you know charges vary across local authorities and within local authorities where there is more than one provider. In addition, some local...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Administration (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: My Department has not yet set any definitive date for the replacement of the old form of paper free travel pass with the new Public Services Card- Free Travel variant (PSC-FT). I am anxious to do this as soon as possible given the benefits of the PSC-FT to both the customers and travel operators. I will not withdraw the use of the old type pass, however, until I am satisfied that all...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned submitted an application for supplementary welfare allowance with effect from 29/5/2017. Certain documentation was requested in order to process her application. This documentation is still outstanding. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for an exceptional needs payment. It is open to her to contact her...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The cost of all work including investigations, completed by external agencies/consultants during 2015 and 2016 in the areas of human resources and industrial relations contracted out by my Department and by the bodies that come under its aegis are outlined in the following table. Department/Agency Cost 2015 Cost 2016 Department of Social Protection €56,390 €52,551 Citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement. CA is in payment to the person concerned since 23 May 2002 and a review was recently...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned is in receipt of a full rate of Rent Supplement entitlement based on their monthly rent, weekly income and family composition. All payments for 2017 are up to date. The person concerned submitted documentation to the Department on 21/6/17, requesting that Rent Supplement payments be issued to an alternate bank account. Accordingly, on the same day, the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for an exceptional needs payment as a result of difficulties pertaining to the accumulation of outstanding rent arrears. The person concerned received financial assistance on 8/5/2017 towards the cost of school expenses as a result of costs incurred at the time of the recent death of her mother....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: Following an examination of the department’s systems it has been determined that the person concerned has not made an application for any payment. If they wish to do so they can complete the necessary application form and submit it to the department for decision. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance Eligibility (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned has met with a departmental case officer on a number of occasions to discuss various self-employment options he was considering and the supports available from the department in this regard. The back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) scheme is available to support persons who are long-term unemployed and wish to develop or take up self-employment opportunities....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (22 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned has been requested to submit to the Department documentation in relation to his rent increase that will allow re-assessment of his Rent Supplement claim in line with recent legislation. The Deputy will be aware that Naas has been designated as a Rental Pressure Zone (RPZ). Under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, rents are only...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: It is what the Deputy does every day.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: The Deputy does it every day to every other party in this House.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Jun 2017)

Regina Doherty: If the Deputy cannot take it, he should not dish it out.