Results 17,781-17,800 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. I am informed by the Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person; effectively full-time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The number of people in receipt of one-parent family payment at 30 September 2009 is 89,404. A breakdown showing the number of children per customer is set out in the table below: Number of Children Number of Recipients 1 49,913 2 24,872 3 9,639 4 3,343 5 1,085 6 350 7 130 8 44 9 19 10 8 11 1 89,404

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I have asked the Family Support Agency to supply the requested information to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments on the grounds of appeal in the case of the person concerned have been sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The person concerned claimed one parent family payment from 3 July 2008. She has been paid in respect of herself and 3 children. Means of E77.50 per week have been assessed on her claim. In June 2009 she requested a review of her means as her ex husband became unemployed. She was requested to submit evidence of maintenance payments being made to her. A form was sent to her on 5 August as a...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Since its introduction, the underlying objective of the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme has been to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education and who would not otherwise...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: In order to respond effectively to the growing numbers on the Live Register and the current employment situation, it was decided in the context of the recent supplementary budget to refocus resources on the enterprise strand of the back to work allowance which supports people into self employment. These changes significantly strengthen the supports for jobseekers wishing to move to self...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: There is an obligation, under Social Welfare legislation, on customers to notify the Department of any change in their circumstances which may affect their entitlement to payment. Customers are informed of this requirement when notified of the decision on their claim and at subsequent reviews. When a person in receipt of a social welfare payment enters full-time permanent nursing home care...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Under the Pensions Act 1990, defined benefit pension (DB) schemes must meet a minimum funding standard which requires that schemes maintain sufficient assets to enable them discharge accrued liabilities in the event of the scheme winding up. The Pensions Act, and associated regulations, prescribe that defined benefit schemes are required to assess once every year whether they meet the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The average exit age from the labour force in Ireland was 64.1 years in 2006, compared to the EU25 average of 61 years. Notwithstanding this, the Green Paper on Pensions, published in October 2007, discussed the issue of raising state pension age as a measure to assist with the sustainability of the public pension system and to strengthen inter-generational solidarity. As was pointed out in...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Self-employed people including artists are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 3% and are consequently eligible for a narrower range of benefits than general employees who, together with their employers, pay a total social insurance contribution of 14.05%, excluding levies, under the full-rate PRSI Class A. Self-employed workers are not insured against short-term benefits such as illness...

Money Advice and Budgeting Service. (7 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, is the main Government-funded service that assists people who are overly indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. It is important for people coping with debt difficulties to take early action and approach MABS for help and guidance. This can be the first positive step for people as they address their debt difficulties. ...

Money Advice and Budgeting Service. (7 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that 12 full-time posts have been divided up among 19 full-time and part-time workers, although I stand to be corrected. The Deputy suggested that people should be given advice in advance, which can be done in several ways. I recently launched a programme under the Money Advice and Budgeting Service's community education programme, which is very successful at giving information...

Money Advice and Budgeting Service. (7 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I do not question the Deputy's opinions on what has happened. She is right to mention that people were advised to take out 100% mortgages, for example. The Financial Regulator obliges financial institutions to give certain advice. There has been an increase in the number of debt collection groups, many of which have written to me to offer assistance with our work. I am aware of a serious...

Money Advice and Budgeting Service. (7 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: There are two issues. At a time when there is an embargo on recruitment, we were lucky to secure 12 positions. We have divided them among the MABS offices with the greatest increase in demand. I was also a little taken aback by the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the number of cases being dealt with by MABS. I have witnessed the work that is being done. The Comptroller...

Pension Provisions. (7 Oct 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Government is aware that wider and longer term pensions issues require a comprehensive and co-ordinated response. Following the conclusion of the successful consultation process last year, we have been considering options to address the challenges facing our pensions system which were raised in the Green Paper process. These issues relate to social welfare pensions, the sustainability...