Results 18,441-18,460 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (14 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Pathways to Work document states that the introduction of the new Intreo service is a multi-annual project. All elements of the Intreo service will be operational in four offices by the end of November 2012 and a further six offices are expected to be live by the end of the year. The plans for 2013 are now being developed and the selection of offices will depend upon a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Promotions (14 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy will be aware since 2009 there is a moratorium on promotion within the Civil Service. However, given the increased demands on the services of my department, exceptional sanction was received from Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill critical vacancies in locations where posts could not be filled by the redeployment or transfer of staff. In addition, under the...

Topical Issue Debate: Community Employment Schemes (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank Deputy Breen for raising this issue. The underlying eligibility criteria for entry to community employment has not changed. Eligibility for entry to community employment is based on applicants being in receipt of welfare payments for a defined length of time, notably jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit, one-parent family payment and persons in receipt of disability-related...

Topical Issue Debate: Community Employment Schemes (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy for his remarks. I congratulate the community employment schemes in County Clare. I have had an opportunity to meet with workers on the schemes and to meet the sponsors of schemes. I can testify to the very valuable community work and the contribution of the community employment schemes. The scheme sponsors endeavour to provide opportunities for people to advance...

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: If the Deputy was really concerned about resources, he would have been more cautious in his own use of them. He has been a particularly costly example of the use of resources. Perhaps if he used fewer, we would have more to spend on the families about whom he is talking. The Department is committed to providing a quality service for all its customers. The family income supplement scheme...

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Letterkenny office and staff are to be highly commended. I would have expected the Deputy to congratulate them. Sinn Féin wants to be on both sides of the street. The Deputy is giving out about what is happening in Letterkenny. The staff of the Department of Social Protection in Donegal provide an excellent service.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The team is focused fully on the elimination of the backlog of claims in the shortest possible timeframe, concentrating, in the first instance, on those claims previously in payment but in respect of which payment has expired. The Deputy will understand the reason for this. While it is not possible to clear all claims immediately, we expect to have the backlog cleared substantially in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I will pass on the Deputy's complaint about Letterkenny but I must say the staff in Letterkenny-----

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: -----have provided an excellent service, particularly in areas such as child benefit.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Deputy is lecturing about claims and costs. He would do better if he made sure his own costs in this establishment were moderated-----

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: -----and that money that was claimed-----

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: Your usage of certain kinds of expense would put everybody else's expense claims in the shade.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: You have a particular record in that regard.

Topical Issue Debate: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I am delighted to say that particular staff in Letterkenny have been ring-fenced to deal with the backlog. Those resources have been applied. Even Sinn Féin might acknowledge that there has been an enormous upsurge across the board in claims of certain payments such as family income supplement and carer's allowance. To cope with the increased volumes we have introduced new and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Rates (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 137 together. Child benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. The estimated expenditure on child benefit for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 19 December 2011. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 5 October 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the caree in question was not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. The deciding officer accepted that opinion and further decided that, in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned has not provided all of the necessary documentation required for the centralised Kildare Rent Unit to process his claim. When the information has been provided a full assessment can be completed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (15 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 15th May 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.