Results 18,821-18,840 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Rates (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: 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 2012 is around €2 billion and it is paid to around...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 24th February 2012. 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: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: Following review a payment of seven hundred and forty seven euro and sixty cent per calendar month has been sanctioned. Arrears of one thousand, one hundred and forty seven euro and twenty cent issued this week.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: In order to qualify for a fuel allowance a jobseeker’s allowance recipient must, in addition to a number of other qualifying conditions, have been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for over 390 days. The person concerned has been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for 240 days and therefore does not at present qualify for a fuel allowance.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Eligibility (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: A back to education allowance application form must be completed in order to determine if a person has an entitlement to the allowance. According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not applied for a back to education allowance.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is in receipt of invalidity pension since 15 September 2011. In order to qualify for the national fuel scheme, applicants must satisfy a means assessment and be living alone or only with persons who satisfy specific criteria. On 24 May 2012, in order to determine entitlement to free fuel allowance, the person in question was requested to furnish details regarding means...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: Before proceeding to outline the content of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012, I compliment all those who worked so hard to prepare it, including various individuals and civil society groups that have advocated legislation in this area. The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for the notification, registration and solemnisation of marriage. Only the Health Service Executive and...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (6 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank Senator Ivana Bacik for the work she has done on the Bill. I thank also Senator Fidelma Healy Eames for the Fine Gael support for the Bill. I thank also Senator Diarmuid Wilson for the support which Fianna Fáil has offered. I understand Senator Norris's concerns and accept the references to the work of the Seanad in this and other areas. I recall that Senators from Trinity...

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The main purpose of the Bill is to give effect to some of the measures announced in the Budget Statement last week. Our twin objectives in the budget have been to ensure those in most need of the support of the Department of Social Protection are protected the most and that the Department does everything it can to get people back to work....

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: Members can understand the high priority the Government continues to give to the area of social protection for people relying on a social welfare income in these very difficult times. The Government's determination to protect the most vulnerable welfare recipients by maintaining the level of core payment rates is strongly informed by the significant contribution of social transfers to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Applications (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 1st November 2012, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: I understand that the Deputy’s question relates to JobBridge the National Internship Scheme and I will respond to it on that basis. The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels that are in receipt of one of the following claims (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: In general, work such as maintaining roadside vergers and general maintenance of community resorts is a function for local authorities and not for community organisations. Elements of work to enhance the environment for local communities is undertaken under a number of work placement and related schemes funded and managed by my Department, namely, the Rural Social Scheme, Community...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 24th October 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued on the 20th November 2012 advising of the decision. In the case of an application which is refused on medical...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18th September 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: Self-employed workers are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% - the same personal rate as is paid by ordinary employees. However, employers also make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. As a result, ordinary employees can build entitlement towards the full range of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Applications (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied to have his FIS payment renewed from 30th August 2012. His average earnings were calculated having regard to his earnings in the year ended 31 December 2011, the latest available P60. His most recent payslips were also examined but these gave him a higher weekly net income than his P60. The income from his P60 was used in his FIS assessment as this gave a more...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: Social welfare legislation provides that the yearly value of “property owned but not personally used or enjoyed” is assessable for means testing purposes. Property for this purpose includes: i. Money invested in a bank, building society or other financial institution; ii. The current market value of stocks and shares of every description, and iii. Houses and premises owned by a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: A review of the jobseeker’s allowance claim of the person concerned will be undertaken and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.