Results 2,001-2,020 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Legislative Process (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 is the only Bill in my Department which is awaiting Committee Stage.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them. Photography services are used, in conjunction with press releases, conferences and launch events, to communicate my...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 to 242, inclusive, together. The Christmas Bonus is being paid this week to some 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on social welfare payments for all of most of their income. Recipients of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Freedom of Information Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: I am advised that the Department does not maintain statistics on the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests denied by reason. The remaining information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statements. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. Tabular Statements FOI Requests Received: 2016 to End November 2019 Year Total Received ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 10 October 2019. It is a condition for receipt of a CA...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: A person is required to have 520 contributions paid to qualify for the State Pension (contributory). It is reasonable to require people who seek a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years paid contributions into the Social Insurance Fund which finances it, over 50 years of working age life. While it was lower in the past when PRSI coverage was less widespread, legislation was...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Appeals Office continues to work to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The information (where available) requested by the Deputy is detailed in the attached tabular statement. The number of recipients of disability payments at the end of October in each of the years 2016 to 2019 . Type of Payment 2016 2017 2018 2019 Disability Allowance 125,046 132,727 139,722 145,544 ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Household Benefits Package is paid to over 452,000 households at an estimated cost of €248 million in 2019. Of this cost, €188 million relates to the electricity or gas allowance element of the Household Benefits Package. The remaining €60 million relates to the Free Television Licence. As part of Budget 2020, I introduced a change, with effect from 6th January...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: My key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the reciprocal arrangements for social insurance (which includes pensions) and social assistance (means tested schemes linked to residency rights) and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. Post-Brexit, including in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Irish and British citizens will continue to enjoy the right to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned is currently in receipt of maximum rate widows Pension for a person under 66 years payable at €208.50 per week. From 20 December 2019, the person concerned will qualify for the maximum rate widows pension for a person 66 years and over, payable at a rate of €248.30 per week. This payment rate is equivalent to the maximum rate of state pension...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Data (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Based on the most recent figures available to my Department, the table below provides the number of applicants of pension age who have not qualified for State pension (contributory) in the past three years as they did not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions. Year reached pension age Total pensioners who did not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. To help my Department to make timely and fair decisions on applications, applicants should ensure that they complete the application forms fully, attaching all the supporting documentation required as...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Tús Programme (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Tús commenced operation in 2011 as a response to the high level of unemployment and the large numbers on the Live Register. It is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. The duration of the Tús contract is a maximum of 12 months and this ensures that as many people as...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Welfare Services Provision (4 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: Community Welfare Services in the South Kildare are based in three main centres: Naas, Newbridge and Athy. The service is accessible by telephone call, followed up by appointments and home visits as required. Telephone lines are open at all times and all customers have their call returned within one working day. This eliminates the need for customers to travel to and Intreo Centre or...

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: It was two days before the by-election.

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: You just spent the past two hours saying we are not doing it. Make up your minds.

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: We have a manufactured debate in the Chamber tonight. Certain Deputies on the other side of the House would like to present this debate as the very caring Opposition against the big, nasty Government as if we did not care.

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: It is a cartoon version of politics that bears no relation to the reality of what Rebuilding Ireland is achieving. We do care. I am sure that everyone in the House cares. Like every other politician, we meet families week in, week out who are trying to get on the property ladder.

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Regina Doherty: We meet parents who are saving for their deposits no more than Opposition Members or we did-----