Results 20,301-20,320 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: Control is an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the Department and all staff involved in the administration of the various social welfare schemes are acutely aware of the need to implement appropriate controls at every stage of the process. Control staffing resources have remained fairly constant over the period 2010 – 2012 and, currently, there are in the region of 650...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Department exchanges information with other Government Departments and agencies for the purpose of the control of schemes. My Department has an extensive legal structure to support the sharing of data for the purpose of controlling the entitlement and payment of benefits. These provisions are contained in section 261 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005. The Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: GPs and Hospital Doctors who have successfully registered with the Department are authorised to issue medical certs to customers who present themselves as unfit for work. They also complete medical reports for customers for the various illness and disability related schemes, as required. In the case of Illness Benefit, the Department initially accepts the GP’s opinion regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Issues (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The objective of the social protection system is to promote active participation in society through the provision of income supports, employment services and other services. It does this in order to attain better outcomes in tackling poverty for children and families, people of working age and older people. The Department does not control how benefits are actually spent. It is a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Numbers (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation. 15,615 internships have commenced as at 14th March 2013 with 5,939 participants on an internship and 2,377 internship opportunities advertised on as of that date. The recent interim independent evaluation of the Scheme conducted by Indecon Independent Economic Consultants found that 61% of individuals who...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Numbers (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: Partial capacity benefit (PCB), which I introduced in February 2012, provides an opportunity for people with disabilities, to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment from the Department. The scheme is designed to facilitate greater levels of participation by people with disabilities in the open labour market – to date nearly 1,100...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Working Groups (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: This interdepartmental Working and Retirement Group was initiated to consider cross departmental policy issues that may support longer working and thereby improve the sustainability and adequacy of pensions systems. The sustainability of the pension system is a particular concern because of the demographic challenges Ireland faces, the associated increases in pension and other age related...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Applications (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: There is a range of prescribed diets for persons with a medical condition. The person concerned does not qualify for a diet supplement payment for her child because diabetes is not covered on the list of prescribed diets that qualify for a diet supplement.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Jobseeker’s Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th January 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Issues (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: A statement of the contributions paid and credited, as shown in the records of my Department, has issued to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 31st January 2013, 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: Invalidity Pension Appeals (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 31st January 2013, 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: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not made an application for Rent Supplement. He may make an application for Rent Supplement by calling to his local Community Welfare Services Office and completing the necessary forms. A decision on any application lodged will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (20 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 1 August 2012. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 13 September 2012. The person subsequently appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further evidence in support of their appeal. In...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Eligibility (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: In 2013, the child benefit payment will be paid to around 609,000 families in respect of some 1.16 million children and expenditure is estimated to be approximately €1.9 billion. In general, child benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the State. There is a comprehensive certification and review programme in place in the Department to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 11th March 2013 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: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is currently participating in the Back to Education Scheme and means are not assessed during the academic year while she is engaged in this scheme. The person concerned should call to her local office and inform a member of staff of the change in her circumstances, in order that the means applicable to her payment can be reviewed once the academic year has finished.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 24 October 2011. The application, based on the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on the 6 March 2012. Further medical evidence was received and the decision to disallow was reviewed by a deciding officer. There was no change to this decision and the person was...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: The Department is unable to provide forecasts to people in relation to their possible future State pension (transition/contributory) entitlements, or to comment on individual pension planning enquiries. The person concerned will not reach pension age until December 2017. He is being forwarded a copy of his PRSI record, which is a full representation of his social insurance contribution...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (14 Mar 2013)

Joan Burton: According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for a jobseeker’s allowance payment.