Results 21,361-21,380 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall
- Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: I know that. I am asking when the Minister expects to have his report.
- Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Is the Minister committed to implementing the recommendations of the commissioner's report?
- Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Is that "Yes"?
- Pension Provisions. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: When this issue hit the headlines last month it was reported that the Department was of the view that some 8,000 non-resident pensioners were deceased and the pension payment was continuing in those cases. Is that true? Is that the view in the Department?
- Pension Provisions. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: That has clarified the matter. The Minister stated that a letter goes out at the start of the year notifying people about pension increases and he stated that there are 37,000 non-resident Irish pensioners. What checks are in place to pick up on persons who have died since the previous year? The Minister spoke about the system in Australia where there is an official notification procedure....
- Pension Provisions. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: I do not think we are being unduly strict in expecting the Minister to have a system in place to pick up on deceased pensioners so that he can arrange for their payments to be stopped. The Minister has not said anything today to reassure me that he has a robust system in place. When he writes to pensioners every year to tell them about the increases in pensions, specifically the 37,000...
- Pension Provisions. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: My question was more specific. What does the Minister ask from pensioners in terms of returning information on an annual basis? What information does he ask them to return to validate the fact that they are still alive?
- Social Welfare Code. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: I said earlier that there appears to be a serious problem with regard to the exchange of information between the Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the PRTB. Does the Minister accept that is the case? A recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General showed that communications systems were weak in that regard. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that his Department's...
- Social Welfare Code. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: When we raised this issue with the Minister last month, he more or less washed his hands of it. He said that it had nothing to do with him and that he was responsible for rent supplement and answerable to the client. The Minister is paying out â¬420 million per year in rent supplement. The question of whether the landlords who received that rent are tax compliant should be a matter of...
- Social Welfare Code. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: That is exactly what he told us last month. He told us that he was not responsible for tax collection. I welcome the fact that he has seen the light and sees himself as having some responsibility in that area. Regardless of how late it has happened, now that the Department is participating in some discussions with Revenue and the PRTB, when does the Minister expect new agreements to be in...
- Social Welfare Code. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Far from trying to put the responsibility on the client, I am asking the Minister whether he, the Minister who pays out â¬420 million annually in rent supplement, is prepared to accept his Department's responsibility in respect of ensuring that the landlords who receive that rent are tax compliant.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Question 75: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the reform needed to the rent supplement scheme following a recent television programme (details supplied) in sub-standard accommodation occupied by recipients of rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/08]
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: The information from the Minister that he has no plans to do anything about this is disappointing. Did the Minister see the recent "Prime Time" programme which depicted the appalling condition of much of the private rented sector housing stock? If the Minister did not see it on the night, did he make any arrangements to view it afterwards? It was hair-raising. It showed large numbers of...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Will the Minister accept there is a communication problem between his Department and local authorities in this regard? The Minister stated in his initial reply that where poor standards are brought to the attention of a community welfare officer, the matter may be discussed with the tenant and whatever action necessary will be taken. The Minister is aware there is a dearth of accommodation...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: I am speaking about poor quality accommodation.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: The Minister signs the cheques irrespective of standards.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Did the Minister see the programme?
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Did the Minister see the programme concerned?
- Social Welfare Benefits. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: The Minister continues to pay irrespective of standards.
- Anti-Poverty Strategy. (2 Apr 2008)
Róisín Shortall: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he is taking to address the growing phenomenon of the working poor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/08]