Results 2,121-2,140 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 14, to delete “Section 14” and substitute “Sections 4 and 14”. I mentioned at the end of Committee Stage proceedings last week that I would be bringing forward these amendments on Report Stage to address matters arising from a Supreme Court judgment which found that provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005...

Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: To answer Deputy O'Dea's question specifically, obviously it involves the guiding rules. We are changing the principle conditionality of the schemes of working age, whereby there is a specific set of conditions today - a new condition - notwithstanding that with respect to the scheme for which one would be applying, one would be otherwise available for work. The core principle of working...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (27 Nov 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 carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 20 May 2019 in respect of two care...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Government decided in January 2019 to set up an Inter-departmental Group (IDG) to explore the most appropriate organisation arrangements for social inclusion work schemes currently operated by my Department.  The Group was not set up to consider the pensions of CE supervisors.  The final report of the IDG is expected to be available shortly. In relation to the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Applications (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned initially applied for State pension (contributory) on 28 October 2009 in advance of reaching pension age in December 2009.  They were assessed as having 22 paid full-rate social insurance contributions.  As their contributions fell short of the required 260 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for State pension (contributory), the claim was disallowed. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department does not employ agency staff.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Services Card (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: Commercial vehicle testing is carried out by commercial vehicle roadworthy test operators authorised and supervised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  Since 2013, the RSA is responsible for the authorisation and supervision of the commercial vehicle testing system under the provisions of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act, 2012.  Regulations under...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The matter of CE Supervisor Pensions Claim following 2008 Labour Court Recommendation 19293 was the subject of extensive discussion at the Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which was reconvened to examine certain issues pertaining to the Community Employment sector and in particular to ensure that the matter of pensions was fully...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Tús Programme (27 Nov 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...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (27 Nov 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 person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.  Depending on the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (27 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned made an application for a Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment on 5 September, 2019. Insufficient information was provided by the person concerned and this, together with a change in address and telephone number, has led to a delay in processing their claim.  The claim is currently assigned to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: I am advised that the matter raised by the Deputy is being investigated by my Department. Any workers affected should attend their local Intreo Centre where they can discuss their entitlements. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Budget 2020 (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: As part of Budget 2020, I announced, on 8th October this year, that I was directing the resources available to me towards a series of targeted measures to ensure that the social welfare system supports the most vulnerable people in our society. These measures include: - A €5 increase to the living alone allowance for over 160,000 pensioners, widows and widowers...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Appeals (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 27 September 2019 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.  I have also been advised that, following initial consideration of the appeal, the Appeals Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.  The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons.  The fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 4 November 2019 to an Appeals Officer 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 Employment Affairs and Social...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: JobPath Data (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is a case management service that provides employment counselling and advice to long-term unemployed jobseekers with a view to improving their prospects of securing sustained full-time employment. The service is provided to help and support clients to identify and pursue suitable job opportunities themselves with the help of a Personal Adviser. Support...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Medical Review and Assessment Section (MRAS), in conjunction with individual scheme business sections, co-ordinates and manages all referrals for assessment to the Medical Assessors. The Department offers a number of schemes on illness, disability; carers and occupational injury and applications vary in volume and frequency both yearly and seasonally. High volume and resource...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Community Employment (CE) programme is designed to enhance employability by providing work experience and training opportunities for people within their communities. The programme is operated by CE Sponsors, who are typically voluntary and community organisations wishing to benefit the local community. These CE Sponsoring organisations contract, as independent employers, with my...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Applications (26 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people. To qualify the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that...