Results 21,681-21,700 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Remuneration (12 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department of Social Protection has not sought sanction for any promotions or acting-up allowances in respect of staffing arrangements associated with the upcoming EU presidency.

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...

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: Order for Second Stage (11 Dec 2012)

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

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.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (11 Dec 2012)

Joan Burton: As part of the appeals process, the department referred all the medical evidence received to a second medical assessor for review. The medical assessor was of the opinion, based on all the information supplied, that the person concerned was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The person’s appeal has now been referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.

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

Joan Burton: The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors Its aim is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience and provide the opportunity to gain valuable...

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

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 10th December 2012. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social...

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

Joan Burton: Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 24 May 2011. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that...

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

Joan Burton: The jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these schemes that a person must be available for full-time work. A person is entitled to jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance where they are fully unemployed...

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

Joan Burton: The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. FIS claims, both new and renewal, received on or after the 5th November 2012 are currently being processed on receipt. There are currently 293 new applications and 94 renewal applications...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Appeals (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 28th 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...