Results 22,301-22,320 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Comprehensive Expenditure Report, 2012 – 2014, published last December, provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €1,033 million in the Department of Social Protection’s budget over the two years 2013 and 2014. This total includes €540 million of new savings to be achieved in 2013 as well as an additional €173 million savings in that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 205, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below. Item Estimated Full Year Savings € m Reduction of €5 in the personal weekly social protection rates of payment for persons under 66 years with proportionate reduction for qualified adults 230 Reduction of €10 per week in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 207 to 210, inclusive, together. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Yield (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Social Insurance Fund (SIF) - PRSI Receipts 2007-2011 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 Employer 5,762,011 5,944,892 5,290,403 5,000,275 5,460,786 Employee 1,539,147 1,633,708 1,559,416 1,377,140 1,617,352 Self-Employed * 420,852...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: There are no quasi-governmental organisations under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman. Details of these statutory bodies are set out in the following table. Statutory Bodies Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Pathways to Work document states that the introduction of the new Intreo service is a multi-annual project. All elements of the Intreo service will be operational in four offices by the end of November 2012 and a further six offices are expected to be live by the end of the year. The plans for 2013 are now being developed and the selection of offices will depend upon a range of factors...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance from the person in question on the 23rd February 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department's medical assessors who found that the care recipient in question was not medically eligible for carer's allowance. A letter issued on the 8th August 2012 refusing the allowance. The person in question...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: A review of this case is being undertaken and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not applied for jobseeker's allowance.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Applications (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September. A person may qualify for payment of BSCFA if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course and has household income at or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person will be advised of arrangements for the hearing when made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The rent supplement payable to the person concerned is currently under review. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome once the review is completed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on 1st October 2012. The application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors, who, having examined all the information supplied, considered that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 25th October 2012 advising of the decision. In the case of an...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Sector Pensions (8 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: My Department does not hold the specific details being sought by the Deputy in respect of retired departmental staff. Payment of a pension to retired civil servants including staff of the Office of the Pension Ombudsman is made by the Paymaster General's office. In this regard, I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is providing the details being...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: No. Much of it is based on extra information that comes in.

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The problem also arises from the quality of the information supplied. If a doctor writes a letter stating, "I support this case," is that of much use in reaching a decision? We have organised information sessions for Members and their staff to assist them in advising applicants. We will probably run some more in the new year. The quality of the information that goes into this in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I thank the Members who tabled the motion on this important issue and those Senators who have contributed to the debate. The background to this motion is the report published recently by FLAC entitled, Not Fair Enough - Making the Case for Reform of the Social Welfare Appeals System. I welcome this report as a valuable analysis of the social welfare appeals system through a human rights...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: It is 2.2 million people.

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: There are 2.2 million people.