Results 22,341-22,360 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Private Rented Accommodation (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: There are approximately 90,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided a sum of €436 million for 2012. The aim of rent supplement is to provide short term income assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: There are a number of significant challenges currently facing pensions systems across Europe and in Ireland. As the populations of most EU countries are aging, issues around pension sustainability and adequacy mean that effective retirement age and the need for longer working in particular have come to the fore. In Ireland, there are currently six people of working age for every pensioner...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 11th July 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned was found to be “not incapable of any or all employment” as prescribed for the purpose of entitlement to illness benefit from 19th October 2011. The person concerned appealed this decision. The appeal was subsequently disallowed and the person was notified of this decision by letter from the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10th September 2012. The person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (6 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: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 22nd November 2011. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 9th January 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: Since March 2011, one member of staff in my Department, the Chief Medical Advisor, has been rehired on a temporary contract on a payscale of €93,197 - €113,503. His salary is reduced to take account of the rate of his pension payment. The decision to re-employ the Chief Medical Advisor was taken due to his specific skills and his involvement in the policy reform of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th 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 case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The accompanying tables set out the fees paid in respect of a range of services in 2011 and for 2012 up to the end of September. 2011 External Professional Services – PR, etc. Organisation Description Amount € Brindley Advertising Print Media Advertising - Office Notices etc. 68,741.73 Catalysto Ltd Graphic Design 9,650.96 Farm TV Advertising at ploughing...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: This application for carer’s allowance has been awarded. A letter with all details of the payment issued to the person in question on the 18th October 2012, with all arrears due issuing on that date also.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (6 Nov 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. A previous claim for invalidity pension in respect of the person concerned was refused on 18 October 2011 on the grounds that the claimant was considered not to satisfy the medical criteria. A new claim for invalidity pension for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned made an application for jobseeker’s allowance on 17 October 2012. As a decision has not yet been made on her claim it is not possible to state if she has an entitlement to an arrears payment.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Fuel allowance is €20 per week payable for 26 weeks. The 2012/2013 fuel season commenced on 8...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1st August 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 case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: Provision was made in the Social Welfare & Pensions Act 2012 to allow Social Welfare Inspectors to exercise certain functions at ports and airports for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Act. The provision came into effect for 7th June 2012. Following on from this, protocols have been put in place with the relevant airport authorities. Security/Garda clearance has been...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: Following a review of this case it was decided that the person concerned no longer has an entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance. The person concerned was informed of his right to appeal this decision to the social welfare appeal’s office.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 13th October 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the caree in question was not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. A letter issued on the 26th June 2012 refusing the allowance. The person in...