Results 22,481-22,500 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I can clarify the point.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: There are limitations, as I explained previously. One cannot sign on for jobseeker's benefit and then get the back to education allowance the following day or commence a full-time course while drawing social welfare payments. The only reason these limitations were introduced was to stop people from deliberately claiming unemployment payments while attending college at the expense of the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: People can take up part-time courses and full-time courses subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. To stop misuse of the scheme, they can receive back to education allowances.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: If somebody is in receipt of jobseeker's benefit, he or she can certainly take up a course. If he or she is eligible for a back to education allowance-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: -----it is possible to go on a part-time course. However, it is not possible to receive jobseeker's benefit and then go to college the following day. The Deputy knows in her heart and soul that if I implemented her proposal, widespread abuse would ensue.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: One can qualify for a back to education allowance immediately after receiving jobseeker's benefit. When we examined the matter, the only reason we found for the exclusions-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The reason that was introduced was because there was widespread abuse when the system was more liberal. The rules were made stricter.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We were concerned about the potential of deadweight and the way of dealing with the issue-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: No.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I certainly intend to review the operation of the rent supplement scheme and any actions that can be speedily taken in that respect will be taken. We must bear in mind that it is a temporary, short-term scheme; it is not a temporary measure in terms of the scheme being temporary but it is meant to be a short-term arrangement for the tenant.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That is one of the issues I intend to examine. Rent supplement, by its nature, should be a measure that would not extend beyond 18 months, and I am examining that issue. Rent supplement is an assistance to tenants who rent private accommodation and the fundamental relationship is between the tenant and the landlord; the HSE is not tenant in such cases. I agree in principle with the point...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We are not placing rent supplement recipients in an unworkable and vulnerable position. The Department will continue to co-operate with any initiatives taken by the PRTB to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act. It seems that the best way to address this issue is to ensure that the PRTB is in a position to enforce the law vigorously and that it is aware of...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not propose to accept the amendment. Overpayments by the Department are recovered either through repayments by the customer or from the deceased customer's estate or else by deduction from a subsequent social welfare payment. The existing system is fair enough. The Fines Bill 2009 deals with the issue of fines, which is a totally separate matter. In 2008 net overpayments amounted to...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That issue has been dealt with in the Fines Bill 2009.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is not quite as simple as Deputy Crawford has suggested. Deduction from current entitlements will continue and will be extended as far as possible. However, due to the financial circumstances of many of our customers, the written consent of the claimant is required in cases where deductions from current entitlements would bring his or her payment below the appropriate rate of...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It would be great if prisons were home only to those who have not paid fines, because that would mean there are no criminals posing a threat to society. Unfortunately, the reality is that our prisons are full of those who are a threat to society.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: If one takes prison days out of total population, the percentage is very small. Section 15(1) of the Fines Bill 2009 states: If, upon the application of a person on whom a court has imposed a fine, the court is satisfied that to require the person to pay the fine in full by the due date for payment would cause undue financial hardship to the person or his or her dependants, the court may...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: People who know me from my last Department are aware of the importance to me of efficient administration, along with speedy decision making. I assure Deputies that everything that can be done will be done to ensure we have the fastest possible processes that are transparent and encourage people to give us what we need. I am looking at these issues and will try to ensure that we have rapid...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: These will be laid before the Oireachtas for 21 sitting days after they are signed. One solution is to debate them in the committee. I remember when I introduced regulations for the Official Languages Act that we brought them to the committee where we had a good debate on them.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: They are approved by the Dáil after 21 sitting days. They normally form part of a motion that is approved. My suggestion is that they be debated by the committee during that period.