Results 23,041-23,060 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I am not going to answer questions on what I am bringing forward in any circumstance because it would pre-empt-----
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I will not confirm whether I am bringing proposals to Cabinet.
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: What I have said is that anyone who asks me a specific question-----
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: Deputy Barrett or any other Deputy or person who asks me a specific question on budget proposals ahead of the budget announcement will not get a specific answer. I will not be tricked into-----
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: It has been customary, as Deputy Barrett is aware from when he was in government, not to disclose what one will do prior to a budget. I remember a certain Minister of State in Deputy Barrett's party had to resign because he disclosed information on the day of the budget.
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: Therefore, I-----
- Pension Provisions (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: -----will not be disclosing anything.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 46, 49 and 75 together. The national average processing times for jobseeker claims decided during April were 2.33 weeks for jobseeker's benefit and 6.92 weeks for jobseeker's allowance. This compares to processing times of 2.12 weeks and 7.10 weeks respectively in March. Processing times can be affected by the requirements of the schemes such as a...
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I agree with the Deputy about the importance of ensuring that people get answers as speedily as possible on social welfare claims. As Deputy Enright is aware, it is also important and it is a big help when people provide all the information requested urgently. In the same way as Deputy Enright, I have often dealt with cases in my office which involved helping people to get the necessary...
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: That is a discretionary payment. I understand a relatively small number of people applying for payment get supplementary welfare. However, it is available. We must have a discretionary system in place that can provide a quick answer on a short-term basis but obviously the issue of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit is a longer term one.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: Obviously, the payment of jobseeker's allowance or benefit is a longer-term issue. I will comment on the appeals issue even though it is not the subject of this question. One of the other questions that have been tabled is about this issue. I am concerned about the length of time it takes to deal with appeals. I assure the Deputy that the response to the other question will make it clear...
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: Consequently, almost all jobseeker's allowance claims involve an at-home visit. This has had a severe impact on processing times in this area. The OPW recently advertised for accommodation in Edenderry. This will improve customer service by providing accommodation for two welfare inspectors and a facilitator, thus providing a facility for desk assessments rather than home visits. The OPW...
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not have the information in respect of Boyle, unfortunately. I will get an answer for the Deputy.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not know of any requests for extra staff. I will double-check that. I was also asked about the longest time for a claim. A table that will be circulated sets out the relevant time in each office. I have to say that in my experience, cases in which claims are not dealt with for a very long time often relate to people not providing information. Therefore, it is not always a measure of...
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: The list I am circulating will provide that information. It takes 12 weeks for jobseeker's allowance to be processed in Blanchardstown, for example. It takes just 1.72 for jobseeker's benefit to be processed there. We will have to deal with offices with long delay times. If it is a question of individuals with long delay times-----
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: Okay. There are offices with waiting times of two weeks for jobseeker's allowance.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: A quick perusal of the table shows that there is a waiting time of 12 weeks.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I have the table here. The waiting time in Boyle for jobseeker's benefit is 3.08 weeks for jobseeker's benefit and 8.74 weeks in the other case. It does not have the longest waiting time. I did not realise it was in such a handy format here.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: The waiting time for jobseeker's benefit in Blanchardstown is 1.72 weeks. It is 12.49 weeks in the case of jobseeker's allowance.
- Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2010)
Éamon Ó Cuív: I accept that.