Results 23,081-23,100 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Places (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: Tús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide work opportunities to persons who have been unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for at least 12 months and are currently in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. To qualify for a jobseeker’s payment, a person must satisfy certain conditions which includes being available for full-time...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The reason for the refusal of the appeal was outlined in the decision letter which issued to the person concerned on 16 August 2012. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: There are approximately 1,000 customers in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) and fuel allowance. Customers in receipt of SWA for 15 months or over are eligible for the fuel allowance. The means test for the fuel allowance is automatically satisfied in these cases. To qualify for the allowance, an applicant or any member of their household must be unable to provide for their...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Appeals (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: A decision has been made in this case and I regret to inform you that the appeal has been disallowed. The Appeals officer has expressed the opinion that person concerned was not incapable of any or all employment as prescribed for the purpose of entitlement to illness benefit from 19th October 2011 onwards. A note on the reasons for the Appeals officer’s decision is outlined...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Issues (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department of Social Protection operates a range of schemes which are designed to provide financial support for people in need. These schemes are designed to cover particular contingencies such as unemployment, illness old age etc. and the choice of scheme depends on the individuals particular circumstances. If a person of working age has no has no income from employment, they may be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that an application for disability allowance has been received from the person concerned. The application has been referred to a social welfare investigator for a means investigation. A decision on the person’s entitlement to disability allowance will be made on receipt of the social welfare investigator’s report and the person will be notified directly of the outcome

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: Following her successful medical appeal, weekly means (if any) will be determined and a final decision on her application will be issued in writing to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The State plays a major role in the private rental market through the rent supplement scheme. As the Department currently funds approximately 30% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review and reflect current market conditions. There are approximately 90,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: There are a number of means tested, social assistance scheme operated by my Department. For means test purposes, account is taken of the income, including any income from employment, and the assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse/partner. The manner in which income of various types is taken into account is designed to encourage people to take up work. Where a claimant or his or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (2 Oct 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. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Application Numbers (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Currently the average time taken to award a carer’s allowance application is 28 weeks. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Modernisation Projects Expenditure (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department has been undertaking service delivery modernisation projects for over a decade and would not be able to meet increased demand with reduced resources without investing in this programme of work across all its services. In delivering services to its clients, the Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services which impact on the lives of almost every person in the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: A total of 2,359 appeals in relation to carers allowance/benefit were received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2011, which were added to the 2,218 on hands on the 1st January of that year. A total of 3,369 were finalised during the year leaving a total of 1,208 awaiting a decision on 1st January 2012. I am advised that the reasons for an appeal, including medical, are not recorded...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The number of pending carer’s allowance applications awaiting decision as of 31st December 2011 was 7,765.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Guardian's Payment Appeals (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st September 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: The Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) helps protect Ireland's social welfare system, while at the same time ensuring that those whose cases are appropriate to the system have access to it when they need it. The determination of a person’s habitual residence is made in accordance with Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. All applicants for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Rehiring (2 Oct 2012)

Joan Burton: I understand the Deputy’s question relates to appointments made to the Boards of State Agencies. The statutory agencies that operate under the aegis of my Department with boards are the Pensions Board and the Citizens Information Board. The Chairperson of the Citizen Information Board is a retired civil servant.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The heads of the Bill have not yet been brought to the Cabinet. I understand the intention is to bring the Bill before the House next year.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The Deputy is well qualified to comment on relations between senior and junior Ministers. Perhaps he might share his great insight into this issue with the rest of us at some stage.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: If I remember correctly, however, he was not allowed to walk back in for a while.