Results 23,401-23,420 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Sick Pay Scheme Reform (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 667, 680 and 748 together. There are a number of compelling reasons why the Government is considering the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay at this time – firstly, as a measure to help in addressing the growing deficit in the social Insurance Fund; secondly, as a measure to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together. In the period 1 March 2011 to 7 September 2012 a total of €119,271 was spent on food and drink by my Department as outlined in the following table – Type of Expense Amount (€) Beverages (Official Entertainment) 585 Lunches (Official Entertainment) 1,409 Refreshments/lunches provided at training courses...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: There been no expenses incurred by my Department in respect of hair and make-up since I came to office.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Ministerial Staff (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671, 676, 677 and 892 together. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the names and current salaries of my Special Advisors is set out in the tabular statement. There is no Minister of State attached to my Department. TITLE NAME ANNUAL SALARY Press Advisor Kathleen Barrington € 89,898 Special Advisor Edward Brophy €127,796...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Consultancy Contracts (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 674, 675 and 678 together. The Department has a major programme of business, organisational and technological change underway to enable it to modernise the services which it provides to customers. The Department engages consultants for work which comes within the definition of ‘consultancy’ set out in Department of Finance guidelines -...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: Details of the current gross annual salary costs in respect of my private and constituency offices in the Department and corresponding details for September 2011 are set out in the following table. There is no Minister of State attached to the Department. September 2012 Number of Staff Gross Annual Salary € Private Office 7 451,862 Constituency Office 4 151,720 Total 11...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned was refused rent supplement on the 15th September 2011 as his income was in excess of the prescribed limit. The Department has not received any new information in relation to his application since the initial refusal. If the person concerned wishes to appeal the decision, he must appeal directly to the Appeals Office. The Appeals Office functions independently of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The application is with a deciding officer for a means assessment and a full decision and will be processed as quickly as possible. When a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The social welfare and tax systems have evolved over time and in response to a variety of factors, including Constitutional imperatives as interpreted by the Courts, changing social trends and EU Directives. The EEC Equality Directive 79/9 and the subsequent Supreme Court case (Hyland v Minister for Social Welfare, 1989 ) led to the change in the treatment of non-married cohabiting...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The freephone number which operated for the Central Rents Unit serving Dublin 15 was operational while the Unit was attached to the HSE. This number was attached to the HSE building housing the Unit and did not transfer with the Unit to the Department. A Lo-call number was then implemented for the Unit. The Central Rent Unit dealing with parts of Dublin 15 is keeping all means of contact...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Places (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors and at present is limited to individuals who are in receipt of a Live claim (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance) or are signing on for credits for at least...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Universal Social Charge Payments (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €63.7 million for the scheme for 2012 and has assisted some 161,500 families to date. A person may qualify for payment of BSCFA in respect of a qualified child or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The application made by the person concerned was disallowed as his means were found to be in excess of the limit. He has lodged an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the matter is currently being considered by there.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Court Recommendations (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department does not normally use the Labour Court for dispute resolution, the relevant forum in this regard is the civil service Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. However, in the context of the transfer of a significant number of staff to the Department from the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive and the Employment Support Services of FÁS, three HR related...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question. The medical assessment has been completed and the application is awaiting examination by a deciding officer for a means assessment and a full decision. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: There are almost 52,000 people in receipt of carer’s allowance from my Department at an annual cost of over €500 million. Of these, over 22,000 are getting half rate carer’s allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of some €90 million. In Budget 2012, the basic rate of carer’s allowance and the respite care grant were not...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (18 Sep 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: Invalidity Pension Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 733 together. Invalidity pension is a payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. Invalidity pension was stopped for the person in question following a routine review of continued entitlement. Based on the up-to-date medical evidence provided for the purposes of the review, the medical...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Legislation (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The provision for increases in payments to current pensioners is determined by the rules of the pension scheme and is not provided for in legislation. However, the Pensions Act was amended in 2009 to provide that where a scheme was considering a restructure of scheme benefits, it could decide to discontinue increases in payment to current pensioners. The revaluation of preserved benefits...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Equality Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Joan Burton: The Department of Social Protection is committed to ensuring that its human resource practices, including recruitment, are fully in line with civil service policy on equality of opportunity. The total number of staff in the Department at the end of August 2012 was 7050, this equates to 6377 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts. It should be noted that figure includes staff from the Employment...