Results 2,501-2,520 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: There must be basic rules and without them we know what the consequences could be. The habitual residence clause is one of the issues that affects a range of areas. When I gave the figures in a Dáil parliamentary question recently they were insignificant in terms of people caught in this position. People are moving through the system more quickly.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I have been generous in trying to deal with the question as direct provision has nothing to do with my Department. If Deputies do not want to listen to me there is nothing I can do about it and, therefore, I cannot accept the amendment. I do not provide direct provision.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: Direct provision is made through community welfare officers in the Department of Health and Children.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I have spent the past 15 minutes trying to deal with the issue.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: As a parent I reject the suggestion that I do not care about children and do not understand their needs. I do not disagree with the sentiments of the Deputies in that we all want to see people move through the system as quickly as possible. Huge resources and great effort went into transforming this area some years ago, led by the current Ceann Comhairle. These changes were needed and were...
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: There seems to be little difference between us on this issue. We are ad idem in our desire to have the carers strategy in place. The relevant groups are interested in participating but it has taken more time than we wished to get the process going. Some of the reasons are outside our control. There are differing views and the emphasis placed by various groups is somewhat different....
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: Several matters of equal importance to this were being dealt with at the time I took up my Ministry. The timeframe I am working towards is to have this completed by next summer. I hope the various groups will adhere to that timetable.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate on the first of the two social welfare Bills. There is a general welcome on all sides of the House for many of the proposed measures. This is important, as we seek to ensure those in society who need support are given that support and that we target resources to the less well-off. In recent years the Government has done...
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I will not argue the point, but I would like to see the ceilings change and will continue to consider this. As the Deputy can appreciate, because the base is already so high in many areas, even marginal movement can impose a huge cost on the taxpayer. However, I recognise the value of carers, as care in the home has a positive impact from the point of view of the State. I would like to see...
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: No, it is more complex than that. Many issues come into play in that regard. Most seem to be happy with the current arrangement, although there are a few who are not. However, if they want to change the arrangement, we can facilitate them.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: There must be agreement, yes. There are historically complex issues involved.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: Get the councillors to oppose their estimates.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I know it happens. Councillors should have a little more courage and say they will not to agree to it.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: That is no excuse. One makes choices, just as anybody in Government does.
- Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: It is up to â¬17 billion.
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 514 together. The Programme for Government features a number of commitments in relation to social welfare pensions, including a commitment to increase the basic State pension to â¬300 per week by 2012. Progress towards this target was announced in last week's Budget, where the State Pension (Contributory) was increased by â¬14 per week, bringing it...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to complete the process begun in Budget 2007 to raise the qualified adult increase for the spouses and partners (age 66 or over) of contributory pensioners to the level of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). Spouses and partners of non-contributory pensioners may receive a pension in their own right at age 66. In Budget 2008, I was pleased...
- Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (11 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: The social welfare pension rights of those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties are protected by the Home-maker's scheme which was introduced in 1994. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person's social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. However, the scheme will not of itself qualify...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (11 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: There are about 115,000 people currently in receipt of the allowance, at an annual cost of some â¬60 million per annum. Increasing the allowance to â¬16 per week would involve an additional cost of the order of â¬36 million per annum. The policy in relation to pension rates in the recent budget was to use available resources to improve the position of all pensioners to the fullest extent...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (11 Dec 2007)
Martin Cullen: I propose to answer questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. In order to qualify for a rent supplement a person must satisfy a means test. The Executive must satisfy itself also that the applicant has a genuine accommodation need for which he or she cannot provide, that a bona fide tenancy arrangement exists between the applicant and the landlord and that the property being rented is suitable to...