Results 2,521-2,540 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: That is why I expect local authorities will increase their work in this regard-----

Social Welfare Benefits. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: -----where it is their responsibility.

Social Welfare Appeals. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004, in the context of the Government's decision to open the Irish labour market to workers from the new EU member states. The purpose of the habitual residence condition is to safeguard the social welfare system from...

Social Welfare Appeals. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I accept what the Deputy stated in regard to the implications of this. However, it is important to note that the appeals officer in making his decision dealt only with the legal arguments presented by both sides and did not set out a set of circumstances that should apply. Since his decisions on those cases, other decisions and refusals by appeals officers have been upheld. It does not...

Social Welfare Appeals. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Officials in both Departments have been discussing this because of its import. There have been many cases on leave to remain and citizenship but a previous Supreme Court judgment on the rights of people making applications for asylum found they do not have a particular status and that it has been deemed that provision made for them in direct provision meets all of our obligations as a...

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Budget 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment other than carers allowance or benefit who are also providing someone with full-time care and attention can retain their main welfare payments and receive a half-rate carers allowance. Similarly, people currently in receipt of a carers allowance who may have an underlying eligibility for another...

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I fully appreciate the valuable role played by carers. All of us visited people who are being cared for as well as their carers, including both those who receive no support from the State and those in receipt of the carers allowance. I have met groups representing carers, including in particular the Carers Association, on several occasions at local, county and national levels. We are...

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy referred to the extra demands that arise in regard to care recipients. I appreciate that somebody with a severe disability has additional heating and dietary requirements but it does not necessarily follow that carers need additional money.

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: In many cases carers do not live with the care recipients.

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The data on the half-rate carers allowance reveal the commitment of older people. Of the 19,000 people in receipt of the allowance, 7,500 are in receipt of the State or invalidity pension, 2,000 are in receipt of disability benefits and 3,500 receive lone parent benefits.

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: It is interesting to look at the profile of carers.

Social Welfare Code. (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I have outlined the significant improvements that have been made not only to rates of pay but also in terms of free travel and household benefits for carers. They also have generous income disregards. Every single group would like my commitment to leave them alone in the budget but the next group will then ask for the same treatment. I am aware people are anxious and want reassurance but it...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Regional Office with responsibility for dealing with Ennis Social Welfare Local Office is based in Galway. That office can assist the Deputy with any enquiries he may have. The Regional Office will be in touch with him to confirm contact details.

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Family Support Agency funds the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme and the Scheme of Grants to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. The company referred to by the Deputy receives funding under the counselling grants scheme and I am aware of the services that they provide. This year,...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The person concerned claimed jobseeker's allowance from 28 April 2009. Weekly means of €254.00 were assessed on his claim based on his partner's income. His weekly payment is €85.90. PQ 36615/09 was accepted as notice of appeal. The appeal was registered at the Appeals Office on 14 October 2009 and an acknowledgement was sent to the person concerned. In accordance with the statutory...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: A €500.00 cost of education allowance will issue to the person concerned with his weekly payment on 12 November, 2009.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: Jobseekers Allowance and Farm Assist are both means tested payments. The manner in which means are to be assessed are set out in the Third Schedule of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. In most such cases, a Social Welfare Inspector will interview the claimant and make such enquiries as are necessary to ascertain the means of the applicant. The Department produces administrative...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: At 1 May 2009 there were 57 staff at Principal Officer level or higher working in the Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Services: Departmental Services (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Hanafin: The Department receives approximately half-a-million telephone calls per month, across its network of Local Offices and Headquarter buildings. At certain times, due to peaks in the number of incoming calls, callers may encounter some difficulties in getting through to certain areas of the Department. A number of initiatives to minimise delays for callers have been introduced. These include...