Results 2,601-2,620 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: An integrated occupational pension scheme is one where the pension payable, or the design of the benefit promise made, takes into account the state pension (contributory) or other similar contributory benefits payable by the State. Integrating occupational and social welfare pensions is a common practice and most defined benefit or final salary schemes are structured in this way. The practice...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 102, 116 and 391 together. The Government is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can be accommodated within the social welfare pensions system, with due regard being paid to the contributory principle underlying entitlement to contributory payments and, in the case of non-contributory payments, the need to ensure that resources are directed...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos 100, 122 and 379 together. The appropriateness of benchmarking Disability Allowance and other social welfare rates was examined in 2001 by the Social Welfare Benchmarking and Indexation Group. The Group published its final report in September 2001 but did not achieve a consensus position on the desirability of establishing a formal benchmark, including the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 129 and 134 together. The Agreed Programme for Government contained a series of welfare reforms aimed at prioritising the interest of families and children. Under the terms of an earlier Social Partnership agreement the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) was asked to examine the feasibility of merging the family income supplement with qualified...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: Section 39 of the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002 provides for the insertion of a new section 56A into the Pensions Act 1990. Section 56A provides for the consideration of index-linked increases in rates payable in defined benefit pension schemes. It only applies to schemes where the rules do not provide mandatory indexation and does not require that indexation be introduced, only that it be...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 143 together. There has been a range of reforms to the social welfare system over recent decades which are making it easier for people, and women in particular, to qualify for contributory pensions. Social insurance coverage has been extended to include new categories of employment such as part-time workers, qualifying conditions for pensions have been...

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: Child benefit may be paid in respect of every child under the age of 16 years, who is ordinarily resident in the State. Payment can be extended to the 19th birthday if the child is in education, or incapable of self-support. The benefit is paid to the qualified person with whom the child resides and the qualified person must satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition. The purpose of the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to 'Increase the basic State pension by around 50% to at least €300 per week by 2012'. Changes to pension rates are considered each year in a budgetary context and any changes proposed for 2008 would be announced in the forthcoming Budget. It is estimated that the cost of increasing contributory pensions, which are financed through the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Department actively assists and encourages lone parents to return to work, training or further education through a range of measures including earnings disregards and back to work and education incentives. For example, a single parent getting one parent family payment (OPFP) may have earnings from employment or self-employment of up to €146.50 per week and still receive the maximum...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, who are also providing full time care and attention, would, subject to meeting means criteria, be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive half rate Carer's Allowance. The current range of payment options offered by my Department to customers...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Programme for Government features a number of commitments in relation to social welfare pensions. These include the commitment to pay the over 80 allowance in respect of the qualified adult portion of the pension. The allowance was increased in 2006 to its present level of €10 per week. There are approximately 4,500 qualified adults of contributory pensioners aged over 80 years....

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 126 together. My Department has taken a lead role over the years in developing and implementing identity management policies and procedures based on the use of the Personal Public Services (PPS) number. This number was previously known as the Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number. The name was changed to indicate the broadening of its role to one...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, who are also providing full time care and attention, would, subject to meeting means criteria, be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment. The Department notified some 57,000 customers regarding the new improvements and their...

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: In line with EU Regulation 1408/71, workers with families are entitled to family benefits such as Child Benefit (CB) and Early Childhood Supplement, even if the children are resident in the workers home country. In advance of the opening up of the labour market 2004 to workers from the EU accession states it was not possible to estimate the rate at which people would take up employment here...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: None of my Department offices operates late night or non-standard opening hours for public access and there are no plans to expand the current opening arrangements. The majority of Social Welfare Local Offices are open to the public from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, including lunch hours. Some Local Offices, including Social Welfare Branch Offices, do not open during lunch hour as it...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The 'Better Supports for Older People' commitments contained in the Programme for Government consist of a range of measures spanning several Government departments including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Education and Science as well as the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Where my Department is concerned,...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion), launched in February 2007, and the social inclusion commitments in the National Development Plan were drawn up in consultation with the social partners and after a wide ranging consultation process with other stakeholders. The NAPinclusion...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: The term secondary benefits normally refers to those additional payments available to social welfare recipients who need extra help with meeting the cost of their rent, heating or other expenses. I understand the Deputy is referring principally to Fuel Allowance, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) and Rent Supplement. All social assistance payments are subject to a means...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: My department administers a number of schemes designed to help working families on low incomes. Family income supplement is the principal in-work income support for people in low-income employment with children. It is designed to provide the incentive to remain in, or take up, employment rather than be fully welfare dependent. To qualify for payment, a person must be engaged in insurable...

Written Answers — Advocacy Services: Advocacy Services (4 Dec 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 145 together. The Citizens Information Act 2007 provides for the establishment of a Personal Advocacy Service for certain people with disabilities to be administered by the Citizens Information Board. The Personal Advocacy Service will assist the individuals concerned in identifying and understanding their needs and options with regard to a broad range...