Results 27,041-27,060 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: Under the governing legislation for receipt of carer's allowance the following conditions must be satisfied in order to meet the medical criteria. The person being cared for must: · Need continuous supervision and frequent help throughout the day with their personal needs, such as walking and getting about, dressing, washing, eating and drinking or · Need continuous supervision to avoid...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Fraud: Social Welfare Fraud (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department which processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week at a cost of some €21 billion per annum. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them....

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The person concerned has recently had their rent supplement claim reassessed, as they were being paid at an incorrect rate. All outstanding monies owed will be paid to the person concerned at the end of the calendar month. The Department has also informed the client of their correct entitlement.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: Since 2005 rent supplement expenditure has increased from €369 million to a provisional outturn of €503 million in 2011. The number of persons claiming the allowance increased from almost 60,200 persons in 2005 to over 96,800 as at end 2011, a 61% increase. New maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012. These new limits are in line with the most up to date market data...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 to 394, inclusive, together. The redundancy payments scheme makes payments from the Social Insurance Fund. The following amounts, relating to rebates paid to employers and lump sums paid to employees, were paid from the Fund in the relevant years. Year Total Rebates Lump sums 2010 €469,968,466 €373,253,295 €96,715,171 2011* €312,734,888...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Deputy refers to Question No 418 of 11 January 2012, and requests verification of the ownership arrangements of properties of any of the agencies under the aegis of my Department. Since responding to his earlier Question on 11 January, I have been made aware that the Citizen Information Board owns five properties. I wish to apologise to the House for this inadvertent error and wish to...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The circular issued by FÁS in December 2011 reflected the announcements made in Budget 2012. The Budget 2012 sets out the reductions in the CE budget and changes to Social Welfare Payments that may also affect current and new CE participants (e.g. reduction in Materials & Training grant to €500, removal of concurrent payments, etc.). Changes to CE allowances for new CE Participants take...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred, in due course, to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18th October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 25th...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Community Employment programme provides a very important and valued contribution to social employment, training and progression for unemployed people. Furthermore, many Community Employment schemes provide vital community services right across the country. There are currently 1,143 CE schemes in operation nationally with 23,300 participants. The overall estimated budget stands at...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th January 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th January 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: A new redundancy payment processing system went live on 3 October, and publication of figures on the Department's website was suspended while this system was being tested and implemented. The delay in publishing the figures is regretted. However, priority was given to the processing of rebate claims to employers and lump sum payments to employees. Up to date figures in relation to claims...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department. The Citizens Information Board The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The report on Public Service Reform proposes the integration of the regulatory functions of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator and the merging of the Pensions Ombudsman with the Financial Services Ombudsman. These proposed rationalisations are the subject of a critical review which is to be completed by the end of June 2012. This review will include identifying any potential...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (24 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department but it does not have a board. Social Welfare Tribunal The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and four ordinary members. It holds...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (19 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: As this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, it has been referred to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (19 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was received on 29 July 2011. Redundancy lump sum claims received at the start of June 2011 are currently being processed.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (19 Jan 2012)

Joan Burton: A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was received on 23 September 2011. Redundancy lump sum claims received at the start of June 2011 are currently being processed.