Results 27,841-27,860 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The term "primary social welfare payments" refers to payments that are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance has the lowest maximum personal primary payment rate in the social welfare system, currently €186.00 per week. The maximum personal rate in other schemes ranges from €188.00 to €239.00. These payments...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 September 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 27...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was received on 28 July 2011. Redundancy lump sum claims received at the start of May 2011 are currently being processed.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: This year the Department of Social Protection will spend over €530 million in 2011 on the fuel allowance scheme and the telephone, gas and electricity elements of the household benefits package. This will benefit some 390,000 people on household benefits and 375,000 on the fuel allowance compared with 2005 when there were 325,000 people on household benefits and 265,000 on the fuel...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: In the case of persons aged under 25 years of age, the means test for jobseeker's allowance takes account of the value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by a claimant as a result of residing with a parent or step-parent. The calculation of such value is based on the level of parental net income. Parental income is calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge,...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: To qualify for jobseeker's allowance, a person must satisfy a means test. The means test for jobseeker's allowance includes an assessment of any property that the claimant or their spouse/partner may own, apart from the family home. Any outstanding mortgage registered against the property is deducted from the market value. Where the outstanding mortgage is higher than the market value of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: Jobseeker's Allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme operated by my Department. For means test purposes, account is taken of the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse/partner including the earnings of the spouse. Where a spouse/partner has earnings from employment, earnings less PRSI contributions, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions are...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one care recipient. She was refused carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. On 3 October 2011, she was informed of this decision and the reason(s) for it.

Written Answers — Departmental Legal Costs: Departmental Legal Costs (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The question of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay (SSP) is being considered as a means of bringing Ireland's approach to the management of illness related work absences into line with the rest of Europe and other OECD countries. Studies undertaken by the OECD indicate that Ireland is one of the very few countries that does not oblige employers to cover some element of sick absence...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The amounts paid from public funds for outsourcing to private contractors and the use of consultants for the Department of Social Protection and its agencies vary from year to year. The amounts for 2010 are set out in the tables below and are indicative of annual expenditure of that type that arises in relation to the Department's Vote, Vote 38 and the Social Insurance Fund. Vote 38: ...

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "— recognises the severe impact on families, individuals and communities as a result of the closure of businesses and loss of employment arising from the exceptional and difficult economic circumstances; — recognises the vital role played by spending on social welfare in enabling people to...

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: Sinn Féin Members must take responsibility for their actions and votes in this House.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Sinn Féin approach fails to accept the Government is entitled on behalf of the people to look at how taxpayers' money is spent with a view to securing better outcomes. The better outcomes north of the Border are cuts of €4 billion. We are entitled to compare North and South.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: Deputy Ó Snodaigh claimed there was better access to public health systems in the North. However, Sinn Féin has signed up to €4 billion in cuts there.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: The Sinn Féin motion fails to acknowledge the Government's efforts will be directed at protecting those most vulnerable within the social welfare system.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: Given the timing of this motion and that I am not at liberty to discuss any of the decisions that may or may not be made as part of the budget next week-----

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: -----I have to confine my points to the general principles underlying the social welfare system and, more importantly, to the Government's strong commitment to tackling poverty in our society through the social protection system and other measures.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: There is an urgent need for structural reform of the social protection system, both its delivery and its design, so as the significant welfare budget, over €20 billion, is targeted in the best possible way. The Government has maintained its ambitious timetable for reform by establishing an advisory group on tax and social welfare.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (29 Nov 2011)

Joan Burton: We have asked the group to put its initial energies into examining child and family income supports. The Government has plans to tackle poverty and promote child well-being. The Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of supports to families and their children through the social protection system. Easily the best known is the child benefit payment, paid on a universal basis to...