Results 3,421-3,440 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: No changes were made to carer's allowance in the supplementary budget of 7 April 2009. In Budget 2009, I increased the rate of carer's allowance for those aged 66 or over by â¬7 to â¬239 per week and for those aged under 66 by â¬6.50 to â¬220.50 per week. These increases took effect from January 2009. Recipients of carer's allowance are also eligible for household benefits and free...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 11 May 2009. His claim is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation of his circumstances. On receipt of the Inspector's report a decision will be given, and he will be notified of the outcome.
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 322 to 324, inclusive, together. The transfer of the Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme from the Health Service Executive to my Department arises from a Government decision on 28th February 2006 to reallocate certain functions between Departments and Agencies as part of the health service reform programme. The Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme is now a...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme is operated by the Family Support Agency which is under the auspices of my Department. There are currently 107 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) nationwide. The total budget for the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme in 2009 is over â¬18m. FRCs provide support to families tailored to the needs of the local...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Programmes: Social Welfare Programmes (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: General social welfare programmes aim to be responsive to the needs of those who depend on income maintenance support while providing incentives to assist people to become more independent financially, particularly through employment. In addition, Family income supplement (FIS) provides cash support for employees, on low earnings, with families or those seeking to make the transition from...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The person concerned made an application for Jobseeker's Allowance to the Department on 24 March 2009. Payment of Jobseeker's Allowance is subject to a means test and in this regard, his application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. Arrangements are being made to have the person's means assessed and he will be contacted shortly for interview. A person may apply...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together. The figures for Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's allowance are collated at social welfare local office level and aggregated by county. The details for the offices in county Limerick are set out on this basis in tabular form.
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The claim for disability allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 04 March 2009 following an examination by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was not medically suitable for the allowance. An appeal was opened on 12 May 2009 and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that during 2008 the number of appeals to that Office increased by 27% over the number received in 2007 and, based on receipts so far in 2009, the Social Welfare Appeals Office project a further increase of 18% for 2009. The details required by the Deputy with regard to the average...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The Live Register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. This in turn has led to large numbers attending at our offices and the consequent delays that claimants are experiencing. In order to deal with extensive queuing, we have introduced an appointment system for taking claims in a number of offices with high...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 321, inclusive, together. The Deputy will be aware of the huge increase in the number of people applying for jobseeker's payments in recent months. This has placed increased pressure on all of the Department's offices and on branch offices. Staff in these offices are working extremely hard to process claims as quickly as possible. In order to deal...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 327 together. There are currently over 87,000 people in receipt of rent supplement, an increase of 46% since the end of December 2007. The recent Supplementary Budget provided that the weekly minimum contribution payable towards rent be increased from â¬18 to â¬24 a week, with effect from 1 June 2009. It also provided that payments currently being...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The Live Register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. The length of time it takes to process claims varies depending on the complexity of the claim, the availability of the necessary documentation from the applicant or his/her employer and the need to carry out additional enquires including assessment of means...
- Written Answers — Immigration Procedures: Immigration Procedures (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 331 together. The Immigration Bureau in Irish ports and airports is under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform and the provision of IT operational equipment is a matter for him. I note that identical questions have been tabled to him and would refer the Deputy to those replies when received.
- Written Answers — Immigration Procedures: Immigration Procedures (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 332 together. The Immigration Bureau in Irish ports and airports is under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform. I note that identical questions have been tabled to him and would refer the Deputy to those replies when received.
- Written Answers — Immigration Procedures: Immigration Procedures (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 333 together. There are currently two Social Welfare Inspectors assigned to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to assist the Department and the Bureau in the investigation of social welfare fraud and breaches of the Immigration Acts, to provide information and intelligence and to promote the benefits of a multi-agency approach to immigration...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The average weekly payment for those in receipt of Jobseeker's benefit is â¬240.66 and â¬238.83 for those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. Jobseeker's Benefit is based on paid PRSI contributions while jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment. The figures quoted include increases for qualified adults and children where appropriate. These figures are based on those who are fully...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: The claim for jobseeker's allowance, by the person concerned, was refused by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that he did not satisfy the statutory means test for the allowance. An appeal was opened on 15 April 2008 and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, that in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)
Mary Hanafin: A number of reforms were introduced in the recent supplementary budget to support people on welfare who wish to become self employed. The changes were introduced from May 1st 2009. Someone who wishes to become self employed, if they are in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit, having either been awarded statutory redundancy or if they have 104 full PRSI contributions paid, can access a new...