Results 4,761-4,780 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 108 together. Defined Benefit (DB) schemes are voluntary tri-partite arrangements between employers, employees (or their representatives) and trustees.  Responsibility rests with all the parties for ensuring that the scheme is properly managed and funded to meet the promised level of benefits. Almost all Irish defined benefit pension...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Local Employment Service (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department commissioned Indecon to complete an independent, evidence–based evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency and of the governance of the Local Employment Services and Job Clubs.  The report was published in January 2019. The key findings of the reports have been noted and any actions taken on foot of this report will help to ensure that my Department continue...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Strategies (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department is finalising the new social inclusion strategy with a proposed six year timeframe covering the period 2019 – 2025.  It will have a ‘whole of government’ approach which recognises the shared responsibility across Government to achieve improved outcomes for the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.  The SILC data for 2017...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The processing times for means-tested schemes where available are detailed in the following tabular statement. Scheme Average Time to Award (Weeks) Carer's Allowance  16 Disability Allowance 14 Domiciliary Care Allowance 11 Jobseeker's Allowance 1 One Parent Family Payment 5 State Pension Non Contributory Pension 11 Supplementary Welfare Allowance 1

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes.  Specific disregards apply for certain sources of income. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: JobPath Programme (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Government's position on the recent motion debated in the House on the JobPath service was clearly set out in my contribution at the time.  I note the views of the House on the matter, however, the position of the Government remains unchanged.  My Department has entered into legally binding agreements with the JobPath providers and the Government will honour these...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 103 together. In Budget 2019, I announced a new scheme which will provide a PRSI insurance based benefit to self-employed people who lose employment.  This measure will be introduced later this year and builds on other recent significant improvements for the self-employed such as access to invalidity pension and treatment...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: In line with other EU and OECD jurisdictions, age related reduced jobseeker’s allowance (JA) payments for young unemployed people were introduced on a phased basis to tackle high youth unemployment.  Receiving the maximum rate of JA without a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training can lead to long-term welfare dependency from a young age. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Data (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 107 together. Since the end of September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946 who were awarded state pension (contributory) on reduced post Budget 2012 rate bands.  These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 99 together. Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of around 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement.   In Quarter 4 2018, Information letters issued to those included in the review to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Paternity Benefit (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement. Paternity Benefit may be taken by fathers at any time in the six months following the birth or adoption of their child.  Following the scheme's introduction in September 2016, many fathers who could have claimed the benefit in the last four months of 2016 claimed it instead in 2017. This...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Treatment Benefit Scheme Data (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: Qualification for treatment benefit (TB), which includes dental, optical and medical appliances (hearing aids), is based on the person having paid the required number of PRSI contributions since starting employment and also having the required number of contributions or credits in the relevant tax year.  The number of contributions required to qualify varies...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Data (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of Carer's Allowance is detailed in the following tabular statement. 2018 Rejected Applications Appeals Received  Appeals Finalised Allowed By Appeals Officers Partially Allowed by Appeals Officers Revised Decisions By Deciding Officers Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers  Withdrawn Jan 760 291 260 93 15 35 114 3 Feb 708...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of pensioners born on or after 01 September 1946 who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement.  Where possible, my Department will use the information already held to assist in the reviews. In some cases, additional information is required from pensioners about unexplained gaps...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Services Card (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) initiated an investigation to assess the legal basis for the processing of data in connection with the Public Services Card (PSC) and other related matters.  The DPC provided a draft report on the PSC to my Department in late August 2018.  The draft report requested further information and clarifications on a broad range of areas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: As announced in January 2018 pensioners born on or after the 1st September 1946, affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands, will have their state pension (contributory) entitlement calculated under an interim 'Total Contributions Approach' (TCA).  The announced changes also provide for up to 20 years of home caring periods in the pension entitlement calculation, for those who took...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Treatment Benefit Scheme Data (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: Qualification for treatment benefit (TB), which includes dental, optical and medical appliances (hearing aids), is based on the person having paid the required number of PRSI contributions since starting employment and also having the required number of contributions or credits in the relevant tax year. The number of contributions required to qualify varies with...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Delays (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers.  This includes ensuring that applications are processed as quickly as possible. Where any scheme area experiences delays, all possible steps are taken to improve processing times.  This includes the assignment of additional resources, where available, and the review of business processes, to ensure the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Telephone Support Allowance (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is a weekly payment of €2.50.  Approximately 129,000 customers are in receipt of the TSA payment.  The estimated full year cost of the scheme is over €16 million.  The primary objective of the TSA is to allow the most vulnerable people at risk of isolation, including the elderly and those with disabilities, access to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (19 Feb 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Widows/Widowers/ Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension (WCP)  is paid to the husband, wife or civil partner of a deceased person, and is a weekly pension, available to those who satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution conditions, either on their own record or on that of the deceased spouse, subject to certain criteria.  The legal context governing relationships such...