Results 8,521-8,540 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The application for disability allowance, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 10 September 2015. The person in question requested an appeal, which was forwarded to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO) on 1 October 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Delays (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a state pension (contributory) appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th April 2015 and not April 2014 as indicated by the Deputy. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 10th July 2015. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 12 weeks to process an...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Eligibility (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: Since January 2009 illness benefit is payable for a maximum of two years, i.e. 624 days. The person concerned is currently in receipt of illness benefit and has received 591 days payment up to 25 September 2015. Regulations provide that, when calculating the number of days due, account has to be taken of earlier illness benefit claims - provided they link within six months to one of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The family income supplement (FIS) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for low paid employees with children. It is designed both to prevent in-work poverty and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. To qualify for FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: It is understood that the Deputy is referring the cost of an €7 per week increase in social welfare rates paid at a maximum personal weekly rate of €188. The €188 weekly rate applies to the following schemes: - Jobseeker's Benefit & Allowance - Farm Assist & Pre-Retirement Allowance - Back to Education Allowance& Back to Work Allowance - One...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: Applications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in respect of 2 children were received from the person concerned on the 1st July 2014 and 2nd July 2014. These applications were not allowed as the children were not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued in respect of each child on the 19th September 2014 outlining the decision of the deciding...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The marriage bar is a term used to describe a rule that existed in most of the public service and some private sector employments, whereby women were expected to leave their employment upon marriage. The bar was abolished in 1973. Where such employees were in the public service, they paid a modified rate of PRSI. These contributions provided no cover for the State pension and,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 29 July 2015. The first payment will be made by his selected payment method on 21 October 2015. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department has had discussions with the agents of the Branch Managers' Association in connection with the PRSI issue raised by the Association. The Department has consulted with the Revenue Commissioners in this regard. The Department has responded to the Branch Managers' agents setting out its position on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Yield (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The following table provides details of monthly Social Insurance Fund contribution income from PRSI receipts each month from January 2013 up to August 2015: - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total - €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m €m 2013 582 587 548 654 567 576 619 564 579 627...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 28 September 2015. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Dental Services (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is not qualified for benefit under this Department’s dental benefit scheme, which is based on PRSI contributions paid (and currently covers a free dental examination). If she is the holder of a Medical card, she should contact her local HSE office, who will be able to advise her of any assistance she may be entitled to through the HSE dental scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Payments (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: My Department has a number of schemes in place to help senior citizens with their energy costs. The fuel allowance is a payment of €20 per week for a period from October to April, to low income households. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (6 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: It is a welcome development that employment has been growing again for three years and that further growth will provide increased opportunities for Irish people abroad to return to work here. At least some people return because they have already found employment to return to, and others will find employment relatively quickly on their return. The recent CSO population and migration estimates...

Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: On the apprenticeship Bill, that should be published early next year. In respect of the Criminal Assets Bureau and the proceeds of crime, I understand the discussions with CAB are ongoing with a view to bringing forward legislation that will facilitate more proceeds of crime being made available, in particular, to be used ultimately for the public good.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: The public health (alcohol) Bill will be introduced this session, while I understand the sale and consumption of alcohol Bill will be some time next year.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: I thank Deputy Conway for raising this important issue and will ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when this will be forthcoming. I do not have an answer to hand for the Deputy but it is an important issue for the families and, in particular, for the children concerned.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: Any direct attack on anybody who is part of the emergency services, of the kind described by Deputy Calleary, would be considered a criminal attack and would be a matter for the Garda to prosecute in the normal course of events.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Joan Burton: I will ask for a report and send it to the Deputy. Speaking for my Department, when I became Minister for Social Protection there were a number of urgent issues relating to the social welfare status of retained firefighters around the country. As Minister, I gave priority to addressing the issue. We addressed it as a government as speedily as we could. It had been an outstanding issue for...