Results 921-940 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (29 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Approximately 76 per cent of workers pay PRSI Class A at the rate of 4 per cent. A further 11 per cent of workers pay social insurance contributions at the Class S rate. These contributions which are subject to various thresholds, allowances and ceilings, accrue entitlement to a range of benefits and pensions under various social insurance schemes. The current employee PRSI ceiling stands...

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (29 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: There are a number of schemes which may be available to a grandparent caring for a grandchild depending on the individual circumstances of the case. Under Social Welfare regulations Child Benefit is payable to the person with whom a qualified child normally resides. This is normally the child's mother. However, where the mother has abandoned or deserted the child or has failed to contribute...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Maybe I will be.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Senators for this amendment. It is probably better for us to make departures in this area in the context of the Green Paper which I hope to publish some time in the middle of April. A considerable amount of work has gone into it. I have had the opportunity to look at some of the early drafts of the Green Paper which is very exciting. It fully rehearses all the options and does...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My Department endeavours to ensure that customers who make contact by telephone speak directly to a telephonist or an officer. Therefore, my Department uses limited pre-recorded oral announcements in the delivery of its schemes and services. Pre-recorded messages are confined to Lo-call numbers and the announcements are currently recorded in English. I am aware of my Department's...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. All carers in receipt of carer's allowance and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance, regardless of their age, also receive a free travel pass. The scheme is also available to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type welfare...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Most social welfare payments provide for an increase in respect of qualified children. Social welfare customers in receipt of a long term payment or in receipt of a short term payment for more than six months can claim an increase for each child who is over 18 years and up to age 22 and attending a full-time day course of education at an institute of education. If the child reaches age 22...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The person concerned appealed against the decision to refuse him a Respite Care Grant for 2005. In accordance with the statutory requirements, the relevant departmental papers and comments of my Department were sought. These have now been provided and I am informed that the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. I am advised that a date is not yet...

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Until 1974, liability for social insurance contributions was compulsory for almost all workers over the age of sixteen years who were either manual workers employed under a contract of service, regardless of their remuneration, or non-manual workers whose remuneration did not exceed a specified limit. The remuneration limit in 1974 was £1,600 per annum for full-time workers or equivalent for...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The person concerned made an application for jobseeker's allowance on 23 February 2007. Due to an administrative error, she was incorrectly informed that her means exceeded the limit for entitlement to jobseeker's allowance in her case. Her case is currently being re-examined and she has been asked to supply further details in connection with her claim. A decision on her claim will issue as...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Citizens Information Board (formerly Comhairle), the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department. There are 2 vacancies on the Citizens Information Board which are in the process of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Pensions Board has confirmed that it is receiving full co-operation with regard to the information it wants. The board has very strong powers and there is no reason these powers cannot be strengthened. At least two pieces of legislation from the Department, one of which is called the social welfare and pensions Bill, come through this House every year and there is a regular opportunity...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: This survey was undertaken in respect of schemes with 1,000 or more active members in December 2006. I urge the Senator to study what it says. I regret that she was unable to get the information earlier. However, if they conducted the survey only last December, presumably the information was not readily available to them in advance of that work. Perhaps that was the reason they were not...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Come on.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: He is not going to say that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Deputy Ryan is getting carried away.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is very extreme.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: No.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is actually the opposite.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Séamus Brennan: This directive has been in force since 2004 and it has not caused any difficulty. Neither the local authorities nor the Department report any issues whatsoever that have caused any difficulty. I have great respect for Senator Ryan and I read what he stated on Second Stage. I sincerely believe he is overstating this case. I accept his heart is in the right place and I acknowledge the great...