Results 10,341-10,360 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 90 private transport operators. Free travel is also available on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 9th December 2014. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. He was notified on the 14th of April 2015 of this decision, the reason for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: As outlined in the earlier response, there are currently 500 staff (whole time-equivalents) providing activation and case management support services across the Department's network of offices and Intreo centres. In general, they work in teams and are dedicated to working and supporting clients to help them regain employment. This number is supplemented by a further 160 mediators who are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: This Department provides income support payments in the form of the back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) and the short term enterprise allowance (STEA) to those who satisfy specific qualifying criteria and are setting up a self-employed business. For BTWEA to be approved, the business venture must be developed with the support of and recommended by one of the Local Development Company...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department has not, to date, received a new application for Rent Supplement from the client concerned. The client should provide a completed Rent Supplement application to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24. On receipt of same their entitlement can be assessed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department is continuing to review the position to establish what, if anything, can be done to progress payments to individuals in situations where employers cease trading without engaging in a formal winding-up process and who owe monies to their employees. The Department is consulting with a range of interested parties including the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 6 May 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Placements (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: A very small number of internships have been advertised in the social work sector since the scheme was introduced. To date, a total of 10 social worker internships have finished, with 8 of the interns progressing into employment immediately on completion. 1 is on-going and 1 is currently advertised. JobBridge is a totally voluntary scheme. It is a matter for host organisations to decide...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Applications (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: In general, the fuel allowance is payable to persons in receipt of long-term payments who satisfy the qualifying conditions. Illness benefit is classed as being a short-term payment and the fuel allowance is not payable with it. The person concerned has been in receipt of illness benefit since 20/03/14. As he is not in receipt of a payment that is classed as a long-term payment, he does...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department's policy on social welfare appeals and the progress of cases being considered for prosecution has not been changed. Where a case presented for prosecution has an appeal pending, the State Solicitor’s office is advised of the appeal. If the outcome of the appeal is not known before the first hearing, the State Solicitor is instructed by the Department to seek an...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Poverty (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: The indicator of poverty used in the UNICEF report is misleading and does not capture the actual level of child poverty in Ireland using official indicators. The official indicator of poverty in Ireland is consistent poverty. The rate of consistent poverty for children in 2013 was 11.7 per cent, based on official statistics from the Central Statistics Office. This compares with an average of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pay Related Social Insurance (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: Employee PRSI is not charged where weekly earnings are €352 or less. Where weekly earnings exceed €352, employees become liable to pay PRSI which is charged at the rate of 4% on all earnings. The fact that PRSI is charged on all income once the €352 threshold is exceeded causes what is referred to as the “step effect”. The Department is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Commissions of Investigation (9 Jun 2015)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 279, inclusive, together. No commissions of investigations have been established by my Department since the Commissions of Investigation Act, 2004, came into effect or during the term of the current Government. Accordingly, the completion and publishing of reports of such investigations does not arise.

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: All I can say is that legislation has been truncated or collapsed on several occasions recently in the House because, in particular, nobody from the Deputy's party was around.

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: Yesterday evening-----

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: The list is there on the record-----

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: -----of the Dáil. For example, I am not aware there were any Fianna Fáil people in the House yesterday evening for significant sections of the debate, not even a lonely spokesperson.

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: The Deputy has proposed that the Government spend €1 billion, money which would be taken from health, education and the care services to which Deputy Sean Fleming referred earlier. That may be the policy of a democratic socialist party, but I do not think at a time of scarce resources when families need more investment in education services, particularly in Dublin West, we should...

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: We have protections for workers in Aer Lingus which they did not have for decades in regard to registered employment agreements.

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Joan Burton: We have guarantees on connectivity and the Heathrow Airport slots which we did not previously have.