Results 11,261-11,280 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Ombudsman Adjudications (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The Pensions Ombudsman has power to make determinations which are legally binding on parties to a complaint or dispute, subject to appeal to the High Court. However, a relatively small percentage of disputes are resolved in this way as the bulk are normally dealt with through mediation between the parties and the giving of general information and/or advice in the form of a report. ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Deserted Wife's Benefit Eligibility (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24thMarch 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The legislative provisions governing Board membership of the CIB are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007, and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. In September 2014, the Government agreed new arrangements for filling State Board vacancies and new Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards were issued in November 2014. Vacancies on the Board of CIB are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that at a previous oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned it was agreed the case would be further investigated by a Social Welfare Inspector. Following a further interview by the Social Welfare Inspector in August 2014 it was agreed that the person concerned would supply details of farm expenses for 2013 and Single Farm Payment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Correspondence (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The letters recently issued by the Department to 2,800 recipients of State Pension Contributory and Non Contributory were part of a very small trial to determine the best means of communicating with people about their payment options. Customers were asked whether they would like to consider receiving their payment directly into an account in a bank, building society, certain credit union...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: As part of the plan for the roll-out of Intreo Centres, the Lucan/Adamstown and Clondalkin areas have been designated by the Department for the provision of Intreo services. The Office of Public Works has been exploring options in both Lucan and Adamstown for an Intreo Centre, but given the limited choice of suitably sized and located offices, complex property and development issues, and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 13 January 2015. On 1 April 2015 his claim for IP was refused by a deciding officer (DO) on the grounds that he does not satisfy the medical conditions for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: A review was carried out by a reviewing officer of the exceptional needs payment application of the person concerned and he has been advised of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: There are a number of qualifying factors that decide eligibility for the back to education allowance scheme. Applicants must be a certain age; be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period of time; be, in general, starting the first year of a full-time course which will lead to a recognised qualification in a recognised college; be progressing in the level of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: As detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 88 of 5th February 2015, the client concerned was not entitled to Rent Supplement as both he and his wife are in full time employment. As also outlined in that response, if there has been a change in the client's circumstances, they should provide documentary evidence to the Department confirming same so that their entitlement...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (2 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form and lease agreement confirming any increase in monthly rent. Current payslips have also been requested , the case will be examined when the necessary information is received by the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (1 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 25 February 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pensions Legislation (1 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The State pension is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives and the reform measures introduced to date go somewhat toward that goal. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals (1 Apr 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 24 March 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Home-makers Scheme (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: Domiciliary care allowance is not a primary payment and as such credited contributions are not awarded in connection with this allowance. However, persons caring for children under 12 years or incapacitated children over 12 years of age can avail of the homemakers scheme for the purpose of maintaining entitlement to state pension (contributory). The homemakers scheme provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Yield (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. Employer PRSI is payable on earnings at the rate of 10.75% in respect of weekly earnings in excess of €356 and at 8.5% on weekly earnings of €356 or less. As part of the 2011 Jobs Initiative, the Minister for Finance announced the halving of the 8.5% rate of employer PRSI to 4.25%, as a means of helping job creation...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: Please refer to Question No. 206 of 24 February 2015. A review was carried out by a reviewing officer of the exceptional needs payment application of the persons concerned and they have been advised of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Citizen Information Services (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 provided for the transfer of responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: Please refer to Question No. 206 of 24 February 2015. A review was carried out by a reviewing officer of the exceptional needs payment application of the person concerned and they have been advised of the outcome.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payments (31 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the One Parent Family (OFP) scheme age change reforms is to reduce long-term welfare dependency and provide improved access for lone parents to the Department's range of education, training, and employment support programmes in order to assist them in securing or increasing employment in the future. The customer in question is currently in receipt of an OFP payment and a...