Results 11,401-11,420 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (26 Mar 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 25thFebruary 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: Carer's Allowance Appeals (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 30th January 2015. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be revised in the light of new evidence or new facts...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I am not aware of any particular problems in relation to queuing at the Department's offices. Should the Deputy have specific instances in mind, I would be very happy to have them investigated. Intreo is the new integrated income support, employment and support service which is now provided by the Department. Intreo, which was launched in 2012, has delivered significant office...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The person concerned was notified on the 25th March 2015 that her domiciliary care allowance application was successful and that the allowance has been awarded from 1st January 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person in question on the 23rd December 2014. To be entitled to CA, where the care recipient is aged under 16 there must be a domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in payment in respect of that child. The CA application is with a deciding officer (DO) for decision, however, as the only alternative is to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with current payslips, a Rent Supplement application form and an up to date lease agreement confirming any increase in monthly rent. On receipt of this documentation the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be assessed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Guardian's Payment Appeals (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The person concerned applied for a guardian's payment (contributory) in respect of her two grandchildren. On 25 March 2015, it was decided by a deciding officer that the person concerned is not entitled to guardian's payment as, based on the evidence available, the children concerned do not satisfy the definition of orphans under social welfare legislation as they have not been abandoned by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Semi-State Bodies Pensions (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department does not collect the information sought by the Deputy. The trust deed of a pension scheme sets out the basis on which the trustees of a pension scheme are appointed or elected, and the law does not put any restriction on this. Section 62 of the Pensions Act already provides for a procedure whereby members representatives can be elected. However, the procedure must be invoked...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Properties (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: Due to the unsuitable nature and poor condition of the accommodation where staff are currently located in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, my Department has requested that OPW identify an alternative premises. OPW would be best placed to provide the detailed technical specification requirements of accommodation to be occupied by Government Departments. However in terms of basic accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Contracts Data (26 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: No contracts or tenders have been awarded by my Department to the company referred to since 1 January, 2004.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Rates (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: It is understood that the Deputy is seeking the costs associated with monthly, as distinct from weekly, increases by the amounts stated. The full year cost of increasing Child Benefit by €5, €10, €15 and €20 per month is €71.6 million, €143.1 million, €214.7 million and €286.2 million, respectively.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Applications (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: A claim for medical and surgical benefit was received in respect of the person concerned on 26thFebruary 2015. Qualification for treatment benefit is based on an individual's PRSI contribution history, or alternatively they may qualify as a dependant spouse. The person concerned is not qualified in her own right as she does not have sufficient PRSI contributions paid or credited. Neither...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (25 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme Applications (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I can confirm that the child dependant payment due to the person referred to by the Deputy was approved for payment with effect from 1stSeptember 2014. The weekly rural social scheme payment will be increased from 27thMarch 2015 and arrears of payment due issued on 13thMarch.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Maternity Benefit Applications (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14thJanuary 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: Departmental Contracts (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The procurement of supplies and services is essential to support the Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. Public procurement is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework. In particular procurement practice is governed by EU Directive 18 of 2004and supported by procurement guidelines published by the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Bodies Data (25 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together. The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition, the functions of the former Pensions Board have been replaced by the Pensions Authority, established March 2014 and the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Gender Recognition (24 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: The issues raised in relation to the Gender Recognition Bill 2014 have been the subject of detailed consultation, discussion and debate with representative groups, legal and medical experts and public representatives. The provisions of the Bill have evolved and progressed since the publication of the initial recommendations by the Gender Recognition Advisory Group in 2011. Pre-legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Offices (24 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: In July 2012, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) staff based in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan were redeployed to DSP. Sanction had been provided to Department of Social Protection (DSP) by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to acquire additional staff to support the PSC function. As all staff based in the building in Ballybay were transferring at that time to DSP,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance (24 Mar 2015)

Joan Burton: Generally persons between 16 years and under pensionable age are liable to PRSI on all of their different forms of income. From 1 January 2011 class K PRSI applies to the income derived from the holding of a public office for certain public office holders provided that the income exceeds €5,200 a year (€100 a week). This was introduced as a measure of solidarity with other...