Results 11,721-11,740 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: Qualification for treatment benefit is based on satisfying certain PRSI conditions covering a required total number of contributions to be paid or credited and a required number to be paid or credited in the relevant tax year. In 2013, the person concerned made an application for treatment benefit; this was refused as he did not fulfil the contribution requirements at that time. However,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Economic Adviser to the Tánaiste met with the person named by the Deputy on two occasions in 2015 regarding a proposal to address the mortgage arrears situation. Details of the contractual agreements between the company and the person named were not discussed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: General Register Office (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I understand that this question relates to the dedicated genealogy research room that the General Register Office operates in Werburgh Street, Dublin. At this location members of the public can search indexes of births, deaths and marriages and obtain photocopies of entries they require. The table outlines the total income from searches and purchased photocopies of entries from the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Water Conservation Grant (26 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Department continues to consult with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the staffing and funding needed to administer the water conservation grant on behalf of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. As I said in my reply of 5 February (Ref No: 4980/15),the Department...

Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: This is an important reforming legislation and as Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party I have no hesitation in commending it to the House. As an independent State, our record in Ireland in dealing with children and in using the law to protect and enhance the lives and the rights of children has been patchy at best. There have been important pieces of progressive legislation, such as...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Services Card Provision (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The conditions for receipt of social welfare benefits, including Child Benefit, are provided for in social welfare legislation. These include a requirement to authenticate one’s identity on request and in the manner prescribed. The registration process to authenticate identity usually involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of...

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

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 18 February 2015 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 20 February 2015. In that decision notification the applicant was given the option of seeking a review or appealing our decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, within 21 days.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Services Card Provision (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Public Services Card (PSC) has been introduced to enable individuals gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the Free Travel Pass and the Social Services Card (SSC) of this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: There are currently approximately 800,000 people in Ireland in receipt of free travel at an annual cost of €77 million per annum. The free travel scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State. The Department does not accept applications from people under 66 who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment. The qualifying payments for those aged under...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Intreo Office in Kilbarrack is fully operational and fitted out and was opened in January 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Data (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. The number of interns participating in the JobBridge scheme in each County is set out in Table 1. The number of interns participating in the JobBridge scheme with each Local Authority is set out in Table 2. Table 1. JobBridge Interns by County County Finished Current Total DUBLIN 10,463 1,734 12,197 CORK 2,925 522 3,447 GALWAY ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (25 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 19thFebruary 2015. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payments (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The rates of payment for the One Parent Family Payment scheme are set out in the table below. Also provided are the increases for each child dependent who qualifies under the scheme rules. Rates of One Parent Family Payment, 2008 to 2014 and increases for a qualified child Year Rate Increase for Qualified Child 2014 €188.00 €29.80 2013 €188.00 €29.80 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The State pension (contributory) 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. This is particularly important given the challenge that increased longevity is posing for the future sustainability of the State pension....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Respite Care Grant Payments (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The respite care grant (RCG) is an annual non means-tested payment made to all carers who provide full time care and attention to others and the grant forms part of a range of income supports for carers provided by the Department. Over €822 million is being provided this year for these direct supports, up nearly €17 million from that provided for in 2014. In 2014, more than...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Health and Safety (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 216 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking works on behalf of DSP at Government Offices, High Road, Letterkenny. The works involve refurbishment to facilitate the introduction of an INTREO Office facility, a key element of the Government's Pathways to Work programme. The Office of Public Works and the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The person concerned is in receipt of Disability Allowance since November 2011. To explore possibilities around appropriate training his family should contact the Intreo Centre in Parnell Street, Dublin 1 and arrange an appointment to meet with a Case Officer. At this meeting any options that are available to him with regard to training opportunities can be explored.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4thDecember 2014. 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: One-Parent Family Payments (24 Feb 2015)

Joan Burton: I am aware of the financial impact that the age reforms to the one-parent family payment (OFP) due to take effect on 2, July 2015, will have on customers who are also in receipt of a half-rate carer’s allowance payment in respect of another adult. That is why my officials and I are presently examining possible options in relation to this issue. I hope to conclude our deliberations on...