Results 1,181-1,200 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The person concerned was in receipt of jobseeker's allowance from 03 February 2005 to 27 June 2006. Following a review his claim was disallowed by a Deciding Officer, with effect from 28 June 2006, on the grounds that he was not genuinely...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Under the legislation governing the scheme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make an exceptional needs payment...

Written Answers — Free Travel Scheme: Free Travel Scheme (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 413 and 414 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of a scheme of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners resident in all parts of the island of Ireland. I have recently announced the implementation of the all-Ireland free travel scheme commencing from 2 April. This scheme will enable pensioners resident here and...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of Health Service Executive (HSE) provides for an exceptional needs payment to be made to assist with essential, once-off costs which the applicant is unable to meet from his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. As of 23 February there were 59,450 tenants in receipt of a rent supplement payment of which approximately 32,000 have been in receipt of a payment for 18 months or more. Under the Rental Accommodations Scheme (RAS), at...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Executive has been contacted regarding this case and has advised that it received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned in January 2007. It has further advised that it has awarded the maximum...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker's payment on 8 February 2007. The claim is currently being examined, a decision will be made as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. The bank statement of the person concerned has now been returned. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, all of my Department's Dublin based headquarters staff, including IT staff, (1310 posts in all as well as 47 from citizen information board and 25 from the Combat Poverty Agency) are due to move to locations outside Dublin. Currently the staff are accommodated in the following locations in the Dublin area. 1.Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (22 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My Department operates a network of 130 local offices and branch offices throughout the country. In the greater Dublin area there are currently sixteen Social Welfare Local Offices from which members of the general public may obtain information on the Department's schemes and services. Each Office has officers who are dedicated to providing information and are available to explain supports...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The objective of my Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens, including pensioners, are made aware of their entitlements and that they are kept informed of changes and improvements in schemes and services as they occur. The provision of information in a clear and accessible manner is an essential element of this. Comprehensive information and guidance in relation to...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Social welfare pensions, both contributory and non-contributory, are paid on the basis of a person's personal entitlement to a payment having satisfied the qualifying conditions and there is no right to inherit a pension on the death of the pensioner. The surviving spouse of a pensioner may apply for a widow(er)'s contributory pension which can be based on either the deceased's or surviving...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs. The Executive has advised that, the person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement up to...

Written Answers — Employment Action Plan: Employment Action Plan (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: At present, people aged between 18 and 64 who are approaching 3 months on the Live Register are systematically referred to FÁS for guidance in terms of returning to education, training or employment. Referral at 3 months commenced at the end of October 2006 following a Government decision arising from a commitment in Towards 2016 to apply the National Employment Action Plan referral process...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The supplementary allowance (SWA) scheme, including rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). As stated in my reply to the Deputy's previous question on 26th January 2007, the Executive has advised that it has not received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. My Department has been in...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: From September 2007 people in receipt of another social welfare payment who are also providing full time care and attention to a person will be able to retain their main welfare payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which will be equivalent of a half rate carer's allowance. A person currently in receipt of a carer's allowance who may have an underlying...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and those Members who took part in the debate which was very positive and informative. I will try to deal with as many of the issues raised as possible. There was a broad welcome for the thrust of what we are trying to do in the Bill, for which I thank Members. I will be able to go into much more detail on Committee Stage when we can tease out some of the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: If customers get in touch with the Department of Social and Family Affairs in advance of their holidays, or after the period of 12 days has elapsed, arrangements will be made to reinstate their payments, as long as they continue to be entitled to them. While the Department does not think there is any evidence the 12-day rule has caused problems for customers, it is undertaking a full review...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I will ensure that the operation of the 12-day limit is considered as part of the ongoing review. People should not lose any money as a result of the new computer arrangements. The new system is voluntary — people can get their funds in other ways. The use of the computer programme also has an important anti-fraud element, which will be reviewed. I hope nobody is disadvantaged by the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Community welfare officers have nothing to fear from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As someone who has been in a fair few Departments, I assure Deputies that the Department of Social and Family Affairs is the most caring and sensitive of all Departments.