Results 12,941-12,960 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Look at the list and read it back.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I know Deputy Martin did not read many documents. He should read it back. I hope that all the changes we have made will alleviate the concerns of the many thousands of people who marched peacefully and legitimately in recent weeks in cities and towns across the country. Their peaceful and dignified manner contrasts with the behaviour of some of the ringleaders of the protests to which I...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: It is therefore essential that we provide for enhanced investment in the network and encourage conservation of a precious resource. I believe many on the Opposition side want clean water, but we cannot have that without investment.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: This is a critical point which I want to make seriously. I know many of the Members present have listened and debated, and I have listened to them as well. Rather than have water services compete with other demands on public funds such as school buildings, hospital beds and broadband networks, the Government established Irish Water as a self-funding body that is separate from the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Today marks a fresh start for Ervia-Irish Water. This new beginning has been made possible through the viable and tangible economic recovery under way. This is a welcome turnaround in a little over three and a half years. From despair that could have ground us down, we have moved to the cautious but realistic hope of a future rooted in shared prosperity. This has been achieved through the...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate on the Bill. This is a very short Social Welfare Bill by normal standards. Nonetheless, it marks a positive shift in our economic and social recovery. I will revisit some of the points mentioned by Deputy Creighton because much of her information is wrong. The Department has undergone enormous reform from what was described by the...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I am listening.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 8th July 2014. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who did not consider that the child met the medical criteria for the allowance. A letter issued on the 29th September 2014 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance. A...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: To qualify for award of invalidity pension, a claimant must satisfy both the medical and PRSI contribution conditions. A claimant must be regarded as permanently incapable of work and also must have at least 260 weeks contributions paid with 48 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the date of claim. Disability allowance is a means-tested illness scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Appeals (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4 November 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 appeal in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: People who have received an overpayment from the Department of Social Protection have a liability under law to refund the overpayment. They have received money to which they were not entitled. Effective debt recovery is seen as an important measure to safeguard public expenditure. Where someone has been overpaid social welfare, it is important that this money is recouped. I introduced...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy will be aware, all of the issues in regard to Irish Water have been examined by the Government. The responsibility for the policy in regard to water and sewerage services, including Irish Water, lies with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, who will be making a comprehensive statement on these matters in the House later this afternoon.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Places (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned was sent a letter of acknowledgment from this Department on the 5th September in which he was informed that the issues that he had raised were being addressed and that he would be advised of the outcome. The issues raised by the person concerned related to his employment, his employer in this case being the Community Employment (CE) Sponsor. This Department wrote to the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 5 November 2014, 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: Social Welfare Payments Administration (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department of Social Protection is a key player in the payment services sector in Ireland with over 84 million payments issued to clients in 2013. Form DIR PMT 1 is available online and on request to clients already in receipt of certain welfare payments who wish to either: - change their account details, or - change from a cash or cheque payment to be paid directly into an account....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: On taking office, this Government reformed the transport arrangement for Ministers which has radically reduced the cost of travel. The Government decided to confine the use of State cars from 1 May 2011 to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence. As a result, the average cost of providing transport has been reduced by 65% - from an average cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Administration (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for approximately 800,000 people, elderly, disabled and carers at an annual cost of €77 million. The Government made clear in the “Statement of Government Priorities, 2014-2016” that it is committed to the full retention of the Free Travel Scheme. Consequently, I have not...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (18 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 30th May 2014. The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that she was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week and was not providing full time care and attention as required. The person concerned was notified of this decision on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (18 Nov 2014)

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 provision of free travel in the United Kingdom, including for people with epilepsy, varies depending on the locality, with a combination of involvement by the UK Government, devolved administrations and local authorities. In many cases, there are...