Results 13,181-13,200 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Social insurance contributions (PRSI) are paid into the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) which finances a broad range of payment benefits. The social insurance system is mandatory and insures nearly all workers and the self-employed for a range of contingencies such as old age, ill health, maternity and unemployment. The range of contingencies covered is dependent on the Class of PRSI paid. ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department undertakes a number of data matches with other government departments and agencies on a systematic basis, including the Revenue Commissioners. The main data that DSP receives from Revenue relates to PAYE and P35 details, self-employed data which are used to determine eligibility for insurance based payments. In addition, the Department transfers benefit/pension payment data...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobPath Initiative (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: JobPath is a new programme of employment activation aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and those most distant from the labour market. Jobseekers will be referred to the programme for a 52 week period and will retain their existing social welfare payment while on the programme. Subject to successful finalisation of contracts, it is anticipated that JobPath will...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Household Benefits Scheme (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Responsibility for water policy including water affordability, water charges, the rates set and the question of exemptions and allowances lies with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.The Department of Social Protection will spend €230 million this year on the household benefits package for almost 415,000 customers. The fuel allowance is paid for 26 weeks...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: There are approximately 73,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014. There have been no reductions to rent supplement announced as part of Budget 2015. I am acutely aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation, including those in receipt of rent supplement, particularly in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobPath Initiative (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: JobPath is the Government’s new labour market activation service aimed specifically at long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market, with the primary objective of assisting such persons to gain sustained employment. JobPath will augment and complement both the Department’s own employment services as well as the services contracted under existing...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned made a new claim for Supplementary Welfare Allowance on 16thOctober 2014. This claim was awarded at the correct payment rate appropriate to her age in line with current social welfare legislation; since 9thJanuary 2014 new claims for persons aged 18 to 24 receive payment at a reduced rate of €100 per week. The person concerned had previously been in receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 178 together. The Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability and is committed to removing barriers which prevent those persons with a disability from availing of employment opportunities. The Department provides a wide range of income and work-related supports specifically for people...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Budget 2015 (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I announced, on Budget Day, a number of welfare initiatives which will benefit older people who are in receipt of a welfare payment. These initiatives included the re-introduction of a Christmas Bonus, an increase in the Living Alone Allowance and support for welfare recipients with the cost of water services. The Christmas Bonus was abolished by the previous Government in 2009. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The person concerned submitted an appeal application in relation to their jobseekers allowance claim. The file of the person concerned was reviewed and the appeal submission from the local office was completed on the 30thof October 2014 and has been forwarded to the Appeals Office for decision.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Widow's Pension Eligibility (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: In order to qualify for a widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s contributory pension, a person must satisfy certain social insurance conditions and be a widow, widower or (since 1 January 2011) a surviving civil partner, and not be in a cohabiting relationship. The contributions must have been paid on one of the spouse/civil partners’ social insurance...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Widow's Pension Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

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 disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The appeal was disallowed on the basis that the contribution conditions applying to the scheme were not satisfied. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: When determining the amount of jobseeker’s allowance payable, earnings from employment are assessable, including income derived from polling day duties, regardless of whether the earnings belong to the customer or to a qualified adult. In the case of income from this employment source, the earnings are assessed after a daily disregard of €20 is applied for a maximum of 3 days a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Review (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: 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. The Free Travel Scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for approximately 800,000 people, elderly, disabled and carers. Funding for the Free Travel Scheme was capped by the previous...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Investigations (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 210 together. This matter is the subject of ongoing investigation in the Department. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the likely outcome of these investigations at this stage.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: The initiative to which the Deputy refers is the EmployAbility service - an employment service dedicated to improving employment outcomes for job seekers with a disability. The service was originally established in 2000 under the aegis of An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FAS) and was formerly known as the Supported Employment Programme. Responsibility for the programme transferred to the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: To qualify for Water Support a person must be in receipt of either the Household Benefits Package or in receipt of fuel allowance from the Department. As Job Initiative Scheme participants do not meet the criteria for either of these measures, they also do not meet the criteria to receive Water Support.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

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 has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 7th April 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 5th July 2014 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance. The person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility (4 Nov 2014)

Joan Burton: Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of qualified children to age 16 years, after which they may apply for disability allowance (DA) in their own right. The DCA review group made a recommendation in its report that the age limit for DCA should be extended to 18 years for all qualified children, with entitlement to DA starting from age 18 years. The report was published in...