Results 13,381-13,400 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The following Intreo Centres (remodelled/refurbished Social Welfare Local Offices) have opened in Dublin since 2012: 1. Blanchardstown 2. Ballyfermot 3. Dun Laoghaire 4. Finglas 5. Navan Road 6. Kilbarrack The following Intreo Centres are planned for the end of 2014/early 2015: 1. Bishop’s Square, Dublin 2 (refurbishment/extension of services): with the opening of the Intreo...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Poverty Impact Assessment (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: Social impact assessment is an evidence-based methodology which uses a tax/welfare simulation model developed by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to estimate the likely distributive effects of budgetary measures on income and social inequalities. The Department prepared a social impact assessment of the main welfare measures in Budget 2015 in advance of Budget Day. It will...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: In July 2008, the Labour Court recommended that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors (LCR19293) and that such a scheme should be adequately funded by FÁS, the agency responsible for CE at that time. The Department of Social Protection is now responsible for CE. Notwithstanding the position of this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: In July 2008, the Labour Court recommended that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors (LCR19293) and that such a scheme should be adequately funded by FÁS, the agency responsible for CE at that time. The Department of Social Protection is now responsible for CE. Notwithstanding the position of this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Household Benefits Scheme (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will spend €230 million this year on the household benefits package for almost 415,000 customers. The fuel allowance is paid for 26 weeks from October to April to almost 415,000 households at an estimated cost of €208 million in 2014. The Government has already announced that from 2015 both the household benefits package and the fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: Existing training schemes and courses are not designed to solely reduce numbers on the live register. However, the key objective of activation policy, encapsulated in the recently launched Pathways to Work 2015 strategy, is to provide a pathway back to employment for people with a work capacity who are already, or who will in the absence of support become, long term unemployed. This policy...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Eligibility (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme must satisfy a number of conditions. These include age, being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, be pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and be progressing in the level of education with reference...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Security of the Elderly (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department will spend €230 million this year on the household benefits package for almost 415,000 customers. The Government has already announced that from 2015 the household benefits package and the fuel allowance will also include a quarterly water support payment of €25. The estimated cost of this new water support payment of €100 per annum will be in the region...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Support Services Provision (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: In framing budgetary adjustments over the past number of years, the primary concern of Government has been to protect primary social welfare rates including disability payments, pensions and carer’s allowance. Budget 2015 fully protects all existing schemes and supports and will provide for an estimated expenditure of €3.39 billion on the illness, disability & carers...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: In order to qualify for a jobseeker payment, a person must meet certain conditions, including the requirement to be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking full-time work. A range of sanctions, including disqualification, closure or disallowance of the jobseeker claim, may be imposed where a client fails to meet the stated conditions. A jobseeker claim may be reviewed at any time in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (21 Oct 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 changes 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, in the current...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: There are approximately 73,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014. I am acutely aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation, including those in receipt of rent supplement, in the current market. Raising rent limits may not be the solution to the problem as it is likely to add...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme Eligibility (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the insolvency payments scheme, which operates under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act, 1984, which, in turn, derives from EU Council Directive 987/80, is to protect certain outstanding pay-related entitlements due to employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. These entitlements include wages, holiday pay, sick pay, payment in lieu...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud Data (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department recognises that the vast majority of people receiving social welfare payments are legitimately entitled to them. However, fraud and abuse of the welfare system is also a reality and it needs to be tackled to protect the integrity of the system and ensure that the resources available are targeted at those who need them most.The Department’s overall approach to tackling...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: There are approximately 73,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014. Prospective tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to secure accommodation due to the reduced availability of properties. Raising rent limits may not be the solution to the problem as it is likely to add to further rental inflation and impact, not alone on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: This matter is under active consideration by my officials who have engaged both with officials from the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and with the Pensions Authority in efforts to explore possible responses to the concerns raised. You may be aware that defined benefit pension schemes are generally set up under trust. The trustees of such pension schemes have a fiduciary duty...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Widow's Pension Eligibility (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: To qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, either the person claiming or their late spouse or civil partner must have a certain number of PRSI contributions. All the PRSI requirements must be met on one person's record - one may not combine the contributions of both spouses or civil partners. All must have been made before the death of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Rates (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: Employee PRSI is not charged where weekly earnings are €352 or less. Where weekly earnings exceed €352, employees become liable for PRSI which is charged at 4% on all earnings. While the effect of paying PRSI on all earnings once the €352 employee PRSI threshold is exceeded, is an issue, the yield from those paying PRSI contributes to keeping workers on lower earnings...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Programmes (21 Oct 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department is engaged in an ongoing programme to continuously improve its services. This continuous improvement programme is fundamental to the Department’s objectives of delivering a comprehensive service to people, positioning the Department to better adapt to changing customer needs and priorities, while delivering on internal effectiveness and efficiency goals. JobsIreland is a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Projects (21 Oct 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...