Results 14,101-14,120 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Revised Estimates for the Department of Social Protection in 2014 do not include any provision for payment of a Christmas Bonus. The estimated cost of re-introducing a bonus payment for Christmas (analogous to the bonus payment which applied up to 2008 and based on the projected number of beneficiaries in late 2014) is in the order of €254 million. It would benefit approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: It is acknowledged that work patterns have changed significantly over the years. It is not uncommon today for employees to regularly switch jobs and accrue pension entitlements through a number of employments. It is recognised that it will become more common in future years for prospective retirees to have to ‘trace’ their accrued pension entitlements from multiple employers...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the period 2004 to 2014, inclusive, is outlined in the tables. Estimates of expenditure for 2015 and later years are not available at this stage as they are currently under preparation as part of the Estimates process. Expenditure by Programme, 2004 to 2007 Programme 2004 €000 2004 % 2005 €000 2005 % 2006 ...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Unemployment Data (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The reason for trends in recipient and participant numbers on schemes is not routinely collated by my Department. Seasonal variations are large in the schemes highlighted by the Deputy, and thus June 2011 numbers are included to highlight such variations. The Central Statistics Office publishes a monthly breakdown of the number of persons who are on activation schemes, but does not report...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 30th June 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: Social Welfare Overpayments (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: An overpayment was incurred by this client and notified to her in April 2003 which became the subject of an appeal that was disallowed in June 2004. The client made application for a further Social Welfare payment in March 2003. The overpayment was not adjudicated on at the point and was therefore not applied at that time. There is no record on file to suggest that the recovery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: Following a review of rent supplement entitlement, which recognised a reduction in means from income, the client is now in receipt of the full maximum entitlement based on their circumstances.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: As outlined in previous responses, the person concerned has been advised on more than one occasion to make an application to her Local Social Welfare Office in order to determine her entitlement to the one parent family payment. The person concerned has also been advised that if she is currently homeless she should call to the homeless unit in Castle Street where her circumstances can be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: There are no records of a recent claim for jobseeker’s allowance from the person concerned. The person concerned should contact the Social Welfare Local Office at Bishop’s Square and enquire about making such an application whereupon his entitlement can be determined.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The client made an application for rent supplement on 20thMay 2014 after which the Department requested further information to allow the claim to be processed. If the information is forwarded the claim may be processed.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: An appeal by the person concerned against the decision to disallow her jobseeker’s allowance application was disallowed by the appeals officer. The person concerned was notified of the appeals officer’s decision in writing on 14thFebruary 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The client concerned was awarded a reduced rate jobseeker’s allowance payment in January 2014 due to means from self-employment. The case has subsequently been reviewed and the maximum rate has been applied from 7thMay 2014. Arrears issued on 8thJuly 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides a high quality personal service to assist people who are over indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes and people living on social welfare payments. The table provides details of the number of people in Cork City and County who...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Fund Fees (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Report on Pension Charges, published in October 2012, was undertaken by my Department, working with the Central Bank and the Pensions Authority, and with support from PWC and was the first comprehensive Government report on this subject. The purpose of the report was to gather information on pension charges levied to assess whether charges are reasonable and transparent, and make...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Unemployment Data (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The number of persons in receipt of either jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance at the end of June 2014 was 47,707 and 295,594 respectively; of these totals, 3,330 jobseeker’s benefit recipients and 59,410 jobseeker’s allowance recipients had occupations in construction-related trade categories. When other trades are added which may include some people who had worked in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Care Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The Community Employment (CE) programme is a valuable resource in the provision of a range of services to communities, including childcare services. To support the delivery of these essential services, the ring-fencing and prioritisation of places for childcare was introduced on CE in 2002. Total CE expenditure on childcare amounted to €24.8m in 2013. In order to support the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: The statistics as requested by the Deputy are not available. The jobseekers allowance and one-parent family schemes are subject to a means test and in order to carry out a means test the customer must be available and contactable at a given address. Where it is not possible to discern the means of an applicant, the claim may be suspended or closed. The specific closure reason outlined by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 382 together. The primary responsibility for provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with local authorities. Kildare County Council have staff and arrangements in place to provide emergency support to persons who find themselves homeless. The Community Welfare Service and Mid-Leinster rents unit work closely with County Council staff...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Parking Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Joan Burton: A meeting between OPW and DSP officials was held in Longford in January to discuss, inter alia, the issue of traffic congestion on the Government Buildings site and options to ameliorate same. A number of options were discussed, however not all are practical or cost effective. In this context, some further consideration of the matter has been required by OPW following the meeting. I am now...