Results 1,401-1,420 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I welcome the launch, late last month, of the latest research report of the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, titled " Minimum Essential Budgets for Six Households". My Department will examine the research report and its recommendations over the next period in the context of setting future policy direction. It is clear that Government has already acted, in 2006, to address some of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 62 together. The improvements made to the Disability Allowance (DA) scheme since its transfer from the Health Boards in 1996 mean that many of those who had previously been disqualified for payment under the DPMA scheme because they were in residential care are now entitled to payment under the (DA) scheme. Furthermore, people who are living in...

Written Answers — Waste Charges: Waste Charges (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 282 together. The setting of waste management charges and the introduction of waivers in respect of waste charges is, as stated by my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority. The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue would be complex given the wide range of...

Written Answers — Labour Market Participation: Labour Market Participation (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 69, 98 and 110. In the Budget of December 2005, I announced a wide range of important reforms for non-contributory pensioners in conjunction with the introduction of the State Pension (non- contributory). These reforms include improvements to the means test for pensioners, the raising of the weekly means disregard from €7.60 to €20. As part of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: My Department through its various social insurance and assistance schemes provides income supports to people to meet their basic living needs, including food, clothing, heat and light. Supplements are also payable in certain circumstances for specific needs, for example fuel allowances, rent supplements, living alone allowance for older people or the household benefits package for pensioners,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department. Since my appointment as Minister for Social and Family Affairs I have appointed persons to fill vacancies as they occur on...

Written Answers — National Carers Strategy: National Carers Strategy (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 50 together. Supporting and recognising carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 43, 45, 70, 72, 86, 97 and 291 together. Supporting and recognising carers in our society is and has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: The farm assist scheme, which introduced special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999 and came into operation with effect from 7 April 1999. There are currently 7,483 farm assist recipients and the average weekly payment is €178.52. The level of take-up since the farm assist scheme was first introduced in April 1999 significantly...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 91 together. In the context of the recent Budget, I announced significant improvements in the rate of payment for qualified adults on State pensions and important changes in the way these payments will be made in the future. The Programme for Government contains a commitment "to introduce a personal pension entitlement for pensioner spouses currently...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Policy: Social Welfare Policy (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: At present the European Union Social Questions Group are considering two related proposals dealing with the co-ordination of social security systems within the European Union and a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving the portability of supplementary pension rights. These proposals have been discussed over the past 18 months under the UK,...

Written Answers — Social Inclusion: Social Inclusion (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: In March 2006, EU Employment and Social Affairs Ministers agreed a new framework for the modernisation of Member States' social protection systems and the promotion of greater social cohesion across the European Union. Under this new framework, Member States are required to draw up national reports, covering a three year period, on strategies for social protection and social inclusion which...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: As I have previously advised the House, the proposed all-Ireland free travel scheme will enable pensioners resident here and in Northern Ireland to travel free of charge on all eligible transport services on the island. Implementation of a single travel pass, acceptable in both jurisdictions, will require the completion of the Integrated Ticketing project being developed under the auspices of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: A National Disability Survey, a follow-up to the latest Population Census is currently being conducted by the Central Statistics Office, the results of which will be available next year. This is the first national survey in Ireland specifically designed to capture the prevalence of different types of disability and the extent to which those affected participate in various activities. The...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Entitlements: Social Welfare Entitlements (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: My Department aims to ensure that all citizens are made aware of their rights and 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 in the achievement of this objective. My Department takes a pro-active approach in advertising its schemes and...

Written Answers — Family Income Supplement: Family Income Supplement (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 93 together. The Family Income Supplement provides income support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments. There are currently 22,352 people in receipt of FIS....

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 106 together. The Construction Federation Operatives Pensions Scheme operates as a Registered Employment Agreement under the Industrial Relations Acts. There is a statutory obligation on employers to register eligible employees in the scheme and to pay the necessary contributions. Compliance with the terms of the scheme is enforced through the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: There is a number of social welfare supports available to assist families in coping with bereavement and the associated expenses. The Bereavement Grant is a one off payment paid to families of insured people to assist them with funeral expenses. I was glad to be able to increase the grant from €635 to €850, with effect from Budget day, 6 December 2006. It is paid to the spouse, partner,...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: Since taking Office this Government has made the needs of older people a priority and the commitment to ensure that as many people as possible can qualify for contributory pensions is at the core of this policy. In this context, changes have been made to the qualifying conditions for pension which make it easier for people to qualify for pensions. These include the reduction in the yearly...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Dec 2006)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 75, 84, 99 and 111 together. The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year and is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and...