Results 14,561-14,580 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Deputies need to be mindful of that because up to one quarter of the population wishes to use An Post services for a variety of reasons that we have all discussed. The Department of Social Protection and I as Minister have specified that we want people collecting jobseeker's payments to go to An Post in person to guard against fraud. That is an extremely important part of the service that...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Deputies may want to ignore that reality. I also think they should congratulate An Post on winning the business until 2019.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: There is a little of what Australians would term the "dog whistle politics" about this. In other words, Deputies are trying to raise a fear in the minds of the postmasters and particularly elderly customers who rely on An Post for the services with which we are all familiar. I have voiced the concern before that Deputies are frightening people a little too much. An Post has the contract...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: He and a number of other Deputies were very explicit about this. People have choices and many have bank accounts. They may not be in a position to go to a local post office so consumer choice comes into the issue. What I said in that context was that perhaps some of the Deputies here would put their minds to thinking about how An Post could successfully compete and get involved, for...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The debate needs to move to the area of further services and modernisation. Perhaps An Post should consider such issues so it can become a competitive service provider across a range of services.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: It is not.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am fascinated by the detailed knowledge of parts of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency that Deputy Naughten appears to be developing. It is great to see that kind of comradery and cross-interest being displayed.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy. He is looking after both of us. I appreciate his interest as much as I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle does. In regard to the general issue of the tight timescale for progressing Social Welfare Bills, which arises from the need to implement various budget measures, the submission from FLAC commented on this. However, FLAC's submission would have serious implications...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I will take that to the hustings.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Order for Report Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Acting as the State Claims Agency (SCA), the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) manages personal injury, property damage and clinical negligence claims brought against certain State authorities, including my Department. The vast majority of claims under the remit of the SCA (over 11,000 received since 2009, across all State authorities) are resolved without confidentiality...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme Payments (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. The level of expenditure from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) under the insolvency payments scheme for each year from 2003 to 2013 is as follows: YEAR EXPENDITURE € 2013 22,047,453 2012 21,664,104 2011 18,498,538 2010 23,585,349 2009 19,958,050 2008 10,059,545 2007 5,710,777 2006 4,280,271 2005 4,544,798 2004...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Communications (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: My Department receives in excess of 650,000 telephone calls per month, across its network of Intreo Centres, local offices, branch offices and headquarter buildings. In addition to the telephone service the Department provides a range of contact channels for customers including e-mail, SMS (text), through our website and face to face. LoCall numbers are in operation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned's request for copies of all documentation in their case in advance of the oral hearing was overlooked. The Social Welfare Appeals Office apologises sincerely for this fact. Copies of all the documentation requested will be sent to the person concerned expediently. The Social Welfare Appeals Office have agreed to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30 April 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: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 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 10 June 2014, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. he Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (18 Jun 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 10 June 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 and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (18 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Following a review in March of this year, the client was afforded 13 weeks to seek a rent reduction to the appropriate rent limit allowable for her family composition and geographical location. This review period was extended until 31 July 2014 to allow the client an additional period of time to obtain such a reduction or source alternative accommodation. The client concerned should contact...