Results 14,681-14,700 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: We do not have a draft.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: It will have to be in accordance with what has been described in the Bill. There is no intention to do anything different. It will require some legal work which will take some time. I anticipate that we should have it within a number of months, probably a month or two after the Bill. It will be available when the House resumes for the autumn term and it will be made available to all...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I will come back to the Deputy on this point. There are legal liability relationships between the spouse or the civil partner which may not exist in respect of other potential partnerships. I will obtain a legal advice on that point for the Deputy.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The social assistance payments are means-tested and are payable on the basis of income need. In general a person who is detained in prison or legal custody is disqualified for payment throughout the period of detention. Disqualification applies to claimants and recipients as well as to qualified adults of the claimant or recipient. This disqualification is informed by the principle that...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The prohibitions we are discussing are of long standing in respect of benefits. A qualified adult allowance cannot be paid if that adult is absent from the State but no such provision exists in respect of the working age assistance schemes, such as jobseeker’s allowance; the pre-retirement allowance; supplementary welfare allowance; disability allowance and farm assist where the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 9: In page 8, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following:“Further amendment of section 2(1) of Principal Act 5. The Principal Act is amended in section 2(1) by inserting the following definitions:“ ‘EEA Agreement’ means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2 May 1992, as adjusted by all subsequent amendments to...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: We are talking about very large sums of money. We have to ask An Post to confirm and verify identities. When people are going to collect such payments, it would be advisable to bring some form of identification with them. I am aware that there have been many informal arrangements during the years. As the Deputy and I know, there has been significant movement of people around and in and out...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes, 15 km.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: When did that occur?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: No, this contract is the first since the legal case was taken in 2007.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: No. Deputy Willie O'Dea would be more familiar with the matter. The case was won and under EU law it was required to go to tender.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Yes, under competition law. To reply to the question raised by Deputy Denis Naughton, Report Stage will be taken in the Dáil on 18 June. The Bill will be brought to the Seanad on 2 July and Committee Stage will be taken 9 July and Report and Final Stages on 15 July, in and around the time the House will rise for the summer. The Bill will be dealt with in the Houses practically...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: It will include An Post which is specified everywhere in the regulations. When we come back to the issue, perhaps I might have a more detailed reply.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: On a general legal point, I have been advised that designing tenders to favour one potential bidder may be legally suspect, as anyone who has been involved in contracts will be aware. To address a point raised by Deputies Joan Collins, Brendan Ryan and Ray Butler, the standards specified in the contract require that the outlets where the services are to be delivered are available for 95% of...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: It may be dangerous to suggest that the State prefers any tenderer when it is an open tender competition under EU rules. Let me stress that An Post applied for the contract and won it. It is important to specify that, Deputy.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: It is a new contract that I have just signed. An Post won the contract. I wish to be very clear about that.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I will explain that issue. I said that it was to provide an additional resilience relating to the fact that An Post won the contract. I am glad that An Post won the contract but I want to ensure that the contract is resilient and robust because I want An Post to continue to provide services. In the past, the provision of services by An Post has been legally protested in the context of EU...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputies for their contribution on the issue, particular of An Post which is a very important issue. We seem to agree that An Post services are very important from an economic, commercial and social point of view. I am glad to hear Deputies support An Post. I am sure that An Post will appreciate their support and the fact that they see the social and commercial role that it...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I am glad the Deputy is aware of it.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: If the Deputy wants to table an amendment, we can discuss it in due course.