Results 14,821-14,840 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Issues (10 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 352 together. The workload of the appeals office has increased dramatically in recent years. Up to 2009 the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum, whereas in 2012 the number of appeals received peaked at 35,484, reducing to 32,777 appeals in 2013. This has placed considerable pressure on the office. Significant effort and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (10 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together. Training and upskilling schemes are a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Unemployment Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to reduce unemployment (including youth unemployment) is through policies to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. This strategy is working. Employment rose by 42,700 in the year to Q1 2014. Unemployment decreased by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (10 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Since the lowest point of the jobs crisis, the unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of over 15% to 11.8% at present. The long-term unemployment rate has fallen from 9.5% to 7.3%. The number of long-term unemployed has fallen from 204,000 in early 2012 to 156,000 at present. In terms of the Live Register, a target was set that 75,000 of those who were long-term on the Register at the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (10 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from those who are long-term on the live register (LR). The incentive is payable, on a monthly basis, over a two year period if the employee is retained in full-time employment for two years. JobsPlus is biased in favour of those who are longer term unemployed. The value of the aggregate monthly...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-committee on Social Protection pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank all the Deputies, including Deputy Terence Flanagan, for their contributions and constructive approach to this debate and I will try to cover as many of the key issues as possible in the time available. I listened closely to the debate around the concerns of Deputies about the position of An Post and social welfare payments. I categorically refute the argument that the proposals...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Thank you.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: There is no change regarding the example cited by the Deputy.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Which legislation?

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I anticipate-----

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Open competition.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Sorry, under European law, there is open competition.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Because of European Union law.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I thank the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: Social welfare legislation provides that a person must satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work in order to be entitled to jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance. Any person who fails to satisfy these conditions is not entitled to a jobseeker’s payment. A student undergoing a full-time course of study, instruction or training is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an invalidity pension appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 1stMay 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Sector Staff Retirements (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: At the outset, the Deputy may wish to note that the terms and conditions of employment of civil and public servants, including the age at which they may be required to retire, and the public service pension they may qualify for, are the responsibility of my colleague, Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Review (5 Jun 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 71 together. The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by almost 90...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Appeals (5 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 08thApril 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare...