Results 15,841-15,860 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Live Register Data (5 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Government’s approach to tackling the unemployment problem is to focus resources on those individuals most at risk of long-term unemployment with age being a significant determinant. The Department of Social Protection keeps a detailed breakdown of the profiles of jobseekers. Data on each client’s age, past occupation, and his/her education, is collected at the point of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Application Numbers (5 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: There is no backlog in claim processing in Invalidity Pension. As at the end of February 2014 there were 2,050 Invalidity Pension (IP) claims registered, actioned and awaiting information to finalise a decision. This includes approximately 270 cases which are being investigated under EU regulations or bi-lateral agreements. These cases are more complex and take longer to decide....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (5 Mar 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 13th February 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Guarantee (5 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Youth Guarantee will be run on a national basis. The Ballymun Pilot is being mainly funded by the European Commission. Such specific funding for other pilot programmes is not available. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Department will operate a specific scheme for each of its 60+ local offices. However there will be flexibility to tailor the implementation to local conditions (for...

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: We have, however, unfinished business with the European Union and the ECB. In June 2012 eurozone leaders solemnly affirmed that it was imperative to break the vicious circle between bank and sovereign debt. They also committed to examining Ireland's position in that regard. We will continue to push for that agreement to be honoured and a wider deal on the debt. There is widespread...

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: We will get there. People in Fianna Fáil said no renegotiation of the deal was possible.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Green Party also stated this before the general election.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: They also said the promissory notes could not be dealt with, yet we have dealt with two. The remaining one deals with the link between sovereign debt which the Deputy's party created-----

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: -----and bank debt.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: Fianna Fáil, uniquely, decided to do this.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: Tackling unemployment is our immediate priority and will remain so for the foreseeable future. In the long term a looming pensions problem needs to be addressed. It is not enough to help people to get back to work unless we also take steps to provide security of income for them in retirement. I have protected the State pension-----

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: I want to see us improve the level of occupational and private pension cover.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: That also is a key area on which I am working as Minister.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: When the Government took office, we set ourselves three key goals for success: to regain control of the public finances; make economic recovery a reality; and reform and modernise our politics and public institutions. These goals are not abstractions but serve to expand the employment prospects, prosperity and democratic participation of all the people. Only by the sustained creation of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 194 together. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: General Register Office (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the acquisition and maintenance of office accommodation for the Department of Social Protection. The lease on the accommodation in the Irish Life Mall, where the research rooms were located, ended in August 2013. As part of a cost saving, lease rationalisation programme the OPW decided not to renew the lease. As a result the research...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Recruitment (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Department has to operate within an employment control framework (ECF) target, as determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, the staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed. This takes account of workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Eligibility (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: There is no difference in the medical eligibility criteria governing payment of carer’s benefit and carer’s allowance. In respect of both schemes, the person being cared for must be in need of full time care and attention.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: The Public Service Agreements (PSAs) covering the period 2010-16 (the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the Public Service. Under these Agreements, redeployment generally takes precedence over all other methods of filling a vacancy. It facilitates the movement of staff both within and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (4 Mar 2014)

Joan Burton: In order to qualify for a jobseeker’s payment, an unemployed person or part-time worker must, in the case of jobseeker’s benefit, have sufficient PRSI contributions and have lost at least one day of employment or, in the case of jobseeker’s allowance, satisfy a means assessment. In addition, both schemes apply only where a person is employed for no more than three in a...