Results 15,901-15,920 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Issues (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. The person concerned made a claim for jobseeker’s allowance on 26th June 2013 which was disallowed on the grounds that she was not habitually resident in the State. She appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8th August 2013 and her Appeal was disallowed on 6th February 2014. As a result of the outcome...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The client concerned was asked to have their rent reduced in line with the maximum rent limits that came into effect on the 17th June 2013. The Department was advised that this has now been achieved and her rent supplement claim was reassessed accordingly on the 19th February. All arrears due will issue to the client on the 27th February.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The person in question has been notified that her carer’s allowance in respect of one care recipient is being stopped on 26th March 2014 as, following a review, it was decided that the medical criteria were no longer satisfied based on the medical evidence submitted to date in relation to one of her care recipients. For receipt of carer's allowance for a child under 16 years...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Eligibility (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 14 January 2014. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 25 February 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: In the case of the couple concerned the gentleman is currently in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment at a weekly rate of €223.40. This rate is payable following the deduction of weekly means of €149.00.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Eligibility (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together. JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, was launched on 1st July, 2011 as part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative. JobBridge provides work experience placements for those on the Live Register for a 6 or 9 month period to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance (27 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: Credited contributions (credits) are social insurance contributions which are awarded, under certain circumstances such as unemployment or illness, to an insured person without payment of a Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution. Their purpose is to help protect the future social insurance entitlements of insured persons by providing cover during periods when paid PRSI contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme Data (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The rural social scheme (RSS) provides income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participants are engaged for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. The funds...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on matters relating to an individual pension scheme. I am very aware of the serious challenges facing many pension schemes at this time and the efforts being made by both the trustees and the sponsoring employers of these schemes to meet these challenges. The Deputy will be aware that I have introduced a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th January 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 have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. The ad hoc group on pensions last met on 21 October 2013 to consider broad pension policy issues with a particular focus on the proposals which were subsequently brought forward in the Social Welfare and Pensions (No.2) Bill 2013. The Minster for Finance, the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Programmes (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in service delivery and disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. The programme is funded by the Department with day-to-day management of contracts undertaken by Pobal. Some 425 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives shared annual funding of €46m from the programme in 2013. Contract...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 provided for the establishment of a new unincorporated body called the Pensions Council. The Pensions Council will comprise: - a chairperson; - a representative of the Minister for Social Protection; - the Pensions Regulator; - a representative of the Central Bank; - a representative of the Department for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (26 Feb 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 19 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: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: You will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on matters relating to an individual pension scheme. I am very aware of the serious challenges facing many pension schemes at this time and the efforts being made by both the trustees and the sponsoring employers of these schemes to meet these challenges. You will be aware that I have introduced a number of legislative changes...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Data (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: Diet supplement, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition. Following the outcome of a review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets commissioned by the Department during 2013, the scheme has been closed to new applicants from 1 February 2014. Payment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The following table sets out expenditure on external consultancy advice and legal services by the Department for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013: Year External Consultancy Advice Services including legal services 2011 €2,747,810 2012 €1,767,096 2013 €2,236,216 Figures for 2013 are provisional and subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Appointments to State Boards (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Citizens Information Board The legislative provisions governing appointments to the Citizens Information Board are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employee Shareholding Scheme (26 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: There are no commercial semi-State organisations operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (25 Feb 2014)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371, 376 and 382 together. At present, welfare clients who are paid through the post office network are paid in cash. It gives rise to a distribution of some €9.5 billion in cash annually. Some nine hundred thousand (900,000) clients of the Department are paid in this manner, accounting for some fifty per cent (50%) of all welfare payments. On foot...