Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: Approximately, 340,000 pensioner and other households qualify for the electricity or gas allowances through the household benefits package. In recognition of the recent increases in the price of natural gas and electricity I have recently announced significant increases to the gas and electricity allowances. In order to cover the 33.8% increase in the cost of natural gas, from October 1st,...
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: A National Disability Survey, a follow-up to the latest Population Census is currently being conducted by the Central Statistics Office, the results of which will be available next year. This is the first national survey in Ireland specifically designed to capture the prevalence of different types of disability and the extent to which those affected participate in various activities. The...
- Written Answers — Poverty Levels: Poverty Levels (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together. The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 29 weeks from end-September to mid-April. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 413 and 414 together. Supporting and recognising carers in our society is and has been a priority of the Government. Weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I am committed to providing a national carers' strategy, which is one of the commitments into which the Department has entered. We have commenced that work in the Department and are setting about a consultation process with the various organisations concerned with the carers' strategy. The Deputy has raised the issue of young carers with me many times. The reason it does not move forward is...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: They should be at school.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I know, but I have not considered introducing a payment or a support for carers under 18 because I am not yet convinced â if the Deputy can convince me, that will be fine â that it would be of help to them. We should be trying to encourage them to pursue their own careers and deal with the caring issue in another way, if that is possible.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: One might not be doing them any favours by instituting a payment to them, for example.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I know, but one might not be doing them any favours if a carer's allowance was introduced for 16 year olds.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I am just putting that point to the Deputy â I do not think one would be doing them any favours by providing a carer's allowance for 16 year olds. It is something we will probably not agree on, however. With regard to the Deputy's first question, it is Government policy to try to keep people in their own communities and in their own homes. That is why, as I stated, carer's allowance,...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I know the Deputy is passionate about this matter.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I have acknowledged the Deputy's passion for removing the means test for carers.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: I understand the Deputy's position. It is almost a role reversal because normally the Labour Party argues for a means test so that we can focus on poverty and helping those who need support.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: Normally, that is the position of the Labour Party, so I am a bit surprisedââ
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: ââthe Deputy is arguing for the removal of a means test, which means people with very good meansââ
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: ââwould be in receipt of State money.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: Yes, but he does not need a carer's allowance as well.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: The Deputy is asking for the cost using the means test, which is in the region of â¬150 million. I am open to suggestions but, at the moment, I am not in favour of paying carer's allowance to 14, 15 and 16 year olds.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: They should be at school. Deputy Crowe has raised a specific case and there is a respite care grant in existence to give carers time off. However, if an emergency arises I can see that arranging such cover in time could be a problem and one may be at the mercy of neighbours. All Deputies have the figures relating to this issue as they have been given to the House on many occasions. At...
- Social Welfare Appeals. (14 Nov 2006)
Séamus Brennan: The social welfare appeals office plays a pivotal role in ensuring welfare customers have an independent review mechanism when they are dissatisfied with a decision made by my Department and want to appeal the outcome. During 2004 some 14,000 appeals were processed, 6,000 by way of oral hearing. The equivalent figures for 2005 were 13,400 and 5,600 respectively. Favourable decisions to...