Results 1,761-1,780 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The person concerned is in receipt of maximum rate Widow's (Contributory) Pension of €203.30 plus € 21.90 fuel allowance, per week. As her spouse had worked in England, the relevant information was referred to the Department of Social Security in Newcastle upon Tyne (DHSS) to assess her eligibility for a widow's pension. It is a matter for that Department to advise the person concerned of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Rent supplements are subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for rent supplement may incur. The maximum rent limits are set out in regulations. However, the HSE may, in respect of sub-divisions of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the status of this appeal remains unchanged from the position as outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 8th April 2008 to PQ 284. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of my Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: My Department is aware of the appreciation in the exchange rate of the Euro against both Sterling and the US Dollar. In relation to Sterling my Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers when assessing means deriving from payments received from EU Member States (including U.K.) which do...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: A Widower's Non Contributory Pension is a means tested payment payable to a widow or widower whose income falls below a certain limit and who does not satisfy the contribution conditions for Widowers Contributory Payment. This customer applied for Widows Non Contributory Pension on the 15th of December 2007. Following an assessment of her means she was awarded a reduced rate Widows Non...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Green Paper on Pensions was published on the 17th October 2007, beginning a period of consultation on our pensions system. This consultation process will continue until the end of May 2008 and work will then begin on developing a framework for future pensions policy. To date, over 130 written submissions have been received by my Department and can be viewed on the dedicated website —...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive (HSE) payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Improvements to the fuel allowance in recent years include an...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive has advised that it has awarded rent supplement in respect of the persons concerned for the period October 2007 to March 2008 and that all due payments have been made. The Executive has further advised that the persons concerned have now been provided accommodation under the rental accommodation scheme.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Child benefit is a universal payment, paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. The policy of the Government over the past number of years has been to substantially increase the amount spent on child benefit for all families. Commitment to this...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Rent supplement, which is administered on my behalf by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable different eligible household types to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Social Welfare appeals system procedures are designed to ensure that every appellant gets full and fair consideration. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned was received in that office on 20 August 2007. In accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant Departmental papers and the comments of the Social Welfare Services Office...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive has stated that the matter is currently under review with the Executive's Appeals Office and has advised that the person concerned will be informed of the outcome of its decision in due course.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The social welfare appeals system is quasi- judicial and the procedures involved are designed to ensure that every appellant gets full and satisfactory consideration. Accordingly, there is no time limit within which an appeal must be determined by that Office or within which an oral hearing must be heard. During 2007 the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: In order to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) at the minimum rate payable, a yearly average of at least 10 contributions is needed. The person concerned has a yearly average of 8 contributions which is insufficient for a minimum payment of a State Pension (Contributory). As she worked for some time in the United States, the insurance records of both countries can be combined to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The case referred to by the Deputy concerns the rights of a person who has undergone gender reassignment surgery to recognition of her acquired gender. On foot of a High Court judgement delivered on 19 October 2007, the judge made an order 14 February 2008 and the perfected order was issued on 10 March 2008. The order contains a declaration pursuant to Section 5 of the European Convention...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The matter that was the subject of the Deputy's question of 4 March was referred to the Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive for investigation of the substantive issue and for direct reply to the Deputy. Enquiries have been made with the Chief Executive, and I have been informed that his investigation of this matter is nearing completion and that a reply will issue to the Deputy in...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Disability allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66 years. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both a medical examination and a means test. The weekly rate of Disability Allowance payment depends on the amount of weekly means assessed. The legislative provisions regarding...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer to my reply to the Deputy on 6/3/08 in relation to the person concerned. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that since that reply, an Appeals Officer again reviewed this case following the submission of further correspondence from the person concerned. However, the Appeals Officer considered that the correspondence contained no new facts or fresh evidence which would...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The habitual residence condition was introduced in order to ensure that a person, who has had no attachment to the work force since arrival in Ireland and whose habitual residence is therefore elsewhere, would not be entitled to payment under certain exchequer-funded schemes on arrival in Ireland. Applications for supplementary welfare allowance payments (e.g. a basic weekly payment or a...

Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: He is.