Results 1,781-1,800 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Social Welfare Fraud: Social Welfare Fraud (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The sanctions which are open to the Department in the situation outlined by the Deputy are set out in legislation as follows. Section 251 (1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (the Act) provides that any person for the purpose of obtaining or establishing entitlement to payment of any benefit for himself or any other person, knowingly makes any statement which is to his knowledge...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: As stated in my reply on 2 April 2008, the transfer of functions from the HSE to my Department is a major programme and it does have implications for the staff who are due to transfer. In this regard discussions are taking place between management representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE and the Unions representing staff in the Community Welfare...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of my Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. All carers in receipt of carer's allowance and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance, regardless of their age, also receive a free travel pass. It is also available to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type welfare payments,...

Written Answers — National Biodiversity Plan: National Biodiversity Plan (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently coordinating the preparation of the new National Biodiversity Plan for Ireland, which will cover the period 2008-12 and my Department is represented on the Inter-Departmental Steering Group. When the Plan is agreed and published any actions appropriate to my Department will be implemented.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (9 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it has not received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned should contact the community welfare officer in his area so that any entitlement he may have, can be determined.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: A working group was set up under Sustaining Progress Agreement to facilitate engagement with the Social Partners in relation to certain changes made to conditions for Rent Supplement announced as part of the Government's Spending Estimates for 2004. The group included officials from my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Under the current programme of decentralisation, 85 posts in the Department are to be relocated to Carrickmacross. According to figures received from the Central Application Facility (CAF), through which all applications for decentralisation locations must be submitted, 64 applicants applied for Carrickmacross before the priority application date of 7 September 2004. Since this date, there...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Document, Record and Information Management (DRIM) programme is a key part of my Department's Modernisation Action Plan. The Department's aim is have all documents, records and information easily accessible, usable and managed in a manner that satisfies all stakeholders. The intention is to eliminate paper, in so far as is possible, from both the claim and administrative processes and...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: To qualify for Maternity Benefit, a woman must satisfy one of the following PRSI contribution conditions. She must have at least 39 PRSI contributions in the twelve month period before the first day of her maternity leave or at least 39 paid PRSI contributions since first starting work and at least 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year or the year following the relevant...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. Disability allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Disability allowance is a weekly Allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both medical assessment and a means test. The time taken to process a disability allowance claim includes three important elements; the time taken to carry out a medical...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Social welfare customers in receipt of a long term payment or in receipt of a short term payment for more than six months can claim an IQC for each child who is over 18 years and up to age 22 and attending a full-time day course of education at an institute of education. If a child reaches age 22 during an academic year while attending a full-time day course of education, the IQC continues...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive has advised that it had terminated payment of a rent supplement in this case from March 2008. The Executive has advised that it will review the claimant's entitlement and advise the person concerned of its decision in due course.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Health Service Executive has advised that it awaiting the receipt of outstanding documentation from the persons concerned and will not be in a position to make a decision on entitlement until all documentation requested has been received.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned was received on 2nd April 2008 and is being referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. 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 — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Irish nationals returning to live here on a permanent basis should experience no difficulty in demonstrating that they satisfy the requirements of the Habitual Residence Condition. My Department has been unable to trace any claims where this has not been the case, and has already offered to review any such claims that may be brought to its attention. However national legislation cannot...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: In 2007, the Office of Public Works (OPW) piloted an Energy Conservation Campaign covering seven of my Department's offices. The aim of the campaign was to raise staff awareness on the issue and to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in these offices. Staff in the Department were hugely supportive of this pilot campaign and it proved to be very successful. Energy usage is...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: A child benefit claim was received from the person concerned in February 2007 in respect of his children residing with their mother in Bulgaria. Additional information was requested and obtained from the person concerned in April 2007 and again in February 2008. Correspondence has also issued to the Bulgarian authorities concerning any entitlements to child benefit in Bulgaria. When all...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (8 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is referring to Statutory Instruments made under the European Communities Act 1972, section 4 of which provides that such regulations will have statutory effect. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has used the European Communities Act 1972 as a vehicle for implementing Council Directives on a number of occasions in the past. These Regulations are: European Communities...