Results 18,241-18,260 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 10 July 2013. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Issues (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: Self-employed persons are liable for pay related social insurance (PRSI) at a rate of 4%, which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). This compares to employees in respect of whom a combined 14.75% rate, under full-rate PRSI Class A, is paid giving entitlement to the full...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Indecon Report provides a number of key recommendations which are targeted at maximising progression outcomes for interns and ensuring value for money for the exchequer. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department have already taken a number of key actions in response to th ese recommendations: - Two pilot initiatives targeted at non-graduate internships have been launched in the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on issues relating to a particular pension scheme. The Pensions Board supervises the regulation of individual schemes in accordance with the Pensions Act. In general terms, I can advise that funded defined benefit pension schemes are required to satisfy the Funding Standard as set out in the Pensions Act 1990, as amended. This is a wind...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of nearly €776 million in 2013 on income supports for carers. There were almost 58,000 recipients of carer's allowance and carer's benefit, and just over 25,200 people in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, at the end of July 2013. Carer's Allowance recipients also receive additional support in the form of free...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer was registered in that office on 19 July 2013. The case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme focused on jobseekers and designed to overcome the barriers to participation in second and third level education. The scheme enables an eligible jobseeker in receipt of a social welfare payment to continue to receive income support while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: As outlined to the Deputy very recently in PQ 37152-13, the rent supplement in respect of the person concerned is temporarily suspended pending requested information being made available to the Department which will allow reassessment of entitlement.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing held on 26 August 2013, has disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Work Initiatives (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: As part of budget 2012, I extended the number of opportunities available on Tús by another 2,500, bringing the total number of places available to 7,500. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. To date, Tús has provided nearly 12,800 people with work opportunities. As of 13th September 2013, 6,487...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: In cases where a person does not meet the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) or qualifies for a reduced rate of State pension (contributory), they may apply for the means-tested State pension (non-contributory). The means test for State pension (non-contributory) assesses the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse or partner. Where the State pension...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence has allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The persons concerned have received all their rent supplement entitlements for the periods they have been deemed eligible. There are no further arrears due. Any arrears that the landlord considers outstanding are a matter between the landlord and his tenants.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 2 September 2013. The Appeals Officer may make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, he may decide to hold an oral hearing to determine the matter. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Department has not been informed of any change of circumstance or address for the person concerned who is in receipt of a rent allowance. The person should submit a new application before a decision on entitlement at a new address can be assessed. An application pack has issued to the new address from the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 September 2013, 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: Social Welfare Benefits Applications (19 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: There is no trace of applications for disability allowance or illness benefit from the person concerned in my department. A claim form for disability allowance is in the process of issue to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed form by the Department, her case will be investigated and she will be notified of the outcome accordingly. To claim illness benefit, the person...