Results 18,341-18,360 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 649 together. I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 6th August 2013. A letter issued on 11th of September 2013 requesting additional information in relation to the means assessment which was not supplied with the application. As soon as this information is received it...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The United Kingdom winter fuel payment is an annual tax-free payment made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs. It is a lump sum and in most cases is paid automatically, but some people need to claim. The total amount of winter fuel payment can vary from £100 - £300 sterling having regard to age and household composition. Most payments are made between mid-...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 July 2013. 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 appeal in question will be referred to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Widow's Pension Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned has been awarded a widow(er)'s/surviving civil partner's contributory pension with effect from the 16th August 2013 and arrears due have also been paid.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 24th July 2012. The medical evidence submitted with the application was referred to one of the Department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that the person did not satisfy the medical conditions for receipt of the allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and refused the application and the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: No recent application for an exceptional needs payment has been received from the person concerned. He should contact his local community welfare service office.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (18 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. In relation to the forthcoming Budget, the Deputy will be aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: There are a number of supports in place for long term and older carers in relation to State Pension. Persons in receipt of carer’s benefit/allowance from my Department may be entitled to credited contributions. Such contributions are intended to protect the entitlements of people when they are ill, unemployed and for pensions. Carers who qualify for these credits are awarded credited...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: All applicants for carers' allowance, regardless of nationality, are required to be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for the allowance. The requirement to establish that a person is habitually resident for the purpose of claiming certain categories of Social Welfare Allowances is governed by requirements in EC Regulation 883/2004 and its implementing Regulation 987/2009....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Claims Processing (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I wish to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for me. Each scheme area is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to as quickly as possible. In recent years, backlogs have not been a feature of many scheme areas such as pensions, maternity benefit, illness benefit, domiciliary care allowance, and child benefit. I am proud to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Carers Strategy Status (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The contribution that people provide in caring for members of their own family is critical for society and it was for that reason that the Government last year adopted the National Carers' Strategy - with a view to giving greater public recognition to carers and their work. In recognition of supporting carers to maintain a link to the workforce, carers can work or engage in training for up...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The person concerned does not qualify for a free travel pass as she is under aged 66 and is not on a qualifying payment. The person concerned was in receipt of a qualifying payment up until May 2013 when their invalidity payment ceased as the person moved into paid employment.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: A change was introduced to the One Parent Family scheme with effect from 3 July 2013 resulting in a reduction in the qualifying age of the youngest child. For persons who had been receiving the payment prior to 27th April 2011, the qualifying age of the youngest child was reduced from 18 to 17 years. The person concerned was awarded One Parent Family payment with effect from 7th January,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes Issues (18 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. However, the Pensions Act does not regulate how company accounts should reflect pension arrangements for its employees. In general terms, I can advise that funded defined benefit pension...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 683 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: Eligibility for the various illness schemes is determined on a case by case basis with regard to the severity of the condition involved and its expected duration. There is no list of eligible conditions for long term illness.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (18 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 to 633, inclusive, together. The Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service was established to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to assist people in mortgage distress. This service provides comprehensive information and advice to mortgage holders in arrears or pre-arrears in assessing their options. The service, which differentiates...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (18 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, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer's decision on 19th August 2013. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Joan Burton: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The Government has provided approximately €718 million for the various SWA schemes in 2013. Basic weekly SWA may be payable to...