Results 1,901-1,920 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: They receive direct benefit in that they are not paying tax in the first place. This is the correct approach. We must allow such workers to retain as much as possible of their income while simultaneously seeking to improve other benefits.

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I do not intend to discuss it with the Deputy. It is a matter for the Department of Finance. I will express my views in discussions with that Department on the issue.

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Of course.

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: It is not a secret view.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 83 and 123 together. The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department. I am committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them. I am also determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when...

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Child benefit control procedures have been effective to date. Payments are not made on foot of claims until all the necessary documentation has been obtained and verified. Sometimes this causes problems for the individuals concerned. We have to ensure we protect the taxpayer. The proper information has to be provided. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has a good working...

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: Some 2,769 claims have been suspended to date because of late or non-reply of residency funds — as no reply has been received within the required timeframe. There can be legitimate reasons for this. The circumstances of individuals can change so that they are no longer within the system. As I have indicated, with the additional staff we have put into the control unit at Letterkenny, this...

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I believe I gave the figure of 23,000 earlier. The overall scale and the numbers of families and children involved are significant. The number of children of Irish nationality is 967,767 and there are more then half a million claims. From the EU 27 the claims come to 48,000 and non-EU applications comprise 28,000. That is over half a million claims involving 1,113,209 children. Taking...

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: One must keep in context the scale of the inaccurate information found. The figure is very low, given the size of the Department's operation and the numbers of families and children involved. I may have given Deputy Shortall a wrong figure a moment ago. Since November last some 23,000 certificates were issued. That is the figure I——

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I know it was not and I am sorry. I have a note in front of me, and I just wanted to correct that on the record and confirm that 23,000 certificates have been issued. A detailed check was recently carried out, again, on about 10% of all the different claimants involved. In approximately 3% of cases the information proved either to be incorrect or could not be validated. These claims were,...

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I gave that figure to the Deputy.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: There are 2,900.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: If I do not have the specific figure on non-nationals in front of me, I will obtain it for the Deputy. Under EU regulations, overpayments of family benefits in one state, such as Ireland, are recoverable in another state. The child benefit section pursues recovery in such cases.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The figure I have given to the Deputy is the only specific figure I have in front of me today.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I gave a figure on that matter and on certification. If there are other issues on which I need to provide information, I will be happy to do so. I can only give the Deputy the information I have in front of me.

Social Welfare Fraud. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I will have to forward the number to the Deputy; I do not have it here.

Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department administers some 50 schemes and makes payments to 1 million people each week. The nature and volume of its business mean that it is heavily dependent on information communications technology, ICT, facilities to carry out the bulk of its business and it has responsibility for a significant amount of data. Given the nature, scale and diversity of its work, the Department holds...

Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I obviously cannot speak for the Data Protection Commissioner.

Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I hope it will be finalised shortly. I am not the Data Protection Commissioner and I await his report.

Data Protection. (2 Apr 2008)

Martin Cullen: I said "shortly". I do not know. The Data Protection Commissioner is responsible for presenting the report and when he does, Deputy Shortall will be the first to hear of it.