Results 19,401-19,420 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Review (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: Where a person states that they have found work, it is normal practice for a jobseeker claim to be closed. However, in cases where the customer is taking up a short period of temporary work or training (up to 8 weeks), arrangements are now in place to simplify the process of returning to the live register at the end of this period. In these cases, instead of closing the claim, payment is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Maternity Benefit Issues (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The total expenditure on maternity benefit in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and to date in 2013 is set out in the following table: Year Expenditure 2010 €323,938,363 2011 €309,140,618 2012 €303,139,000 2013 (01.01.2013 to 19/05/2013) €107,242,779

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Review (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The Government fully recognises that the domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme represents a very important support to parents and guardians who live with, and care for, children with a disability. Likewise, the disability allowance (DA) represents an important income support to people who are unfit for work. DCA is now in payment in respect of over 26,500 children, an increase of over...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Habitual Residency Conditions (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The information requested by the Deputy is not available and there are no plans to capture these data. Habitual residence is just one element of social welfare claim conditions that must be satisfied and applicants must also satisfy the other conditions to receive a payment. Each case received for a determination on the HRC is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: European Court of Justice Rulings (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The ruling by the European Court of Justice was in response to a reference by the High Court seeking clarification of the interpretation of European law emanating from EU Directive 2008/94EC on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. Following the ECJ ruling, the matter will now revert to the High Court for consideration. Given this matter remains...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Property Taxation Collection (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 allows for a person who is liable for the local property tax, and who is in receipt of certain social protection payments, to have local property tax deducted from their payments. The Revenue Commissioners have agreed with the Department of Social Protection the schemes to be included in the deduction at source facility for local property tax as...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Application Numbers (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below. Invalidity Pension Claims Year Received Awarded Disallowed Total decided 2010 8774 3445* 3411* 7614 2011 14621 2107# 4697# 12829 2012 11510 6352 11423 17775 A breakdown of Invalidity claims awarded and disallowed is not available from December 2010-June 2011. A dual payments system was in operation from...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Guarantee (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The EU Council Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee received political agreement at the EPSCO Council meeting on 28 February and was adopted formally last month. The Recommendation is that Member States should ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Remuneration (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The amount of gross savings that would be made by the Department if salaries to personnel were capped at €100,000 is approximately €592,000 in a full year. This figure is based on the salaries paid as at week ending 16 March 2013 and is inclusive of Employer's PRSI. This figure does not take account of lost revenue to the State from statutory deductions on amounts over...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Sector Staff Retirements (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years. The State pension age will be further increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028. These changes apply to all fully insured...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Agencies Funding (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28, 34 and 40 together. The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice including money and budgeting advice and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services. It provides some services directly to the public. It directly funds and supports an extensive range of services...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Rates (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 29 and 52 together. The estimated expenditure on child benefit in 2013 is around €1.9 billion and it is currently paid to around 611,000 families in respect of some 1.16 million children. The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 35 and 54 together. There are currently approximately 86,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. The purpose of rent supplement 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Gender Recognition Issues (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: As I have indicated on a number of occasions I want the legislation to deal with the gender recognition advanced as quickly as possible. The issues involved are complex and have implications for other areas of Government. I realise also that this is a very sensitive area for those involved and people are naturally keen that the legislation be brought forward quickly. I understand that but...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Payments (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 58 together. The farm assist scheme is based on jobseeker's allowance. It was introduced in 1999 to replace 'Smallholders Unemployment Assistance' for low income farmers, without the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking work. Farm assist recipients retain all the advantages of the jobseeker's allowance scheme such as retention of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Ready to Work Programme (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that funding for the Ready for Work Programme operated by Business in the Community has been approved for the current year.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times (29 May 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. I am proud to inform the Deputy that the Department has had major success in clearing backlogs especially over the last year in the disability related schemes. The Table below provides...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Administration (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 50 together. JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, was launched on 1st July 2011. The Scheme has made very significant progress. As at 24th May 2013, 17,609 internships have commenced to-date. There are currently 6,104 jobseekers undertaking internship opportunities. In addition, there are 2,218 internship opportunities available across a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Student Support Schemes Issues (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department for Education and Skills is primarily responsible for education and training policy and associated student support. This Department operates a range of employment support schemes which offer support and assistance to jobseekers in making them job ready as they aim to seek work in the open labour market. I am not aware of any engagement with the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times (29 May 2013)

Joan Burton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 42, 134 and 143 together. The number of cases currently on appeal and the current average time taken to process appeals of social welfare payments is given in the Table. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent...