Brennan, JosephThursday, 26 October 1972 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Committee on Finance. - Vote 47: Social Welfare.
I move:
I actually gave the Deputy in my speech the number of prosecutions.
I did not circulate any notes.
Deputies have a service of their own which looks after their own interests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit Applicant.
I am aware of the case in question, in which the man concerned was not paid unemployment benefit for ten days in May last during which he was in England accompanying his invalid wife on a holiday. Th...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Services.
I would direct the attention of the Deputy to the very substantial improvements in our schemes in recent years and, in particular, to the continuing upward trend in the rates of the various payments. ...
The economic implications of unity are a very important consideration and are being studied inter-departmentally. It is the view of the Government that the existing discrepancies between North and So...
What it, in fact, means is that if the present rate of climbing towards equality with the North is maintained for a number of years, the arrival or the getting there is already in sight.
One has only to look at the two systems over the past ten years and see how the gap has closed. It is as simple as that.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 103 and 105 together.
All of them wrong.
I should much prefer not to give a figure than to give a wrong one, and as the Deputy knows, having done his home work, all the estimates attempted have been wide of the mark. The schemes in the two ...
I am quite prepared to accept there is a problem but I deplore the people who try to make it an unsurmountable one. If any of the negotiators in Northern Ireland came up with a declaration in favour ...
I always refrain from giving a figure when it may be a wrong one.
I am not.
The answer is no.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Family Maintenance Legislation.
I presume the Deputy refers to a report prepared on this subject by an organisation known as AIM—Action, Information, Motivation—a copy of which is stated to have been sent last month to every Deputy...
I thought the Deputy might have in mind the fact that I am concerned in this from the point of view of social welfare payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wives.
The answer is no.
I have not had a second opinion from the Attorney General other than the case stated in relation to widow's pensions in the past. It is on that basis that we are deciding now in regard to deserted wi...
We have been recognising her for widow's pension purposes. That is the decision that holds now.
No, when he dies.
The only cases that come before me are where the divorce took place in England and the wife returns here.
The Deputy referred to the case of a man deserting his wife here and going to England. If there is a divorce in England and the wife returns here we have been treating her in relation to widows' pensi...
It is very unfair to senior counsel to infer that we got from them the decision we wished to get.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Electricity Scheme.
Widow pensioners aged 70 and over, who fulfil the conditions of the scheme, are already eligible for the free electricity allowance. An extension of the scheme to include widows under 70 years of age ...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
Non-contributory pensions are subject to a means test and in accordance with the statutory rules for the calculation of means all income in cash, with certain specified exclusions, which a person may ...
The purpose of the means test for old age pensions is to endeavour to ensure that the available resources are directed only to those in need and that those most in need get most assistance. I would n...
There are the very good reasons that the Deputy has been given at all times. We do not regard the amount being paid to those in need as being sufficient. If I had the £15 million necessary to abolis...
There are many things to be done with that money.
I do not like the means test any more than the Deputy likes it but I would prefer to see it disappear into a comprehensive scheme of social insurance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widow's Pension.
The person referred to in the question applied for a widow's pension on 30th August, 1972. A decision has now, however, been given rejecting her application on the grounds that as she is a divorced p...
This is a case where we recognise divorce. It is one that is covered by the decision of the High Court.
This case is covered by a decision of the High Court.
Home assistance.
I have asked for particulars of this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
An extension of the Children's allowances scheme on the lines suggested by the Deputy is not at present contemplated.
The answer is in the negative.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic Wardens Wages.
Wages are a factor in assessing eligibility only in the case of non-contributory pensions which are subject to a means test, the purpose of which is to ensure that the available money goes to those wh...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disabled Persons Concessions.
The schemes of free television licence, free travel and free electricity allowance were devised primarily for old people, aged 70 or over, who are receiving social welfare pensions and who fulfil cert...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Entitlement.
Payment of social welfare benefit or assistance is not in any instance suspended immediately on receipt of an anonymous communication alleging irregularity. It is, however, the practice to investigat...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Social Insurance System.
The question of extending the social insurance system to persons in Holy Orders and other ministers of religion and those living in religious communities can only be considered in the context of a gen...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit Applicant.
The person in question was not disqualified for unemployment benefit on his recent claim covering the period 8th August, 1972, to 2nd September, 1972. The position is that the man received holiday p...
I will do so.
It would be helpful.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoners' Dependants.
The position of the dependants of prisoners is under consideration in the context of the proposals which I am sponsoring for the reform of the social assistance services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit Entitlement.
On the assumption that the question is intended to refer to the unemployment benefit entitlement of women employed in private domestic service or in agriculture, the answer is in the affirmative.
I cannot say but it will be as soon as possible. Part of the scheme is being examined at the present time and progress has been made.
There has been a progressive improvement in the conditions of domestic agricultural workers during the years. Since 1966 they have been entitled to all benefits except unemployment.
Yes. I expect that the qualification requirements will be modified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Non-Contributory Old Age pension.
The claim is being investigated. The old age pensioner concerned applied for an increase in pension on 15th September, 1972, on the grounds that she had transferred a holding to her son. On completi...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Benefits.
Benefit under my Department's dental benefit scheme is available only to persons who are themselves insured under the Social Welfare Acts and who satisfy certain contribution conditions. It is not a...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Injuries.
As the reply is mainly in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report. Following is the statement: For the purposes ...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Visits abroad.
Three visits abroad were made by the Minister for Social Welfare since 1st September, 1971, for the following purposes: (1) Attendance at a Conference of European Ministers responsible for Family Affa...
Not yet, but my Department have constant meetings in relation to that matter. I attended one general meeting in Brussels, not in relation to the Social Fund in particular, but it was one of the quest...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Consultants.
The answer is none.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Medical Officers.
I have at present no function in the matter of the employment of industrial medical officers in the State and I have not got the information asked for by the Deputy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Training Levy Payments.
I understand that AnCO, in discharge of its statutory responsibilities under the Industrial Training Act, 1967, intends to institute legal proceedings against employers who fail to pay the levy due un...
Yes. However, in the light of experience some modification may be necessary from time to time. For instance, very small firms are not included.
No, it was thought at one stage that this was so but, in fact, they are not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Training Schemes.
The latest British Government announcement on its industrial training proposals indicated that the levy/grant system is not being abolished but that the system is being modified in the light of experi...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Worker Participation In Industry.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 132 and 133 together. I am at present examining the various proposals from the EEC in regard to worker participation. I...
I do not see how they could relate to one and not to the other. One could hardly have only one set of companies working the scheme.
Nothing has been agreed.
It is speculation on my part but I would say it is likely.
My attitude to worker participation has been stated before in this House. I am prepared to see it come about by the normal evolution in agreement between employers and employees in individual firms. ...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Works Councils in Industry.
While precise information concerning the number of enterprises which have works councils is not available to me, I am aware that works councils, of one type or another, exist in a substantial number o...
With regard to (a) of the Deputy's question, the following countries have legislated for the establishment of works councils in industrial enterprises: Austria, Belgium, The Federal Republic of German...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundancy Payments.
The Redundancy Payments Acts of 1967 and 1971 lay down the basis for computing payments due to persons who become redundant under the provisions of these Acts. There is no proposal under consideratio...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundancy Statistics
Particulars of redundancies notified to my Department each year under the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 and 1971 are given in a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I pr...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Profit Sharing among Employees.
I am aware that a system of profit sharing has been provided for in France by legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Social Fund.
The EEC Commission proposal to which the Deputy refers was listed in the edition of the Official Journal of the European Communities, No. C. 127 dated 28th December, 1971. The proposal was subsequent...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Dangerous Substances Directive.
The existing basic document in the matter referred to by the Deputy is a directive of the EEC Council dated the 27th June, 1967, dealing with the approximation of provisions under law, regulation and ...
That is possible all right, but I do not anticipate any difficulty in view of the fact that we have just passed our own Dangerous Substances Act which enables us quite readily to provide for what is r...
The requirements of our own Act——
——pretty much conform.
I do not think there is anything in the directive that is not already covered by our own Dangerous Substances Act.
I am not sure but, speaking broadly from a perusal of it, I know that our Act provides for the necessary publication of due notice so that firms will not be put to any great inconvenience. We do it ...
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Labour Relations Regulation.
The proposed regulation provides that labour relations in a member state of the EEC would generally be governed by the law in force within that state. The regulation provides, however, that foreign w...
I could not really say. It is likely that there will, but I would not say fairly soon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Visits Abroad.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. The statement is as follows:
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Consultants.
My Department has not employed foreign firms of consultants over the past five years.
Written Answers. - Cost of Increasing Blind Pension.
The additional net cost of increasing the maximum rate of blind pension to £7 a week with no means test is estimated to be in the region of £700,000 a year.
Written Answers. - Blind Pension Means Test.
Blind pensions are in effect non-contributory old age pensions granted by reason of blindness at an earlier age than 70 years and are administered as part of the old age pensions scheme. The determin...
Written Answers. - Insurance Contribution Rate.
The estimated yield from an increase of one penny per week in the insurance contribution rates of employers would be £310,000 and of employees £303,000.
Written Answers. - Cost of Increasing Deserted Wife's Allowance.
The additional cost of increasing the current deserted wife's allowance to £7 per week would be approximately £186,000 in a full year.
Written Answers. - Widows' Non-Contributory Pensions.
The number of widows in receipt of non-contributory pensions is 16,359. Of these the number in receipt of amounts less than the maximum is approximately 11,000. It is not possible to state the cost ...
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Pensions.
The information required is as follows: ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF PENSIONS AT VARIOUS RATES.
Written Answers. - Cash Family Allowances.
Current information of the nature requested is not available within my Department. The Deputy is referred to the publication “Comparative Tables of the Social Security Systems in the member states of...
Written Answers. - Home Assistance Recipients.
The number of persons in respect of whom home assistance was paid on the last Saturday in May, 1972, was 31,148. This represented 15,985 cases.
Written Answers. - Social Insurance Contributions.
It is not possible to furnish the precise information requested as the latest date for which the average weekly industrial earnings of men and women are available is 31st March, 1972. The ordinary so...
Written Answers. - Wage and Salary Earners.
The compilation and supply of statistics of this nature is not a function of my Department.
Written Answers. - Increase in Maternity Benefit.
The cost of extending the payment of maternity allowance to nine weeks before and nine weeks after confinements is estimated at £323,000 per annum.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pension.
The estimated additional annual cost of paying old age contributory pensions at the ages mentioned is £9,150,000.
Written Answers. - Children's Allowances.
On the basis that no payment would be made for the first child in a family, as is the case in Northern Ireland, the annual cost of increasing children's allowances to the rates currently being paid th...
Written Answers. - Expenditure on Social Security and Welfare.
The required information in respect of the services administered by my Department is as follows:
Written Answers. - Extension of Widows' Allowances.
The estimated additional annual cost (a) of extending the scheme of free electricity allowances to all widows is £1,620,000, (b) of extending the scheme of free television licences to all widows is £8...
Written Answers. - Gross Expenditure on Social Welfare.
The estimated gross expenditure on social welfare for 1972-73 and the amount of administrative costs included therein are £154,094,000 and £6,338,000 respectively. The administrative costs represent 4...
| Last Updated: 15/09/2010 01:33:02 |
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