Results 20,041-20,060 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Expenditure on pensions, at approximately €7 billion, is the largest block of expenditure in my Department. It represents some 35% of all expenditure. Demographic change alone increases this by about €200 million each year. Maintaining the value of the State pension is critical to providing a basic income for pensioners and protecting older people from poverty. For this...

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are two aspects to this issue. The rules we apply to working out a person's contributory pension entitlement are gender blind. As such, it does not matter whether an applicant is a man or woman because the same rules apply to both genders. While it is less common, men also have caring roles. The Deputy is correct that there are gender gaps. However, as the independent actuarial...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Local Authority Staff (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: All employees of local authorities are insured for PRSI purposes, as either modified rate contributors or as class A contributors, arising from their employment in the local authority. Class K PRSI only applies to their non-local authority income. Civil and public sector workers, including local government employees, recruited before April 1995 pay PRSI on their salary at modified or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 3 August 2016 and the first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 13 October 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 4 August 2016 to 5 October 2016 have also issued. The person concerned was notified of these details on 5 October 2016. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 4 October 2016. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance on this please contact Philip in my office.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17thOctober 2016, 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 Waiting Times (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement. Social Welfare claims by average time to award October 2016 Scheme Average Waiting Time (weeks) Carer's Allowance 19 State Pension Non-Contributory 23 State Pension Contributory (Domestic) 6 Domiciliary Care Allowance 14 Disability Allowance 14 Invalidity Pension 9 Social Welfare Appeals (year...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The announcement made in Budget 2017 provides for the extension of treatment benefits to self employed contributors, including cover for the hearing aid grant, from March 2017. When the proposed changes are legislated for, PRSI contributions paid at Class S will be reckonable for dental, optical and audiological (hearing aid) benefit in the same way as is currently the case with Class A...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26thOctober 2016. 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 papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14thOctober 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Appeals (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 27 April 2016. The person concerned was refused carer’s benefit on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The person concerned was notified on 19 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. A...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 25 January 2016. The application was disallowed on 31 May 2016. The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination on 12 July 2016. An appeals officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence has allowed the appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 28 July 2016. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 24 November 2016. Any arrears due from 28 July 2016 to 23 November 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Records (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The following contingent assets are recorded in the Department of Social Protections (DSP) books of account as at 31 December 2015: DSP Contingent Assets at 31/12/2015 - €000 €000 €000 Category Social Insurance Fund (SIF) Vote 37 Appropriation Account TOTAL Scheme Debt 90,225 376,851 467,076 Redundancy Debt 335,671 - 335,671 Insolvency Debt 111,342 - 111,342 TOTAL...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Pensions Act 1990 employers and trustees have obligations in respect of the remittance of contributions. Under Section 58A of the Act (occupational pension scheme/trust RACs) and Section 121 of the Act (PRSAs), the employer must ensure that all contributions deducted from the employees’ pay are paid to the trustee/PRSA Provider within 21 days of the end of the month in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised that this customer is being granted an extension to 26/5/2017, in order to allow him complete the Level 5 training he is undertaking as part of his learning and development on the scheme. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 29 January 2016. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 7 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post bank account on 10 November 2016. Arrears for the period 4 February 2016 to 9 November 2016 have issued to her...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 30 October 2015. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 9 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 17 November 2016. Arrears for the period 5 November 2015 to 9 November 2016 have issued by cheque. The...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Charities Regulation (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together. The purpose of Tús is to maintain the work readiness of those on the live register by providing quality placement opportunities and other supports to help people back to the labour market and work. The Tús initiative is delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Housing Assistance Payments Eligibility (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is administered by Local Authorities. The client concerned should contact Carlow County Council with regard to any queries relating to his HAP payment. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.