Results 20,081-20,100 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Data (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: As at end October 2016, there were 16,941 people under the age of 26 in receipt of Disability Allowance.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Data (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: At the end of October 2016, there were 9,828 recipients of One Parent Family Payment under 26 years of age.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Projects (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together. As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. Some 6,500 jobseekers under 26 years of age are being supported by the JobPath service and of these c. 3,000 are...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Payments (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together. While the Social Welfare Bill 2016 has been published, until such time as it is enacted no changes will be made to increases in weekly welfare rates. Subject to enactment, all BTEA increases will come into effect in March 2017. Rate increases will be payable to applicable BTEA participants, irrespective of their commencement date on the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 49,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016. The information requested by the Deputy is not collated by the Department but I am advised that the number of young persons on reduced rate of jobseekers allowance who receive rent...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Data (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: A commitment was given in Pathways to Work2015 to develop and implement a robust evaluation programme to assess the impact of Pathways to Workinitiatives and identify potential areas for future attention. A formal Request for Tender for the Design and Implementation of an Evaluation of the Suitability, Effectiveness and Relevance of the JobBridge Activation Programme was issued via eTenders...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Applications (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an initial review of this appeal indicated that an oral hearing might be helpful. However, having had an opportunity to examine the case more closely the Appeals Officer concluded that an oral hearing is not required. The Appeals Officer having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance Applications (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The business proposal of the person concerned was for a franchise operation and she discussed the proposal with a case officer who advised her that she considered that the proposal did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA). The proposal involved considerable financial exposure for the person concerned and the case officer advised that she was of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Social Protection operates a wide range of schemes and the criteria for paying these outside the State vary according to a number of factors such as the duration of absence from the state, whether it’s a contributory or non-contributory payment, nationality (EU v Non EU) and the other conditions of payment, such as whether the person is required to be available for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Fraud (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The majority of people in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection receive what they are entitled to under the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts. Nevertheless, the Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system is an ongoing reality and must be tackled through a range of measures.These measures are governed by the Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (15 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 11 November 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 and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department has not, to date, received an application for Rent Supplement from the clients concerned. The clients should provide same to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24, to be assessed for entitlement to Rent Supplement. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (15 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned is currently in receipt of Jobseekers Transition payment. This is a means tested scheme. The calculation of means is based on a Social Welfare Inspector’s report. The person concerned has appealed the decision of the Inspector and has submitted further evidence in support of her appeal, which the Inspector is now considering. If there is no change to the Inspector...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Training (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Social Protection supports its staff by offering a suite of disability awareness training, including Disability and Deaf Awareness, Dealing with Blind Customers, and Mental Health Awareness. The Department also offers courses in Stress Awareness, SafeTALK suicide awareness and ASIST suicide prevention. These are available to all staff in the Department, including staff in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Applications (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: In order to qualify for family income supplement (FIS) the applicant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for at least 38 hours per fortnight (19 hours per week). An application for FIS was received from the lady concerned on 25 October 2016, but was disallowed on the grounds that she is not working the required number of hours. A letter was issued to the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested (where available) by the deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement. Social Welfare claims by average waiting times 31 October 2016 Scheme Average Waiting Time (weeks) Jobseeker's Benefit 1 Jobseeker's Allowance 2 One-Parent Family Payment 6 State Pension Contributory (Dom) 6 Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 163 together. Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 49,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016, approximately €22.3 million per month. A breakdown of rent supplement recipients by county is provided in the following tabular...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Review (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: My Department administers over 65 separate schemes and services which serve a diverse group of clients including families, employees and employers, jobseekers, people with disabilities, carers and older people. All of these schemes and services are kept under constant review with a view to ensuring that they continue to meet the needs of my Department’s customers. In line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: 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: Jobseeker's Allowance Data (16 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: At the end of September there were 11,930 persons in receipt of a transitional jobseeker's allowance who had been in receipt of a one parent family payment during the previous 30 days.