Results 20,741-20,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: An application form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance was posted to the person concerned on 10/01/2017. An assessment will be made when the completed application form and any additional documents are received by the Community Welfare Officer. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Review (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department operates a number of programmes including Community Employment (CE), Tús, Gateway and the Rural Social Scheme that provide part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments, including those on a long-term jobseeker’s...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Administration (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Subject to the client identifying a suitable vacancy and being facilitated by another Community Employment scheme, the Department will endeavour to facilitate this transfer for the person concerned. I trust this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided for the necessary amendments to increase the State pension age in line with the National Pensions Framework as set out in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. It provided for an increase in the age for qualification for the State Pension from 66 years to 67 years from 2021, and a further increase to 68 years from 2028. It...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Green Paper consultation process commenced in October 2007 and was completed in May 2008 and it formed the basis of the National Pension Framework published in 2010. These reports are available on my Department’s website. Since its publication many of the areas identified have been subject to legislative change. My Department continues to work to improve the pension’s...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Investigations (18 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Tribunals of inquiry are established by resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas to enquire into matters of urgent public importance. Commissions of investigation can investigate matters of significant public concern and are set up by Government order. Such commissions are currently provided for by the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. No such tribunals of inquiry or commissions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The free travel scheme provides free travel for those with eligibility on the main public and private transport services which includes road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 873,000 customers with direct...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Data (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears. MABS local services are staffed by...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Payments (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for a jobseeker’s payment. It is open to the person concerned to call to his local Branch Office in Maynooth where a member of staff will be in a position to advise him of his Social Welfare entitlements and assist him make an application. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The details of this case have been explained in replies to several Parliamentary Questions; most recently in questions 36185, 32749 & 40764-16. As previously outlined, his claim for jobseekers allowance from an address in Co Kildare was disallowed, a decision he appealed and lost, in July 2015. He subsequently claimed jobseekers allowance from the family home in May 2016 and this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Social Protection delivers its services in County Monaghan through our network of offices including Branch Offices, Community Welfare Clinics, Activation Services, Social Welfare Inspectorate Services, Community Employment Services, Local Employment Services (LES) and the JobPath Programme. Provision of information and access to income supports is provided by the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 9 August 2012 in respect of care recipient. Following your representations the rate of payment has been increased to full rate from 15 December 2016. Payment at the increased rate is due to issue to the nominated bank account on 26 January 2017. Arrears of allowance due from 15 December 2016 to 18 January 2017 will...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I understand from the Deputy’s office that the background to this question is that a farmer in the Deputy’s constituency was refused his jobseeker’s allowance claim on the basis of means, and was advised that “reasonable expenses” had been allowed in his means assessment. Social welfare legislation provides that all income and property of the claimant and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 20 October 2016. The application has been awarded to the person concerned from 20 October 2016 and the first payment will issue to their nominated post office on 9 February 2017. Arrears of allowance due from 20 October 2016 to 8 February 2017 will issue shortly. The...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 5 October 2016. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: People assessed by a local authority as having a housing need apply for housing support under the Housing Assistance Payment scheme (HAP) rather than Rent Supplement scheme. An application for Rent Supplement from the person concerned was received in this Department on 28 November 2016. This application was not deemed appropriate for Rent Supplement, however, and the person concerned was...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: An application for Rent Supplement was received for the person concerned on 10/01/2017. She has been requested to supply a letter from her landlord confirming proof of ownership of the property. When this is received, her application will be assessed. I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Gateway is a county and city council work scheme which aims to provide short-term, quality work opportunities to those who are unemployed for more than 24 months. Gateway was introduced in 2013 as a response to the high levels of unemployment at that the time. Participants improve their employability and work readiness through work opportunities with structured environments where existing...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Core to the Programme for Government is improving the position of the self-employed generally, including the commitment to introduce an enhanced PRSI scheme for the self-employed. Making progress on this commitment has been one of my key priorities since becoming Minister in this Department. On Budget Day, I was pleased to announce a number of important measures which will benefit the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: School Meals Programme (19 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. As part of Budget 2017, I announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals which will benefit over 50,000 children. From September 2016 additional funding is being provided to DEIS schools...