Results 20,901-20,920 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an appeal was registered on 22 November 2016, and in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office contacted the person concerned and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. The grounds of appeal were received in this case on 21 December 2016 and in accordance with the statutory requirements of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: During the Dáil report stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill 2016 I agreed that I would ask my officials to examine the issue of jobseeker's benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers, including those categorised as having subsidiary employment. Work has commenced with a view to having a report ready by the end of March/early April 2016. This report will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Work Placement Programmes (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Tús and Gateway are work placement initiatives which aim to provide work opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed and on the live register for a specific period. The eligibility criteria are in line with the Government’s policies to focus resources on maintaining the work readiness and employability of jobseekers on the live register. In order to maintain this focus,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Currently there is a total of 3,730 Clerical and Staff Officers in the Department and in the agencies under the aegis of the Department. Clerical Officer Staff Officer Temporary Clerical Officer Total Department of Social Protection 2796 616 279 3691 Pensions Authority 15 15 Citizens Information Board 24* 3730 *CIB Breakdown CO:3 Grade III:8 Grade IV:10 Grade V:3

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: This matter is being led by the Citizens Information Board, which has taken the view that being responsible for nearly 100 MABS boards is not the best way to manage the service or ensure good corporate governance and compliance. It is proposing to move to a more regionalised structure. However, that will have no impact on services on the ground. The Citizens Information Board has been...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer s allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 5 January 2016. As a result of an appeals officer's decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 26 January 2017 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 2 February 2017. Arrears for the period 7 January 2016 to 1 February 2017 will issue shortly. The person concerned was...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The rural social scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for low income farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen, participants also have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department provides an annual funding contribution of €1.5 million towards the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which is administered by the National Transport Authority. That programme provides services to people whose travel needs are not met by existing bus or train services. The Programme aims to enhance and sustain nationwide accessibility, through community based...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: EU Funding (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not been involved in putting forward projects to the Department of Finance task force in relation to the European Fund for Strategic Investments.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5thJanuary 2017. 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 Data (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The rent supplement scheme plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 47,100 tenants for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017. A breakdown of rent supplement recipients by county is provided in the attached tabular statement, this information is not maintained by local authority area or family unit....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Commissions of Investigation (1 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: 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 commissions of investigation have either been completed, or are currently ongoing, in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am very much aware of the public concern highlighted by the recent publicity surrounding defined benefit schemes. The provision of occupational pensions in this country is on a voluntary basis and depends on the willingness of employers to contribute to, and maintain schemes for their employees. Traditionally, many such schemes were organised on a defined benefit basis. However, in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Unemployment Levels (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, and in particular the long-term...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Unemployment (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, including young people. To date,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities within their communities. CE participants are required to work 19.5 hours on a weekly basis. Current eligibility to participate on CE is linked to a person’s social welfare status (duration of payment) and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The rent supplement scheme plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 47,100 tenants for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017. In recognition of the ongoing housing supply difficulties, my Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach that allows for flexibility where...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: All jobseekers are required to engage with the Department’s activation service and this obligation applies irrespective of whether the service is provided by the Department’s own case officers or those advisors employed by JobPath. JobPath is one of a range of activation supports, including schemes such as Community Employment (CE), catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (2 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 January 2017. 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...