Results 21,041-21,060 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The social welfare system is primarily a contingency-based system, with entitlement based on a number of defined contingencies such as sickness, unemployment, old age or widowhood. There are two basic principles which underpin the Irish social insurance system. Firstly there is the contributory principle. Under this principle there is a direct link between the PRSI contributions that a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The client concerned should provide the Department with an up-to-date Rent Supplement application form, lease agreement and 90 days written notice from her Landlord confirming any increase in their monthly rent. On receipt of same, the client's entitlement can be re-assessed. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Payments (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: A one-parent family payment has been awarded in the case of the person concerned. The first payment will be available for collection at the nominated post office on 16/02/ 2017 with the arrears due to be paid on 22/02/2017. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. The person referred to has been in receipt of a Basic...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The claim for the client concerned has been disallowed on the grounds that she failed to provide documentation that was requested on numerous occasions and required in order to establish any entitlement to Rent Supplement. The client has been advised of her right to appeal this decision. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: One-Parent Family Payment Payments (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned is in receipt of a jobseeker’s transitional payment with an increase for one dependent child. An application in respect of an increase for an additional dependent child has been received by the local office and is currently being processed. The person concerned is also in receipt of a rent supplement and according to the records of this department is in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned is in receipt of a weekly jobseeker’s allowance payment that includes a full personal rate, an increase for a qualified adult and for three of his dependent children who qualify for a payment under the provisions of the scheme. In addition the person concerned is in receipt of a fuel allowance. According to the records of this Department this is the correct rate...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (16 Feb 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The dental benefit scheme currently covers only a free yearly examination. Other treatments, such as periodontal treatment, are not currently covered under the scheme. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Applications (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 144 of 9 February 2017, No. 196 of 2 November 2016 and Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 14 July 2016. The client concerned has not, to date, provided the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form confirming an increase to their monthly rent. On receipt of same, the client's entitlement can be re-assessed. I trust this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Eligibility (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The information provided by the Deputy is insufficient to correctly identify the customer in this case. The Deputy has provided the PPSN of the mother of the person. If the Deputy provides the PPSN of the person, the circumstances of the particular case can be examined. This can be sent to Philip in my office. The objective of the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) is to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The records of this Department are at variance with the details supplied for this question in relation to the address of the person concerned. The person concerned will be contacted and a review of the case of the person concerned will be undertaken. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 15 December 2016 for two care recipients. The application is currently being processed for one care recipient and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. Additional information for the second care recipient has been requested. Once this information is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is committed to encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship. This includes enhancing the position of the self-employed through a supportive tax regime and, very importantly, improving the level of PRSI based benefits available to self-employed workers. This has been one of my key priorities since becoming Minister in this Department. On Budget Day, I was pleased to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Legal Costs (16 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is not possible to provide the information within the timeframe required. The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by my officials and will be sent to the Deputy when it is finalised.

Priority Questions: Poverty Data (21 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 29 together. I welcome the latest Central Statistics Office, CSO, survey on income and living conditions results for 2015 which show improvements in living conditions and reductions in poverty overall. In 2015, incomes rose by 6.2%, mainly due to rising employment, the deprivation rate fell for the second year running, and 13,000 children were...

Priority Questions: Poverty Data (21 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I suppose I am disappointed to one extent that things are not improving faster than they are, but I am encouraged that there can be no doubt now that in 2015, living standards improved, poverty fell and the country became more equal. We have heard from other parties - parties of the left and the parties opposite - that that was not the truth. We have been fed the story that the recovery is...

Priority Questions: Poverty Data (21 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The straight question I would like to ask the Deputy is whether he would like to take back and stand corrected when it comes to the Sinn Féin narrative for the past two or three years that incomes are not improving, that living conditions are not improving and that poverty is not going down. If he wants to use these statistics against me, he cannot be selective about them. He cannot...

Priority Questions: Poverty Data (21 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not recall ever using the term "smashing" about any target. Perhaps it is in a Government press release or something but it is not a term I have used. Sooner or later, Sinn Féin will have to face up to the fact that the story it has been telling Irish people for the past couple of years is just not true and does not stand up to the statistical facts. What also came out today was...

Priority Questions: School Meals Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefiting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €47.7 million during 2017. For the current academic year, 2016-2017, a total of €44 million has been allocated to schools under the scheme. Funding for the scheme was increased this year, as part of budget 2017, by...