Results 21,321-21,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received two applications for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 2 February 2017. The applications are 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.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Poverty Impact Assessment (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion identifies poverty impact assessment (PIA) as being an important implementing and monitoring mechanism for poverty reduction. PIA is the process by which government departments, local authorities and State agencies assess policies and programmes at design, implementation and review stages in relation to the likely impact that they will have or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (9 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. CA is in payment to the person concerned since 17 April 2008. The person concerned has requested a review of her means on 11 January 2017 and forwarded a P45. Further information deemed...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Delays (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Currently, there are 73.5 full-time equivalents (77 people) assigned to the Carers section. My Department, like all Government departments and agencies, is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers. Within these constraints, the Department is focusing on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Christmas Bonus payment was increased to 85% last year and was paid to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in the first week of December at a cost of €220 million. The bonus is paid as an increase to a recipient’s weekly payment in the relevant week. For...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has confirmed that this question refers to Carer's Allowance (CA) cases. 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. In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned had a previous jobseeker allowance claim closed on 13/12/16 as she failed to collect her weekly payments. The person concerned re-applied for jobseeker allowance on 20/1/17. This application was reviewed by a social welfare inspector and a decision has been made to disallow the claim due to means not disclosed. If the person is not satisfied with this decision she can...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 February 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: Community Employment Schemes Operation (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy may be aware, I brought a Memo to Government last week and obtained approval to publish my Department’s review report on Community Employment and the other work schemes and to progress the various changes that were recommended. I will be publishing the review report shortly. As part of the roll-out of the new measures, my Department will be consulting with key...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As you may be aware, the Department sets down eligibility criteria for participation on employment schemes so as to ensure that opportunities to avail of activation measures are managed effectively. The maximum duration of participation available on Community Employment (CE) schemes, is determined having regard to a range of factors including the age and signing record at date of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment which is paid to persons aged 16 to 66 who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). The estimated cost in a full year of increasing the weekly personal rate of Disability Allowance by €20, from €193 to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As per response to PQ Ref: 7981-17, the person concerned is in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment which comprises a full personal rate, an increase in respect of a qualified adult and 3 dependent children who qualify for a payment under the provisions of the scheme. Additionally the person concerned is in receipt of a fuel allowance. According to the information available to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As per response to PQ Refs: 8896-17 & 5148-17, the person concerned has submitted an application for jobseeker’s benefit. Specific documentation was requested in order to assess entitlement to this benefit. This documentation is still outstanding and the application cannot be progressed. Upon receipt of the requested documentation/information a decision will be made and the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Freedom of Information Requests (9 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Given the size of the Department of Social Protection, we receive a large number of FOI requests with some 6,438 requests received over the 3 years from 2014 to 2016. We therefore have a large number of FOI Officers processing requests throughout the organisation. The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected and cannot be compiled in the time available to reply to this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobs Initiative (21 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees who are long-term on the live register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 and €10,000. The €7,500 is paid primarily to those who are 12 months or more on the live register with the higher grant paid in respect of those...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Registration of Marriages (21 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have made inquiries of the Registrar General and he has informed me that the position is as follows: Where a person wishes to marry in Ireland, and has been granted a divorce in another jurisdiction, legal recognition of this divorce under Irish law is examined in the General Register Office. Legal recognition of foreign divorces in Ireland is a complex area of law involving proof of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Payments (21 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In general employees are liable to pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4% on their weekly earnings. In addition their employer is liable to pay PRSI at the rate of 8.5% or 10.75%, depending on whether or not weekly earnings exceed €376. The payment of PRSI ensures that these employees have access to the full range of short and long term social insurance benefits, including State pension...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (21 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Temporary clerical staff are recruited to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, other statutory leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the shorter working year scheme. They are also recruited to alleviate work pressure in certain areas, and to assist in the roll-out of the Public Services Card project. The table shows the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Citizen Information Services Funding (21 Mar 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Citizens Information Board (CIB) under the aegis of my Department is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money advice and budgeting) and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services. The Citizens Information Board delivers on this remit through direct provision, by supporting a network of delivery partners, and by funding targeted...