Results 20,261-20,280 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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: Pension Provisions (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Pensions Act 1990 employers and trustees have obligations in respect of the remittance of contributions. Under Section 58A of the Act (occupational pension scheme/trust RACs) and Section 121 of the Act (PRSAs), the employer must ensure that all contributions deducted from the employees’ pay are paid to the trustee/PRSA Provider within 21 days of the end of the month in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised that this customer is being granted an extension to 26/5/2017, in order to allow him complete the Level 5 training he is undertaking as part of his learning and development on the scheme. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 29 January 2016. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 7 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post bank account on 10 November 2016. Arrears for the period 4 February 2016 to 9 November 2016 have issued to her...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 30 October 2015. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 9 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 17 November 2016. Arrears for the period 5 November 2015 to 9 November 2016 have issued by cheque. The...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Charities Regulation (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together. The purpose of Tús is to maintain the work readiness of those on the live register by providing quality placement opportunities and other supports to help people back to the labour market and work. The Tús initiative is delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Housing Assistance Payments Eligibility (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is administered by Local Authorities. The client concerned should contact Carlow County Council with regard to any queries relating to his HAP payment. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s Allowance (CA) has been in payment to the person concerned for one care recipient since 10 May 2012. On 15 August 2016, an application for CA was received in respect of a second care recipient. This application was awarded on 10 October 2016 and the first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to her nominated bank account on 13 October 2016. Arrears of allowance...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned was in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance payment from 5 August 2010 pending the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance appeal. She subsequently received her first payment of carer’s allowance on 26 August 2010 and did not advise the Department of same. In 2011 following a review of her carer’s allowance it was realised that the person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) based on the social insurance record available, covering the period from July 1962 to December 2010. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has no recorded contributions for the period 1969 to 1997. In order to check the completeness of his insurance record, the person concerned has been requested...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Under Section 19, Part 2 of the new Private Rental Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 a rent increase can only take place if it has been 24 months or more since the commencement date of the tenancy. A landlord must also give a minimum of 90 days written notice prior to increasing a tenant’s rent. In line with above legislation, the rate of Rent Supplement entitlement for the client...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned was issued with an application form for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) on 21 October 2016. On receipt of completed application, this client will be assessed in respect of his application for an ENP payment. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Carer's allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person/persons and whose income falls below certain limits. My Department informs me that to date, no application by the person concerned for CA has been received from the person concerned. Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (10 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 3 June 2016. Some additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by the deciding officer on 7 November 2016. Once the information is received, the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. I...

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are two aspects to this issue. The rules we apply to working out a person's contributory pension entitlement are gender blind. As such, it does not matter whether an applicant is a man or woman because the same rules apply to both genders. While it is less common, men also have caring roles. The Deputy is correct that there are gender gaps. However, as the independent actuarial...

Topical Issue Debate: State Pensions (Contributory) (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Expenditure on pensions, at approximately €7 billion, is the largest block of expenditure in my Department. It represents some 35% of all expenditure. Demographic change alone increases this by about €200 million each year. Maintaining the value of the State pension is critical to providing a basic income for pensioners and protecting older people from poverty. For this...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: If the Deputy wants to give me the details, I will follow it up.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for raising this important issue. I can assure him that the Government is committed to the post office network and to continued use of it. People in receipt of regular weekly social welfare payments have a choice. They can either have their payments paid into their bank accounts or receive them at their post office. I have issued a directive to staff to...