Results 20,361-20,380 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (2 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The state pension (contributory) entitlement of the person concerned has been reviewed. His weekly pension rate has been increased and he has been notified of the outcome. The higher rate of pension has been put into payment and the person’s due pension arrears will issue shortly. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: School Meals Programme (2 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. As part of Budget 2017, I have announced the provision of an additional €5.7 million for the scheme which will provide support to over 50,000 additional children. My department does not have a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobPath Implementation (2 Nov 2016)

Leo Varadkar: JobPath is a new approach to the provision of employment services to jobseekers that are long term unemployed. While engaging with the JobPath service participants are provided with a range of supports based on an assessment of individual needs, which may include reasonable travel costs and childcare. On a case by case basis, the JobPath providers will pay for items such as personal...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on the 13 May 2016. She was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for Carer's Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 12 May 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (27 Oct 2016)

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. MABS does not maintain data on outward referrals to named organisations, such as the Phoenix Project, if they occur. MABS...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The maximum weekly rate of jobseeker's allowance applicable in the case of the person concerned is €383.70. The person concerned is also in receipt of a Domiciliary Care Allowance payment of €285.22 per month. The person concerned can contact his local office to discuss his payments if he wishes. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Applications (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has no jobseeker's allowance claim registered and there is no record of a claim being submitted. I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned will reach the age of eligibility for State pension (contributory) in April 2017. A claim form has been sent to him. On receipt of his completed application, his entitlement to pension will be fully examined and he will be notified of the outcome without delay. Periods of social insurance from employment and self-employment will be taken into account in the assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (27 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (26 Oct 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 17thOctober 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: Community Employment Schemes Data (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. The Community Employment (CE) Childcare Programme provides an opportunity for jobseekers to gain qualifications and work experience in the childcare sector as well as making an important contribution to community-based early childhood services. The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance Payments (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The back to work family dividend (BTWFD) scheme is an in-work payment. Payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) into a bank account was chosen as the appropriate payment method for the scheme. There is no provision for it to be paid into a post office account. More generally, the Deputy should note however that customers of the Department can choose between payment at the post office or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 50,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016. Rent supplement is a statutory means tested scheme which is payable at differentiated rates of payment taking into account the applicant's means and their family's accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of persons in receipt of Rent Supplement and in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker Transition Payment is detailed in the attached tabular statement. Recipients of Rent Supplement at the end of September 2016 also in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker Transition Payment One-Parent Family Payment...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Rates (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Scope section in the Department of Social Protection makes statutory decisions on insurability of employment under the Social Welfare Act. Employers, employees and the self-employed may apply to Scope for an investigation of an employment status and a determination of the correct class of PRSI. Scope decisions are based on all available evidence, including a report from a social welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Entitlement to State Pension non-contributory is subject to a means test. Items which count as means include cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person's own home) and the value of any savings and investments which a person may have. All the necessary enquiries are almost finalised in this case and the person concerned will be notified of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (26 Oct 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. The person concerned is currently in receipt of CA in respect of two care recipients, for whom she also receives domiciliary care allowance (DCA). Her earliest application for CA was awarded from 5 June...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (26 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The requirements for the allocation of a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number are acceptable evidence of identity, evidence as to why a PPS Number is required, and evidence of address. In addition, for persons under 16 years of age, evidence of the relationship between the child and responsible adult must be presented. In this case, no evidence of the requirement for the PPS Number or...