Results 20,661-20,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (5 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Christmas Bonus was abolished in 2009. It was partially reintroduced in 2014 with a 25% Bonus payment. A 75% Bonus was paid in December 2015. It is estimated that the cost of the Bonus in 2016 (as was paid in 2015) to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and the long-term unemployed would be approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme Eligibility (5 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides income support for farmers and fishermen who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Eligibility for the scheme is on the basis that the participant is underemployed in their primary activity, either farming or fishing, and that their earnings are insufficient to support their family circumstances. The scheme currently provides work...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Websites (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Jobsireland.ieis a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. At 20 years old, the original site was showing its age. For example, although it enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, it wasn’t possible for employers to search for suitable...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Work Placement Programmes (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 269 together. The purpose of Tús is to provide short-term quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than one year. Tús helps to break the cycle of unemployment and improves a participant’s chances of returning to the labour market. Currently, there are no circumstances under which a person’s term on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Unemployment Measures (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Since mid-20012, Ireland’s youth unemployment rate has fallen from 31% (significantly above the then Eurozone average of 24%) to 17% (significantly below the current Eurozone average of almost 21%). Given the above trends, it is clear that improvement at the overall European level has not been as rapid as in Ireland over the last few years. Indeed, the youth unemployment rate is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25thJuly 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 26thAugust...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The State pension (contributory) is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is the individual’s unique reference number for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies. Before a PPS Number can be allocated, the person making the application must provide evidence of identity, and demonstrate the reason why s/he requires the allocation of a PPS Number. PPS Numbers are issued by the Department following...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Payments (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned had their FIS claim renewed in March 2016. When this claim was reviewed, it was brought to our attention that the person concerned was absent from the state between 15 October 2015 to 15 November 2015 and 8 December 2015 to 2 February 2016. As a consequence, FIS would not be payable during these periods. The person concerned was given an opportunity to provide travel...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (4 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals (4 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 28 September 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Home-makers Scheme (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The State pension (contributory) is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The State pension (contributory) SPC is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment Applications (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for funeral expenses was received by the Community Welfare Officer from the person concerned, however they were awaiting the invoice. The invoice was received on 30thSeptember and the application will be progressed as soon as possible.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned from 2 February 2012 in respect of one care recipient. The person concerned applied for CA for a second care recipient on 5 August 2015. The application was awarded on 30 June 2016. The first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to his nominated post office on the 7 July 2016. Arrears of allowance due from...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: My Department administers the insolvency payments scheme. Payments can be made for Employment Appeals Tribunal awards under the scheme. However, a claim under the scheme has not been lodged in respect of the person referred to. Under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Acts, applications to the insolvency payments scheme must be submitted by the employer...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 7 March 2016. Following the failure of the person concerned to attend for interview with a Social Welfare Inspector on two occasions, her entitlement to CA could not be determined and the application was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 22 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Strategy Statements (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department has engaged in a consultation process to help inform the new Statement of Strategy 2016- 2019. A considerable number of submissions have been received from external organisations including a submission from the Equality Rights Alliance which focussed on the provisions of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. All submissions have been considered as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Credit Union Lending (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: A Personal Micro Credit Scheme providing for small scale loans by Credit Unions to borrowers who have difficulty accessing low cost credit has been piloted in 30 credit unions. The loans under the scheme range from €100 to a maximum of €2,000, and have a maximum interest rate of 12% per annum. Over 1,200 loans have been drawn down under the Scheme to date with an overall value...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Registration Legislation (4 Oct 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was signed into law in December 2014. The provisions of the Act are being commenced on a step by step basis dependent on factors including software development (which is well underway) and training of registrars. This work is being progressed as quickly as possible. Section 13 of the Act provides for a record of deaths of Irish citizens who die...