Results 20,761-20,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The total travel and subsistence costs incurred by my Department for the period 2011 to 23 September, 2016 are outlined in the following table. 2011 (€000) 2012 (€000) 2013 (€000) 2014 (€000) 2015 (€000) up to 23 September 2016 (€000) Travel and Subsistence 3,110 5,088 4,897 4,453 4,283 2,908Staff in my Department are paid travel and subsistence...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Data Protection (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department has a dedicated unit, the Business Information Security Unit, which oversees information security and data protection compliance across the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Reduced rates for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009 and Budget 2014 further extended the reduced rates to recipients under 26 years of age. If a young jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160. The 2016...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobPath Implementation (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 to 404, inclusive, together. JobPath is an employment activation service which supports people who are long-term unemployed to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. Two companies, Turas Nua Limited and Seetec Limited, have been contracted to provide the service on behalf of my Department. The JobPath contracts provide that a person should...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Training Support Grant (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is not aware of any application by the person concerned for a training support grant. My Department will contact the person directly to clarify the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently approximately 864,000 people in Ireland in receipt of free travel at an annual cost of €80 million per annum. The free travel scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State. Applicants who are under age 66, including those with learning disabilities, must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in order to qualify for the scheme....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 414 together. The rent supplement scheme is currently supporting some 51,800 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016. Details of rent supplement recipients and expenditure under the scheme for the period from 2011 to date are provided in the tabular statement. Under the legislative provisions governing rent...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeals of the person concerned took place on 14thSeptember 2016 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeals in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeals have...

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

Leo Varadkar: The application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned in respect of 2ndcare recipient was awarded on 9 September 2016. The first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to his nominated post office on the 15 September 2016. Arrears of allowance due from the 17 March 2016 to 14 September 2016 have also issued to the post office. The person concerned was...

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

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 May 2016. It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant must be habitually resident in Ireland. As the person concerned only came Ireland on 26 April 2016, it must be determined whether he is habitually resident in the State. Accordingly the application was referred...

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

Leo Varadkar: An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 14 April 2016. 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. A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment,...

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

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 17 September 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to their nominated bank account on 6 October 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 28 April 2016 to 5 October will issue shortly. The person concerned was notified of these details on 17 September 2016. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of any delay in the transitioning from Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JSTP) to Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for customers when their child turns 14 years of age. If the Deputy is aware of a particular case where a smooth transition from JSTP to JSA has not happened, I would ask that he forward me the details and my Department will be happy to examine the issue...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently approximately 2,300 people in receipt of the mortgage interest supplement (MIS) scheme for which the Government has provided over €7 million for in 2016. The MIS scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 January 2014, with customers availing of this support prior to 1st January 2014 retaining entitlement until the closure of the scheme on 1st January...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Dental Services Provision (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Department officials met with representatives of the Irish Dental Association recently to discuss matters outlined in the programme for Government. Any changes to the scheme can only be considered within the overall budgetary context, taking account of available resources and competing demands. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Overpayments (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned was in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance payment from 5thAugust 2010 pending the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance appeal. She subsequently received her first payment of carer’s allowance on 26th August 2010. In 2011 following a review of her carer’s allowance it was realised that the person concerned was in receipt of two social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Government has already taken a number of steps in terms of examining these issues and putting measures in place to address them. The Programme for Government; the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for those with a disability; and an entire strand of The Pathways to Work 2016-2020 labour market activation strategy all commit to actions to ensure that work pays. In addition, the Back to Work...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (27 Sep 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social...