Results 21,641-21,660 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The following table outlines the number of staff working in the Human Resources Division of the Department, incorporating HR and training (Staff Development Unit). - PEOPLE POSTS HR DIVISION 47 43.75 STAFF DEVELOPMENT UNIT 26 24.33 TOTAL 73 68.08

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Ministerial Staff (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently three staff members working on constituency matters, one of whom is my Personal Secretary employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas. One of the staff members employed by the Department of Social Protection also works on Minister McGrath's Departmental Constituency matters that relate only to his area of responsibilities. I hope the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: HR Division comprises the HR and training functions. In February 2014, PeoplePoint took responsibility for the administrative elements of the HR processes in the Department. The training function was not impacted by the move to PeoplePoint. In February 2014, there were 64.78 posts in HR. Following the move of the HR administrative functions to PeoplePoint, there were 45 posts.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Delays (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 15 February 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen. Frequently,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 7 April 2016. Additional information in relation to the person’s application has been requested by a deciding officer. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 11 September 2015. CA in respect of care recipients under 16 years of age may be considered only where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is being paid in respect of that care recipient. As DCA is not being paid in respect of the care recipient, the application for CA has been...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 January 2016. The application was refused by a deciding officer (DO) on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week contrary to the conditions for receipt of CA. She was notified on 6 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Delays (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 February 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen. Frequently,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The application for carer's allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 6 May 2016 and the first payment issued to the person's nominated bank account on 12 May 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 28 January 2016 were also issued to the bank on 12 May 2016. The person concerned was notified on 6 May 2016. The person concerned requested a review of this decision and the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness, disability and caring schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Review (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: JobBridge was launched in 2011 at a time of massive economic uncertainty and widespread unemployment. Companies were simply not hiring because they couldn't afford to recruit, and, in many cases, insisted on a minimum level of experience. But large numbers of new jobseekers and people who lost their jobs in the recession couldn't get the relevant workplace experience they needed to get a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that the department received an application for Carer's Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 21 August 2015. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned applied for domiciliary care allowance in respect of her child on 4 February 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to her on 6 May 2016. An appeal of this decision was registered on 26 May 2016 and additional information on her child's condition/care...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Services Card Authentication (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: SAFE registration provides the most robust identity registration process in the State. It is based primarily on a face-to-face identity registration process that involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature, the verification of identity data already held by the Department through documentary and database checks, and facial image matching. Successful registration...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Applications (14 Jun 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 person concerned on the 16 November 2015. A deciding officer (DO) refused IP to the person concerned on the grounds that the medical...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Eligibility (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of second chance education opportunities for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities under the back to education programme. The objective is to raise education and skills among the long term unemployed to meet the requirements of the modern labour market. The back to education programme provides a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 311, inclusive, together. The recently agreed programme for a partnership government provides for a range of actions that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. One of these actions is a proposal for the Departments of Health and Social Protection to work together to pursue a “Fit for Work Programme”...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The information regarding overall numbers of claims submitted, accepted and rejected under the Illness Benefit Scheme and the Disability Allowance Scheme in each of years 2013 to 2016 to date is presented in the following table. The information claims appealed for these schemes is available in Table 3: Outcome of Appeals by categoryof the Social Welfare Appeals Office Annual Reports for the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The total numbers of Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit assessments conducted in 2015 by Medical Assessors under the authority of the Chief Medical Officer, are set out in the following table. Scheme Numbers of Assessments in 2015 Disability Allowance 28,115 Illness Benefit 27,882 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (14 Jun 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 31 July 2015. 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...