Results 10,101-10,120 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 November 2016. The application was disallowed on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The application was also disallowed on the grounds that she failed to disclose requested information to an officer of my department and therefore...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 22 May 2017. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Payments (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned from 5 May 2016. The first payment is expected to issue to their nominated bank account on 20 July 2017. Arrears of allowance due from 5 May 2016 to 19 July 2017 will also issue on that date. The person concerned was notified on 11 July 2017. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20thMarch 2017. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Appeals (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 4thJuly 2017, 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: State Pensions Payments (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition), which had been available from 65 for those who satisfied the qualifying conditions, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Data (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 432, 453 and 454 together. The full year cost of increasing jobseeker's allowance, supplementary welfare allowance and the back to education allowance by €5 per week is estimated to be €64.8 million in 2018. The full year cost of increasing the age related reduced jobseeker's rates of €102.70 per week and €147.80 per week to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 30 March 2017. The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 23 June 2017 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned from 11 May 2017. The first payment is expected to issue to their nominated bank account on 13 July 2017. Arrears of allowance due from 11 May 2017 to 12 July 2017, inclusive of the 2017 carer support grant, should also issue to her nominated bank account on 13 July 2017. She was notified in writing on 7 July 2017. I hope this...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Benefit Applications (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: An application for carer's benefit (CARB) was received from the person concerned on 23 June 2017. The application is currently being examined by a deciding officer and once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting some 41,200 recipients for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017. Continued entitlement to rent supplement is not linked to entitlement to other social welfare schemes, however the rent supplement claim may be reviewed following a decision to suspend or disallow...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The Department operates a range of statutory means tested schemes, taking account of the income a claimant has in terms of cash, property (other than the family home) and capital. The combination of the means test and awarding differentiated rates of payment is premised on ensuring that social welfare payments are paid to those most in need and reflects the position that persons with...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The average appeal processing times for all appeals determined from 2014 to date in 2017 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the tables below. The time taken to process an appeal reflects all aspects of the appeal process including the time spent in the Department preparing the appeal submission. The quasi-judicial nature of the system impacts on appeal processing...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Live Register Data (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The official measure of unemployment is sourced from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). Measures of unemployment from the QNHS are based on International Labour Office (ILO) definitions. To be ‘ILO unemployed’ a person must in the week before the survey be without work but available for work and have recently taken specific job-search steps. The Live Register,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: The State pension is a valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the pension system. There are two State pensions. The State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested pension funded from taxation, whereas the State pension (contributory), is not means-tested and is paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Accordingly, it is important to ensure those qualifying for the latter have made a sustained...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Functions (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: Following the announcement by An Taoiseach on 14 June of the transfer of labour affairs and labour law responsibilities from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Department of Social Protection, the process of identifying the functional areas, staff and resources that will transfer to my Department has begun. This is being done in accordance with the Transfer of Functions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: JobBridge was introduced in July 2011 in response to the sharp and dramatic increase in unemployment. A robust external evaluation of the scheme conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants in 2016 found that it is one of the most effective labour market programmes – increasing participants’ employment outcomes by 32%. It also found that while participants rated the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobsPlus Scheme (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years - paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobsPlus Scheme (12 Jul 2017)

Regina Doherty: As the Deputy is aware, the JobsPlus incentive is designed to encourage employers and businesses to focus their recruitment efforts on those who have been out of work for long periods, or on young people seeking employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 - over two years, paid in monthly instalments, provided the employment is maintained....