Results 19,441-19,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an appeal was registered on 22 November 2016, and in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office contacted the person concerned and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. The grounds of appeal were received in this case on 21 December 2016 and in accordance with the statutory requirements of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: During the Dáil report stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill 2016 I agreed that I would ask my officials to examine the issue of jobseeker's benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers, including those categorised as having subsidiary employment. Work has commenced with a view to having a report ready by the end of March/early April 2016. This report will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Work Placement Programmes (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Tús and Gateway are work placement initiatives which aim to provide work opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed and on the live register for a specific period. The eligibility criteria are in line with the Government’s policies to focus resources on maintaining the work readiness and employability of jobseekers on the live register. In order to maintain this focus,...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (31 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Currently there is a total of 3,730 Clerical and Staff Officers in the Department and in the agencies under the aegis of the Department. Clerical Officer Staff Officer Temporary Clerical Officer Total Department of Social Protection 2796 616 279 3691 Pensions Authority 15 15 Citizens Information Board 24* 3730 *CIB Breakdown CO:3 Grade III:8 Grade IV:10 Grade V:3

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to answer that. It is a matter that is still under negotiation between my Department, the relevant unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We are confident that we will have the matter resolved in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: To qualify for a State pension (contributory), a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions which include commencing insurable employment at least 10 years before pension age, having a minimum of 520 qualifying PRSI contributions and achieving a yearly average of at least 10 qualifying contributions, paid or credited, over their working life. Social insurance contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Overpayments (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The person concerned incurred a carer’s allowance debt amounting to €14,436.20 from 2 December 2010 to 11 January 2012. She had recently been repaying this debt by way of a €10.00 weekly deduction from her jobseeker’s allowance (JA). To date €2,052.80 has been repaid leaving a balance outstanding of €12,383.40. As the person concerned was recently...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Rights (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: ‘Disguised employment’ is a broad term which refers to the incorrect classification of a worker for PRSI purposes, which in turn can affect their entitlement to social insurance benefits. It can also affect the tax liability of a worker. Examples of disguised employment include the use of intermediary type structures and various forms of ‘dependent’...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Carer's Allowance (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. My department informs me that, to date, no application for CA has been received from the person concerned. Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue, which he...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 3 February 2016. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 24 January 2017 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 2 February 2017. Arrears for the period 4 February 2016 to 1 February 2017 have also issued to his nominated bank....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Maternity Benefit Administration (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. In general, maternity claims are processed within 6 weeks of receipt at present. I would encourage maternity benefit customers to submit their applications as early as possible and use the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Paternity Benefit Administration (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. Paternity benefit is a new scheme introduced in September 2106. To support the scheme a new technical platform that is capable of accepting online applications and supporting officer decision...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The requirements for the allocation of a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number are: - acceptable evidence of identity, which for Canadian citizens is a current valid passport; - evidence as to why a PPS Number is required (i.e., to carry out a transaction with a State body specified in legislation as permitted to use the PPS Number); and - acceptable evidence of address (e.g., a utility bill...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27thJanuary 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: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Department has not, to date, received an application for Rent Supplement from the client concerned. The client should forward an application to be assessed for entitlement to Rent Supplement to the Mid-Leinster Rents Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with up to date documentation. On receipt of same, the claim will be re-assessed with regard to entitlement. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 31509-16 and several related Parliamentary Questions, the client concerned received a large family financial settlement relating to a formerly co-owned property in late 2013. Failure to produce the required financial information relating to these monies resulted in her previous claim for Rent Supplement, being closed on...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As part of a normal review to entitlement of jobseeker’s allowance, information was sought from the person concerned pertaining to lodgements in his bank account. To date the requested information is still outstanding and payment of jobseeker’s allowance in the case of the person concerned was suspended. The person concerned was advised in writing on 4 January 2017 that the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Following a search by my officials, I can confirm that there is no record of either Insurance Numbers or Personal Public Service Numbers for either of the named individuals. I would advise that the individuals concerned should enquire with the HR area of their respective employers at that time in order to locate any records that may exist. My officials will be available to provide any...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (26 Jan 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. The maximum rate of CA payable to a carer who provides full-time care and attention to one person is €204.00 weekly. If a carer is caring for a second person and is assessed with...