Results 19,821-19,840 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 26 October 2016. The application is currently being examined by a deciding officer and once processed, 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 Applications (7 Dec 2016)

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. CA is in payment to the person concerned since 1 March 2012 at a reduced rate based primarily on her husband’s earnings from employment. The person concerned has contacted my...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20thOctober 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Investments (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Neither my Department nor the Agencies within its remit hold any investments in tobacco companies either directly or indirectly through pension or other investment funds. We do not have any guidelines in relation to such investments or have any proposals to introduce any. We would not be aware if any of the entities that receive funding from the Department have such investments.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 May 2016. 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: Carer's Allowance Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 15 August 2016 in respect of two care recipients. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 6th September 2016.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: Carer's Allowance Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Carer’s Allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 18 November 2004 in respect of one care recipient. I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 18 July 2016 in respect of a 2nd care recipient. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Water Conservation Grant Applications (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I am glad to confirm that the payment to the estate of the named person will be paid this Thursday 8thDecember 2016. Where a scheme member dies prior to reaching pension age a once-off actuarial value of monies in respect of the member’s pensionable service to the date of death, in accordance with guidance issued by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and the Pensions Authority, is...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that this lady was in receipt of free fuel allowance while her son was in receipt of jobseekers allowance. However, she no longer satisfies the criteria for receipt of this allowance. Free fuel allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Non-Disclosure Agreements (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 to 163, inclusive, together. There are no non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements held between my Department and any of the agencies operating under the aegis of the Department. The point made in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 29thNovember 2016 reflects the normal practice in relation to contracts of agreement between parties to a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (7 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20thSeptember 2016.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...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to remember the Social Insurance Fund, out of which contributory pensions are paid, is back in surplus this year for the first time since 2008. As it stands, we do not need to increase employee's or employer's PRSI or have recourse to the general taxpayer. It is important, however, that we keep it that way.We all know the consequences of underfunded pension schemes and an...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Those are different arrangements to those of the State pension - contributory. I do not propose to make any changes to the minimum paid contribution condition for accessing the scheme, as that would allow individuals who do not qualify for the State pension because of their existing paid contribution record between five and ten years to qualify just by paying voluntary contributions. That...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: There are many arguments for and against raising employer's PRSI. Perhaps we will have them another day. There are arguments in favour and arguments against as well. The difficulty we have with the 520 week rule or the 260 week rule is that it is simply not the solution in the medium term. Few people get any other pension by contributing to this extent. A person can get a full pension by...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: Employers and employees pay into that trust and have benefits that are projected. However, they are neither guaranteed by the employer nor by the State. What Independent News and Media has done will have to be subject to the approval of the High Court. I have spoken to the Pensions Authority and the Attorney General about what could be done in that case. I know that in a different case...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I will come back to the Senator with confirmation on the local authority members. My understanding is that if somebody is a local authority member and went full-time as a councillor in the last five years but prior to that was paying PRSI as part of their farm income, self-employment or as an employee, they are able to make voluntary contributions. I will have to double check that. By...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: On the other issue on the education sector, we will have to check it out and come back to the Senator. I do not have the information to hand but my officials will check it out and reply to the Senator in correspondence.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Leo Varadkar: I understand this amendment has been ruled out of order by the Acting Chairman.