Results 181-200 of 25,654 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: In 2021, we did clear the list. There is a framework in place now and there is €16.5 million available to procure the services for special needs assessments in the private sector. The Deputy is absolutely right that we need to clear the list and we will do so. The necessary funding has been provided. In terms of special schools, seven new ones have been established in recent years...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this. The Tánaiste confirmed this morning that Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine by the end of this month. We are calling urgently for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The protection of civilians must be paramount. It is an...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I condemn the incursions into Rafah. These people have nowhere to go. I know all of us in the House condemn it. It is wrong that people are left in that awful situation. I have been very clear on the issue of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill. It is something we have taken legal advice on. Ireland's opposition to the illegal Israeli settlements is unambiguous...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know it is one on which both he and I are committed to seeing progress. In representing our constituents, we all have had the experience of meeting parents who have been waiting for too long for the assessment of their children's needs - both of us have done that - and unfortunately, then for the therapies they also need. We must do all we can...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I know the parent the Deputy is talking about. I have spoke to that lady as well. I know the difficulty she faces and that she has tried approximately four different schools and is having difficulties. I know that and we are doing all we can to support her. We need to explore greater use of the private sector when it comes to the assessment of need. We also need to grow the teams within...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. From January 2024, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €330 to €340 per month. This monthly payment has increased by...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Widow's Pension (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: To qualify for widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension (WSCPCP), a person must satisfy certain social insurance conditions, based on either their own or their late spouse's or civil partner’s record. As the person concerned does not meet the yearly average minimum requirement of 24, they do not qualify for a standard WSCPCP. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy. The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. Under social welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 24 October 2023. Additional information in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Widow's Pension (15 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Under the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership. On Monday 22nd January, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried co-habitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Carers Support Grant is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain qualifying conditions. The person claiming the Grant must: Be aged 16 or over and ordinarily resident in this State Care for the person on a full-time basis Care for the person for a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Data (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The annual estimated costs of Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit and Parent's Benefit at the time each was introduced and the actual costs now are not directly comparable as there have been many changes to the schemes in the intervening years such as widened eligibility, extended durations and increased payments rates. Maternity Benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Equality Issues (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Intersex is understood to be an umbrella term for persons who are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, genitalia, and/or hormonal structure, that do not belong strictly to male or female categories. It falls to the medical practitioner attending the birth to determine the gender of the child. However, where it is not possible for the gender of the child to be medically...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Legislative Measures (14 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Under the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a widows, widowers or surviving civil partner’s contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a legally registered marriage or civil partnership. On Monday 22nd January 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried co-habitant to a widows, widowers or...