Results 1-20 of 4,763 for more speaker:Heather Humphreys

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...duty of Government to make it fit for the future. I believe that by opting into the EU migration and asylum pact, we will do just that. By working with others in Europe, we will ensure we have a more coherent approach to asylum seeking, integration and the protection of national and European borders. For example, when international protection applications are processed at speed, it...

Seanad: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...." That person could well turn out to be a representative of ICTU or someone who would otherwise meet with the approval of trade unionists. However, it is important not to make this provision more specific than that. In fairness, we all know that trade unions and employer representatives have many opportunities to provide the Minister of the day with their views, because we meet them...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to confirm that all conditions for receipt of CA were satisfied. Following an interview, the SWI reported that they were not satisfied that full-time care of more than 35 hours per week was being provided. The CA claim was disallowed and the person concerned was notified on 07 February 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (18 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme. The Reasonable Accommodation Fund provides financial support for people with disabilities and for employers to help make their workplaces more accessible. The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides funding for disability awareness training for employees. Last autumn, I published a review of these schemes. The review recommends...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...in June. - Live with the person being looked after, or this person can be contacted quickly by a direct system of communication (i.e., a telephone or alarm). - Not be employed / self-employed for more than 18.5 hours per week. - Not be in receipt of, or entitled to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit or be signing for credited contributions. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...qualifies for half-rate Carer’s Allowance or Domiciliary Care Allowance. If the Deputy wishes to provide me with the details of a specific case, I can have officials from my Department examine it in more detail. I hope this clarifies the situation.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (18 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...five years. A range of options were put forward in the actuarial review of the Social Insurance Fund. The Government has decided it is better to address this issue early by way of a small change rather than deferring the problem until more drastic action would be required. These increases will support the retention of the State pension age at 66 years, help address the long-term...

Seanad: Control of Dogs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...does not relate directly to the situation with regard to restricted breeds, in light of the recent tragic incident in Limerick, at the outset I wish to extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Nicole Morey. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time. My thoughts are also with those who were injured and hospitalised in Cork last week following a further horrific...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Pensions (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...s contribution scheme. That will make it easier for long-term carers of an incapacitated person or people to qualify for the State pension. If someone has been caring for somebody for 20 years or more, the credits will be allowed towards their pension. I think that is an improvement. There are the family caring periods. There have been many changes over the years to try to help people...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...of disability, rather than spreading resources thinly. That was the rationale for the Green Paper consultation. The objective was to elicit views on making higher rates of payment available to people with more profound disabilities. Based on the feedback I received, I decided not to proceed with the recommendations set out in the Green Paper. Instead, the issue is being referred for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Meals Programme (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school was interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interests were received from more than 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children who were then invited to participate in the programme from 8 April 2024, and all of the schools that submitted completed...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Meals Programme (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...schools that did not respond to us in the first call. Some 600 have come back and we will work with them. We will continue to approach the remaining schools. Obviously, I will need to secure more money in the budget this year to complete the roll-out of the programme. My plan is that all primary school children will have access to a hot lunch during the course of 2025. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Rates (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...x20ac;12 in primary payments. Independent, post-budget analysis from the ESRI also showed that in the context of the budget package, the combination of basic rate increases with some lump sum payments was more effective than a simple price-indexed increase. I am therefore satisfied that this budget protected the most vulnerable in our society, particularly children in low-income...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...to their attention .To put that in English:, if you have a decision and you can provide new information, a different person will look at the appeal. If you have a decision and you can produce more information, a different person will look at it. A decision of an appeals officer can also be reviewed by the Chief Appeals Officer under section 318 where it appears or is claimed that a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Meals Programme (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the hot school meal option and the programme has grown significantly in recent years with more than 2,000 primary schools now eligible to receive funding for hot meals. This is a very positive outcome considering that the scheme involved just 30 schools at pilot stage when I was...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...prepared and discussed at an Oireachtas committee and also issued for public consultation. These are now being finalised to take account of responses received and when implemented, will enable a more transparent and efficient appeals process.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...information is provided at the start and the application is turned down. Once that happens, you are into review and appeals. The reviews can be quicker but I do accept that we need to do more to make the appeals process work better for people. Deputy Stanton also raised this matter this evening. Some appeals do take too long and that is it. I would say to the Deputies if they have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Rates (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...school. The hot school meals programme has made a difference. We looked at the over-70s fuel allowance and I expanded that, which was a big change. We put in place higher income limits so more older people would qualify. A couple can have an income of €1,024 per week and €50,000 in savings and still get the fuel allowance. We expanded those things. There was also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...of appeals, have been prepared and discussed at the Oireachtas committee and issued for public consultation. These regulations are now being finalised and when implemented should enable a more efficient and transparent appeals office. As of 31 May 2024 there was a total of 12,489 appeals registered and under consideration. Of these, a total of 5,174 are with the appeals office to be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (11 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...s state pension (contributory) was reviewed and it was determined that based on their combined social insurance record they would have an entitlement to €229.50 per week. However, as it is financially more beneficial for them to remain on the standard state pension (contributory), that payment will remain in payment. A letter issued to the person concerned on 5 June 2024 informing...