Results 3,161-3,180 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: As I pointed out, the existing legislation relating to confidentiality on information, such as the Official Secrets Act and the Data Protection Act, applies. These two Acts apply, but perhaps the Senator has a different view on that.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The only people this applies to is the person involved or the surviving kin. I am not sure what sanctions are provided in the Official Secrets Act or the Data Protection Act, but I will look at those. Historically, the register has not been leaked to my knowledge. I understand what the Senator seeks to do, but I believe the legislation we have currently is robust enough to deal with the...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senators. The amendments proposed are beyond the scope of the Bill, which is primarily to recognise the change of gender and the provision of gender recognition certificates. I can see why some of the specific grounds of discrimination would make it a strong message but it is not within my remit. Many of the points raised fall under the remit of the Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The use of bathrooms falls under the area of discrimination so it is not within the remit of this Bill. With regard to Senator Zappone's point, I am certain the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will facilitate a meeting because Senator Craughwell has thought out the proposals. We have not considered taking other elements in this Bill. We are keeping it to...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: It moves into education legislation. I will have to consider it and consult with the Department of Education and Skills. The Minister is very active in that area and will launch a number of initiatives. She will deal with this in this speedy manner. I do not propose to accept the amendments.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The equality legislation already covers transgender matters. The Senator is talking about the specific use of bathrooms. We must examine the equality legislation and my understanding is that it already covers the area.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Operation (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: There are no plans to relax the current participation limits placed on participants of community employment (CE) schemes who may be just a year off retirement and there are no plans to grant those that fall into this category a special exemption to be allowed to work on CE until they reach 66 years of age (state pension age). These requirements are there to ensure that there are adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Funding (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: There are no plans to allow new participants on the Community Employment (CE) programme to retain their original social welfare payments while employed on the scheme and receiving concurrent CE allowances. The main enactment of this measure was contained in Section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011. The main purpose of CE is to assist and support long-term unemployed and other vulnerable...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Physical Education Facilities (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I am taking this Commencement Matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I thank the Senator for raising it, as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position on the provision of physical education facilities in post-primary schools. The Department of Education and Skills fully recognises the key role of physical...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Physical Education Facilities (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Senator is referring to a specific school.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Physical Education Facilities (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I was speaking about general policy across the area.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Physical Education Facilities (11 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: If the Senator will let me finish, I am aware of local negotiations across the country where co-operation between the Department of Education and Skills and the local authorities have led to the development of good sporting facilities, including gymnasium halls and swimming pools, that the entire community can use. As a public representative, I have long been concerned about excellent...

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: No.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: There are no plans to allow new participants on the Community Employment (CE) programme to retain their original social welfare payments while employed on the scheme and receiving concurrent CE allowances. The main enactment of this measure was contained in Section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011. The main purpose of CE is to assist and support long-term unemployed and other vulnerable...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobs Initiative (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Gateway is a Local Authority initiative which aims to provide short-term quality and suitable work opportunities to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. All employees who have income over €352 per week are liable for Class A PRSI contribution at a rate of 4% on the total earnings. Employees are also...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. The rent supplement scheme provides support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 70,700 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Court Accommodation Provision (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in its functions, including in the provision, maintenance and management of court...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Court Accommodation Provision (12 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: All Departments have to operate within certain financial constraints but I am sure the Senator will work hard to remove the obstacles that currently exist. The Government is aware of the value provided by our excellent court system and we continue to provide substantial resources to the Courts Service. I acknowledge that Main Street in Portlaoise is probably not an area in which crowds...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (17 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, as defined on the Department's website. This requirement is based on Government policy and Departmental guidelines and has been the rule since CE commenced in 1994. At present, persons signing for credits or otherwise ineligible for a social welfare payment, do not meet the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (17 Feb 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The rent supplement scheme provides support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are over 70,700 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015. End of year statistics on rent...