Results 3,241-3,260 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: There is far more to this issue than the building that is currently occupied which we all accept is unsuitable, particularly for the expanded service. There is also the question of planning permission and fire certificates. I met the local public representatives and agreed to make a request to the OPW to hold off on signing any lease for premises in Monaghan town. This allowed...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I often find that my head is spinning following a contribution by Deputy McGrath. I will enlighten him regarding Intreo offices. They are working well and the group engagements have been beneficial to those who have participated in them, as they have led to progression plans and so on. We are active in County Tipperary engaging with employers to make sure they are aware of all the schemes,...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank him for some of his constructive comments. Certainly, the Labour Party is proud that it was founded in Clonmel.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank many of the Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this Bill, which provides further help for welfare-dependent families through the introduction of the new back to work family dividend. This will help jobseekers with families and lone parents to return to work or to increase the number of hours they work. We are also enhancing the support for lone parents with children...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I was listening to it very closely. I think Deputy Clare Daly might have read from a similar e-mail when she was making her contribution. The eligibility rules that govern payment for student maintenance grants are matters for the Department of Education and Skills. However, I am mindful that the principal aim of the reform of the one-parent family payment is to support customers in...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The intention behind the dividend is to encourage people to go back to work. When they go back to work, other opportunities arise from networking, promotion and overtime. I always encourage people to go back to work. Deputy Denis Naughten raised various issues about post offices. I would like to see further services being given to the post office system. Mr. Bobby Kerr will come...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Deputy refers to it as a quang,o but it has been established on a statutory basis to examine the minimum wage, which is positive. The Deputy supported a Government that lowered it.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Deputy is very good at sitting on the fence and making criticisms. On very few occasions have I heard anything constructive from him, whereas I can point to many Deputies on various sides who make contributions in a positive manner. Perhaps my hearing is fading, but I have never heard positive suggestions from the Deputy. I am sure he will correct me at some stage.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: We are well used to the Deputy heckling Members on this side of the House.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: It is normal.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Deputy is old enough now not to be shouting names across the Chamber.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Grow up.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I know the Deputy finds it difficult to-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I appreciate Members' contributions, in particular those who made constructive comments on the family dividend scheme. I look forward to further engagement with them on Committee Stage.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Youth Unemployment Measures (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Under the Youth Guarantee implementation plan, the Department committed to developing a developmental internship scheme for young disadvantaged jobseekers. These young people would have faced difficulties, even during the boom period, in securing an interview, not to speak of a job. Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I represent similar parts of Dublin and he will be aware that throughout the boom,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Youth Unemployment Measures (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Deputy should examine the results of the successful pilot schemes in Ballymun, from which we are learning. Young persons who participate in the First Steps scheme will have supports, including a case officer to assist and provide support in finding employment. The scheme is a wraparound service targeted at the most disadvantaged young people and those who are most distant from the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Youth Unemployment Measures (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: First Steps enjoys considerable support in the areas in which it has been trialled, especially among the wider families of participants. Those who are unemployed, as I was at one point, have a responsibility to seek employment. If a young person has a legitimate reason for not participating in the First Steps scheme, a case officer will be available to work closely with him or her. People...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Gateway is a Government initiative in local authorities which aims to provide short-term quality and suitable opportunities to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. To date, there have been 1,800 participants in the scheme and funding of the order of €22.4 million is being provided by the Department for the...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I have visited Gateway schemes because I wanted to talk to people who are doing practical work on the ground about how they are experiencing it. The response was very positive. Those involved told me how they were transforming a park in River Valley into a true community facility. It also keeps people very close to the workforce. The 19.5 hour working week allows participants to work...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I am sure Deputy Wallace welcomes the figures this week that show the percentage on the live register dropping for the first time down to 10.1%. Hopefully we will see it dropping to single digits in the coming months, something many commentators said would never be achieved. The Deputy mentioned the issue of low pay. The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and...