Results 3,681-3,700 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: It is being passed out at the moment.

One-Parent Family Payment Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I support the Government amendment. It is important to remember that in 2011, Ireland was in the midst of an economic recession unprecedented in our history. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien made an offer to Deputy Joe Costello, who has left the House, but I would take him up on his offer if he wants to come canvassing with me in the next general election. I would be happy to explain to people that...

One-Parent Family Payment Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I will finish now. To qualify for the dividend a person does not have to increase his or her hours nor does he or she have to take up a new job.

One-Parent Family Payment Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: In cases where customers lose financially and are having difficulty increasing their hours, my Department will work with them to offer every possible assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Registration Legislation (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The solemnisation of marriages in the State is governed by the Civil Registration Act 2004. The parties to an intended marriage are required to give three months’ notice of their intention to marry. The couple provide evidence to the registrar relating to their identity and capacity to marry, and make declarations that there is no impediment to the proposed marriage. The fact that a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I am informed by SOLAS that the first-year weekly wages of apprentices vary between €195 and €323, depending on the particular craft involved and the sector of the employment. These rates generally rise substantially in the second year of apprenticeship. The most recent statistics show that there are some 38,200 persons aged 25 or younger on jobseeker’s allowance....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was enacted on 4th December 2014. The Act contains a wide range of provisions and these will be put into operation on the basis of an implementation plan involving both procedural and system changes. This work is being progressed as quickly as possible in order that the various provisions of the Act can be commenced. There had been some...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (2 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 57 together. Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 67,000 people at a total cost of €298 million. Over 10,000 new tenancies have been processed since the start of the year, showing that landlords are accommodating persons under the scheme. Under the legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Funding (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that the individuals concerned are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding. This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to Education Allowance Expenditure (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 95 together. Officials in this Department are currently collating the statistics requested by the Deputy and examining the reason for the higher estimate provided in May 2015. Officials will revert directly to the Deputy when this information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Data (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The following are Community Employment schemes that commenced for the first time since 2011. Projects that are currently in progress show the current numbers on the scheme as at 1July 2015 and the expenditure to date in the contract. Sponsor Contract Start Date Contract Finish Date Address Current Supervisors Current participants Actual Cost to Date € Ballyfermot Partnership Co....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Creation (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 to 71, inclusive, together. The First Steps programme is specifically targeted at those 18-24 year olds on the Live Register who are most distant from the labour market. The aim of the programme is to provide this cohort of young people with a work placement experience, where they gain the opportunity to learn and develop basic work and social skills...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Eligibility (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The evaluation of the pilot programme to which the Deputy refers is currently being reviewed by Departmental officials. Eligibility criteria in general for the Community Employment (CE) scheme are kept under review to meet Government priorities. The Ballymun Youth Guarantee Pilot Scheme allowed for the temporary relaxation of the age criteria for jobseekers clients, 18 years of age or...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Eligibility (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 (and between the ages of 18 and 22 where the child is in full-time second level education), in respect of whom a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Places (7 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The additional cost to the Department of introducing 4,000 additional Community Employment (CE) places in 2016 is estimated to be approximately €14m. This amount reflects the additional cost of €20 per week paid to participants over and above what they would receive while in receipt of a social welfare payment, in addition to supervisory costs, materials and training costs...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Department funds and operates a number of scheme and programmes in partnership with community groups to support a) activation services to the longer term unemployed, b) income supports, and c) the delivery of local services of a social inclusion nature. The schemes and programmes are set out in the following table. Given the nature of the schemes, the level of resources available vary...

Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (9 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now".

Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Before dealing with this group of amendments, I take the opportunity to compliment Deputies Willie O'Dea, Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joan Collins on their contributions on Committee Stage of the Bill. I acknowledge that these amendments were put forward in a spirit of co-operation. Our engagement with groups like TENI and BeLonG To and the opportunity we had to meet with young people and...

Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I take on board the point made by Deputy Coppinger. She wants us to reflect on the area of education. We are very anxious and concerned that transgender children in schools are protected and respected. This is a major concern for parents and is one about which my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is also concerned. I have met many parents on this...

Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I will answer the Deputy when I reply.