Results 9,001-9,020 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Youth Unemployment (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of this year, Ireland has witnessed unprecedented levels of unemployment.  Research published by my Department found that young people in particular have been hardest hit by the pandemic, and are over-represented in the sectors most affected by public health restrictions (hospitality, retail and accommodation). Even though the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Child Benefit (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Eligibility to child benefit has been reviewed in this case as a claim was received from another party in respect of the child in question.  As there was conflicting information provided by both parties, the file was assigned to a Social Welfare Investigator (SWI) in March 2020.  Following an investigation into the residence of the child, the SWI submitted a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the publication of the July Jobs Stimulus which will build on existing supports to get Ireland's businesses back on their feet and as many people as possible back to work quickly. As part of this effort, my Department and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation, Research and Science will deliver a €200m package of income, employment and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn.  The Government has provided €152.9m for the scheme in 2020 which operates from June to September. The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: An official of my Department reviewed this case and I can confirm that on completion of the review it was determined that the PUP rate will be restored to €350 per week.  Any arrears due will be paid to the person concerned next week. I trust this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Social insurance benefits are made available on the basis that when a certain contingency or risk materialises the person involved will need a replacement income. Benefits are intended to replace lost income where a person is, for some reason, not able to engage with the labour force.  Where there is no recent history of contributions being paid or credited then there is no entitlement...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Crime Prevention (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has not provided funding to the organisation referred to by the Deputy for the specific purposes of paying the award mentioned. In the past, my Department has provided funding to the organisation to cover a portion of its operational costs.  The most recent funding provided in respect of these costs was for the period August 2018 to July 2019. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Freedom of Information (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is processing one Freedom of Information request at present. It is not envisaged that the deadline for response to this request will be extended.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased to be in the Seanad to discuss this important legislation. The Government is absolutely committed to supporting people who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19, which is why we have extended the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to next April. As the payment will now be continued for a much longer period than the 12-week period that had originally been envisaged, it is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: They are on the website.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his new position and wish him well. This is the first time I have been in the Seanad since he was elevated.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Senators for their good wishes and contributions. I will first clarify a matter. Sometimes, we forget that we are still in the middle of a pandemic and it is important that we follow public health advice. Today, I announced that I would be changing the regulations to allow people on unemployment payments to travel to countries on the green list for two weeks and still retain...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The vast majority of these people were not going on holidays. They were leaving the country. Once someone lives outside this country, he or she is not entitled to the payments. There are a small number of people who may have travelled abroad while genuinely unaware of the criteria. We will review those cases. Self-employed people eligible for the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment,...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I referred to our payments in euro.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: It will only be information that is necessary and proportionate that we will look for. That is for sure. People will get their paid contributions for the full duration of the time they are on the pandemic unemployment payment. There is no doubt about that. The legislation does allow us to share information with Revenue. We have to do this. What I meant was that we will not share...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: If there is anyone who could make it happen I would be happy to do so. I will have my officials look at it again. I have been told that it could not happen and I have been up and down the road with this. Believe you me I would like to see some people I know who are working in Monaghan and living in Northern Ireland getting the payment too. The fact is that it could not be done, which is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I will have to wait to see what the advice is on this.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am not going to make any commitments because it would be wrong of me to make a promise that I could not fulfil.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am saying to the Senator that I am going to look at it again.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am sorry but I forgot to answer one of Senator Ruane's previous questions. The working family payment continues to be paid in conjunction with the Covid-19 provisions. A date and time had to be picked if a person was in employment on or after 13 March, whether employed or self-employed, and the Covid-19 payment was then made. I note the Senator's comments on getting people back to...