Results 10,421-10,440 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Working Family Payment Payments (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: My Department is committed to playing its part in the overall Government, and indeed national, response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Department is very mindful of the situation of families and people during the current outbreak of COVID-19 and is continually reviewing the impact of and supports available to those affected. The Working Family Payment provides support for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: This Parliamentary Question does not fall under the remit of my Department. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has no function in regard to disconnections and does not apply any sanctions of this kind. Disconnections and Sanctions for unpaid energy bills are a regulatory matter for the Independent Regulator. I hope this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: FEAD supports the actions of EU countries to provide material assistance to the most deprived. These activities are funded through the national Food and/or Basic Material Assistance Operational Programme. My Department is the Managing Authority (MA) for the Operational Programme and has responsibility for the implementation of the programme in Ireland. Support provided through FEAD...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is determined on a case by case basis based on an individual's social insurance record built up over their working lifetime. Specifically, the State Pension (Contributory) is available for those who have paid at least 520 reckonable social insurance contributions and who have reached their 66th birthday. It should be noted that not all...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: In April 2012, the number of paid PRSI contributions required to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) increased from 260 to 520. The enabling legislation was contained in the Social Welfare Act 1997. Given that the actuarial value of the State Pension is estimated at over €300,000, it is considered reasonable to require people who claim a contributory pension to have made at...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Rights (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: The importance of electronic communications to the success of many businesses and organisations has been highlighted by the Covid-19 crisis. The increased use of mobile technology, which is already a well-established aspect of the modern workforce, has enabled many workers to remain connected and in employment, despite the closure or reduction of workspaces. However, a long-acknowledged,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Payments (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Working Family Payment (WFP) formerly known as Family Income Supplement , is a weekly tax free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. The person concerned is currently in receipt of WFP at a rate of €180 per week. This payment will not be affected if she has been laid off work due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Covid 19 Pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: In April 2012, the number of paid PRSI contributions required to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) increased from 260 to 520. The enabling legislation that brought about this change was contained in the Social Welfare Act 1997. The actuarial value of the State Pension is estimated at over €300,000 which requires people who claim a contributory pension to have made at...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Protected Disclosures (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Following from the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Department has put a policy and procedures in place to provide information to and assist workers who wish to make protected disclosures. The Policy and procedures are made available on . All submissions made are assessed by a designated group of senior managers and investigations are then carried out where deemed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Applications (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 22 April 2020. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: In a response to a request from the Government, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has published Report No.19: ‘Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland’. This very comprehensive report presents an examination of the vulnerability for workers, firms and sectors to the transition to a low-carbon and more digital, automated future....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: In a response to a request from the Government, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has published Report No.19: ‘Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland’. This very comprehensive report presents an examination of the vulnerability for workers, firms and sectors to the transition to a low-carbon and more digital, automated future....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Offices (13 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers. The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to...

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: I do not think anybody present could have predicted the unprecedented turmoil we have experienced in the past few short months. We had near full employment and a still-declining live register. We are now in a situation where the funds from the social protection Vote are acting as an income shock absorber to over 1 million people who have lost their jobs. The outbreak of Covid-19 and the...

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: To answer a direct question, the payment will have to be extended. It was introduced to support people's incomes while their normal incomes were not available to them. We are aware that based on the phases of the reopening of society, this will occur at different times for different people, so-----

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: I will tell the Deputy what I can do. I can confirm to him that it will be extended. In which shape and form, however, the decision has not been made yet. The matter is under active consideration and the decision will probably be made in the coming weeks. As soon as it has been arrived at, I will be the first to tell everybody. The most important thing to say is that it was introduced to...

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Deputy Brady is asking me a question. I do not think his comment is fair. It is not that I am not willing; we have not made the decision yet. The decision to support people's incomes still stands and will stand for all of the phases until society is reopened again.

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Shall I go back to the start of the questions?

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: Okay. That is no problem.

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Regina Doherty: There were questions asked before the Deputy's contribution.