Results 10,461-10,480 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (18 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).  At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken in order to comply with...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme (18 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Partial Capacity Benefit allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months or Invalidity Pension and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a full or partial payment from the Department. The rate of payment is based on the assessment of the person's restriction on capacity for work; either moderate,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Brexit Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: On 1 January 2021, the transition period following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union will have ended and many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally.  However, the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship. Strong and vibrant connections are vital with our closest neighbour...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who are permanently incapable of work because of a long-term illness or disability.  To qualify for an award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions.  At 66, those on Invalidity pension transfer automatically to the State Pension (Contributory) at the full rate.  Invalidity...

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

Heather Humphreys: The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) for businesses impacted by COVID-19 is awarded to self-employed people who meet the required qualifying conditions.  It is open to the person concerned to apply for the ESG when she returns to self-employment and has closed her Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  Funding can be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Proposed Legislation (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions.   The Government confirmed as part of its Budget 2021 measures that the required...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The requirement for recipients to sign for their cash payment is an important tool in helping to prevent the fraudulent collection of social welfare payments by unauthorised persons.  This is done by means of an electronic signing pad.  An electronic signature can only be captured by using a purpose-made stylus which is physically connected to the signing pad.  The signature...

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

Heather Humphreys: The approximate value of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) payments issued to customers in counties Cavan and Monaghan, from 01 June to 17 Novembers inclusive, is  €66 million euro. €34.8 million has been paid to customers in county Cavan, and €31.2 million has been paid to customers in county Monaghan. The table below sets out these values with the recipient...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Driver Licences (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant provided by my Department is designed to fund quick access to short-term training to support individual jobseekers access work opportunities.  Total expenditure on this grant amounted to €2.2m in 2019 and approx. 5,600 individuals were supported.  As part of the July Jobs Stimulus the funding available to a jobseeker under this grant has...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Commission on Pensions (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased that the Government approved the establishment of the Commission on Pensions in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment. As the Deputy will be aware, I announced on Budget Day that the planned increase in the State pension age from January of next year will be deferred, in line with our Programme for Government commitment.  In this regard, it will remain at 66...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).  At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. Letters issued to the individual and to the solicitor concerned on 17th November 2020 with details of the PPSN. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.  I can confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 27 July 2020....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Live Register (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: As of 15th November 2020 there are currently 72,470 on the Live Register whose claim has commenced in 2020, of which 66,273 can be assigned a sector via their last employer based on the current data available to my Department. The requested information is listed in the table below for this cohort. Sector Number Percent A Agriculture,...

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

Heather Humphreys: To the end of October, my Department had processed 1.3 million Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) applications in respect of over 800,000 people.  Of these, over 766,000 people received at least one PUP.   The sectorial breakdown for everyone who has received at least one PUP is set out in the attached tabular statement. This sectorial breakdown is based on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: In October 2018, my Department launched a Town Centre Living Initiative to explore in a holistic way how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages.  The pilot focused on 6 towns with different characteristics in different parts of the country.   Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, was one of the towns included in the pilot. An independent report on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: 2021 will see continued delivery of key programmes for Cavan and Monaghan and communities across the country. Budget 2021, announced last October has earmarked  €341 million for my Department. This will  support the recovery of the rural economy and enhance community development supports, in particular in the context of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Brexit. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan.  At present, there are approximately 200 public access BCP sites scheduled for connection in 2020, in addition to 75 school BCPs.  Up to 100 further public access sites are planned for connection in 2021. BCPs will be located in some of the most rural and isolated areas in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Contracts (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The question of third-party contracts entered into by agencies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for the agencies concerned. I have requested the agencies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Youth Unemployment (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and resulting phases of public health measures, has greatly impacted economic activity in the State. Young people are particularly affected by the current crisis, given their tendency to work in sectors most greatly impacted (retail, hospitality, tourism and arts). I am acutely aware of the reliance on these sectors to provide employment opportunities for...