Results 10,781-10,800 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Rights (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: Firstly, I would like to say that my thoughts are with all workers who are dealing with job losses or facing the prospect of redundancies at this difficult time.  I want to assure you that my Department is assisting affected workers through its Intreo service to help them in whatever way we can in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months and will...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 963, 969, 1003 and 1018 together. The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a time-limited support and is intended as a financial shock-absorber for people of working age, between 18 and up to 66 years, who become unemployed and whose income has collapsed due to the pandemic.  The age range for entitlement to the pandemic unemployment...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Insurance (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: The COVID- 19 Pandemic Unemployment is not subject to PRSI.  It is proposed that workers in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme should be granted paid contributions for the duration of the emergency measures.  This will be important in order to protect a person’s entitlement to future payments - both long-term payments such...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: My Department is very appreciative of all the work done by both An Post and the Postmasters in delivering essential welfare cash payments to the public in these difficult times.  Their efforts have maintained the delivery of social welfare payments while assisting with social distancing measures designed to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Fortnightly payments were introduced to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: The state pension (contributory) scheme is centrally administered from the Department’s offices located at College Road, Sligo.  Details of the number of staff engaged in processing applications for state pension (contributory) are shown as follows.  State Pension Contributory (SPC) No. of staff (whole time equivalents)  ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Rights (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: Section 20 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters for the taking of annual leave and payment for same.  The times at which annual leave is granted is ultimately determined by the employer, having regard to the work requirements and subject to the employer taking into account the employee's need for rest and recreation and their need to reconcile...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 970, 1015 and 1036 together. The emergency Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been introduced as a time-limited emergency measure so that payments can be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who have become fully unemployed due to the pandemic. During the month of March, my Department received and processed jobseeker...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Child Benefit (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: Child Benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the State, regardless of citizenship, provided the applicant satisfies the habitual residence condition.  Notwithstanding this, Child Benefit is classified under EU law as a Family Benefit.  Applicants whose entitlement to Child Benefit derive from the application of the provisions EU Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment of €203 per week with effect from 24/03/2020.  A payment for €2,469.80 covering the period 24/03/2020 to 16/06/2020 was paid to his nominated bank account on 10/06/2020. I trust this clarifies the matter. 

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Maternity Benefit (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: A claim for maternity benefit from was received form the person concerned outside of the prescribed time limits and as a result it was not initially awarded.  Further information was requested in relation to the claim and the reason for the late submission to the department.  Following a review she was notified that her claim was again refused.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Redundancy Payments (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: The recent emergency amendment to redundancy legislation relates only to the right of an employee to claim a redundancy payment from their employer following periods on lay-off or short time work caused by the Covid-19 crisis.  Normally if an employee is laid off or put on short-time work, Section 12 of the Redundancy Payments Act provides that the employee can claim redundancy from...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Child Benefit (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: Entitlement to Child Benefit is reviewed on a case by case basis, with due consideration given to difficulties arising due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Each case is assessed on its own merit taking full account of the individual circumstances. In the case of the person concerned, Child Benefit was paid up to 31/05/2020.  Correspondence issued to the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 981 to 983, inclusive, together. Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,150 recipients. The scheme provides short-term income support, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I understand that some workers and employers are in a difficult situation as a result of the temporary closure of schools and crèches.  From the outset of Covid-19, many employers will have taken the initiative, in line with subsequent requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look after their children who are...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables. Table 1: Cost of €1 increase in all weekly social insurance payments  Scheme Full year cost of a €1  increase (€m) Social Insurance Schemes Pension Age Payments ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Insurance (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: Prior to 2011 public office holders, including local authority members, were not liable to make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions on payments received in that capacity.  A PRSI Class K charge of 4% on income received by such persons (provided that income exceeds €5,200 per annum) was introduced in Budget 2011 as a measure of solidarity to contribute to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 991 and 1021 together. My Department is taking all necessary measures, in line with the advice of the Department of Health, the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), to respond to the significant challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.  In order to comply with social distancing requirements, the Department has relaxed the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance (16 Jun 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 26 February 2020.  Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 993 and 994 together. The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children.  The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (16 Jun 2020)

Regina Doherty: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children.  The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education provided to them.  The programme is an important...