Results 12,481-12,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The increased shift to remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent many hours in long commutes. This is a key focus of the Government's new rural development policy Our Rural Future. Remote working, supported by appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department have introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restrictions...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme funds small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Maps of the designated CLÁR areas are available on my Department’s website. The CLÁR Programme includes a specific Measure this year which funds community gardens and community allotments. However,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Addressing the issue of rural isolation is relevant to the work of a number of Government Departments. This is reflected in ongoing Government work including that aimed at enhancing community policing, rural transport links and tackling social inclusion. Focus on actions to address the issue of isolation in communities has become more important than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Galway County Council are the body responsible for development of stage three of the pier development on Inis Meáin. Officials from my Department have been in ongoing contact with the relevant officials in the County Council to progress matters. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) have been developing a model simulation of the sea...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: A feature of the LEADERprogramme is that it is based on a community-led local development, bottom-up approach to rural development. Financial supports are available for training type projects for community and voluntary groups. The types of training projects funded depends on the specific training needs that are identified by the project promoters and associated demand in their local area....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Housing Issues (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. My Department has worked closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and indeed right across Government, to agree this coherent strategy. It is supported by 150 commitments which will address challenges facing rural communities, including challenges in the housing...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established to deliver on the National Strategic Objective in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities and directly supports the objectives of Our Rural Future, the Government’s 5 year strategy for rural development. Calls for applications...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department. The annual grant, which is currently payable at a rate of €1,850, is available to all carers providing full-time care to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. According to the records of my department, an application for Carer's Support Grant has not been received from...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 996,000...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has allocated Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) to the individuals referred to by the Deputy. Letters issued on 19th May 2021 with details of their PPSNs. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Maternity Benefit is paid at a weekly flat rate of €245 for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions. The rate of Maternity Benefit is in line with the rates of Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit. In 2020, the total cost of maternity benefit was €258...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Claimants with cohabiting partners are recognised within the social welfare system as having additional needs in cases where their cohabiting partner is financially dependent upon them. The payment of an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) in addition to the personal rate of payment reflects these additional household needs. The IQA is payable in respect of a person who is wholly or...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. The Blind Pension is one of a range of means-tested payments provided by the Department. It is paid to blind people and certain people with low vision, aged 18 and up to the age of 66 who are habitually resident in the State. At the end of April 2021 there were 1,069 persons in receipt of the Blind Pension. The means assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Blind pension is a residency based means tested payment paid to blind and visually impaired people between the age of 18 and 66 who are habitually resident in the State. There are currently 1,069 customers in receipt of blind pension. It is the policy of my Department that claims across social welfare schemes and programmes are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure the continuing...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity Pension (IP) is a pension paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical conditions and is not means tested. Under legislative provisions set out in Section 118 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, a person in receipt of or entitled to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Immigration Support Services (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Labour market activation policies delivered by the Public Employment Service (PES) of my Department are designed to assist people in finding employment. Public employment services are available to International protection applicants with permission from the Department of Justice to access the labour market. For a person in receipt of a jobseeker payment, activation is delivered through...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Social welfare legislation provides for the manner in which a person's means are assessed for social assistance schemes. In summary, any income or capital, with certain exceptions and disregards, belonging to the person and his / her spouse, partner or co-habitant is assessable for social welfare means testing purposes. Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Reports (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 414, 415 and 428 together. My Department has commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability. I understand that a final report is expected to be submitted to the Department shortly. I look forward to receiving this very important report which will provide a valuable input to inform policy direction in...