Results 12,621-12,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Data Protection (1 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has identified 3 data breaches since 2018 - 1 in 2018 and 2 in 2020. No data breaches were identified in 2019, or to date in 2021. The nature of breaches which occurred was due to information disclosed in error. In the case of each incident immediate remedial action was undertaken, and the Data Protection Commission was notified in line with...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (1 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Mahon/Blackrock and the surrounding areas is primarily a matter for Cork City Council. My Department has had discussions with Cork City Council regarding a new...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (1 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am working to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands, and I have made this one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy.  Furthermore, my Department is currently developing a new National Islands Policy, a central objective of which is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (1 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department recognises that economic sustainability and ready access to services are key to  retaining the next generation of islanders and to overcoming the many issues for island communities which arise from their separation from the mainland.  As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently in the process of drafting a new  National Islands Policy. A...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Protected Disclosures (1 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has not received any protected disclosures since its establishment in 2017. A Protected Disclosures policy is in place and available to all staff in the Department and its agencies. 

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (1 Jun 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (2 Jun 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....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Youth Work Supports (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the experience of past recessions indicates that youth employment tends to be significantly impacted by any labour market shock.  This is because many employers operate a "last in-first out" protocol when reducing their labour force.  Moreover, in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on our youth is driven by the tendency for many younger people...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (2 Jun 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....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity Pension is payable to an insured person who satisfies certain Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and who is permanently incapable of work due to an illness or incapacity and for no other reason. Claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions class (A, E, H or S) since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Both of the persons concerned are currently in receipt of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory).  A weekly fuel allowance is also paid to the household during winter months. The maximum rate of payment for State pension (contributory) was increased from €243.30 to €248.30 from 29 March 2019. The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2020 was announced in October...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department.  I can confirm that my Department received an application for the Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) from the person concerned on 17 May, 2021.  It is a condition of the Carers Support Grant that a carer must be providing full-time care to the care recipient for a continuous period of at least six months...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence.  The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test.  The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain long...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Enterprise Support Services (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Enterprise Support Grant is a fund which provides supports towards certain business start-up expenses for back to work enterprise allowance recipients who are commencing in self-employment. This grant is awarded with business start-up expenses where the costs have received prior approval from a Department case officer. The new Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant for the self-employed coming...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that information on jobseekers claims, including the Casual Jobseeker payments and Jobseeker's Benefit Short Time Work Support, is only available on a weekly basis, and that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the number of days for which a person is receiving these payments. Information in respect of the number of recipients of these payments for the week ending 30th...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Procurement Contracts (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: A request for tender (RFT) for employment services for seven counties in the north-west and midlands was recently published.  These new services, in areas of the State where no Local Employment Services (LES) currently operate, will constitute a significant expansion of employment services.  My Department expects to have these new services up and running in the third quarter of this...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Procurement Contracts (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department recently published a request for tender for employment services for seven counties in the North-west and Midlands. These new services, in areas of the State where no Local Employment Services currently operate, will constitute a significant expansion of employment services. My Department expects to have these new services up and running in the third quarter of this year. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The customer's application for Jobseekers Allowance is currently pending decision. A Social Welfare Inspector of this Department wrote to the customer in April 2021, requesting information deemed necessary in order for a Deciding Officer to make a determination on the claim. The customer forwarded documentation to the Inspector, which was received on...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Disability allowance (DA) is subject to periodic reviews.  The entitlement of the person concerned was reviewed and it was established that she no longer satisfied the medical condition for receipt of DA.  The person concerned was originally notified of this on 29 September 2020. Further medical evidence was received and a review of this decision was carried...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Table 1 : Under 25 in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit (JB), Jobseeker's Allowance (JA), Credits Only (JBCO) for 12 months or more JA JB JBCO 7,640 37 24 Table 2 : Under 25 in receipt of JB, JB, JBCO...