Results 12,901-12,920 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (16 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. The Deputy will be aware from my response to parliamentary question 664 of 18 May that the correspondence of 15 December 2020 referred to by the Deputy was sent to the Garda Commissioner as it concerned matters relating to the internal governance of the association in question. I understand that the Commissioner will be responding to me...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Electric Vehicles (16 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not purchased any vehicles in 2020 or 2021. Currently my Department has two diesel vehicles, a 2007 van and a 2019 van. The Deputy may wish to note that the policy going forward will be to replace these vehicles with electric vehicles. To this end, it is planned to replace the 2007 van with an electric vehicle within the next two years....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (16 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 (17 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. 999,000...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory income support for qualifying employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to Covid-19. As employments are continuing to reopen with the lifting of public health restrictions the number of people in receipt of the PUP are reducing with some 267,000 supported by the payment this week. This support is available to all...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant (TSG), available through my Department, can be used for the purchase of training (where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time) or for certain other expenditures such as purchase of tools or travel costs to job interviews. The TSG can be made available to jobseekers who have registered with the Employment Service and undertaken a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant, available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. The grant can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. The grant can be used for training up to level 6 on the QQI...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Below in tabular format are the Vote headings and sub-headings for my Department. The listing covers the year 2020 and is currently subject to audit by the C&AG.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme providing income support for those aged 18 to 66 years who lost employment due to consequences of the pandemic. The age condition for the scheme is aligned with that under the Jobseekers supports and there are no plans to amend this condition. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

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 the person concerned was in receipt of CA in respect of her husband from 19 February 2015. The Medical...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them and public information campaigns are an important part of this work. During the period 01 January 2021 to 12 June 2021,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them, especially during the ongoing pandemic, and public information campaigns are an important part of this work. During...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: There has been no expenditure on public relations consultancy by the Department of Social Protection, or by any of the agencies under its aegis, since January 2021. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, in conjunction with all Government Departments and Offices, moved its banking operations to Danske Bank on foot of a Government Decision to tender for an “All of Government” Banking Service. This migration of the Department’s banking services to the new provider, Danske Bank, was completed last month. One of the last banking migration phases was the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Throughout the period referred to, the country continued to be severely affected by the effects of the pandemic and unprecedented numbers of people suffered job losses and temporary lay-offs as a result of public health restrictions. Throughout this time, thanks to the monumental efforts of the staff of my Department, we have continued to provide vital income supports, through the Pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Social welfare legislation provides for backdating of State pension (contributory) for 6 months from the date of receipt of the claim. Backdating of a late claim beyond 6 months may be considered in circumstances where the failure to claim arose as a result of - 1) incorrect information being supplied by the Department or2) the claimant's incapacity by illness or infirmity to make a claim or...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Research consistently shows the importance of decent employment in supporting positive outcomes for the individual and for society. I am keenly aware of the role of employment in developing personal capabilities and potential, deepening social connections and enabling full participation and inclusion in society. My Department is committed to assisting all individuals in society to prepare...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The primary legislation governing the manner and time limits within which claims for social welfare payments should be made is set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, and associated regulations. The legislation requires that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises. This is referred to as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Bodies (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As indicated to the Deputy in reply to his previous questions on this matter, the European e:Justice Portal contains information on both European Union law and the national law of the Member States of the EU. The Portal is maintained by the European Commission. Information is provided by Member States via the European Judicial Network (EJN). While membership of and responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice is leading on the drafting of the implementation plan for the Drogheda Scoping Report, and is coordinating input from relevant departments, agencies and the Louth local authority to drive the recommendations forward. My Department will maintain an oversight role on the implementation of the scoping report, in close cooperation and...