Results 13,101-13,120 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy may be aware that the Criminal Procedure Act was signed into law by the President on 24 May 2021. This legislation is being introduced following recommendations from a number of reports in recent years, including those on reforming how we tackle white collar crime and corruption, and on increasing protections for vulnerable witnesses in sexual offence cases. The reforms...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The public sector duty as set out in Section42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014is consistent with the core functions and values of my Department, which seeks to value and promote equality and human rights through its day to day work, whether in delivering key public services, developing policy and legislation in an inclusive human rights compliant manner, or in doing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Disabilities Assessments (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to advise the Deputy that all proposals brought to Government are required to assess and declare that there are no impacts for the following: North/South or East/West relations, jobs, gender equality, poverty proofing, competitiveness and industry costs, rural communities, quality regulation and people with disabilities. Proposals from my Department undergo an assessment of impact on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that the criminal activity known as 'phishing' is taken very seriously by my Department and is the subject of ongoing engagement between An Garda Síochána and the banking and technology industries. Preliminary data indicates an increase in this form of crime over recent years. I am aware that Gardaí have highlighted scams of late where people have...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers the Walks Scheme through which landholders receive modest payments for maintenance works on approved walking trails that traverse their land. The payment is linked to an agreed work plan for the section of the trail maintained by the landholder. The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 45 trails supported by 2,040 landholders and is being managed by 16 Local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (29 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 Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The focus of the Local Improvement Scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. There was no funding for the Local Improvement Scheme for a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is strongly committed in its work to promote equality, prevent discrimination and to protect the human rights of employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by our policies and strategies, in recognition of the legal obligations conferred on it by section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014. All internal and external stakeholders can be...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Disabilities Assessments (29 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has not been required to carry out a disability impact assessment, but should the requirement arise, an assessment will be carried out as required by the Cabinet Handbook. Guidelines on how to complete a Disability Impact Assessment can be found on Dept. of Justice site here: . There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Pobal (Pobal is not classed as an agency for...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This emergency Bill seeks to bring the clarity required by business, local authorities and the Garda as the Government continues to support an outdoor summer. In line with public health guidance, Government policy is to have a gradual reopening of the hospitality sector, beginning with outdoor hospitality. Unfortunately, as Deputies...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I was not foisted anywhere.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Notification of a change in their circumstances was received from the person concerned on 7 May 2021 and a review was opened on their disability allowance (DA). The file has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and who are unable to find full-time employment. These statutory schemes allow individuals to work up to 3 days a week and retain access to a reduced jobseekers payment. Jobseekers Benefit is paid for up to 9 months (or 234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided for under the Jobseekers Benefit scheme, has been introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66. This new benefit payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Maternity Leave (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has responsibility for family leaves such as maternity leave and parental leave. Where such leave is provided for in statute, my Department has responsibility for payment of any associated benefit. As such, these matters fall to be considered by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The estimated expenditure on Disability Allowance in 2021 is €1.8 billion. The costings sought by the Deputy are contained in the table below. Increase Cost (€m) €5 42.7 €15 128.3 €20 171.1 The costs shown above include a proportionate increase for qualified...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test. DA is structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Youth Work Supports (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018 and was open to applications from that date. YESS was targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme aimed to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (30 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The July Jobs Stimulus set out the Government investment plan of €200m investment towards training, education, skill development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and job search and assistance measures; these measures aim to help those who have lost their jobs find a new one, retrain or develop new skills, in particular for emerging growth sectors. Building on the...