Results 14,601-14,620 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding to An Garda Síochána. Since 2016 the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €500m, or 33%. This has enabled 1,400 extra...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Data Protection Commission is independent in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management, administration and operational functions of An Garda Síochána. The detection of and response to any criminal activity, and the distribution of Garda resources are strictly operational matters for the Commissioner and his management team. As Minister, I have no direct role...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the judiciary are, under the Constitution, completely independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The conduct of court business is entirely a matter for the Chief Justice and the Presidents of the Courts.  Judicial conduct and ethical guidelines are the responsibility of the Judicial Council. As per Section 6 of the Judicial Council Act 2019, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Gardaí. As Minister, I have no direct responsibility for this matter I am informed by the Garda authorities that as at 30 September 2021, the latest date for which figures are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Tackling criminal gang activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána. The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of a range of legislative measures. This includes the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was approved for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to assure the Deputy that I recognise the ongoing pain and anguish of the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane and I very deeply sympathise with them on their loss. As the Deputy will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge, Gerard Haughton, has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the purchase, allocation and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market.  The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long-term unemployed and is payable for up to a 24-month period from the commencement of their new...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision issued on 13 July 2021.  Under social welfare legislation a decision of the Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed under Section 317 of the Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned was recently awarded 2 Exceptional Needs Payments of €1,000 and €525 for white goods and flooring respectively. The application was assessed in line with current legislation and the rules governing social assistance entitlements.  If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the designated officer it remains open to her to request a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment and the aim of the scheme is to help qualified households in receipt of certain social welfare payments with the cost of heating their home during the winter months. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. The Department last received a claim for fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Direct Provision System (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Applicants for International Protection accommodated under the system of direct provision, operated by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth , are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities and services. My department administers the daily expenses allowance which is paid to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government commits the Government to use this research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy. My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland. This matter is significantly wider than the income support system which...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Registration of Births (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can inform the Deputy that the HSE is responsible for processing birth registration applications. The General Register Office has searched the Register of Births and have advised that birth in question was registered on the 19th October 2021. I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy. 

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the tables beneath. Fish Assist Recipients end of September 2021 County Recipients Donegal 8 Galway 21 Waterford 9 Other 12 TOTAL 50 Farm Assist Recipients End of September 2021 Carlow38 ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not submitted a recent application for an Exceptional Needs Payment.  For the convenience of the person concerned, an application form was posted to her on 19th October 2021.  Upon receipt of the completed application and supporting documentation, the application will be assessed and a decision will issue to the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Homeless Persons Supports (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned is currently in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) since 20/09/2021.  One of the qualifying conditions for JA is that a person must be capable of and actively seeking full-time employment.  The person concerned was previously in receipt of JA during the period 28/09/2020 to 23/12/2020 and had been referred to my Department’s JobPath...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.  For the purposes of the means test; cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 267 together. As the Deputies will be aware, Budget 2022 provides for the establishment of the new Community Safety Innovation Fund. It is intended that this fund will support investment in projects which will improve community safety. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay in 2022 of €2m. A...