Results 15,101-15,120 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages and make them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €93 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,340 projects in over 800 towns and villages across...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the National Strategic Objective of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities. The funding from the RRDF will also further the aims of Our Rural Future, the Government's 5 year...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I introduced the Streetscape Enhancement Measure this year as part of a commitment in  Our Rural Future. The initiative, introduced under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, is being delivered by Local Authorities and funding of €7 million was allocated at the outset. Approximately 120 towns and villages the length and breadth of the country are benefitting...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department was established in 2017.  The costs sought by the Deputy are only available from 2018 due to separation of budget lines and office relocation arising from the Department's establishment.  The table below sets out the amounts paid for gas and electricity by my Department in our offices in Dublin and Ballina for the years 2018 to date. Year ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Properties (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department currently has offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2, and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo.  The HVAC system in Trinity Point is mechanically controlled and draws in fresh air from outside to provide ventilation to the offices.  The system is operating satisfactorily and no upgrades are currently planned. The Department's offices in Ballina are...

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Before I begin, I know many workers tonight, particularly those in the hospitality and night-time economy sectors, will be worried by the latest restrictions. Almost €9 billion has been spent on the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to date. This Government has stood four-square behind workers every step of the way throughout the...

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It has.

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It has been backdated.

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. Like all Members, each week I meet people in my constituency office and discuss with them the issues that impact their lives. I fully recognise the importance of our social protection system. As a former credit union manager, I know too well the real-life examples of people who, when they fall on hard time, need the support of the Department of...

Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The turnaround time for appeals in the Department has improved over the most recent period. I have brought to Cabinet a request, as reflected in the social protection legislation I am bringing through at the moment, to allow for the appointment of two more registered officers for appeals purposes. That should help to improve any delays. In fairness, the turnaround time has improved...

Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In the recent budget, I made some changes in respect of those on disability payments in order that they can earn more without it affecting their payments. I will have to take the particular issue the Deputy raised away with me and I will revert to her.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I move: That Dáil Éireann hereby refers the carbon budget prepared pursuant to section 6A of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 6th December, 2021, to fulfil the requirements of section 6B(1)(a) of the Acts, to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, which shall, pursuant to...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Government clearly recognises the vital role that LEADER plays in delivering impactful rural development projects at local level and it will continue to support investment in rural Ireland. In the 2014-20 CAP programming period, €250 million was allocated to LEADER. For the seven-year programming period from 2021 to 2027, this funding allocation will be maintained. It is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I met the CEOs of all the LEADER groups just last week. It was a very positive engagement and gave me a good opportunity to hear a lot of what they had to say directly and to allow them to outline to me the really good work they are carrying out in their areas. Martina Earley, from the Roscommon LEADER Partnership in the Deputy's neck of the woods, outlined to me the different issues she...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Between 2007 and 2014 is some time ago. The 2014 to 2022 allocation was €250 million and this programme is also worth €250 million. The €70 million transition programme is over two years, that is, this year and next year. It would be fair to say you would expect to have around 50% that already spent. According to our records, we have approvals of €16 million,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I will the answer the question I have here which was on the mobile phone and broadband task force. The issue the Deputy referred is probably more suitable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I understand the Deputy's interest in the task force and the fact it should be reconvened because we worked together on it when it was first established and we achieved much. That task force addressed 70 actions between 2016 and 2019. These spanned a mix of practical and policy approaches that have removed significant barriers to the deployment of telecoms services in the State. The...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, part of the work of the task force was to appoint broadband officers in every single local authority in the country. They were in contact with the service providers and there was much good work done on the ground. As I said, 70 actions were completed. That collaboration still takes place today. The last task force completed its work programme at the end of 2019....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I will outline the specific actions that will be discussed and agreed with members before we publish our work programme for the task force for 2022 to 2024. The following broad areas are within the scope of discussion: permits, consents and planning permission, mapping and register of assets, geographic mobile coverage, consumer information and innovation, and proof of concept projects. ...