Results 15,901-15,920 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for his questions. I will give some further reassurances on the local area employment services. I hear the Deputies comments and I am taking them on board. We have been down this road a few times and the legal advice from the Attorney General is very clear. These services have to go to tender. In the first phase, community organisations won out in two of...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I did not answer the question on the back to education scheme, so I will do so now if I may. The back to education allowance scheme is a second chance education support for jobseekers and people currently in receipt of the qualifying social welfare payments to undertake full-time second or third level education courses and retain access to the welfare payment. The scheme's main objective is...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The reason we introduced the enhanced illness benefit was to prevent transmission. We wanted people to stay at home and isolate, rather than go into work. For that reason, we gave them an enhanced payment, which meant they had financial supports while they were not at work. That was the primary reason for bringing in the enhanced illness benefit. In terms of those who are ill beyond ten...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy raised a number of issues. Work is ongoing on the disability allowance, the blind pension and the basic income for artists. There is a principle in social protection, and this applies to the widow's pension and illness benefit. The principle is that a person gets one payment. Our job in the Department is always to keep people out of poverty and to provide supports when they...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy. On 7 December we published a report on the cost of disability carried out by Indecon. I brought the report to Cabinet. We have referred it to the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, which is chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. This group is responsible for monitoring the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this. The issue of auto-enrolment is at an advanced stage. I have brought proposals to a Cabinet subcommittee and I intend to bring final proposals to the Government very shortly. As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government commits to introducing a pension automatic enrolment system. It is a priority for me. I want to see this introduced. Only 35% of...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his comments again. I am not in a position to say what recommendations the Government will accept or otherwise. This will be a whole-of-government decision. There will be many discussions and, at the end of the day, we have to make the decisions that are fair and make sure the State pension, which is the bedrock of the system at the minute, continues. I always say...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the members of the committee for their contributions. This has been a good debate. I am glad that I have been able to outline the Department's position. I have also been able to hear members' views and take them on board. I thank the members for their co-operation and support in dealing with this Revised Estimate. Perhaps the Minister of State wishes to say a few words.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has already implemented a review process whereby performance metrics are formally reviewed on an annual basis and amended as appropriate. We review our performance on a monthly basis when I meet with the management team. If there are any issues that Deputies have brought to my attention or I have seen in my own constituency, I certainly raise them. I have seen many cases...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I take on board all of the suggestions made and I value them. I have made changes in the Department based on suggestions that have come from the committee. At the end of the day, we all want to make sure that citizens are looked after and that the purpose of all of the payments in regard to all of the supports we provide are to help people. I am happy to consider what was proposed by the...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Revised) (16 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: On that matter, I am very restricted in what I can say on the local employment services, the tender for which is subject to a live procurement process. I have outlined very clearly today the Department's position on that and I have given all of the information I can give based on the fact that it is a live process. Perhaps, the committee could appreciate that.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Urban Development (15 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.  This publication represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.  It  contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.  In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Defective Building Materials (15 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has a capital budget of €192 million in 2022, with the National Development Plan providing for total funding of €962 million for the period 2021 to 2025.  This funding supports a wide range of schemes including, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal, the Local Improvement Scheme, public libraries and the CLÁR...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (15 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department provides a range of supports to communities and groups nationwide in both urban and rural areas, helping citizens to participate in the development of their communities and providing funding to improve facilities. Administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in each area, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides funding to community groups and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Enterprise Sector (15 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like any other business, they pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives. My Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Urban Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The recently published “Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns” represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.  It contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise and run a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Urban Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 16 together. In December last, I announced €2.6 million in funding to deliver Town Centre First Plans in 26 towns across the country. The development of such plans is a central part of the Government’s overall Town Centre First policy which was launched earlier this month. The funding will support each local authority, working...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 23 together. As part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, clearly recognises the transformative effect that remote working can have for employers and employees all across the country.  In recognition of this, my Department continues to invest heavily in the establishment and development of remote work hub facilities through various funding streams. In May last year I launched the...