Results 18,841-18,860 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household. The Job Initiative Scheme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if, for the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application the person had been continuously incapable of work and a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household. Fuel Allowance is a household payment and the status and means of all members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (26 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability or condition and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (26 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: According to the records of my Department, a letter issued to the person concerned on 24/10/2022 requesting further information in support of her application for an Exceptional Needs Payment. When this information is returned, the person’s application will be processed promptly. I trust this clarifies the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model within the lifetime of the policy. This will aim to ensure Departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities and the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, the development of a rural-proofing model is a key commitment in Our Rural Future, and work is progressing well on it in conjunction with other Departments. I do not want it to be a box-ticking exercise. We want other Departments to engage meaningfully, so it is important we get it right. We do hold other Departments to account through Our Rural Future. We have a work programme...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Obviously, like the Deputy, I am aware of the change in the status of the Border and western region, but from my Department’s point of view, there has been unprecedented investment in that area. I am aware of the challenges faced by inland counties, such as my own county of Monaghan, the Deputy’s county of Roscommon, Leitrim, and Longford - although not in that region - and I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The local improvement scheme, LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. Rural connectivity is an important element in Our Rural Future. Such roads represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents, providing access to people’s homes and farms as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Roads were always funded by the Department of Transport. In fairness to Deputy Michael Ring, when he became Minister in the Department, he started to fund them. No more than Deputy Kerrane, we are rural Deputies and know the benefits. He created a fund within the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Department of Transport has a very large capital budget, far in excess of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I appreciate the help of the Deputy in convincing people of the benefits of the scheme. I know all rural Deputies feel the same. The issue was raised in the House recently. Perhaps we can convince the Department of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to help us deal with the backlog and get rid of it. As I said, some counties are doing quite well and have nearly cleared their backlog. Others...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: LEADER is a key programme in Our Rural Future and I am happy to confirm that the expression of interest stage to select the groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area have also been announced as part of this process. The procedure to select LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. Central to the formation of the groups will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER allocation for Cork is almost €21 million, up from €13.9 million in the previous programme, which is a 50% increase. It is the highest allocation in the country, so they should be pleased to see that. My focus is on delivery. It is based on the population and level of deprivation of the area, so that is taken into consideration as well. The Deputy gave me the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Cork's funding is up by 50%, which will make a considerable difference on the ground. Whether it is LEADER, the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme, the outdoor recreation fund; CLÁR, the new community centre investment fund, the streetscape scheme or the community enhancement programme, there is a funding scheme for everything and each scheme...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department introduced specific supports, interventions and funding packages in response to Covid-19, having assessed the emerging needs of urban and rural communities impacted by Covid-19. My Department was also instrumental in setting up the local authority community response forum, or community call forums, which had a particular focus on vulnerable people in our communities. A review...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is right that there are many learnings from Covid. I met a group of women last week - I do not know whether you would call them women's sheds, hen's sheds, sisters' sheds or whatever - to see how we can develop a national organisation similar to the men's sheds, because women do not have such an organisation in place. One lady from Dublin said she lost her mother during Covid and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The National Economic and Social Council report was positive and suggested lessons can be learned from the community call. The Deputy is right. He mentioned addiction. Two weeks ago I was in Fettercairn, out beside Tallaght, where there is a group called Connect. I think it is funded by the partnership. Its members go out at night, identify people who are vulnerable, bring them in and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. This year my Department had a budget of €378 million, which is utilised to provide supports to both urban and rural communities. The national development plan also places a particular focus on solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare and jobs growth for communities in every region. My Department supports the development of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate my focus is first and foremost on supporting rural communities. That is my priority as Minister for Rural and Community Development. Many of my Department's funding programmes, such as CLÁR and the rural regeneration fund, are specifically targeted at rural towns, villages and parishes. For the larger urban population areas the Government has the urban...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am being given the job of doing the elbowing. I take Deputy Bruton's point. I appreciate there are bigger communities, more people moving in and facilities are needed. I secured €20 million for a fund targeted at new-build community centres. That fund can be drawn down in both rural and urban areas. It will be targeted specifically at areas where there has been population growth...