Results 19,481-19,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 to 595, inclusive, together. When applying for any type of visa, including Type "C" Performance Visas, an applicant must submit their current passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after the date the applicant plans to leave Ireland. The applicant must also submit a photocopy of each page from all previous passports where available. As part...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has become a more diverse and welcoming country in recent decades. I strongly condemn the actions of the small minority of people who subject others to abuse or attack resulting from their own prejudice. These types of attacks cannot, and will not, be tolerated. Minister McEntee recently published a Bill to update laws criminalising hate speech and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm to the Deputy that the correspondence referred to has been responded to.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: On 25 February, I announced the immediate lifting of visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals. Any Ukrainian national in Ireland that wishes to leave and return to this jurisdiction may do so without the need to obtain a visa. If the person referenced has applied for and been granted Temporary Protection in this State then they should be in procession of a letter confirming same and should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: It is important to note that cleaning and security services provided to my Department are charged for on an hourly basis. It is therefore not possible to outline the number of operatives assigned to a site, as this is a matter for the service providers and will vary, depending on the hours required. The table below outlines the weekly number of hours provided for cleaning services by company...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Staff (29 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice to comment on the details of protection arrangements for office holders. I can confirm to the Deputy that the circumstances outlined in the Deputy’s question have not arisen in my Department. I am not in a position to respond in relation to the status of employees in other Government Departments.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this matter again. I would prefer not to put amendments on reports into legislation. That is my first point. When I say I will do a report, I will do it. Deputy Kerrane will agree with that. If I say I will do a report, I will do it, and I did do it last year. Like many Deputy across the House, I realise the important service provided by community...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I will.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am familiar with the case Deputy Kerrane raises. I have asked my officials to look into it. I was surprised when I saw it. Having said that, community welfare officers are compassionate people who do their best. We do not know all the details in the particular case, but I am having it checked as we speak. We will get to the bottom of it. I thank Deputy Sherlock for not pressing his...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy has raised this matter with me previously. The text message he received is very emotive, and we all deal with cases of people in difficult positions. There is a cut-off age here. I acknowledge the Deputy tabled an amendment but it was ruled out of order because, if I am to change the rules in the way it sought to do, that would have considerable budgetary consequences....

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I do not propose to accept the amendment on the basis I do not think legislation is the appropriate vehicle for reports, although I understand why it was tabled. The recent Government decision regarding the introduction of a national living wage stated the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in conjunction with the Low Pay Commission, which is under its aegis, will pursue options...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, that is what I meant.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am happy to give the Deputy this report, which is with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We have done the work on it and we are discussing how we can go forward. The Deputy can press the amendment if he wants. I will give him the report and all I have, however.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: No, it is not in the public domain because the officials are working on it at the minute. We are trying to come up with solutions.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The solution includes what the Deputy was talking about, which is the tapering tax relief.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: No, I do not.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As it happens, my officials are preparing a report on this matter, which I would be happy to share with the Deputy as soon as possible. I will point out that in line with the provisions of the EU work-life balance directive, parent's leave is not transferable between parents. That comes under the EU directive, which recognises the importance of equality between men and women with regard to...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this issue. I will speak, as the Deputy himself has, on the next two amendments together. I am not prepared to accept the first amendment, and I will explain that shortly, but I am prepared and happy to do a report. My Department is monitoring the work and the recommendations of the European Commission in this regard, and I understand the Commission...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for that.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. As I do not like putting these reports into legislation, I was not-----