Results 2,401-2,420 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Widow's Pension (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Under current legislation, entitlement to a Widows, Widower or Surviving Civil Partnership's Contributory pension (WSCPCP) is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership. My Department notes the judgement given by the Supreme Court on 22 January, with regard to entitlement to an unmarried cohabitant to WSCPCP. The Supreme Court recognises that...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the State pension age of 66. The payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at age 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66. This...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has a number of schemes that support community groups across the country. While my Department does not have any record of the organisation referred to by the Deputy having previously applied for funding, they may be eligible for supports through programmes that include the Community Services Programme; the LEADER programme; CLÁR; and, the Social Inclusion Community...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that there are not any ISDN, PTSN or copper-based leased lines in use by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Animal Breeding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. My officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, taking account of recommendations from, inter alia, the Report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the provision of an extension to Carlow Town Library is a matter for Carlow County Council. As advised in my response to PQ 2613/24 on 23 January 2024, my Department invited...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of non-public rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The 2024 was launched last week with a record investment of €40 million across 2024 and 2025. Under the terms of the Scheme for 2024, eligible road projects are those that involve the construction or improvement of non-public roads...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791 and 792 together. Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025, represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the development of rural Ireland. It sets out a range of actions for delivery across Government, and sets the strategic framework for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies. To date, 215 projects have been approved for RRDF funding of €414 million. The attached table sets out the number of applications...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants including towns identified for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Data (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department did not have any Acts or Statutory Instruments over the period of time referenced, necessitated to give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects across Ireland. Indeed I have just announced the successful projects under the 2023 scheme, with a further 82 projects set...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Local Authorities are key delivery partners for many of the schemes operated by my Department, and funding of €210,458,015 and €245,528,487 was made available to local authorities in 2022 and 2023 respectively. On occasion funds are returned to the Department for a number of reasons. For example, projects which have been pre-funded may return funds where the project is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Under the range of capital investment schemes impIemented by my Department, I have prioritised in recent years the development and enhancement of community centres across the country to improve access and provide suitable social spaces. This has been achieved through various schemes administered by my Department, which may be of relevance to the project referenced by the Deputy. These...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Offices (25 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Out of courtesy, I will reply. We have done much work on reasonable accommodation because employers were not taking up the grants. We want them to do so in order that places can be adapted for people with disabilities to come to work. That is the number one point. We put a lot into this, so it will be launched very shortly. On Deputy Fitzpatrick’s query, could he bring the case...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Offices (25 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The community welfare service is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and ensuring that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. It is a key service and deals with approximately 12,000 claim applications per month. Over 2,600 additional needs payment claims are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Offices (25 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy brought a number of incidents to my attention, which is particularly useful for me because we can learn from and act on that. The information pertaining to the people the Deputy has raised with me is confidential. We have gone through all of that and have come back to the Deputy with an answer. The intention is not to lose documents or anything like that. The tracking of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Offices (25 Apr 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy and I think the same way on this. We want people to get their money. Like the Deputy, I want them to get it when they need it. We are sorting out the issues the Deputy has raised with me and will learn from them. I advise all Deputies to bring any issues to my attention and I will take them up and see whether we can get them sorted. The Department of Social Protection is here...