Results 2,461-2,480 of 12,033 for speaker:Regina Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Review (5 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested payment, made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people. Before a decision can be made on entitlement to CA, evidence must be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (5 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (5 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 21 March 2019, and was assessed as having 362 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. As their contributions fall short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for State pension (contributory), the claim was disallowed. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 10 June 2019, and provided...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Local Employment Service (5 Nov 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Local Employment Services are contracted by my Department on an annual basis to provide activation services to those on the Live Register, as well as “drop-ins” to these services. These contracts are reviewed annually to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in the context of the Irish labour market, as well as providing value for money for taxpayers. Indecon, in its reviews...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Labour Activation Programmes (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: My Department is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment or self-employment. There are a range of supports available to people with long term illness to assist them to enter employment. Community employment...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: In Budget 2020, I announced that recipients of Carer’s Allowance would be allowed to increase the number of hours they can work, study or attend a training course, outside the home, from 15 to 18.5 hours per week.  Over 1,200 family carers are expected to benefit from this change at an estimated cost of €11.6 million.  I particularly prioritised...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Commencement of Legislation (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Bill completed all stages in Houses of the Oireachtas on the 15th of October and has been sent to the President for signature.  Following enactment, commencement orders will be made by me in respect of Part 5 of the Act and by the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the other provisions.  Parent’s leave and benefit will be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently engaging with representatives of CE supervisors to discuss issues arising following the 2008 Labour Court Recommendation (LCR 19293).  All parties to the engagement process have agreed that the detail of the discussions should remain confidential while the engagement is ongoing and I would ask Deputies to respect these...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative which provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and underemployed in their primary occupation. The RSS is a supplementary income support scheme which is delivered through 36 Implementing Bodies (IBs) or Local...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: According to the records available to my Department, as at 30 September 2019 there were 222,455 state pension (contributory) claimants in receipt of a state pension (contributory) (SPC) based on the pre-2012 rate bands. Under social welfare legislation, there are a number of ways to qualify for a State pension (contributory).  In the majority of cases, the rate of pension entitlement is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Working Family Payment Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment, which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children, relative to family size. WFP is designed to prevent in work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents and to provide a financial incentive to take up employment. There are currently 3,237 (combined total) civil and public...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The farm assist scheme is a means-tested payment for farmers on low incomes and is similar to jobseekers allowance. Recipients retain the advantages of jobseekers allowance such as keeping secondary benefits and access to activation programmes.  The estimated cost of farm assist over a full year for 2020 is almost €61 million and is based on...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: An application for State pension (contributory) has not been received from the person concerned.  Once an application is received, their eligibility for pension will be determined and they will be notified of a decision without delay. Further, I am advised that the address provided by the Deputy for the person concerned is different to their address held by my Department. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Legal Cases Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Chief State Solicitor's Office  (CSSO) provides litigation, advisory and conveyancing services to Government Departments and Offices. Generally, the CSSO provides legal representation in relation to  court cases taken against the Minister for Employment Affairs and  Social Protection. Where it is considered appropriate to do so, the CSSO may enter compromise...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Direct Provision Payments (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection administers the daily expenses allowance which is paid to applicants for international protection who live in the direct provision system where they are provided with full board, accommodation and other services by the Department of Justice and Equality.   The...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 335 to 337, inclusive, together. The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following table. Scheme Full year cost of a €5 increase Full year cost of a €10 increase Full year cost of a €15 increase Full year cost of a €20 increase Full year...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The estimated cost of increasing the fuel allowance season by the periods sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following table. 1 week increase 2 week increase 3 week increase 4 week increase Fuel Allowance €9.2m €18.3m €27.5m €36.6m It should be noted that these...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Living Alone Allowance (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The estimated full year cost of increasing the living alone allowance by €2, €3, €4, €5 and €6 per week is as follows: Increase Cost of Increase €2 €22.4m €3 €33.6m €4 €44.8m €5 ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Household Benefits Scheme (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: The Household Benefits Package comprises a choice of either Electricity or Gas Allowance, and Free Television Licence.  These allowances provide a contribution towards electricity or gas, as well the cost of the annual Television Licence.  Only one household package is paid per household.  Household Benefits Package may be funded from either Vote 37 or the Social Insurance...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (24 Oct 2019)

Regina Doherty: Rent supplement continues its important role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 18,300 recipients for which the Government has provided €132.4 million for 2019. Based on the current customer volumes and the spread of recipients across all counties, the forecast full year cost of increasing rent limits by 10% would be...