Results 2,701-2,720 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Social Welfare Appeals Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the social welfare appeals system. I acknowledge that there has been an understandable level of concern about appeal processing times in the past few years and appreciate that this is what prompted Deputy Willie O'Dea's proposals. Appeal processing times are always a matter of concern, particularly when they impact on those who are most vulnerable in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Initiatives (6 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 55 together. JobBridge includes a range of control and monitoring measures. Host organisations must give undertakings to meet rigorous scheme criteria before participating, they must complete regular compliance returns during the course of any internship, internships cannot reduce paid positions, there are limits on the number of internships that any...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (6 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (6 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: Section 26 amends the principal Act by inserting a new section 59IA which provides for the validation of certain civil partnerships which were carried out at a foreign embassy of the State. As required procedures under the principal Act were not followed, these civil partnerships are not valid under Irish law and would generally not be recognised anywhere but the assenting country. The Bill...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: No. The Deputy is not right about that.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: No.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: Is that with regard to civil partnerships or marriages?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: The proposal under section 59IA(4) is intended to ensure that the validation of a civil partnership does not adversely interfere with a person's entitlement under a will or a bequest or entitlement to a benefit, allowance, pension or other payment. The duration of this safeguard is for a period commencing on 1 January 2011 and ending on the day before the commencement of this section. The...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: It applies-----

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: -----where the marriage is deemed to have been valid from the date of solemnisation. The advice of the Attorney General on this matter is that a provision should be included in this Bill to minimise any difficulties which might arise relating to the succession tax and contracts on the family home under the Family Home Protection Act 1976.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: Is about civil partnerships. We must make sure that there is no question in this respect after legislation is passed. It is from the civil partners legislation from January 2011. It is to ensure that we are disadvantaging anybody in this regard.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Deputies for their constructive engagement on Committee Stage and on Second Stage and I look forward to the debate on the next Stage in the Dáil. I thank the staff present for the work that they have put into the Bill. It is quite technical in nature and it has taken a number of months to get it to this stage. The co-operation of Members in the Seanad and on Committee...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: That could have led to the divorce courts.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Section 4(C) mentions the registrar forming an opinion and these are guidelines to help him or her do so. I reassure the Deputy that the registrar will be trained on this through an extensive programme. In no way does it undermine the important element of marriage. It reinforces the institution. Anecdotal evidence exists that there is a problem...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: It is.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: Without legislation in the area, it is difficult to collect information. Based on conversations I have had outside the House, and the Deputy has probably had similar conversations, it is better to introduce this legislation to prevent an abuse.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: I know. I am not arguing because both of us are making the same point.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: There is data which shows potential abuse in recent years. I emphasise it is potential because neither the Garda nor the registrars has the facility to examine the data further. These figures can be sent to the Deputy if he wishes.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Nov 2014)

Kevin Humphreys: If a registrar forms the view an attempt is being made to have a marriage of convenience, is he or she required to inform the Garda Síochána immediately? It is the equivalent of an attempt at fraud. If this is the case and it happens on a number of occasions, it will dissuade others from attempting it. This would be the quickest way to ensure this provision in the legislation...