Results 3,521-3,540 of 4,403 for speaker:Claire Kerrane

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (19 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 150. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports in place for persons that work in industries in which they have been placed on significantly reduced wages and working hours as a result of Covid-19 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26742/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (19 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 151. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that moved from the pandemic unemployment payment to short-time work support jobseeker’s benefit since March 2020 to date; and the number of persons on short-time work support jobseeker’s benefit since March 2020 to date, by month in tabular form. [26743/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (19 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 152. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have been taken off short-time work support jobseeker’s benefit since March 2020 to date; and the number of persons accessing or being moved different social protection payments following after they have stopped receiving the benefit by type of payment in tabular form. [26744/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Pre-Budget Submissions and Considerations (Resumed): Irish Local Development Network (19 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: I thank both witnesses for their presentations. I have just a couple of questions. The first relates to food poverty, which appears to be a growing issue. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was before the committee last week and its representatives flagged this as an issue that is going to grow as we emerge out of the Covid pandemic. With regard to the food banks set up by the Irish Local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Pre-Budget Submissions and Considerations (Resumed): Irish Local Development Network (19 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: I thank the witnesses.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Poverty (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: I understand all of that. Last year, because of Covid, the duration of the payment period for the fuel allowance was extended. When I questioned the Minister on the issue last year, including in the committee, I understood consideration would again be given to a possible extension this year. Many older people who had been cocooning for the best part of a year got no supports whatsoever,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Poverty (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: I acknowledged that support, which was vital for people, but I am really talking about older people who did not have any supports. I appreciate the budget increases and changes that were made last year and came in this year. That is fine, but I take it from the Minister's response that consideration was not given to extending the fuel allowance in the same way as last year. While the PUP...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending maternity benefit eligibility to women who have not built up the required PRSI contributions prior to the birth of their baby and the possibility of providing a partial rate maternity benefit in these cases; the financial support that can be made available to women returning to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: This question concerns maternity benefit. A number of women have got in touch with me who have returned to Ireland, specifically from Canada and America, who do not have the required number of PRSI contributions. Having returned, they have had or are having a baby and they cannot access maternity benefit. Has any consideration been given to partial maternity benefit payments or any similar...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Benefits (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: It is great to see those who have emigrated coming home to start a family and take up work here after being abroad for a number of years. It is especially welcome to see young people, who had left, returning. When they do come home, if they do not have the required number of PRSI contributions if they have been in a country outside the EU, I accept the supplementary welfare allowance is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Poverty (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 96. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered extending the fuel allowance payment period for 2021 particularly in relation to the serious financial difficulties many households are experiencing regarding making utility payments during this winter season and in view of the allowance being extended in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Poverty (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: Last year, the Minister extended the fuel allowance. That did not happen this year though I understand it was to be considered. Did the Minister consider extending it and, if so, why did she decide not to?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: While the minimum essential standard of living is met by the State pension in certain circumstances, that is just one tiny cohort of people when we consider the range of social welfare supports provided. I acknowledge that social welfare rates play a role in lifting and keeping people out of poverty. However, many of today's rates are set below the poverty line and are nowhere near the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: The survey on income and living, SILC, data for 2019 are the latest data available on poverty. The Minister did not mention that deprivation increased in 2019, which is alarming given that was all pre-Covid. I appreciate the previous budget contained targeted measures, but we need to start looking at core social welfare rates that have not moved in the past two budgets. A few weeks ago,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 10 o’clock I reiterate that if the plan is as it was in April and it comes to pass that when the Minister says there will be no cliff edge it would be a move onto the jobseeker's payment of €203, the Minister must recognise that that is a much lower payment for many people. In addition, we know already that of the more than 19,000 people aged 18 to 24 who are in receipt of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider taking steps in the next budget to begin increasing core social welfare payments to meet the minimum essential standard of living to ensure that those relying on social welfare supports are protected from poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26487/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Payments (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: Ahead of the budget, which is not too far away, I wish to ask the Minister about the core social welfare payments. Will she consider increasing them in budget 2022 to start the process of getting to the minimum essential standard of living, which is so important? Any social welfare system should at the very least protect those who rely on it from poverty.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: 69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to cease the pandemic unemployment payment by the end of June, as set out in the 2021 further Revised Estimate; if so, the plans in place for persons in receipt of the payment who will not, or are unable to, return to employment over the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26486/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: My question relates to the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, and its future in the weeks and months ahead. I hope the Minister will be able to provide an update on it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (18 May 2021)

Claire Kerrane: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. The PUP has been a vital support for people through the Covid pandemic. I recognise the work of staff in the Department in processing the payment, which involved a huge effort. This vital support will need to be maintained because people will continue to rely on it in the weeks and months ahead. Given that we are now approaching the end of May, it is...