Results 341-360 of 798 for 5 million speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance (11 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The estimated full year cost of a €5 increase in the weekly rate of Disability Allowance is €43.1 million, based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. This costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Services Card (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: To date my Department has issued over 4.5 million Public Services Cards (PSCs). At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended PSC appointments and the online system used to manage those appointments. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...of this work over the course of the year. Access to reliable high speed broadband is crucial to the development of remote working facilities. However, I understand that there are already over 450 hubs throughout the country, in both urban and rural locations, who are providing these services. Commercial suppliers have invested in improved broadband provision in recent years, while...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. It is funded by my Department and administered through the relevant Local Authorities. Since the LIS was re-launched in 2017, over €58 million has been allocated for improvement works on over 2,300 qualifying roads. It has significantly improved access in rural areas, benefitting over 10,000 people. An allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The regeneration and revitalisation of our rural towns and villages is a key priority for my Department. Since 2016, my Department has invested almost €93 million in over 1,300 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A budget of €20 million has been allocated for an expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme this year - an increase of €5 million, or 33%,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas. The 2014-2020 LEADER programme for Ireland had an allocation of €250 million, including a contribution of approx. 63% from the EU. Funding is delivered by 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) in 28 sub-regional areas. Due to a delay in agreeing the post-2020 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (10 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...A number of Government Departments and agencies have provided investment for the development of remote working facilities over the last number of years. My own Department has invested over €50 million in these facilities since 2016 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. My Department has also invested in remote working...

Household Utility Bills Support: Motion [Private Members] (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...the Government is providing unprecedented support through the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to those who have lost employment during the period of the pandemic; — since last March over 14 million PUPs have been issued, with over 820,000 people receiving support under the scheme and the total cost of PUP to date is about...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The telephone support allowance (TSA) is an allowance of €2.50 which is paid to over 135,000 customers weekly.  The estimated full year cost of the scheme in 2021 is over €18 million.  To receive the allowance a customer of my Department must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and also in receipt of the living alone allowance and the fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Household Benefits Scheme (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...or who satisfy a means test.  The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.  My Department will spend approximately €265.48 million this year on HHB for over 472,000 customers.  The package consists of the gas and electricity element of the package and the free TV licence element.  In...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...of all BCPs which have been installed or which are planned at any point in time is available at: https://nbi.ie/bcp-map/.  Many BCPs have the potential to provide remote working facilities. I secured an additional €5 million this year under my Department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme for investment in remote working facilities at hubs and BCPs throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...approved by my Department, the site is declared 'live' and made available for public use. At present, 264 sites have been identified for site surveys and installation as publicly accessible BCPs. As of 26th January, 151 sites are in progress, with 113 BCPs declared 'live'. These sites are summarised by county in the table below.  NBI and Vodafone continue to install...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €93 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,340 projects across Ireland. From an initial allocation of €10 million in 2016, the capital budget for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme grew to €15 million in 2019 and 2020. The funding for 2020 was increased by €10 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Remote Working (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...plans to provide for remote working, co-working and community use.  Full details of the location of all of the BCPs, both installed and planned, are available at . I have secured an additional €5 million under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme this year for the further development of remote working facilities in hubs and BCPs.  I hope to be in a position to announce...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...our people across all ages get help in a quick and timely manner. I will now outline the position around the PUP. Since last March when the PUP was introduced, my Department has made more than 14 million payments to more than 820,000 people at a total cost to date of more than €5.5 billion. This week, my Department issued the PUP to almost 480,000 people at a total cost of just...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...post March but I wish to reassure Members that the Government will not be found wanting in its support for people who will continue to be impacted. My Department's Estimate for 2021 is €25 billion, which is €4 billion or €5 billion more than our normal Estimate and will be increased, if necessary, in the months ahead. As outlined earlier this month, I secured...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, and the enhanced Covid-19 illness benefit payment have been absolutely vital over the past ten months. Since last March my Department has made more than 14 million payments under the pandemic unemployment payment scheme to more than 820,000 people at a total cost to date of more than €5.5 billion. The size of those figures reflect the scale...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (27 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ..., due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and current public health guidelines, to provide definitive dates for the connection of those BCPs which have yet to be fully installed. An additional €5 million has been allocated to my Department this year for the development of remote working hubs, including at BCPs where appropriate. I hope to be in a position to announce the details of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Remote Working (27 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...year. A number of Government Departments and agencies have provided investment for the development of remote working facilities over the last number of year. My own Department has invested over €50 million in these facilities since 2016 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. A further €5 million has been...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (27 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: ...in town centres also have the potential to increase footfall, support local businesses and contribute to the revitalisation of our rural towns. In this regard, I have secured an additional €5 million under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme this year for targeted investment in remote working facilities at hubs and Broadband Connection Points. My officials are currently...