Results 4,401-4,420 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs). The Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs). The Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. Following the Deputy's previous representations in this matter, on 19 June...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Parking Provision (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Accommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. The accommodation is typically shared with other Government Departments and Offices with limited car parking spaces available to staff.This has been brought to the attention of the Department's management who are currently actively engaging...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €410 million for projects costing €561 million. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Allotments Provision (16 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the provision and allocation of allotments is a matter for each individual local authority and interested individuals should contact their local authority in the first instance. In addition, my Department provides a number of funding streams which may be used to support the development of allotments. The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of Carer's Allowance by €6.50 per week is €24.6 million. An equivalent increase in the rate of Carer's Benefit would cost an estimated €1.3 million in a full year. These costings are 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: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability, requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care for at least 12 consecutive months. This level...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Section 37 of the Pensions Act 1990 provides that certain defined benefit schemes may be exempted from the preservation requirements of Part III of the 1990 Act if the benefits provided under such schemes are no less favourable than those required by the Act. Such schemes may be exempted by regulations made by the Minister for Social Protection with the consent of the Minister for Public...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 16th August 2023. It...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As announced in Budget 2024, the maximum rate for the State Pension (contributory) is set to rise by €12 to the new rate of €277.30 per week in January 2024. This was part of a range of targeted measures included in the budget to help older people with the cost of living. These include a Christmas bonus payment, a further bonus payment in January, a €200 lump sum...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: In late 2022, Minister Mc Conalogue was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. I met with Minister Mc Conalogue on Monday 9th January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. This group, which was chaired by DAFM, produced a report in March. I was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: In late 2022, Minister Mc Conalogue was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. I met with Minister Mc Conalogue on Monday 9th January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. This group, which was chaired by DAFM, produced a report in March. I was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Offshore Islands (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr, in July 2023 I gave approval to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier and Galway County Council is currently undertaking the process. I am determined it will be completed and that we will be in position to appoint a contractor in the first half of 2024. It is my understanding that officials from Galway County...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Offshore Islands (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As the Deputy will be aware, access between the islands and the mainland is the most fundamental requirement for those living on our offshore islands and is a lifeline for island communities. Access impacts on every aspect of island life, including health and welfare services, education, employment, social and family life and business. Affordable,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The town centre first policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development. The town centre first national office is key to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This is what we are trying to do. We are working with the local authorities and the town centre first town regeneration officers to identify these properties. For example, I was in Castleblayney on Friday and there is a brand new library in that town. It is in an old building that has been restored. An annex has been added on to it which is brand-new. The library is now a combination of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland and applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by the Department. The Department's funding for playgrounds is provided primarily through the CLÁR programme. However, funding is also available under the town and village renewal scheme,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Dillon and point taken. The Department's approach to funding schemes allowed local communities to identify the types of projects of most benefit to them and to seek support for their development. This is not always with regard to new playgrounds. As Deputy Dillon said, sometimes we need to upgrade playgrounds. I have to say when I was first Minister with responsibility for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Dillon. There is the community enhancement programme, of course. This provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities, including playgrounds in disadvantaged areas. Funding is allocated by the Department to each local authority. The local community development committee, with support from the local authority, administers the funding. We...