Results 481-500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Commissions of Investigation (16 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm to the Deputy that there has been no Commission of Investigation under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development since it was established in July 2017.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to the debate. It is fair to say that whether one is a pensioner, a carer, a person with a disability or a working family, the measures in this budget were designed to reach the people who need it most. This year's budget represents the largest social welfare package in the history of the State. Many of the social protection measures announced...

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There is. The Deputy took that out of last year's speech.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There will be a treat when you turn up at the door.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I do not know what tricks you have up your sleeve. There will be some treats.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Bigger budgets.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." While the rate of inflation has eased, prices of everyday items remain high. It is still expensive to do the weekly shop, to fuel your car, pay your bills and make ends meet. That is why this Government put together a budget that supports families and our most vulnerable, and puts money back in people's pockets. I will now turn to...

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: -----to enable these important measures to be implemented.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I am a bit old for that. Deputy McGrath could try it.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Section 16 and Schedule 1 provide for increases in the rates of social insurance payments. I am very pleased to say that there will be a €12 increase per week in the maximum personal rate of PRSI-based benefits. Section 17 and Schedule 2 provide for increases in social assistance or, in other words, means-tested payments. It also provides for increases to qualified adults and...

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: They were all working away to make sure that people had the money they needed. I just want to acknowledge that. As I said, through it all, and with the help of this can-do culture of the team, we have stayed the course. I have learned at this stage, of course, that no matter what we do, it is not going to please everybody and there will always be calls to do more. I accept that but we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There is a process.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy was strong on process last night.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy knows the process.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: That is it.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent / guardian 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 where the level of the child's disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned reached pension age on 13 June 2020. The records of my Department show that the person concerned paid Class S contributions from 1995 to 2001. There are no subsequent paid contributions on their record. Self-employed Class S contributions are not reckonable for the award of credits. As such, there was no entitlement to credited contributions for any of the years after...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned recently applied for Fuel Allowance. The current means threshold for a person aged under 70 years is €477.30. This includes income of up to €200 above the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, which is €277.30. The means of the person concerned were assessed at €505.50, which is over the means threshold. As a result, their Fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Social welfare legislation provides that means tests take account of the income and assets of the person (and their spouse or partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. The means assessment includes income from sources such as employment, self-employment, and occupational pensions. It also includes property owned, other than the family home, and capital such as savings, shares,...