Results 5,761-5,780 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pensions Reform (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: There could be a case where somebody did not pay any PRSI - was self-employed or for whatever reason - who then started paying PRSI ten years before their pension age and then got a full pension. I do not think that is fair. The total contributions approach will do what it says on the tin. A person's pension will be based on the number of contributions he or she paid in. It is going to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospice Services (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We had a major national campaign last year to promote and raise awareness of additional needs payments. There were adverts on the radio and in the newspapers, and there was also an extensive social media campaign. We made a number of changes to simplify the process and make it easier for people to apply, and I am pleased to inform the House we recently introduced an online application...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospice Services (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. He and I both know funerals are a very tough time for a family, without the additional stress of worrying about the costs and so on. If people need help, therefore, they should look up the website and apply online, or call or visit their local Intreo office. Funeral directors tend to be quite good at directing people to these services. I am happy to talk to my officials...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Eligibility (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Last September, I announced the largest social protection budget in the history of the State, providing more than €2.2 million in supports. This was in recognition of the pressures facing households due to the increasing cost of living. In addition to the substantial package of supports provided as part of the budget, in February I announced a further €410 million spring bonus...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Eligibility (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I think we are talking about two different issues. A double payment and a lump-sum payment are not the same. Qualified adults who are not in receipt of a primary payment in their own right did not receive a lump-sum payment, but the October double payment and the Christmas bonus were both double payments, so a person in receipt of the primary payment received double his or her overall...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over 1 million users with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million. It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I appreciate the points the Deputy is making. I know people who have epilepsy and it is not easy for them. If someone loses his or her licence due to a seizure, that is an awful place to be. I understand that. As I said, I met with Epilepsy Ireland last year because I wanted to discuss this matter to see what I could do. The problem I have, one that the officials in the Department are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social Welfare Schemes (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As soon as I get the report, I will see what it says and consider it carefully. The first person I need to talk to is the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, because the Government has made some very positive changes recently in reducing the cost of public transport, particularly for young people. Perhaps we need to consider that in circumstances where someone is medically...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hospice Services (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Irish Hospice Foundation, IHF, secured a grant of €60,000 for research in budget 2020 from the then Minister for Social Protection. The purpose of this research was to carry out an exploratory investigation into the economics of bereavement in Ireland, a topic that had not yet been studied in this country and represented a knowledge...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this. In regard to CE schemes, we have made a good number of improvements and allowed people to stay on longer. We have changed the scheme to adapt to a changing labour market. We have agreed the State pension age will remain 66. We are bringing changes that will take effect from 1 January 2024, whereby people will have an option to work longer if they...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: No. I know the CE scheme provides services but it is a job activation measure primarily.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as the Minister for Social Protection. Under AE, employees will have access to a savings scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State. For every €3 a worker pays into it, they'll have another €4 credited to their account. These contributions will then...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Cost of Living Issues (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Government recognises the challenges of rising prices. In February, we announced details of a new cost-of-living measures package worth €1.2 billion, which included a €410 million Social Welfare package. These measures included a once-off lump sum payment of €200 to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment, which was paid last month. In June, recipients of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023. There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government and the Economic Recovery Plan include commitments to consider a pay-related jobseeker's benefit scheme. This would bring Ireland in line with the majority of other EU Member States. The core rationale for the introduction of a pay-related benefit is twofold. First, to recognise and cushion people against the ‘income shock’ that arises on loss of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Cost of Living Issues (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I fully recognise the challenges the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families in all areas of their lives, including increases in weekly grocery bills. The Government has, since its formation in 2020, provided unprecedented supports to protect people and families, first through the Covid-19 pandemic and now through cost-of-living supports. In September, I...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The number of Educational Sector Workers in receipt of a Jobseeker's Payment in the last week of August in each of the years 2018 to 2022 was 6,756, 6,939, 6352, 10,391 and 13,239 respectively. Educational Sector Workers, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during the school breaks can apply for a jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as the Minister for Social Protection. Under AE, employees will have access to a savings scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State. For every €3 a worker pays into it, they'll have another €4 credited to their account. The contributions will then...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education. Payment up to age 18 is also made in respect of children who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (23 May 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 101 and 109 together. The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an...