Results 8,021-8,040 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I just said, given that the Government has approved an approach on pension payments, potential benchmarking approach to other social welfare payments will, of course, be examined. Regarding the MESL, my Department has used this research as a key input into consideration of budget options in recent years. I value the insight this research provides and it will form part of the...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: On Committee Stage, I committed to initiate a wide-ranging review of means testing in the Department. I said I would review all those schemes. This review will with cover the treatment of income and disregards across schemes generally and will therefore include the examination of thresholds and their impact for both the blind pension and the disability allowance scheme. I take the Deputy's...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for that.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. As I do not like putting these reports into legislation, I was not-----

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can agree to report to the Oireachtas on the matter. However, I have to set out some facts relating to the ex gratiapayment. It is a complex issue as community employment, CE, workers are not State employees. This agreement was reached with both unions representing supervisors, SIPTU and Fórsa, arising from a 2008 Labour Court recommendation on pensions for CE supervisors and...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Joan Collins. As part of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025, the Government committed to finalising an approach for the benchmarking and indexation of pension payments and to consider and prepare a report for Government on the potential application of the benchmarking approach on a wider basis to other welfare payments. I am happy to share that report with the Deputy...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this issue. I will speak, as the Deputy himself has, on the next two amendments together. I am not prepared to accept the first amendment, and I will explain that shortly, but I am prepared and happy to do a report. My Department is monitoring the work and the recommendations of the European Commission in this regard, and I understand the Commission...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, that is what I meant.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am happy to give the Deputy this report, which is with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We have done the work on it and we are discussing how we can go forward. The Deputy can press the amendment if he wants. I will give him the report and all I have, however.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: No, it is not in the public domain because the officials are working on it at the minute. We are trying to come up with solutions.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The solution includes what the Deputy was talking about, which is the tapering tax relief.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: No, I do not.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As it happens, my officials are preparing a report on this matter, which I would be happy to share with the Deputy as soon as possible. I will point out that in line with the provisions of the EU work-life balance directive, parent's leave is not transferable between parents. That comes under the EU directive, which recognises the importance of equality between men and women with regard to...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy has raised this matter with me previously. The text message he received is very emotive, and we all deal with cases of people in difficult positions. There is a cut-off age here. I acknowledge the Deputy tabled an amendment but it was ruled out of order because, if I am to change the rules in the way it sought to do, that would have considerable budgetary consequences....

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I do not propose to accept the amendment on the basis I do not think legislation is the appropriate vehicle for reports, although I understand why it was tabled. The recent Government decision regarding the introduction of a national living wage stated the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in conjunction with the Low Pay Commission, which is under its aegis, will pursue options...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this matter again. I would prefer not to put amendments on reports into legislation. That is my first point. When I say I will do a report, I will do it. Deputy Kerrane will agree with that. If I say I will do a report, I will do it, and I did do it last year. Like many Deputy across the House, I realise the important service provided by community...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I will.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am familiar with the case Deputy Kerrane raises. I have asked my officials to look into it. I was surprised when I saw it. Having said that, community welfare officers are compassionate people who do their best. We do not know all the details in the particular case, but I am having it checked as we speak. We will get to the bottom of it. I thank Deputy Sherlock for not pressing his...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 18 January 2022. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused as her means exceed the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 27 May 2022 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (30 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I announced on Budget Day that my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion on social welfare measures to help individuals and families through this difficult period. These measures include an Autumn Double Payment, which was paid in mid-October to over 1.4 million people, including pensioners, carers, people with...