Results 8,621-8,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Following an announcement as part of Budget 2023, the Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €447 million in 2023 in relation to the increase of €12 per week for those on pension related payments. In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion during the coming months to help individuals and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that— (a) it ought to be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The Job Initiative Scheme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over who had been unemployed for 5...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The proposed investment approach referred to in the question has been considered by officials in my Department and discussed with other relevant Government departments and agencies. It's worth noting that, to my knowledge, the proposal has not been tested in a market setting (i.e., that no commercial pension scheme has adopted the approach proposed) and consequently, there is a lack of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Fuel Allowance operates as part of an overall system of social protection supports which provides assistance payments...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that— (a) it ought to be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department is spending approximately €1.2 billion in one-off measures during the period between the Budget and the end of the year to help individuals and families through this difficult period. These measures include the following lump sum payments: - €400 Fuel Allowance lump sum - Double Child Benefit - €500...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations and benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The following schedule shows the number of staff assigned to the Carrick-on-Shannon Intreo Centre in November 2020 and November 2022. Month/Year Carrick-on-Shannon Intreo Centre November 2020 16.73 November 2022 20.73* *Includes 1 temporary staff member. Staff numbers include those working in Schemes Payments, the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Illness Benefit is the main income support for those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance. The rate of Illness Benefit is calculated based on a person’s average weekly earnings while in insurable employment in the relevant tax year. The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year, for example 2020 is the relevant tax year for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: In relation to the Deputy's question, none of my officials have been funded to undertake a Harvard Business School advanced management programme during the stated period.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the once-off Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment or the Cost of Living Disability Support Grant introduced in Budget 2023. In the vast majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment. This means there is a constant daily churn in terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Welfare Services (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 723 together. The following table shows the CWOs currently based in Co. Kildare: Location No. of CWOs Full-time Equivalent Newbridge 5 4.8 Athy 2 2 Maynooth 2 2 Total 9 8.8 A CWO is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Household Benefits Package comprises an electricity or gas allowance and a television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment, or who satisfy a means test.The package is available to some people under age 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. The majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 727 together. At the end of October 2022 there were a total of 98.38 (full-time equivalent) staff working in the Parnell Street Intreo Centre, including staff who have relocated from the Navan Road Intreo Centre. I trust this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Household Benefits Package comprises an electricity or gas allowance and a television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment, or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. Only one...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned is currently in receipt of the full personal rate of Illness Benefit, €208 per week. This will increase by €12 to €220 per week in January 2023 as part of Budget 2023. Illness Benefit is not one of the social welfare benefits that qualifies for the double payments announced as part of Budget 2023. Illness Benefit is intended for people with...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Application Forms (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department is committed to the design, build and delivery of client-focused online services and is engaged in a programme of work to increase the Department’s digital and online service offerings, in line with targets set out in the Government’s Harnessing Digital strategy. To date, significant progress has been made in delivering online application services for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Application Forms (8 Nov 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department is committed to the design, build and delivery of client-focused online services and is engaged in a programme of work to increase the Department’s digital and online service offerings, in line with targets set out in the Government’s Harnessing Digital strategy. To date, significant progress has been made in delivering online application services for...