Results 941-960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. The person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate State pension non-contributory with effect from 10 November 2023....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has no role in setting the rules for payment of contributions under occupational pension schemes or pension products or for contractual terms in respect of unpaid maternity leave. During a period of qualifying maternity absence, occupational pension schemes are required to ensure that a member: • continues in membership of the scheme, and • continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (18 Sep 2024)

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. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that where a review has been sought on a social welfare application, the latest date for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Widow's Pension (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: An application for widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension from the person concerned was received in my Department on September 4th. In order to determine entitlement to the pension, a Deciding Officer must first establish if the applicant is the legal spouse of the deceased. Where a marriage took place outside the state, evidence must be provided by the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (18 Sep 2024)

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 referred to an Appeals Officer who has...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Sep 2024)

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 €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household. The Job Initiative scheme provides full-time employment for people 35 years of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I understand this question is in relation to the entitlement of the person concerned to the Household Benefits Package (HBP), rather than the Fuel Allowance. The entitlement of the person concerned to the HBP continues to be examined. The application has been referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of the HBP are satisfied. Once...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means test, cash income, including any additional pension(s), the value of any property...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 27th July 2024. The person concerned does not qualify for Illness Benefit as they do not satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions. It is open for the person concerned to make an application for the long-term, means-tested Disability Allowance. If the person concerned is in...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit. Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (18 Sep 2024)

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 nineteenth birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently in payment to approximately 677,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizens Information Services (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As you will be aware, the Citizens Information Service (CIS) comprises of eight regional companies that are funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body funded by my Department. The Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is also funded by CIB. As I have stated on many occasions, I absolutely acknowledge and value the important information, advice and advocacy...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Insurance (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: If a self employed contributor with earned income (for example from a business or trade) paying class S PRSI has additional work in the same year for which a class A PRSI contribution(s) is payable there is no effect on the class S contributions, and they remain on the person's insurance record. In relation to unearned income (for example income from rents or investments), under provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Reviews (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department currently has ten (10) live studies, reviews and research in progress. Details of these are set out in tabular format below: Live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned Scheduled completion date 1. A survey of employers to ascertain their views of the Department’s employer services. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned applied for an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) with their application for state pension (contributory) on 5 April 2024. The IQA is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: An application for a Personal Public Service Number from the person concerned has not yet been received by my Department. Information on the requirements to apply for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is available on . Over 18s, residing in Ireland must complete an online application, after which they will be called for an in-person interview at one of my department' offices. They...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: 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. Physical connectivity to the mainland depends on the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Animal Welfare (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. This legislation makes provision for dog licensing arrangements and the functions of dog wardens. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts. Each year my Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together. Artificial Intelligence tools are not currently used in my Department for drafting Dáil speeches, responding to Parliamentary Questions or replying to external correspondence. All staff in the Department have been informed of the Department's position on this issue. The overall position in relation to the use of artificial...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects. I was delighted to announce a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last. ...