Results 12,121-12,140 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises. As part of the Governments commitments under the Pathways to Work strategy a budget of approximately €56.4m has...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that In response to reported increases in domestic violence, in August 2020 the Government agreed that rent supplement should be made available to victims of domestic violence, referred by Tusla or by Tusla-funded service providers, for an initial three months and, other than the payment of a minimum contribution, without the requirement of a means test. A means test...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The 2021 expenditure for rent supplement is €122.96m. This figure is provisional, subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The system of social assistance supports provide payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring. The application of a means test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that resources are...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was an independent body comprised of knowledgeable and experienced academics, pension experts, members of civil society and representatives of workers and employers. The...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Care Services (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister for Health, last week confirmed the payment of a Covid Recognition Payment as a once off, tax-free payment of €1,000, ringfenced to certain workers ordinarily onsite in COVID-19-exposed healthcare environments. The workers eligible for the payment will be: - public service health and ambulance workers, - those seconded or assigned to the HSE (for example: Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Care Services (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The cost of paying a once off €1,000 bonus to family carers would be dependent on eligibility criteria for the proposed payment. Paying the bonus to all carers in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant would cost an estimated €128.3m. This costing is based on the the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Ministerial Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The appointment of civilian drivers in my Department are made in line with the “Instructions to HR Managers on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil” and the “Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 33rd Dáil’’. I have dual responsibility for the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Rural and Community...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is currently working with Donegal County Council in relation to scoping developments that could be undertaken at Machaire Rabhartaigh Pier, the mainland pier that services Tory Island. These works will affect the type of boat that will be able to operate effectively to the island. The Department will assess the situation regarding the provision of the new ferry when there is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Domestic Pets (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 709 together. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities are responsible for all operational matters relating to the control of dogs. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate. The primary intention of dog control...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Food Initiative is administered at local level by Local Action Groups (LAGs) with overall funding allocated at a national level by my Department. Project applications are in the first instance considered at local level, with subsequent final project approval signed off by my Department on a first come first served basis. As with all funding programmes, there is a finite budget...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Broadband Officer role was established in 2016 on foot of a recommendation of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The role is intended to act as a single point of contact between telecoms operators and local authorities, between the local authority and members of the public and internally, between local authority business units. My department co-funds the employment costs of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Staff (25 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The appointment of civilian drivers in my Department is made in line with the “Instructions to HR Managers on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rdDáil” and the “Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 33rdDáil’’. Ministers and Ministers of State may appoint 2 civilian drivers. I currently have 1 civilian driver in my Department,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Arts Policy (20 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €140 per week. In addition, a 50% taper on earnings between €140 and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (20 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 over a full fuel season) from October to April, to 371,000 low-income households, at an estimated cost of €323 million in 2021.  The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs.  The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (20 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Following a review of the entitlement of the person concerned, their claim was suspended on 13 December 2021 as they failed to supply the information required in order to assess their entitlement. The requested information was received from the person concerned and their file was sent to a social welfare inspector (SWI) on 22 December 2021 for a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The person referred to was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied.  Notification of the decision issued to...

Violence Against Women: Statements (19 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: We are here today to speak about violence against women because a young woman with her whole life ahead of her was attacked and murdered in a manner that has shocked us to our core. Ashling Murphy could have lived in any community in this country. She could have been our daughter, sister or friend. The sad reality is that as women, we have grown up expecting to be on guard or feel...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Legal Cases (19 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The following table sets out the number of litigation cases where the Department of Social Protection is the respondent.  The Chief State Solicitor's Office, as Government solicitor, absorbs the costs of representing the Department. Year Number of litigation cases where the Department of Social Protection is the respondent 2021 21 ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (19 Jan 2022)

Heather Humphreys: According to officials of my Department there is no record of a recent paper application for a Jobseeker’s payment in respect of the person concerned.  It is not possible to check if the person concerned submitted an online application without an email address from which the application was made.  Attempts were made by officials to ascertain the person’s email...