Results 12,361-12,380 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: When the Partial Capacity Benefit payment was reinstated in this case, the increases due in respect of the individual's children were omitted in error. This error has been rectified and the person concerned is now being paid their full entitlement of €146.50 per week. Appropriate arrears have also issued to the person concerned. I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability. The child must need ongoing care and attention substantially over and above that usually needed by a child of the same age. It is not means tested. The person concerned was notified on the 4th December 2021 that their Domiciliary Care Allowance has been awarded on appeal from the 1st October...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (9 Dec 2021)

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: Social Welfare Inspections (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Social Welfare Inspectors are appointed under the Social Welfare Acts to investigate and report on claims. An Inspector’s report is then used to inform the Deciding Officer, who is also appointed under the Social Welfare Acts to make decisions on claims based on all the facts and evidence available. A record of facts and evidence relevant to an individual’s claim is maintained...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I refer to the reply to Question No. 254 of 2 December 2021 which sets out the position in relation to the Department's energy costs. My Department's ICT managed service, including the management of servers etc, is provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). A budget transfer takes place between my...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 375 together. My Department was formed in 2017 giving a clear commitment by Government to support our rural communities and disadvantaged urban communities. This commitment was further strengthened earlier in the year when I launched “Our Rural Future” – the Government’s 5 year Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. It...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Digital Hubs (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025. In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 372, 376 and 384 together. My Department’s policies and funding programmes aim to deliver sustainable outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities. Funding is available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country. The amount allocated by my Department for urban and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371, 374 and 383 together. In delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support communities, including helping to address the issue of isolation for rural dwellers, older people and people with disabilities. Addressing the issue of individual isolation in communities has become...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched earlier this year. Earlier this year I announced details of a €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect in April and will cover the period 2021 and 2022. €65 million of this budget has been allocated to the LEADER...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 380 together. My Department delivers a wide range of policies and measures to support urban and rural communities. Funding strands include the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Community Services Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, CLÁR Programme, Local Improvement...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages and make them more attractive places to live, work and visit. The initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future– the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland. This year, in line with Our Rural Future, a key focus is to renovate derelict and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit. This year, in line with Our Rural Future, a key focus is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres to bring them back into use as multipurpose spaces, remote working hubs or as residential...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (9 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Copyright and Related Rights (Public Lending Remuneration Scheme) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No 597 of 2008) provide for a Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme in respect of the public library service. PLR is the mechanism by which authors receive payment for the loans of their books by public libraries. However, under these regulations, only printed books qualify for PLR. My...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 07 October 2021. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 December 2021. Any arrears due from 07 October 2021 to 15 December 2021 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 03 December 2021. I hope this clarifies the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (8 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The number of state pension non-contributory recipients at the end of 2020 was 95,465. However, based on the latest complete year of PRSI contribution data, 2019, there were 94,854 recipients, 4,888 of whom made a paid PRSI contribution in 2019, of which: - 30 made self-employed class contributions - 4,858 made non-self-employed class contributions - 10 made both self-employed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 16 September 2021. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 16 December 2021. Any arrears due from 16 September 2021 to 15 December 2021 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 07 December 2021. I hope this clarifies the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Correspondence (8 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The document specifically titled Insurance Company Data protection.pdf, which contains redacted data and is 17 pages in total, was received by officials in my Department by email on 27th February 2019. That email dated 27th February 2019 was sent to a solicitor acting for an unnamed third party and copied to officials in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (8 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: This Government continues to be committed to maintaining the post office network and for An Post to remain in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. My Department’s support for An Post is equally apparent. We are in the process of renewing the contract for cash payment services with the...