Results 12,481-12,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department operates a number of schemes that focus on projects supporting the development of remote working hubs as outlined in Our Rural Future–Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. To date, over €83m has been provided by my Department through various funding streams to support the development of digital hubs and remote working facilities across Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As part of 'Our Rural Future',the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities and represents a vital piece of...

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. Like all Members, each week I meet people in my constituency office and discuss with them the issues that impact their lives. I fully recognise the importance of our social protection system. As a former credit union manager, I know too well the real-life examples of people who, when they fall on hard time, need the support of the Department of...

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It has.

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It has been backdated.

Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Before I begin, I know many workers tonight, particularly those in the hospitality and night-time economy sectors, will be worried by the latest restrictions. Almost €9 billion has been spent on the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to date. This Government has stood four-square behind workers every step of the way throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the National Strategic Objective of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities. The funding from the RRDF will also further the aims of Our Rural Future, the Government's 5 year...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.  These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators.  There are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 June 2021.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.  These papers were received in the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned is in receipt of Illness Benefit at a rate of €203.00 per week. The person concerned was previously in receipt of an increase for three children on her claim, which made her weekly rate of payment €331.00. This increase was stopped from the 17th September 2021 as the person's spouse began earning over €400 per week. This meant...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability.  It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical conditions and is not means tested.  Increases are payable for qualified adults and children.  People in receipt of invalidity pension transfer to the State Pension...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Tá mo Roinnse tiomanta seirbhís ar ardchaighdeán a sholáthar i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla dá custaiméirí. Tá an Roinn ar an eolas faoina cuid oibleagáidí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus na gealltanais mar atá leagtha amach inár Scéim Gaeilge 2019-2022. Is féidir le hIonaid Intreo agus Oifigí...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Schemes (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Social Protection has no role in supporting the project referred to.  I would refer the Deputy to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Parent's Leave and Benefit is currently available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019 for five weeks and must be used within the first two years of the child’s life or adoption.  The Parent’s Benefit scheme is family-friendly and flexible, allowing parents to take one week of leave at a time or for a consecutive period. Provision...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government commits to introducing a pension auto-enrolment system.  The objective of this commitment is to address the low proportion of employees in Ireland with supplementary pension cover, which includes both occupational and personal pensions. According to CSO figures, the rate of supplementary pension coverage is around 55% of the working population (Pension...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Maternity Benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). Following receipt of an application for Maternity Benefit,  a letter issued to the person concerned on 16 November 2021 requesting additional information in order for a deciding officer to make a decision on their entitlement. When this information is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the child referred to by the Deputy.  A letter with details of the child's PPSN issued to the child's mother on 30th November 2021. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Pensions Council is a body established under Section 26B of the Pensions Act 1990.  Its key role is to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters relating to policy on pensions and to represent and protect the consumer interest.  Both I and previous Ministers have asked the Council to give special attention to matters relating to charges.  On 4thMarch 2021 I...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The HSE is responsible for the registration of births.  There are currently delays in birth registration of up to six weeks in the Eastern Registration Area covering Dublin City and Council, Kildare and Wicklow. My Department has offered its support to help clear the backlogs. Child Benefit is automatically triggered following completion of the birth registration and any arrears due...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The following table provides details of the cost of heating and lighting in the Department’s premises in each of the last 5 years and for 2021 up to end October: €000 2016 4,252 2017 3,860 2018 3,810 2019 3,520 2020 4,018 2021...