Results 14,661-14,680 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Greenways Provision (22 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. Louth County Council were approved for funding of €200,000 under the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for the development and enhancement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The focus of the Local Improvement Scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. There was no funding for the Local Improvement Scheme for a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: In respect of the Charities Regulator and Water Safety Ireland neither organisation incurred any interest charges for savings on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced. Details are outlined below on bodies under the responsibility of my Department that have been charged interest for savings on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced:...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (22 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different Measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas  that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.  The Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities Measure (Measure 2)  of the  CLÁR 2021 programme includes provision for funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that all workers employed by my Department are Civil Servants on Civil Service pay scales.  The living wage at €12.30 per hour, based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week, equates to an annual salary of €23,747.  There are no staff employed in my Department earning less than the living wage. There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (17 Jun 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 approx. 999,000...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory income support for qualifying employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to Covid-19. As employments are continuing to reopen with the lifting of public health restrictions the number of people in receipt of the PUP are reducing with some 267,000 supported by the payment this week. This support is available to all...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant (TSG), available through my Department, can be used for the purchase of training (where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time) or for certain other expenditures such as purchase of tools or travel costs to job interviews. The TSG can be made available to jobseekers who have registered with the Employment Service and undertaken a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant, available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. The grant can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. The grant can be used for training up to level 6 on the QQI...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Below in tabular format are the Vote headings and sub-headings for my Department. The listing covers the year 2020 and is currently subject to audit by the C&AG.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme providing income support for those aged 18 to 66 years who lost employment due to consequences of the pandemic. The age condition for the scheme is aligned with that under the Jobseekers supports and there are no plans to amend this condition. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of CA in respect of her husband from 19 February 2015. The Medical...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them and public information campaigns are an important part of this work. During the period 01 January 2021 to 12 June 2021,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them, especially during the ongoing pandemic, and public information campaigns are an important part of this work. During...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: There has been no expenditure on public relations consultancy by the Department of Social Protection, or by any of the agencies under its aegis, since January 2021. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, in conjunction with all Government Departments and Offices, moved its banking operations to Danske Bank on foot of a Government Decision to tender for an “All of Government” Banking Service. This migration of the Department’s banking services to the new provider, Danske Bank, was completed last month. One of the last banking migration phases was the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Throughout the period referred to, the country continued to be severely affected by the effects of the pandemic and unprecedented numbers of people suffered job losses and temporary lay-offs as a result of public health restrictions. Throughout this time, thanks to the monumental efforts of the staff of my Department, we have continued to provide vital income supports, through the Pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Social welfare legislation provides for backdating of State pension (contributory) for 6 months from the date of receipt of the claim. Backdating of a late claim beyond 6 months may be considered in circumstances where the failure to claim arose as a result of - 1) incorrect information being supplied by the Department or2) the claimant's incapacity by illness or infirmity to make a claim or...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Research consistently shows the importance of decent employment in supporting positive outcomes for the individual and for society. I am keenly aware of the role of employment in developing personal capabilities and potential, deepening social connections and enabling full participation and inclusion in society. My Department is committed to assisting all individuals in society to prepare...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (17 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The primary legislation governing the manner and time limits within which claims for social welfare payments should be made is set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, and associated regulations. The legislation requires that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises. This is referred to as...