Results 15,041-15,060 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: When an appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer, the Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if determined as necessary, hold an oral hearing. Oral Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone and these types of hearings will continue. Due to the public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient deployment of Garda resources, including Garda stations. Following a review of An Garda Síochána's accommodation requirements the Commissioner decided that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational decisions relating to road traffic matters. For clarity, there are no summons issued for the failure to pay a fixed charge notice within the statutory payment window. A person who chooses to exercise their right not to pay the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. Our technical staff operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. Our technical staff operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (26 May 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. In any given year, the demand under the scheme exceeds the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together. My Department's ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). For operational security reasons, neither my Department nor the OGCIO will provide any details of its data security systems or those of the bodies under its aegis, as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I wish the Chairman and members of the committee a good morning. Before we start, I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery of the two members of An Garda Síochána who were shot and injured yesterday evening in Blanchardstown. This shocking event reminds us all of the dangers in which members of An Garda Síochána put themselves every day to protect...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising all those questions. I will try to take them but he should come back to me if I leave any out. As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a significant investment in the PUP. At its peak in May 2020, more than 600,000 people were availing of the payment and, as restrictions were eased, the numbers dropped to just over 200,000 in October 2020....

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. The first issue she raised relates to the PUP. As I stated, I am considering various options in terms of the PUP as the economy reopens. I am discussing it with my Government colleagues and I will be in a position to make an announcement in early June. We are working very hard on it and I am conscious of several issues that we are taking into consideration. As...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Joan Collins. With regard to the future of the PUP, I take the Deputy's point regarding the tapering. I am examining all the options and discussing them with my officials. I am also talking to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am trying to address this fairly. The one thing I have said is that there will be no cliff edge. I...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Carey for raising these issues. I thank him for his comments on the bravery of the gardaí last night. As the Deputy knows, we have supported many people through the PUP, with total expenditure to date amounting to €7.75 billion. We are considering the future of the payment. It is the role of the social protection system to provide a basic income. With regard...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his kind comments regarding the actions of the Garda last night. The incident was certainly a big shock to all of us. The Deputy and I were both in the convention centre and, when I came out, it was a big shock to hear that had happened. I acknowledge and recognise the community, which responded well, An Garda Síochána, who managed a very difficult...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Vice Chairman has asked me a number of questions. I will try to answer them. With regard to the PUP, we have collected a lot of data on the numbers in receipt of the payment. I do not have it to hand, but I have asked my officials for a breakdown with particular regard to those who have been on the PUP for the long term, that is, those who have been on it since last March, because we...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. That is exactly why it is so important we invest in our young people and give them the supports they need to find employment and show them there are better ways. That is something this Government is committed to - to helping our young people in every way we can. There were a lot of questions there. One was on the pensions for CE supervisors and why we cannot extend it...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 37 - Social Protection (Further Revised) (26 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I take the point the Deputy is making. It was a valuable scheme. It kept employers in touch with their employees. For some, employers received the wage subsidy scheme and it was passed on to the employees. Many employers topped up the payment and made up the difference between what they got on the TWSS. That was the purpose behind it. However, I take the point the Deputy is making for...