Results 1,521-1,540 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Data (9 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: A number of programme refugees are currently resident in Kildare. Programme refugees are generally entitled to supports under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, including weekly payments, assistance under the exceptional needs payments (ENP) scheme and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Depending on the circumstances of the individual or family, payment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (9 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 64 together. Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 62,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015. The provision for 2015 represents a transfer of funding in excess of €20 million to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Registration Legislation (9 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was signed into law in December 2014 and contains a wide range of provisions. The right to marry is a basic right and the institution of marriage is protected under our Constitution. EU citizens and their families have the right to move and reside freely within the territories of the Member States. Following a ruling of the European Court of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for primary care issues. The new primary care centre in Kells is being delivered under the operational lease mechanism. The centre is now complete and the HSE plans to move services there early in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: We had a long discussion on Second Stage on pensions. This issue is very close to the Senator's heart. I also know that as he has previously worked in the area he has considerable expertise in terms of what is involved. However, I do not propose to accept his amendment at this stage. I agree with the Senator that we need to keep the pensions area under constant review. Recently there has...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I mean what I said. The Senator has worked in the area.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Never.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Trustees must notify in writing the scheme members, any persons receiving benefits from the scheme and the trade union or representative groups representing scheme members before they make an application to reduce benefits to the Pensions Authority. Once notified, the scheme members or those representing the scheme members are entitled to make written submissions to the Pensions Authority...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank Senators Norris, Darragh O'Brien and Power for their contributions. I will not go into detail because, quite rightly, the three Senators and Senator Mooney have debated this matter at length in the House with the Tánaiste. There are unintentional consequences regarding this amendment in that it would: have an impact on company debt, investment and growth; affect an employer's...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I referred to the general situation, as did the Senator in his first contribution.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The second part of my contribution was a response to the specific scheme. My general comments were in response to the Senator's general point.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Data (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 62,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015. The provision for 2015 represents a transfer of funding in excess of €20 million to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to support the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). A review of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Direct Provision Expenditure (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the Direct Provision system. Government has provided €3.5 million for the direct provision allowance in 2015. There are approximately 2,990 adults and 1,100 children residing in the system of direct provision in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Services Programme (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together. The CSP is designed to address locally identified gaps in the provision of services to communities and to utilise the potential of community assets and resources that are already in place. Funding is provided in the form of a financial contribution for the employment of staff to deliver the service. The CSP became operational in 2006...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: School Meals Programme (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations which benefits approximately 217,000 children at a total cost of €39 million. An additional €3 million was allocated to the programme as part of Budget 2016, bringing the total allocation to €42 million in 2016. The Department initiated an inspection...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: JobBridge Scheme (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The JobBridge Scheme was introduced in July 2011 with the aim of providing unemployed people with an opportunity to secure work experience and to prove their competence to prospective employers. Participation on the scheme is wholly voluntary and is open to all jobseekers who meet the qualifying criteria. The criteria includes the requirement that applicants must have a live claim in...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Data (8 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €44.3 million for this scheme in 2015. In 2015, BSCFA payments were made to some 153,000 families in respect of over 290,000 children. The rate of payment is €100...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senator. I will not cause a row with him, but I do not accept that the Government has attacked older people. One need only look at the recent budget and the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill under discussion having regard to some of the cuts introduced by this and the previous Administration such as the Christmas bonus, 75% of which has now been re-established. We could have a...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I concur with the comments made by Senator Hayden. I have been asked what is the Tánaiste's mood. Previously people at 62 years of age did not have access to certain payments but they now have full access. On a voluntary basis, they can opt to avail of training, community employment courses and further education. We need to improve things. One can see from how the demographics of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Yes. The Senator made a point about the transition from 66 to 67 years.