Results 15,821-15,840 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that a letter issued on 26th February 2021 to the individual referred to by the Deputy with details of his Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). I trust this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Farm assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers. The annual review ensures that the correct level of payment is made to the recipient taking into consideration any changes in their circumstances that may have occurred in the past year. The annual declaration process requires all farm assist recipients to make a return to the Department with supporting documentation as to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payment (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned submitted a Rent Supplement application on 18/03/2021. In order to assess entitlement to this support, a letter issued to the person concerned on 19/03/2021 requesting further information and documentation in support of her application. On receipt of the requested information and documentation the application will be assessed and a decision will issue to the person...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Family Resource Centres (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has provided circa €3.1 million in 2020 to the Family Resource Centres through the following schemes: Community Employment (CE), Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and TÚS. The following is a breakdown by scheme for 2020. Family Resource Centre - 2020 Scheme Payment Value...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 22 February 2021. They have been awarded the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) with effect from 8 June 2021, their 66th birthday. They were notified of this decision in writing on 26 March 2021. Calculation of a person’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The BTWEA is not designed to support individuals already in self-employment. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises and supporting the first steps into...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I recently signed Regulations which introduced a new disregard which will apply to Disability Allowance recipients who have been granted bursaries, stipends or scholarships towards completing a PhD. It is subject to an annual limit of €20,000 per annum (i.e. if a recipient gets more than one bursary, the combination cannot exceed €20,000) and is available for a maximum of four...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: A breakdown of the expenses claimed by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of my Department between December 2017 and February 2021 are provided in the following tables: SECRETARY GENERAL 2018 2019 2020 Total Subsistence €2,464 €1,235 €74 €3,773 Transport ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The introduction of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) in March last year was one of the key targeted measures taken by Government to support employees and the self-employed who lost employment as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, payments of the PUP issued to almost 450,00 people and to date expenditure on the scheme has been some €6.5 billion....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Following an appeal and a review the person concerned has been awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 12 August 2020. She was notified of this decision in writing on 11 February 2021. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 3 March 2021. The person concerned was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period 12 August 2020 to 2 March 2021....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 682 together. 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. CA reviews take place in a number of circumstances as follows: - If...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,557 schools and organisations benefitting 227,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Irish Sign Language (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns specific responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL Interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities as specified in guidelines (Section...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for the legislation underpinning the social welfare code, occupational and private pensions, civil registration and gender recognition, and the Citizens Information Board/Comhairle. Details of provisions in relation to the above that are yet to be commenced are set out in the following table. Uncommenced Provision Description ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the person concerned has not yet reached pension age, their entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of a formal State pension (contributory) application under the governing eligibility conditions when they reach pension age. On receipt of a completed application at that time, the person’s self-employment record will be verified. Their pension entitlement can then be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Job Initiative (JI) programme provides full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over who qualified for the scheme having been unemployed for a minimum of 5 years. The Department provides financial support in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the JI programme including JI participant and team leader wages, materials and overheads grants. Following a review of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Household Benefits Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: An application for the Household benefits package was received from the wife of the person concerned on 29 October 2020. She was awarded the Household Benefit package, backdated to her 70th birthday on 9 August 2020. The person concerned is not eligible for a refund in respect of the TV licence, as it was due for renewal before the date on which they became eligible and were approved for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The procurement of goods and services is essential to support my Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework. In accordance with FOI legislation with effect from January 2016, details of public contracts awarded over €25,000 are published quarterly on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a joint initiative of my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Among the first deliverables under the National Broadband Plan, BCPs will allow on-site public access to high-speed broadband in areas currently without adequate provision. These publicly accessible buildings are typically community centres, sports...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that an application in respect of the project in question was received in 2020 by my Department under the scheme referred to by the Deputy. Almost 250 applications were received under the relevant strand of scheme and the level of funding sought far exceeded the available budget. Unfortunately, it was not possible to fund all of the proposals received and the project referred...