Results 1,581-1,600 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I am delighted to be back in the Seanad. Last month the Government announced a responsible, balanced and pro-employment budget. The social welfare package included in the budget was carefully designed to ensure a number of core groups would benefit. They include pensioners; families with children, including lone parents; carers, and people with disabilities. The budget was prepared in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I have listened carefully and I will endeavour to touch on everything they raised. Senator Darragh O'Brien indicated he would table specific amendments relating to pensions and, therefore, I will deal with them on Committee Stage because it will probably take time to tease them out.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I accept that successive Governments have kicked the issue of pensions down the road but this Government has begun to tackle it. We had a major problem of unemployment to deal with and, hopefully, in our next term we will deal with the pensions crisis. I look forward, if I get the opportunity to serve in the Department, to deal with that crisis that successive Governments have left behind.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: Specific questions were asked about statistics. I will have those checked and my officials will send them to Senator Quinn, in particular, if we have them, in a timely manner. Last year, we introduced a neutral budget and gave a little back contrary to what many economists said. Five years ago, on all the programmes I saw or heard, every professional who had an economics qualification was...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Senator is the only person I see when I come into this House who constantly interrupts.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I showed the Senator respect by listening to him attentively.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: We made a start last year by putting money into the economy and that was very important. An unemployment rate of 8.9% must be welcomed. The creation of 130,000 jobs since February 2012 must also be welcomed. If we continue on that road, we will certainly be able to put many more fixes into the economy now that we are picking ourselves up from the economic crash and putting the pieces back...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The JobBridge scheme will be reviewed. The tender documents for that review have been issued and we should get those documents back early next year. When I became Minister of State I introduced a reform under the Tús scheme with a move from the random selection process in place to allowing some 20% self-referral, which has worked extremely well. I thank the Senator for his comments...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Senator raised that matter in respect of pensions.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: We will have an opportunity to-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: We will have an opportunity to tease it out further if the Senator wishes. I always reflect on contributions made in this House.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Data (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. Since the introduction of the JobBridge Scheme on 1 July 2011, a total of 44,394 people have commenced an internship, there are currently 4,766 participants on the scheme, and a total of 1,398 of these are under the age of 26. Participants on JobBridge receive an internship allowance equivalent to their weekly Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Momentum Programme (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: There are currently 331 clients under the age of 26 on the Momentum Programme, 152 of which receive the weekly rate of €160. Momentum is an initiative which provides education and training to assist long-term unemployed people gain the skills needed to access work in sectors of the economy where there are job opportunities. All Momentum education and training projects are free....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Funding (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The training budget for community Employment (CE) has increased from €5.7m in 2013 and currently stands at €6.1m in 2015. It is anticipated that with the renewed focus on training under the programme that the budget will be fully expended in 2015. The training budget is allocated across the Department’s thirteen divisions. A level of flexibility applies in the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Citizen Information Services (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. It delivers on its remit to provide services to the public by supporting a network of delivery partners, which includes 42 local Citizens Information...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (25 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. It delivers on its remit through a network of delivery partners which includes 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tax Credits (24 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senator for raising what is quite an important issue. It is interesting that she said the issue of lack of awareness was highlighted at public meetings. It is good, therefore, that it is receiving an airing and if even one person picks up on it, that will be positive. The home carer tax credit is a tax support which may be claimed by a married couple or civil partners where one...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tax Credits (24 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: The figures the Senator has brought out publicly are useful. Some 82,500 families are receiving €61.9 million. One of the benefits of the joined-up thinking with the Department of Social Protection and Revenue operating together is to ensure the maximum number of people receive that benefit without having to go through the process of claiming. The figures show clearly how...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Family Law Cases (24 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, who is unavailable to be here to take this matter. However, the issue is very close to her heart and is getting her fullest attention. I take this opportunity to inform the House of developments in regard to the establishment of specialist family courts. As the Senator is aware, the programme for Government contains a commitment to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Family Law Cases (24 Nov 2015)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. For the information of the House, I wish to confirm that the groundbreaking Child and Family Relationships Act was enacted earlier this year and is due to be commenced in the coming weeks which I am sure will be of interest to this House. It will better protect children and their families for decades to come. It also contributes to giving...