Results 17,121-17,140 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Data Collection (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, my Department carries out its functions within the bounds of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) and of Data Protection legislation at all times. The Department does not, as the Deputy suggests, disregard data protection rules when assessing entitlement for a scheme. The number of refused One Parent Family Payment applications for the last five...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, like all Government departments and agencies, is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget. The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new demands across a wide range of services. This is to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that it made enquiries with the Deputy's office as to whether this question related to a particular appeal. It was advised that a general reply was being sought. The published aims of the Social Welfare Appeals Office are to provide an independent, accessible and fair appeals service with regard to entitlement to social welfare payments...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is aware of the challenges facing the community and voluntary sector in Ireland, and is committed to working with the sector to manage these challenges. In 2019, my Department published Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities - A five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024. The strategy reaffirms the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: All procurement within my Department takes place in the context of national guidance, and national and EU requirements and regulations. My Department has not awarded any contracts over €25,000 which were found to be non-compliant with these requirements over the period 1st January 2019 to date. I would note that during this period there have been 2 contracts over €25,000...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department, which was established in July 2017, did not make application to wave pre-legislative scrutiny of primary or secondary legislation from 2017 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Chief Data Protection officer in the Department of Rural and Community Development is employed at the grade of Assistant Principal Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Vacant Properties (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government includes a commitment for an expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy. The focus of the initiative is on renovating or repurposing properties for residential use rather than providing a specific incentive for young persons to purchase vacant properties. In October 2018, my...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has not undertaken any tribunals, enquiries or investigations to-date.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was adapted this year to assist towns and villages to respond to the impact of COVID-19. The scheme, which has a budget of €25 million this year including €10 million as part of the Government’s July Stimulus Package, includes two separate funding Measures - an Accelerated Measure and a Standard Measure. The Accelerated Measure was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 995 and 997, inclusive, together. The 2014-2020 LEADER programme is due to finish at the end of this year as far as new project commitments are concerned. Due to delays in agreeing the post-2020 EU Budget, the next EU LEADER programme will not commence until 2022 at the earliest. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The 2014-2020 LEADER programme is due to finish at the end of this year as far as new project commitments are concerned. Due to delays in agreeing the post-2020 EU Budget, the next EU LEADER programme will not commence until 2022 at the earliest. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a State-led programme to bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The Measures being funded through this year's programme are: Measure1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures Measure 2: Community Recreation Areas (new for 2020) Measure 3: Community Well-being Support - Meals on Wheels and linked services...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as cycleways, walking trails, blueways and mountain access routes in countryside areas. The 2020 scheme was launched on 29th May last and is funded by my Department in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The 2020 scheme has an indicative budget of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Invalidity Pension (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who are permanently incapable of work because of a long-term illness or disability.  To qualify for an award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions.  At 66, those on Invalidity pension transfer automatically to the State Pension (Contributory) at the full rate.  Invalidity...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) for businesses impacted by COVID-19 is awarded to self-employed people who meet the required qualifying conditions.  It is open to the person concerned to apply for the ESG when she returns to self-employment and has closed her Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  Funding can be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Proposed Legislation (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions.   The Government confirmed as part of its Budget 2021 measures that the required...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The requirement for recipients to sign for their cash payment is an important tool in helping to prevent the fraudulent collection of social welfare payments by unauthorised persons.  This is done by means of an electronic signing pad.  An electronic signature can only be captured by using a purpose-made stylus which is physically connected to the signing pad.  The signature...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The approximate value of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) payments issued to customers in counties Cavan and Monaghan, from 01 June to 17 Novembers inclusive, is  €66 million euro. €34.8 million has been paid to customers in county Cavan, and €31.2 million has been paid to customers in county Monaghan. The table below sets out these values with the recipient...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Driver Licences (19 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Training Support Grant provided by my Department is designed to fund quick access to short-term training to support individual jobseekers access work opportunities.  Total expenditure on this grant amounted to €2.2m in 2019 and approx. 5,600 individuals were supported.  As part of the July Jobs Stimulus the funding available to a jobseeker under this grant has...