Results 17,301-17,320 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that the individual referred to by the Deputy had already held a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Letters with details of the PPSN issued to the person concerned and to his solicitor on 6th November 2020 and on 9th November 2020 respectively. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Carer's Allowance (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: 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. An application for CA was received from the person concerned in respect of her brother on 5 August 2020. It is a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Support Services (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: In addition to providing income supports, the Department provides a wide range of employment-related supports for both jobseekers with disabilities and employers seeking to employ a jobseeker with a disability or to retain an existing employee who has or who acquires a disability. The supports available include: Intreo Service The Intreo service is a single point of contact for all...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Back to Work Allowance (10 Nov 2020)

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 scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long term unemployed. The BTWEA is payable to self-employed individuals for a 24 month period from the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Inspections (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I regret it is not possible to provide the information that the Deputy is seeking as the information requested is not available. Where appropriate, details of home visits by Social Welfare Inspectors may be included in individual case reports. Statistical information is not available from this source. However I can confirm that no home visits were made by Social Welfare Inspectors during...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Budget 2021 introduced the COVID-19 Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme for the Self-Employed. The scheme commenced on 16th October 2020. The scheme is available to self-employed people who were in receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment or a Jobseeker’s payment in the week immediately prior to their application and are returning to or increasing their self-employment for up...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased that I secured approval from Government last week to establish the Commission on Pensions, in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment. On Budget Day, I announced that the planned increase in the State pension age from January of next year will be deferred, in line with our Programme for Government commitment. In this regard, it will remain at 66 years pending the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The ‘Plan for Living with COVID-19’, issued by Government, states that all museums, galleries and other cultural attractions, including libraries and mobile libraries, are closed to the public under Levels 4 and 5 but are available for online services. The public health risk is deemed such that people are being asked to stay at home, apart from essential work or attending...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan. At present, there are over 200 public access BCP sites scheduled for connection in 2020, in addition to 75 school BCPs. Up to 100 further sites are planned for connection in 2021. BCPs will be located in some of the most rural and isolated areas in the country, including 10 islands...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The ecosystem of hubs and other facilities throughout the country offering remote working services are a significant support to both remote workers and students at the present time. These facilities cover the spectrum from fully commercially-operating business models, to public sector and social enterprise hubs. A recent Western Development Commission (WDC) policy paper on remote working in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The 2014-2020 LEADER programme, which is co-financed by the European Commission, will come to an end in December as far as new project approvals are concerned. As the Deputy may be aware, due to delays at EU level, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The 2020 CLÁR programme was launched in May 2020 with applications invited under three separate Measures: Measure1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures Measure 2: Community Recreation Areas (new for 2020) Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support (a) Meals on Wheels and linked services (new in 2020) (b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport, Mayo Co. Council submitted an...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 839, 840 and 841 together. The current LEADER programme, which is co-financed by the European Commission, comes to an end this year as far as new project approvals are concerned. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a State-led programme to bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme and the next EU programme, which will...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Animal Welfare (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Following further clarification, I understand the Deputy is referring to my Department’s policy and legislative responsibility relating to the control of dogs and dog breeding establishments. The relevant Acts are the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. All operational matters in relation to this area are the responsibility of the Local Authorities....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 844 and 845 together. The current 2014-2020 LEADER programme, which is co-financed by the European Commission under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will come to an end this year as far as new project approvals are concerned. Proposals for the post-2020 CAP were launched in June 2018 by the European Commission. However, given the lengthy...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (10 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 (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The 2014-2020 LEADER programme, which is co-financed by the European Commission, will come to an end in December as far as new project approvals are concerned. As the Deputy will be aware, due to delays at EU level, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. I am not in a position to comment or advise on the particular matter raised by the Deputy, which may not...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cuanta agus Céanna (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Maidir leis an gCaladh Mór in Inis Meáin, beidh an Teachta ar eolas go bhfuil céim a trí liostáilte mar cheann de na ceangaltais i dTograí 2040. Tuigtear dom go mbíonn cruinnithe sách rialta idir oifigigh na Roinne agus oifigigh an Chomhairle Contae, ag plé na roghanna forbartha éagsúla agus an bealach is fearr chun an fhorbairt a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (10 Nov 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850, 851 and 852 together. The current 2014-2020 LEADER programme, which is co-funded by the European Commission, is due to end in December this year as far as new project approvals are concerned. As the Deputy may be aware, due to delays at EU level, the next EU LEADER programme will not commence until 2022 at the earliest. The Programme for Government...