Results 18,781-18,800 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Public Services Card (28 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Preliminary work on the cost benefit analysis of the Public Services Card has begun and this work will be progressed over the coming months. I expect this work to be completed during the fourth quarter of this year.   I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business.  A once-off grant will be awarded up to a maximum of €1,000 covering costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Working Family Payment (28 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) is a weekly tax free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must have a qualified child and be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. Working Family Payment for the person concerned was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (28 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The second call for Category 2 applications for the Fund closed on 28thFebruary and there was an excellent response from all across the country, with 76 applications received. On 25thJune 2020, Minister Ring announced details of 24 successful projects arising from this call.  The successful projects have been allocated €13 million in support from the Fund and will deliver a total...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 182 together. The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. This week my Department issued payments valued at €97 million to 313,800 people for the pandemic unemployment payment. This represents a decrease of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Oireachtas Inquiries Line (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Department provides a dedicated mailbox for each of the main schemes whereby Teachtaí Dála (TDs) can raise specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area. These mailboxes are monitored every day and have been operating very quickly, efficiently and effectively. We also operate within the Parliamentary Question (PQ) system and the Public...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: EU Pensions (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 2 October 2018, in advance of reaching pension age in June 2019. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 389 paid full-rate Irish social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for standard State pension...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,572 recipients. The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Following a review of the person’s record, I can confirm that his Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been re-rated to €350 per week. Any arrears due will issue next week. I trust this clarifies the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a person must have been in employment immediately prior to the 13th March and lost their income from employment due to the onset of the pandemic. Self-employed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” proposes an “Early Retirement Allowance or Pension” for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseeker's Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. The new payment will be introduced as early as possible for those who are retired...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The use of signing pads in Post Offices was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the reintroduction of signing pads is currently underway on a phased basis by An Post. This gives rise to different payment arrangements being operated in the Post Offices concerned. If a customer has concerns regarding these arrangements, there are further options available to them such as the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Enterprise Support Services (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business. A once-off grant will be awarded for 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 covering vouched costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Pension entitlement is determined on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches pension age. The person concerned was born in 1956. The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” states that the planned increase in the State pension age (to 67 years) next year will be deferred. This will require amendment to primary legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: In normal circumstances, jobseeker payments provide flexibility for a person, going on holidays, to leave the State for two weeks. During this period the standard conditionality of being available for work would be suspended. In light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, my Department introduced regulations which require that any such holiday arrangements must comply with the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Grant Payments (23 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: This year, the supports provided through programme referred to by the Deputy have been tailored to help rural communities in designated areas respond to the new COVID-19 environment. Project applications under the Measure of the programme referred to by the Deputy are selected by the Local Authorities for onward submission to my Department for consideration. My Department does not yet...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time-limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and approval was given to the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment is that a person must have been in employment immediately before 13th March and lost their income from employment. Where a person was due to take...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged between 18 and 66 years, and the age range is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to people of working age. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on...