Results 18,961-18,980 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Civil Registration Service (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I understand the Deputy is referring to section 21 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2004. The provisions relate to Civil Partnerships. These and other provisions relating to Civil Partnerships were repealed by the Marriage Act 2015 and no longer appear in the Statute. I hope this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 10 February 2020 and was awarded a pension at 90% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday, 11 May 2020. They were notified in writing of this decision and arrears due on 9 July 2020. Following correspondence received from the person concerned regarding their social insurance record prior to 1979, the matter...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Application Forms (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Over the last number of years Irish society has changed, as has the make up of our families within Ireland. This diversity in Irish family structures makes for a more inclusive and open society, and is to be welcomed. In terms of promoting equality and diversity, my own Department has been progressive in such matter, for example, developing Gender Recognition Legislation (2015) to enable...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has been awarded State pension (contributory) at 65% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday, 27 May 2020. The person’s pension entitlement was reviewed on 3 July 2020; they are in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their insurance record. The Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Jobseeker's Payments (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of people aged 65 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit at the end of each of the years 2012 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is detailed in the attached tabular statement. The number of recipients of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit aged 65 years of age at...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizens Information Services (14 Jul 2020)

Heather 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. CIB delivers on this remit through its provision of some services directly to the public and through a network of service delivery companies. During the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (14 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 796 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019 to roll out a high-speed and future-proofed broadband network to almost 540,000 premises across the State. Among the first premises to be connected under the NBP are approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).Each site...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Appointments to State Boards (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Public Appointment Service recently advertised for Expressions of Interest for upcoming vacancies on the Board of the Western Development Commission, including Expressions of Interest in the position of Chairperson. The deadline for submission of applications was Friday the 12thJune. The Public Appointment Service (PAS) is currently processing the applications received and an Assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Seniors Alert Scheme (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 803 together. 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 €13m in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on 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. In March this year, €10 million was allocated to Local Authorities for the 2020 Local Improvement Scheme,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Walks Scheme (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department administers the Walks Scheme which contracts 1,962 landholders to undertake maintenance work on 39 National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans. In December last, 10 new trails were to added to the Walks Scheme. These trails constitute the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that the Department briefing provided to myself and my ministerial colleagues in the Department upon my appointment will be published on my Department's website in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Charities, community organisations and social enterprises, along with the volunteers who assist them, have been an integral part of our country’s response to this pandemic. A cessation in income generating activities and fundraising, as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions, has severely impacted many of these same organisations. My Department has responded to the urgent needs...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am currently in discussions regarding the delegation of functions and am looking forward to making a formal assignment of responsibilities to the Minister of State, in my Department, in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on 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.  Over €58 million has been allocated to the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) since it was reintroduced in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The main scheme operated by my Department for the specific development of outdoor recreation infrastructure is the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). ORIS provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as cycleways, walking trails, blueways and mountain access routes in rural areas. The 2020 scheme was launched on the 29th...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 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. In that context my Department is providing funding supports to organisations through a number of different schemes. The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Inquiries (14 Jul 2020)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, which was established on 19 July 2017, does not have any tribunals, public investigations or commissions of investigations in process.