Latest news with #HeatherHumphreys
Dublin Live
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Heather Humphreys rules out Presidential bid
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Heather Humphreys will not be running in this year's Presidential election. The ex-Fine Gael politician made the announcement this morning. The former TD for Cavan and Monaghan said that while it was a great honour to be considered for the position, she is opting out of the presidential bid for the same reasons she didn't run for the general election in 2024. She also stepped down as Fine Gael's deputy leader the same year. She told RTE: "I have been honoured by the number of people who have approached me and said I should run for the presidency. "I have given it a lot of consideration and a lot of thought, and while it's very flattering and it's a great honour to be considered for the highest office in the land, I've decided that I'll not be running for the presidency." She said she wants to spend more time with her family and friends and concentrate on doing other things. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Examiner
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Heather Humphreys: ‘Happy to be outside politics, but not ruling anything out'
Heather Humphreys was sitting in the Dáil members' bar on a July day in 2014, just over three years on from winning her seat. It was reshuffle day, and speculation was abounding among TDs as to who was in and who was out of the new cabinet. 'Everybody was talking about who'd get what, and all the rest,' said Ms Humphreys. 'And I said to them, 'hey, I'm off, I've work to do, it'll not be bothering me'.' However, it was not long after returning to her office that her phone began to ring, with a message from Enda Kenny to come and see him. Ms Humphreys was to be appointed as the new minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, just two years out from the 100-year commemoration. She said she called into the office of Patrick O'Donovan, now the arts minister. 'He was saying 'the speculation is that such a one's getting such a thing and whatever else, and the minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht is going to somebody else' and I said 'no, it's me'. He looked up at me, and I nodded my head, because I really couldn't talk. 'You?' he says. 'Yeah'.' While she mentions changing policies such as jobseekers' pay-related benefit and the eventual rollout of the auto-enrolment pension scheme as highlights of her career, Ms Humphreys says that there were times when the government got it wrong. 'The one regret I have, and it was a collective decision we all made, but you think back to covid, I think that the rule that was brought out that you couldn't be near your dying relative, I think that was probably the hardest thing. 'You had family members that passed away during covid, they didn't have their family with them and that's terrible. 'That really was very, very hard and we had to take the medical advice at the time. But it always comes back to me many times to think how awful it was for those families. 'Maybe it could have been done differently. I don't know.' One thing she does not miss is the day-to-day politicking of the Dáil, but the Monaghan woman is still keeping an eye on things, particularly the turbulent second coming of US president Donald Trump. 'It is interesting and challenging times, there's no doubt about that. But like everything else, you know, you just have to work your way through them.' After 14 years in frontline politics, Ms Humphreys decided to call it a day after the 2024 general election. 'I'm quite happy to be outside it. I'm taking it easy now and it's the first time in my life that I can do what I want.' She says that after a 47-year career, in politics and outside it, she is now able to spend more time with family and friends and in her garden. However, she is coy about the question of a presidential race, saying she is taking a break for the meantime. 'I'm not giving up, doing nothing for the rest of my days. I'll do something, but I don't know what I'll do and I'll see what opportunities present themselves.' So not ruled out, but not ruled in either.
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Latest double €280 Child Benefit update after August promise for 650k Irish families amid new ‘targeted' payment plan
THE Department of Social Protection has confirmed that the Government is exploring a new "targeted" Child Benefit payment. However, a Advertisement 1 Parents expected the €280 double payment should not rely on the money Credit: Getty Images - Getty In November 2024, then Taoiseach In a post on Instagram, he said: "A double child benefit payment every August to help parents with costs, particularly around the costs of schools and the additional costs parents often face over the summer. "Please share to spread the word. I need your support for Fine Gael so I can get on with delivering on this agenda." Harris also pledged to ensure parents Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY However, his proposed August double payment is unlikely to happen as the double payment was not included in the The programme instead vows to introduce Pay Related Parents Benefit, explore the extension of Parents Leave, continue to "support families with cost of raising their family through the Child Benefit payment" and increase core welfare payments. It also outlines plans for a "targeted" Child Benefit payment. When asked if the double August Child Benefit is being considered, the Department of Social Protection confirmed that the boost is not outlined in the Programme for Government. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN A spokesperson told The Irish Sun: "The Programme for Government commitments relating to Child Benefit are to: Continue to support families with the cost of raising their family through the Child Benefit payment, and Explore a targeted Child Benefit payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment. Minister Heather Humphreys backs quadrupling child benefit payment "The Department is working to advance these commitments and, in any event, schemes, including Child Benefit, are kept under review in the context of the annual budget process." The Programme for Government states that it is "committed" to Separately, thousands of parents across Ireland will receive their €140 monthly Advertisement CHILD BENEFIT PAY DATES WE have compiled a list of all the dates Child Benefit is set to be paid out for the rest of the year - including the months the boost could be paid early. 6th May - paid early due to May Bank Holiday 3rd June - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday 1st July 5th August - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday 2nd September 7th October 4th November The cash is on the first Tuesday of every month. However, it has been confirmed that the sum, worth €140 for each child, due to be paid on Tuesday, May 6 will arrive into accounts a few days early. Any The schedule change is due to the May Advertisement And the closure means any social welfare payments due on the Monday, as well as Child Benefit on the Tuesday, will be made available on either Friday, May 2, or Saturday, May 3 instead.
Extra.ie
23-04-2025
- Extra.ie
Dublin woman, 70s, hospitalised following dog attack
A woman in her 70s has been hospitalised after she was attacked by a dog on Tuesday. The woman had been visiting a neighbour's house when the attack happened at around 2.45pm in the Darndale, Dublin 17 area. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene. Pic: Shutterstock The woman was transferred to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. It is understood the dog involved in the attack was seized by a local dog warden. The dogs breed remains unknown at this time, however it is understood it was not a restricted breed. A statement from An Garda Síochána said: 'Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to an incident involving a dog that occurred at a property in Darndale, Dublin 17 at approximately 2:45pm yesterday, Tuesday 22nd April 2025. The woman was transferred to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Pic: Derick P. Hudson/Shutterstock 'A woman, aged in his 70s, was taken to Beaumont hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The dog has been removed by the local Dog Warden.' Last year, it became illegal to buy/ sell, import, breed and rehome XL Bullys as part of new regulations where existing owners had to get an exemption for owning the dog breed. From February of this year, a full ban on XL Bully dogs came into effect, with the exception of those who have a 'certificate of exemptions.' From February of this year, a full ban on XL Bully dogs came into effect, with the exception of those who have 'certificate of exemptions.' Pic: Shutterstock The dog must be microchipped and neutered in order to be granted the certificate of exemption. The ban was introduced by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys following a number of attacks in recent years. This includes the death of XL Bully owner Nicole Morey, who was tragically killed following an attack from her dogs at the home she rented in Ballyneety, Co Limerick in June 2024. Figures released by the Department of Rural and Community Development confirmed to that there have been a total of 1,745 applications received but only 783 have been granted as of yet. A statement from the press office confirmed that 1,745 applications for Certificates of Exemptions had been received by local authorities between October 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025.
