Written Answers Nos 31-50
31. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to detail her plans for more detailed information guidelines for parents and guardians of children and young persons with autism spectrum disorder to be published by the National Council for Special Education when it produces its policy advice on educational supports for children with autism spectrum disorder in spring 2015. [37878/14]
View answerThe National Council Special Education (NCSE) has recently published an information pamphlet for parents/guardians of children and young people with Autism Spectrum disorder. The pamphlet is one in a series of pamphlets aimed at informing parents and guardians of supports and services available for children and young people with special educational needs.
As the Deputy is aware the NCSE is currently preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism. Their report which is due early in 2015 will identify the nature and extent of educational interventions, teaching practices and other supports which should be provided to enable children with autism to achieve educational outcomes appropriate to their needs and abilities. This advice will inform future policy development in this area.
I will await the publication of the NCSE Policy advice before considering whether the NCSE should publish more detailed guidelines for parents and guardians of young persons with autism. I would note that the NCSE has a strong track record of delivering appropriate and comprehensive guidance and support to parents, and I have every confidence this will continue to be the case.
32. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the situation where students are hospitalised during their leaving certificate examinations with a view to seeing if deferred examinations may be sat. [37873/14]
View answerI am informed by the State Examinations Commission that it regularly receives requests for assistance from candidates who either cannot take an examination or cannot perform to the best of their abilities because of illness, bereavement or other trauma. However, our examinations model is constrained in the degree to which the life experiences of individual students can be accommodated. Each year the Commission makes arrangements, such as early or deferred sittings and special sittings in hospitals, to cater for a wide range of situations but this is only possible on the day of the examination.
The SEC has examined the possibility of providing repeat examinations and advises that within our current, externally examined examinations model it would not be possible to hold repeat examinations and to have results available to the required deadlines.
33. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to be in a position to address the ongoing issue of class sizes, pupil-teacher ratios and special needs teachers and assistants in the most detrimentally affected schools throughout the country; if her Department has identified those areas throughout the greater Dublin area that have experienced the most dramatic demographic changes; if she has examined the extent to which class sizes have exceeded the national average in these areas; her plans to take remedial measures to address such issues in the course of the current year or in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37916/14]
View answerSchools with significantly increasing enrolments are catered for within the staffing arrangements by being allocated teachers on the basis of their current pupil numbers rather than on a previous year basis which is the case for the majority of schools.
The staffing appeals process has been extended to include a new criterion which helps those schools that make a significant contribution to the provision of school places, which assists the response to demographic growth within their area, and as a result are under significant pressure on their class sizes at infants level.
I have already stated publicly that because of increasing demographics my Department requires additional resources to simply maintain existing levels of service. Between this year and last year this has involved an increase of around 2,300 teachers in our primary and post-primary schools. This is a very significant investment at a time of scarce resources. There is no funding available for further improvements and it is premature within our budgetary context to be looking for this to be done.
34. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to anomalies within the Student Universal Support Ireland procedures for assessing independent students; and her plans to reform this. [37920/14]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to how students are categorised for student grant purposes.
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he or she has attained the age of 23 on 1 January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous October. Otherwise he or she would continue to be assessed on the basis of parental income.
Only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of estrangement from parents/guardians is provided, can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address.
There are no plans at present to change these eligibility arrangements.
35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school bullying remains an issue throughout the country; the extent to which her Department continues to receive up-to-date reports of any such incidents on a regular basis; if any particular schools appear to feature in any such reports on a more regular basis than the national average; if any particular action will be taken or is pending in respect of such locations; the measures put in place to facilitate early detection and follow up on foot of reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37917/14]
View answerThere is no requirement on schools to report bullying incidents to my Department.
The School Principal under the anti-bullying procedures for all schools is required to report regularly to the Board of Management on the overall number of bullying cases and provide confirmation that these are being dealt with in accordance with the procedures.
The Board is required to undertake an annual review and publish the schools anti-bullying policy on their website.
My Department's Inspectorate is placing a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying. For example, parent and student questionnaires issued as part of whole school evaluations, include, since January 2014, additional questions to get a clearer picture of how the school deals with bullying. Furthermore, the Inspectorate's plan for the current school year provides for a focussed evaluation to be conducted in a sample of schools to examine the school's work to create and sustain safe and healthy environments.
This work will give a better overview on how well the procedures are being implemented at school level.
This is also an issue that will need to be considered in the context of developing a Parent and Students Charter that each will be obliged to have. An important aspect of the Charter will be how parents receive information and feedback on the operation of school policies and how parents concerns are addressed.
36. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the cost of the archaeological dig at the site of Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant, County Cork. [37874/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware archaeological excavations on the south-eastern part of the site are still on-going and until this work is completed the final cost will not be known.
37. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding dental treatment benefit schemes (details supplied); if she will restore same in the budget for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38353/14]
View answerThe dental benefit scheme continues to provide for free annual examinations to qualifying customers who fulfil the PRSI eligibility criteria. The free dental examination has been retained in order to encourage people to continue to attend for check-ups and to ensure that good oral health is maintained.
Any changes to the dental or other treatment benefit schemes would have to be considered in the context of the economic realities of available funding and competing priorities.
38. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the commissions of investigation, inquiries and similar investigations established under her Department during the past 12 months or being considered for establishment during the next 12 months, and in each case the person or persons conducting the inquiry and the timeframe, including start and end date envisaged. [38340/14]
View answerThere were no commissions of investigations, inquiries or similar investigations established by my Department in the past 12 months. None are being considered for establishment in the coming 12 months.
39. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been refused back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [38385/14]
View answerA claim for back to school clothing and footwear allowance from the person concerned was processed on 21 July 2014. The claim was refused as her assessable income exceeds the weekly income limit for a family with 2 children, which is €593.40.
The person concerned has an income from her TUS scheme, which combined with her spouse’s income leave her exceeding the weekly limit for award of the allowance. The decision not to award her claim was reviewed on 26 August 2014 following a request and the decision was upheld.
41. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if elderly persons who are in long-stay nursing homes receive the social services card; and the arrangements that will be put in place in respect of photographs and identification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38411/14]
View answerThe Public Services Card (PSC) has been introduced to enable individuals to gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the free travel pass and the social services card and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers.
A PSC is currently issued following a registration process which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of identity data already held by the Department of Social Protection.
Face-to-Face registration is taking place countrywide in 80 offices of the Department for individual applicants for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number and people applying for, or in receipt of, social protection payments or benefits, including Jobseeker payments, Free Travel entitlement, Child Benefit payments, State Pensions, and One Parent Family payments.
Selected low-risk customers have also been invited to avail of a ‘postal’ registration process which involves utilisation, with consent, of information already provided to other Government agencies, for example, a photograph supplied in connection with an application for a passport.
In addition, selected pensioners over 66 who collect their payments at a Post Office are being invited to register by post. This process includes the person providing two passport-standard photographs.
The Department is currently finalising the development of a mobile registration facility that is suitable for the registration of persons who wish to register for a PSC but cannot avail of other registration options referred to above. This option may be offered to elderly persons who are in long stay nursing homes and wish to register for a PSC.
It should be noted that a person’s entitlement to a social welfare benefit will not be adversely affected if he/she is legitimately unable, for health or mobility reasons, to complete the PSC registration process.
43. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance review-appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38477/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 September 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
44. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a reversal of the reduction in the respite care grant that took place in budget 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38478/14]
View answerI am very aware that the reduction in the respite care grant in Budget 2013 proved difficult for carers. However, in order to protect the core weekly payments which people receive, including disability payments, pensions and carer’s allowance, the Government had to look very carefully at other additional payments, including the respite care grant. This approach to protecting core weekly payments still applies.
It is worth making the point that the rate of the respite care grant at €1,375 is still more than twice what it was in 2002 when it was €635, and higher than it was in 2006 at the height of the economic boom, when it was €1,200.
It should also be noted that such an annual payment - in a single lump sum with no requirement to satisfy a means test - is not available for any other group nor indeed is there an equivalent payment for carers in any other country in Europe.
45. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a reversal of the reductions and changes to the household benefits package that has taken place since 2011. [38479/14]
View answerThe overall concern of Government in Budget 2014 and previous Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approx. €6.5 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2014, representing approx. 33% of overall expenditure. Because of demographic changes the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year. In 2013, the Department had to make provision for an additional €190 million for the increasing number of pensioners. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
The fuel allowance scheme and the free travel pass have also been protected for older people and people with disabilities. The living alone allowance has been maintained at €7.70 per week.
The adjustments made to the household benefits package in recent years have made it much easier for customers to switch to cheaper energy suppliers, without the loss of any credits they may have built up. The decision to discontinue the telephone allowance provided annual savings of €48 million and meant that the Department was able to retain the other elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. These are valuable supports for recipients. The Department will spend €230 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 411,000 customers.
In 2010 the monthly value of the free electricity allowance was €40.70. It is currently €35.00. Restoring the allowance to 2010 levels would cost an additional €28 million for 411,000 customers.
In 2010 the monthly value of the telephone allowance was €26. The telephone allowance was discontinued in 2014. Restoring the telephone allowance to 2010 levels would cost an additional €128 million.
The Government has already announced that from 2015 the household benefits package will also include a quarterly water support payment of €25. The estimated cost of this new water support payment of €100 per annum will be in the region of €42 million in 2015.
The appropriate levels of weekly social welfare rates of payment, including any changes to household benefits, are being considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget which will be announced on Tuesday, October 14.
46. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears relating to a domiciliary care allowance and respite grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as the appeal to the appeals office was deemed successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38503/14]
View answerThe person concerned was notified on the 30th September 2014 that her domiciliary care allowance (DCA) appeal was successful. DCA is paid monthly. Payment of the allowance, along with arrears due, will be available in the customer’s nominated bank account on 21 October 2014 and on the third Tuesday of each month thereafter. Following the award of DCA payment of Respite Care grant for 2013 and 2014 will also be paid into her nominated account in the coming weeks.
47. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38531/14]
View answerFollowing a recent review, the clients Rent Supplement of €750 per month was found to be in excess of the maximum limit of €600 applicable to her circumstance and family composition in Wicklow.
The client has been requested to secure a rent reduction or source alternate accommodation within the maximum limits. The client's Rent Supplement will remain in payment until 31 December 2014 to allow sufficient time for this.
48. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that a non-Governmental organisation (details supplied) operating here and funded by a membership entirely located here, can have its banking services terminated at short notice because of the decision of an American company which a bank is using to process financial transactions which are wholly transacted between Irish bank accounts by persons resident here. [38366/14]
View answer49. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if an Irish bank refuses to provide banking services to an organisation (details supplied) as a result of US banking regulations administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, if he will prosecute them in accordance with Irish and European law prohibiting the extraterritorial application of US law in relation to the illegal US blockade of Cuba. [38367/14]
View answer58. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the emergency facilities he will make available to allow an organisation (details supplied) to operate a functioning Irish bank account with cheque clearing and electronic transfer facilities whilst prosecutions are being undertaken. [38368/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 49 and 58 together.
The Deputy is aware that I have responded to a number of recent Parliamentary Questions on this same topic and, for the benefit of the Deputy, I include the substance of my previous responses in the following:
I have no direct role in the relationship between banks and their customers. Neither have I a statutory function in relation to banking decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time as these decisions are taken by the Board and Management of the relevant institution. Accordingly, the banking facilities of an individual customer, or organisation, is a matter entirely for that individual, or organisation, to arrange. A Relationship Framework has been specified that defines the nature of the relationship between the Minister for Finance and each bank. These Frameworks were published on 30 March 2012 and can be found at: http://banking.finance.gov.ie/presentations-and-latest-documents/.
Notwithstanding this, officials in my Department have referred the issue to Bank of Ireland and have received the following comment in this regard:
"The US Government has a restrictive trade embargo against Cuba. The US legislative and regulatory measures include an embargo on making or receiving payments from Cuba and/or facilitating the making or receiving of payments from Cuba.
Bank of Ireland depends on correspondent banks for the processing of our national, European and international transactions, including our SEPA (Single European Payment Area) transactions. We are reliant on our correspondent banks because they process and facilitate all such transactions on our behalf. The current issue has arisen as a result of the transition to SEPA. As it happens, our principal correspondent bank for SEPA transactions is a leading US bank who must comply with its own regulatory requirements and obligations to avoid a possible exposure to regulatory sanctions and penalties.
As a result, we are not in a position to process such transactions. This affects all international payments to or from Cuba and also any related SEPA payments."
The Deputy may be aware that a breach of the relevant regulatory requirements can have severe consequences for an institution and the following link refers to one recent high profile case, which was reported in the international financial media, in this regard:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/01/us-bnp-paribas-settlement-idUSKBN0F52HA20140701
Finally, I have also been asked previously if I, as Minister for Finance, would challenge relevant U.S. policy. My response, which has not changed, is to highlight that US policy in this regard is not restricted to Ireland and extends worldwide and accordingly I do not intend to challenge this policy as I would not expect a positive outcome to such an action. In the same vein neither do I believe it to be appropriate for me to undertake a prosecution in relation to this matter as you suggest.
50. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is entitled to a refund from the Revenue Commissioners for having been wrongly penalised for alleged overpayments which were taken out of the person's single farm payment over recent years. [38305/14]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in the time available, having regard to the need to establish the full facts in this particular case, Revenue are not in a position to provide the information sought. However, I will arrange for the information to be supplied directly to the Deputy.
