Written Answers Nos. 176-195
176. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new train carriages ordered annually basis since 2014; the potential increased passenger capacity of each order; the delivery date of each order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39189/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the heavy rail network and for assessing rolling stock requirements for the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
177. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make contact with Sport Ireland to clarify the role of a member of its board (details supplied) regarding a matter and the appropriateness of this involvement in alcohol promotion while having a role in promoting sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/19]
View answerI am informed by Sport Ireland that the involvement of the person mentioned by the Deputy was in a private and personal capacity and that Sport Ireland has no involvement in the matter and no relationship with the corporate entity involved in the matter.
178. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the five categories and sub-classes of bus passenger licences issued by the National Transport Authority. [39240/19]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger services under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
179. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions taken to improve accessibility arrangements for persons with a disability and mobility impairment in accessing heavy rail services; the way in which it is planned to provide 100% accessibility; and the timeframe and budget provided to achieve same. [39241/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the penalties in place for public and commercial transport service providers that fail to comply with accessibility requirements in respect of fleet, platforms and in other aspects of accessibility; and the enforcement activity and penalties applied in each of the past five years. [39242/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if provision will be made for a person (details supplied) to be accommodated at preschool as opposed to having to wait until 2021. [39237/19]
View answer184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if provision will be made for a person (details supplied) to be accommodated at preschool as opposed to having to wait until 2021. [39238/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 184 together.
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months have been eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refined the development introduced in 2017 and increased the eligibility of each registered child on ECCE from an average of 61 weeks, to a potential 76 weeks (two programme years). This delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
The minimum age was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years care and education in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. The upper age limit remains the same (i.e. a child is not eligible if they will be 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year).
In order for a child to be eligible to be enrolled for free pre-school in September 2020 they must have been born between 1 January 2017 - 31 December 2017, i.e. they must have reached 2 years and 8 months on or before 31 August 2018.
In the example cited by the Deputy, the child will not be able to commence their ECCE in September 2020 as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2020. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in September 2021, and continue for a further year from September 2022, commencing school in September 2023.
Some parents/guardians may prefer for their child to start school at age 4 rather than 5. These parents/guardians may therefore opt for 1 year of ECCE only. This decision is entirely at the discretion of the parent/s or guardians but it is important to reiterate that two full years of ECCE provision is available to all children.
It should be noted that the National Childcare Scheme will launch on 29th October 2019 and income-assessed subsidies will be available to families with children aged between 24 months and 15 years. This is a means-tested subsidy and is calculated based on a family's circumstances. The rate will vary depending on the level of family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family. Further details of the new scheme are available on the National Childcare Scheme website https://ncs.gov.ie/
182. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of community crèche spaces available in the Dundrum and Ballinteer areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39193/19]
View answerEach year Pobal conducts research on behalf of my Department to examine a number of factors related to early learning and care and school age childcare services services in Ireland, including the monitoring of capacity. As you are aware, such services are provided in Ireland by private services and not by my Department or the State.
The Early Years Sector Profile report, which was published in November 2018 and relates to the 2017/2018 programme year, provides my Department with valuable information. It indicates that existing childcare provision nationally broadly meets current needs in terms of capacity, whilst recognising that small pockets of under supply exist within this.
The following table shows the capacity (both community and private) for the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area.
Pobal do not record this data by individual area/district, both areas referred to come under the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Childcare Committee area of responsibility. In addition Pobal do not distinguish between community and private providers when recording capacity.
|
County |
Capacity – all age ranges (enrolled + vacancies) |
Vacant places |
|
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,581 |
224 |
There is a total of 188 childcare services in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, of which 23 (12%) are community services. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Childcare Committee may be able to provide you or any parent with more assistance if required.
As regards capacity more generally, the 117% increase in investment over the last four years has allowed us double the number of children receiving free or subsidised early learning and care and school age childcare. it has also supported the sector to double the number of places available. I secured €8.86m in capital funding for childcare in 2019 with the ultimate aim of benefiting parents and children through improving our childcare infrastructure and capacity. A particular focus is on expanding service provision for children under three years of age.
Under the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan published in 2018, I ensured that Childcare was identified as one of our nation's strategic priorities. I am delighted that €250 million in additional funding has been committed for the expansion of high quality, early learning and care and school age childcare over the duration of the Plan.
Finally, the draft Childminding Action Plan published recently, and currently out for consultation, sets out Government's draft proposal to further improve access to high quality and affordable childcare through childminders. Childminding is a much valued option for many parents In Ireland and the Plan seeks to support that sector to become registered and hence enable families and themselves to access greater supports, financial and otherwise.
183. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of households with an adoption declaration that expired without adoption having occurred in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39195/19]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland, I have referred the matter to it for a direct reply.
185. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 2019 town and village renewal scheme will be announced. [39098/19]
View answerI launched the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 16th April last. Local Authorities were invited to submit up to 12 applications each to my Department for consideration under the scheme. The closing date for receipt of applications was 28th June 2019.
Over 300 applications for funding were received from the Local Authorities.
My officials are currently assessing all of the applications received and the successful applicants will be announced shortly when the assessment process is fully completed.
186. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current and capital expenditure allocated to each volunteering initiative and scheme administered by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount expended in each such volunteering initiative and scheme annually in tabular form; and the number of persons employed in the sector. [39250/19]
View answerMy Department provides a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. This programme supports 21 Volunteer Centres, 8 Volunteer Information Services in areas which do not currently have a full-time Volunteer Centre, as well as a number of national organisations such as Volunteer Ireland and Young Social Innovators.
Details of the allocations and amounts paid to the Volunteer Centres are set out in the following table. These allocations are paid in two annual tranches.
Not included in the table are two additional once-off grants provided in 2018, as follows: €85,000 for Boardmatch Ireland for the development of an on-line portal and training tool for potential Board members; and €115,000 to Volunteer Ireland for the upgrading of I-VOL and the development of an I-VOL smartphone app.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 to date |
|
|
Carlow Volunteer Centre |
€100,575 |
€110,600 |
€110,600 |
€110,600 |
|
Clare Volunteer Centre |
€80,000 |
€103,000 |
€103,000 |
€103,000 |
|
Cork Volunteer Bureau |
€112,603 |
€123,800 |
€123,800 |
€123,000 |
|
Donegal Volunteer Project |
€117,986 |
€129,800 |
€129,800 |
€64,900 |
|
Dublin City Volunteer Centre |
€256,758 |
€282,400 |
€282,400 |
€282,400 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Volunteer Centre |
€86,901 |
€103,000 |
€103,000 |
€103,000 |
|
Fingal Volunteer Centre |
€104,263 |
€114,700 |
€114,700 |
€114,700 |
|
Galway Volunteer Centre |
€121,148 |
€133,200 |
€133,200 |
€133,200 |
|
Kerry Volunteer Bureau |
€107,951 |
€118,800 |
€118,800 |
€59,400 |
|
Kildare Volunteer Bureau |
€110,000 |
€121,000 |
€121,000 |
€121,000 |
|
Limerick Volunteer Centre |
€133,312 |
€146,600 |
€146,600 |
€73,300 |
|
Longford Volunteer Centre |
€64,923 |
€90,000 |
€95,000 |
€95,000 |
|
Louth Volunteer Centre |
€103,730 |
€114,100 |
€114,100 |
€114,100 |
|
Mayo Volunteer Bureau |
€102,242 |
€112,500 |
€112,500 |
€112,500 |
|
Meath Volunteer Centre |
€100,552 |
€110,600 |
€110,600 |
€55,300 |
|
Monaghan Volunteer Centre |
€65,457 |
€90,000 |
€95,000 |
€95,000 |
|
Sligo Volunteer Centre |
€94,900 |
€106,400 |
€106,400 |
€106,400 |
|
South Dublin Volunteer Centre |
€155,528 |
€171,100 |
€171,100 |
€171,100 |
|
Tipperary Volunteer Centre |
€142,169 |
€156,400 |
€156,400 |
€156,400 |
|
Westmeath Volunteer Centre |
€104,741 |
€115,200 |
€115,200 |
€115,200 |
|
Wicklow Volunteer Bureau |
€117,096 |
€128,800 |
€128,800 |
€128,800 |
|
Other Organisations |
||||
|
Volunteer Ireland – Core Funding |
€410,000 |
€410,000 |
€351,800 |
€351,800 |
|
Volunteer Ireland – Volunteer Information Services |
- |
€100,000 |
€100,000 |
|
|
Boardmatch Ireland |
€58,520 |
€58,520 |
€58,600 |
€58,600 |
|
Young Social Innovators |
€210,000 |
€230,000 |
€240,000 |
€240,000 |
|
Focus Ireland |
€57,210 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Chambers Ireland |
€30,100 |
€30,100 |
€30,100 |
€10,000 |
|
Other Award Ceremonies |
- |
- |
- |
€10,100 |
|
The Wheel |
- |
- |
- |
€5,000 |
|
Carmichael Centre |
- |
- |
- |
€5,000 |
|
Overall Total |
€3,148,665 |
€3,410,620 |
€3,472,500 |
€3,218,800 |
My Department does not collect data on those directly employed in the volunteering sector. However, I can inform the Deputy that there are approximately 29,000 non-profit organisations in Ireland, 9,900 of which are registered charities. Research commissioned by the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) and carried out by Indecon in 2018 found that these charities directly employ 189,000 employees, with 100,000 of these directly supported by public funding.
187. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied). [39097/19]
View answerCarer'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 on 19 July 2019.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care. It was also determined that the means of the person concerned were not less than the statutory limit and that she was therefore not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 24 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
188. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a working family payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39117/19]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in work payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings with children relative to family size.
The person concerned recently resumed paid employment as an employee.
Following receipt of requested employment details from their current employer, WFP has been reinstated to the person concerned with effect to 01 January 2020 (expiry date of current WFP award period). A weekly payment and all arrears owing will issue to their nominated financial account on 26 September 2019.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 September 2019.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
189. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if referrals to JobPath are expected to continue beyond 2019; the plans in place for the scheme in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39119/19]
View answerJobPath is a service which supports people who are long-term unemployed to secure and sustain full time paid employment. Two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua, have been contracted by my Department to deliver the service.
The JobPath employment service commenced in 2015 and, under the terms of the contracts signed with the providers was to run for at least six years comprising two consecutive phases: phase one entailed four years’ of client referrals, while phase two entailed a ‘run off’ period during which time no additional clients were to be referred. Therefore client referrals were due to cease on 31st December 2019. The contract included an option to extend the term of referrals for a period no greater than two years.
This extension is important as it will ensure that the Government retains the necessary labour activation capacity to deal with any labour market uncertainty that arises as a result of Brexit.
In addition, it provides my Department with the opportunity review all contracted public employment services and to design and develop a comprehensive model that will incorporate various models of response and be fit for purpose for the Irish labour market from 2021 onwards.
As per the econometric review, JobPath has been and continues to be a successful service in providing a comprehensive and value for money activation service for the long-term unemployed. On this basis, my Department triggered the extension provisions of the existing contracts with the JobPath providers and secured agreement on the extension of these contracts on existing terms and conditions for a further twelve months.
This is not a renewal of the JobPath contracts but the execution of the extension clauses of the existing contracts.
In order to assist my Department in designing and developing an appropriate contracted public employment service model, external consultants are to be engaged and this procurement process is currently underway.
190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the names and addresses of persons in receipt of long-term disability payments are verified on a regular basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39129/19]
View answerThe Department is committed to ensuring that only those people who are eligible receive welfare and other payments. Our overriding objective is to ensure that that we pay the right people, the right amount, through the right scheme/programme, at the right time. All schemes operated by my Department are subject to ongoing control reviews and continuing eligibility checks which include the verification of our customers name and address.
In line with other Social Welfare schemes, persons in receipt of long-term disability payments are subject to periodic reviews to ensure there is continued entitlement. Carrying our appropriate checks, including verification of name and address, at the new application stage as well as the establishment of continued ongoing entitlement to payments ensures that claims are processed in accordance with the legislation and that customers receive their correct entitlement. These controls are also designed to quality assure the work undertaken by the department and to prevent fraud and error in the schemes administered.
It is also important to note that Social Welfare legislation obliges every claimant or beneficiary to notify the Department of any change in circumstances which may affect their entitlement to that benefit/assistance, this includes change of name and address. The Department informs claimants of this requirement when a payment is awarded.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
191. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to relax the 15 hour rule, which applies to persons in receipt of carer’s allowance and-or carer’s benefit (details supplied); if same could be increased to 19 hours in line with criteria applicable to such participation in other social welfare schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39153/19]
View answerCarer's Allowance and Carer’s Benefit are payments for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention on a full time basis. As of end of August 2019, there were 82,233 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance and 2,967 beneficiaries of Carer's Benefit. The projected combined expenditure on Carer's Allowance and Carer’s Benefit in 2019 is approximately €878 million.
A primary qualifying condition for the Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit payments is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care. However, in order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and broader social inclusion, carers may engage in some limited employment, education or training, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. Both the full-time care and attention requirement and the 15-hour limitation are contained in the respective legislative provisions of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Support Grant schemes.
As part of Budget 2006, the number of hours per week that carers could engage in employment, education or training outside the home was increased from 10 to 15 hours per week.
The only social welfare scheme with a criteria of 19 hours is the Working Family Payment (WFP). A threshold of 19 hours (or 38 hours per fortnight) is applied as a minimum for the Working Family Payment. It should be noted that, for WFP purposes, any combination of hours that reaches 38 hours each fortnight is acceptable. A person can combine their weekly hours with their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's hours to meet the condition. Therefore a carer’s working hours can be taken into account for WFP purposes.
In assessing weekly family income for Working Family Payment (WFP) purposes, most weekly social welfare payments are assessed. Budget 2012 contained a measure which provided for the assessment of Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance payments in determining entitlement to WFP. This measure brought the treatment of these two payments for WFP purposes into line with the treatment of all other primary social welfare payments. It also provided for a more consistent approach to the concurrent payment of WFP with other social welfare payments. Moreover, while this measure reduced a person’s secondary payment (WFP) it did so without affecting their primary payment, in this case Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance, therefore targeting available resources at those in most need.
Any further changes to this condition would need to be considered in a budgetary context and would also need to maintain a reasonable balance between the requirement to provide full-time care for the care recipient and the needs of the carer.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39156/19]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 September 2019. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. When these papers are received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will then 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
193. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of participants on the back to education allowance scheme on third level courses of education in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the percentage of those participants who did not complete the course in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39199/19]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue education and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study. The weekly rate of payment is linked to the persons' underlying payment, for example jobseekers allowance, and all budget increases in these rates are applied to BTEA recipients.
Government has provided almost €62 million for BTEA in 2019. This represents a considerable investment in supporting participants to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market.
The following table details the number of students attending 3rd level, supported with a weekly BTEA allowance for each academic year (as of March each year):
|
Date |
Third Level Participants |
|
2014/15 |
13,106 |
|
2015/16 |
11,167 |
|
2016/17 |
8,676 |
|
2017/18 |
6,681 |
|
2018/19 |
5,428 |
My Department does not maintain statistics on the number of BTEA participants that do not complete their course of studies.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [39208/19]
View answerBased on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 29 July 2019.
They requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 19 August 2019. This additional evidence is currently being reviewed.
Once the review is complete the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date for the publication of a roadmap for social inclusion; and the reason it has taken so long to finalise and publish the strategy. [39215/19]
View answerThe new social inclusion strategy "Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2019-2025", is being finalised and I expect that the new strategy will be published shortly.
