Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 898-916

Community Development Projects

Questions (898)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

898. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when voluntary-run community centres can reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Community Centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country, and I recognise the important role they play in life in Ireland.

My Department provides funding to over 400 community organisations under the Community Services Programme (CSP), some of which are operating community centres. Pobal, which administers the Programme on behalf of the Department, is contacting the organisations concerned to establish their plans for reopening under the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. The timing of this will differ for each community centre, as it will be dependent on the services each centre provides and also the size of the facility to enable it to adhere to physical distancing requirements.

Further information regarding the Government's Roadmap is available on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/roadmap.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (899)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

899. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the deadline will be extended for the Covid-19 stability scheme for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises beyond 20 May 2020 in view of the difficulties the Covid-19 restrictions have placed on the ability of organisations to gather certificates, quotations, information, contact persons and so on. [7654/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations in immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations and in this context there is no requirement for certificates or quotations to be uploaded. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (900)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

900. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of community groups that qualified under the terms of the Covid-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprises; the nature of the organisations which met the objectives; the way in which their eligibility was determined; if he will broaden the criteria to allow more community groups apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Fund has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway.

The most common sectors identified in applications are Social services and supports to disadvantaged individuals and communities; Health and Well-being Services and Services for Older Persons. Applications are now being assessed to fully determine eligibility. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

The eligibility criteria for the Fund was set out clearly on the website of Pobal, which is administering the Scheme on my Department's behalf. As applications for the scheme are now closed, the question of broadening the criteria does not arise.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (901)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

901. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will introduce a special grant scheme for community and voluntary organisations that are members of the PPN nationwide in view of the Covid-19 crisis and the considerable financial loss they have experienced. [7842/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations many of whom are members of Public Participation Networks all over the country. We are 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, many of which may be members of Public Participation Networks, which are currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and are in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (902)

Michael McGrath

Question:

902. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €35 million Covid-19 stability fund for the charity and voluntary sector is up and running; the number of applications there has been to the fund; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out of the fund; the number of organisations that have received funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (903)

Michael McGrath

Question:

903. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €5 million Covid-19 philanthropy fund for the charity and voluntary sector is up and running; the number of applications to the fund; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out of the fund; the number of organisations that have received funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

The Innovate Together Fund was launched on 13th May, 2020 with a call for first round applications to close on 27th May, 2020. Government will provide a contribution of €5m to this Fund, to be matched over time by philanthropic contributions. Funding will come from the Dormant Accounts Fund and will be provided immediately, so that grant making can commence. The Fund will be managed by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI), overseen by an Advisory Board which will include Departmental officials.

As the Fund is still in the initial stages of operation, the information the Deputy is seeking will not be available until the applications under the first call have been evaluated. This process is expected to be completed in June.

Initial reports from the Social Innovation Fund Ireland, who are administering the Fund for my Department, indicate a very high level of interest and of potential applications.

Rural Development Programme

Questions (904)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

904. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he has received applications under the various rural development schemes in the past two years by county; the extent of the approvals in the past; his expectations for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8117/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department implements a suite of measures aimed at providing direct financial support for the development and enhancement of rural areas as part of my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme.

Details of the number of applications received in 2018 and 2019 under the CLÁR Programme, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are provided in the tables below. The variation in number of applications received in any given year can reflect the scheme criteria for the year and the timing of calls for proposals.

Applications in respect of the schemes listed below are received directly by my Department. Details in respect of the LEADER Programme are not included as these are received and processed by the Local Action Groups that administer LEADER throughout the country.

Details of the grants approved under each scheme are available by following the relevant links on my Department's website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy/ac9ee6-action-plan-for-rural-development. It should be noted that the number of approvals differs from the number of applications received, as these schemes are operated on a competitive basis and are generally oversubscribed.

In relation to the position for 2020, the CLÁR Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme are being launched this week as a €30 million package of co-ordinated and complementary supports aimed at aiding the economic and social recovery of rural Ireland in response to COVID-19. Details in respect of all of these schemes and the projects eligible to receive funding will be available on the gov.ie website by the end of this week.

Under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the second call for Category 2 projects, relating to project development and enabling initiatives, closed on the 28th February 2020. There was an excellent response from across the country and 76 applications were received.

My Department is currently engaged in the assessment process in relation to the applications, carried out in conjunction with the Project Advisory Board for the Fund, which is comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. On completion of this process, my Department will prepare a report setting out the projects which are recommended for approval. My role will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.

CLÁR Applications 2018 & 2019

County/Organisation	2018 Applications Received	2019 Applications Received
Carlow	13	11
Cavan	18	26
Clare	22	19
Cork	29	27
Donegal	26	30
Dublin	0	0
Galway	26	26
Kerry	37	34
Kilkenny	12	13
Laois	16	17
Leitrim	22	30
Limerick	21	17
Longford	19	23
Louth	17	9
Mayo	37	37
Meath	11	7
Monaghan	19	19
Offaly	17	9
Roscommon	19	27
Sligo	20	17
Tipperary	24	20
Waterford	16	18
Westmeath	21	22
Wexford	0	0
Wicklow	16	12
National Organisations	49	24
Total	527	494

Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme Applications 2018 & 2019

County/Organisation	Applications Received 2018	Applications Received 2019
Carlow	9	5
Cavan	13	10
Clare	15	8
Cork	40	14
Donegal	14	14
Dublin	4	0
Galway	22	12
Kerry	26	14
Kildare	2	1
Kilkenny	11	13
Laois	10	9
Leitrim	14	13
Limerick	20	14
Longford	15	12
Louth	8	8
Mayo	16	16
Meath	12	7
Monaghan	17	12
Offaly	12	13
Roscommon	12	8
Sligo	15	14
Tipperary	19	12
Waterford	11	13
Westmeath	15	14
Wexford	18	13
Wicklow	15	15
Inland Fisheries	0	1
NPWS	0	1
Coillte	0	0
Udaras	0	0
Heritage Council	0	0
Total	385	285

Town and Village Renewal Scheme Applications 2018 & 2019

County	Applications Received 2018	Applications Received 2019
Carlow	12	12
Cavan	12	12
Clare	6	12
Cork	12	14
Donegal	12	12
Dublin	11	12
Galway	12	12
Kerry	12	12
Kildare	8	11
Kilkenny	7	12
Laois	12	12
Leitrim	12	12
Limerick	12	12
Longford	12	12
Louth	12	12
Mayo	12	12
Meath	12	12
Monaghan	11	12
Offaly	12	11
Roscommon	9	8
Sligo	12	12
Tipperary	12	12
Waterford	10	12
Westmeath	12	10
Wexford	12	12
Wicklow	12	11
Total	290	305

Rural Regeneration & Development Fund Applications 2018 & 2019

County	Applications Received 2018	Applications Received 2019
Carlow	6	2
Cavan	5	3
Clare	23	6
Cork	66	4
Donegal	12	3
Dublin	1	0
Galway	14	4
Kerry	14	6
Kildare	13	0
Kilkenny	9	3
Laois	5	1
Leitrim	5	2
Limerick	18	5
Longford	3	1
Louth	4	0
Mayo	13	4
Meath	8	3
Monaghan	9	2
Offaly	5	3
Roscommon	5	2
Sligo	5	1
Tipperary	6	4
Waterford	5	2
Westmeath	3	0
Wexford	11	3
Wicklow	3	3
Multiple Locations	9	2
Total	280	69

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (905)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

905. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the application time for the Pobal Covid-19 stability scheme which opened on 11 May 2020 with a closing date of 20 May 2020 will be extended (details supplied). [8157/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Departmental Funding

Questions (906)

John McGuinness

Question:

906. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will review an application for funding from a project (details supplied) with a view to granting the project financial support. [8239/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I can confirm that an application was submitted by the organisation in question under the Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises which I launched in September 2019.

The scheme, which is administered by the Local Development Companies on behalf of my Department, provides grants of between €2,000 and €15,000 for equipment, repairs or refurbishments to enable social enterprises to improve their service delivery.

My Department received an overwhelming response to this call for funding, which was heavily over-subscribed.

On 9 December 2019, I announced the allocation of €1 million in funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund to 124 social enterprise projects across the country under the scheme. While the organisation referred to by the Deputy was not successful on that occasion, it was successful in the second round of allocations under the scheme which I announced in January 2020. This second round of approvals provided an additional €1 million to a further 106 social enterprises.

Full lists of the successful social enterprises under the first and second rounds of the scheme, including the grant amounts awarded, are available at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/a99ff0-small-capital-grants-for-social-enterprises/ (first round)

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/045094-small-grants-for-social-enterprises/ (second round)

Domestic Violence Services

Questions (907, 912, 913, 914, 920, 921, 924, 931, 965, 986, 1015)

Holly Cairns

Question:

907. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to a response during Leaders' Questions on 30 April 2020, if short-term emergency rent supplement will be progressed which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to access safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [7048/20]

Seán Fleming

Question:

912. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a short-term emergency rent type supplement will be put in place which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to access safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [7154/20]

Seán Fleming

Question:

913. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if short-term emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to access safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency will be progressed arising from a statement to Dáil Éireann on 30 April 2020. [7155/20]

John Lahart

Question:

914. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the fact that women and children fleeing domestic violence are homeless (details supplied). [7423/20]

Matt Carthy

Question:

920. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a short-term emergency rent supplement for women and children who are forced to relocate due to domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7934/20]

Matt Carthy

Question:

921. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if relevant Departments will be directed to urgently provide for a short-term emergency rent supplement for women and children who are forced to relocate due to domestic violence. [7935/20]

Holly Cairns

Question:

924. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will put in place a short-term emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to access safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency as the Minister with responsibility for the coordination of the emergency Covid-19 response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence [8206/20]

Seán Fleming

Question:

931. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [7151/20]

Marian Harkin

Question:

965. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider allowing access to emergency rent supplement to those in need of immediate relocation as a result of domestic violence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7691/20]

Matt Carthy

Question:

986. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will provide emergency rent supplement to women and children who are forced to relocate due to domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7931/20]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1015. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [8202/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 907, 912 to 914, inclusive, 920, 921, 924, 931, 965, 986 and 1015 together.

Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by The Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Victims of domestic violence accommodation needs are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

A housing authority can provide, on a humanitarian basis, short-term emergency housing to persons who are unable to return to their homes because of domestic violence without having to assess their eligibility for social housing support or include them on the authority’s waiting list for housing supports.

Generally, where a victim is not seeking to return to the family home, a social housing assessment by the housing authority is the appropriate response. Assessments should be conducted in a timely manner to ensure that victims do not end up residing in emergency accommodation, including refuge facilities, for long periods of time. Once a customer has successfully completed a housing needs assessment, they can then apply for HAP.

As part of this response, Tusla funds and supports over 40 organisations providing support services to victims of domestic violence, including 20 refuges providing safe specialist emergency domestic violence accommodation. Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services, and in particular, Domestic Violence refuges have been identified as one of Tusla’s three highest priority services in its crisis management responses to the period of Covid-19 public health measures. A range of supports have been put in place to assure continuity of essential services and there is ongoing systematic engagement between Tusla and service provider organisations around emerging needs.

Since the introduction of HAP, Rent Supplement continues to revert to original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment. Rent supplement, by virtue of its short-term nature and its targeted customer cohort, is not considered the principal solution in meeting the accommodation needs of those fleeing domestic or sexual violence, in particular where, following a Housing Needs Assessment, HAP is an available option.

There are no indications within my Department that the rent supplement scheme is operating in a way that is preventing victims of domestic violence from getting the support they need, and Community Welfare Officers are using the full flexibility of the scheme to assist those in need during the current crisis.

As I have already indicated, I support the call for additional supports to be made available to victims of domestic violence during the current pandemic. Officials from my Department are engaging with SAFE Ireland representatives to explore their proposal and discussions are on-going to ensure that appropriate supports are provided to victims of domestic violence to access short term emergency accommodation during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Following an initial positive meeting, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for later this week to progress the issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (908)

James Browne

Question:

908. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to assist bereaved families of persons who passed away from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7134/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

There are a range of supports available from my Department for people following a bereavement.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.

Other supports available include the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pension which is a weekly payment, based on contributions or a means test. The widowed or surviving civil partner grant is a once-off payment of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (909, 919)

Gino Kenny

Question:

909. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the school meals programme into the summer holiday months will be extended in order that families that have lost jobs or are temporarily laid off as a result of the public health emergency can continue to access food during these exceptional times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7146/20]

Matt Carthy

Question:

919. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider providing the school meals programme currently distributed to homes as a result of Covid-19 through the summer months of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7929/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 909 and 919 together.

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefiting 250,000 children. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement and coincides with the school year.

Following the announcement of the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by the Taoiseach on 12th March 2020, schools and organisations participating in the school meals programme expressed concerns about the impact of school closures on pupils who avail of school meals, and that the unavailability of school meals impacts in particular on the most disadvantaged in our society.

My Department confirmed that funding to schools would continue to enable schools provide food until the end of the current school year - the end of May for post-primary schools and the end of June for primary schools, in line with the parameters of the school meals scheme.

Any proposals to extend funding for food provision beyond these dates would need to be considered in the overall budgetary context.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (910)

Paul Murphy

Question:

910. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the legal and regulatory arrangement in force during the period of the Covid-19 crisis regarding redundancy; the legal and regulatory arrangement to come into force when the Covid-19 crisis comes to an end; and the criteria which will be used to determine when the Covid-19 crisis will end with regard to employment law and redundancy provisions. [7152/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

The Redundancy Payments Act 1967 remains in force during the emergency period, apart from one section which is temporarily suspended in certain circumstances.

The provisions of Section 12 of the Act which relates to temporary lay-offs and short-time work were not considered adequate to deal with the current emergency situation. The provisions of Section 12 provide that an employee who has been temporarily laid-off or kept on short-time for four consecutive weeks, or for a series of six weeks within a thirteen week period of which not more than three are consecutive has an entitlement to claim redundancy from their employer.

As a result of Covid-19, there have been immediate and unprecedented volumes of temporary lay-offs and short-time work and there is a very real potential for these situations to become protracted. Under the existing provisions these lay-off and short-time situations could result in a large number of redundancies in a very short period of time. Employers are obliged to pay redundancy entitlements to employees who have been temporarily laid off after the periods of time currently provided for in Section 12.

In the current emergency situation the existing timelines set out in Section 12 of the Act would have serious unintended and detrimental financial impacts on businesses and employees over a short period of time. Significant numbers of redundancies over a short period of time would have an adverse impact on the potential for a business to recover, which in turn would create many insolvency and bankruptcy situations. This will only exacerbate the risk of further job losses. Measures to assist the ongoing attachment between employees and their employer during the crisis is important.

For these reasons emergency legislation has been enacted by way of Section 29 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 to mitigate against the risks to businesses outlined above and to protect for as long as possible the attachment to employment for employees.

The existing provisions of Section 12 have effectively been suspended during the emergency period, from 13th March 2020 to 31st May 2020, in respect of an employee who has been laid off or kept on short time due to the effects of measures required to be taken by the employer in order to comply with, or as a consequence of, Government policy to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of infection of Covid-19. The possibility of extending the end date of the emergency period is provided for in legislation and an extension is currently being considered.

In considering whether the end date will be extended, the Government will have regard to the principles which are set out in Section 29 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and in particular the need to mitigate against the increased risk of insolvencies in the event of mass redundancies over a short period of time resulting in permanent job losses. The Government will also have regard to the Roadmap for re-opening Society and Business.

It is important to note that an employees’ right to claim redundancy after a temporary period of lay off or short-time work has not been removed, rather it has been deferred for a temporary period in this emergency situation. This emergency measure does not impact on the rights of employees who are laid off in ordinary circumstances. All other provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 Act remain in force.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (911)

Paul Murphy

Question:

911. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions she will introduce to ensure that financially viable and profitable companies will be prevented from reducing their workforce or changing the terms and conditions of persons that were employees of such companies prior to the Covid-19 crisis when such companies return to normal operations at the end of the Covid-19 crisis. [7153/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

The Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 provides that an employer must provide its employee with a written statement of the particulars of the employee’s terms of employment. It also provides that an employer must notify the employee of any changes in the particulars given in the statement. The Act provides a right of complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission where an employer fails to comply with either of the above.

While an employer may renegotiate the terms and conditions of the contract of employment with an employee, it may not reduce any term of condition to a level lower than statutory entitlement. It is best practice that any such renegotiation should be undertaken in consultation with the affected employee, and taking a long-term view of the employment relationship.

Where an individual is made redundant under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, they can refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission should they feel they have been unfairly selected for redundancy. An adjudicator will review the case-specific facts surrounding the redundancy before arriving at their decision.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, answered with Question No. 907.

Free Travel Scheme

Questions (915)

Bríd Smith

Question:

915. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide the details of road passenger transport operators that received payments in respect of the acceptance of the free travel pass on their bus services; and the list of routes for which these operators received payment for 2019. [7432/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on most CIÉ public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by some 80 private operators in various parts of the country. There are currently 975,508 customers in receipt of Free Travel as of the end of April 2020.

The 2020 budget allocation for the Free Travel scheme is €95 million.

Attached as requested is a list of all road transport operators and routes in the Free Travel scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Maternity Benefit

Questions (916, 927, 964, 982, 1008)

Patrick Costello

Question:

916. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding maternity benefit [7587/20]

Michael Moynihan

Question:

927. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to a temporary extension of the duration of maternity benefit for persons in receipt of the payment; her views on the difficult position for mothers whose payment is due to expire soon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7101/20]

John Lahart

Question:

964. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the maternity benefit payment to €350 in line with the pandemic unemployment payment for new mothers who have been impacted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7689/20]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

982. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to new mothers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7852/20]

Bríd Smith

Question:

1008. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending maternity leave to all women currently on leave or who were on leave prior to the passing of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 for three months or until that legislation is revoked [8122/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 916, 927, 964, 982 and 1008 together.

Maternity benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

Expectant mothers in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will not be adversely affected by the Covid situation. They can make their maternity application in line with the original expected start date of at least 2 weeks before the week in which the baby is due. The person should close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment and move onto Maternity Benefit as planned. A woman in this situation will then receive her full 26 week maternity benefit payment.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection also provides income support for women who have lost their employment and are unable to return to work at the end of their maternity leave, in the form of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Women concerned are eligible for this payment from the date when they were due to return to their employment after their maternity leave if they have lost their employment as a consequence of the pandemic.

Women on maternity leave should remain on that leave until such time as they are due to return to work. A person can also avail of up to 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave which can be added to the end of the 26 week period of paid leave.

Many employers can, and do, agree compassionate leave arrangements with staff who need to take short periods of time off to care for another person or new baby. These include arrangements to enable employees to work remotely from home, to alter shift patterns around their partners work, to work-up time taken, to rearrange parental leave or to bring forward annual leave entitlements from future work periods.

Where parents have to continue to work and is it not possible to make appropriate compassionate leave arrangements, employees can call on some statutory entitlements which provide for income support including paid Force Majeure Leave, Parent's Leave together with Parent's Benefit, for each parent where a baby was born after 1st November 2019 or unpaid Parental Leave.

A decision to extend the period of maternity leave for employees would have to be implemented by the Minister for Justice and Equality who has policy and legal responsibility for this area. In 2020 it is estimated that the Department will spend in excess of €270 million on maternity benefit in respect of an average of 21,000 recipients per week. Each additional week of maternity benefit, based on current recipient levels, would cost €10.3m increasing to €134 million for a 3 month period. It should also be noted that there are additional significant costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups and substitution in the public sector.

The weekly rate of the Covid-19 payment is €350 and is aligned with the jobseeker payment for a person with an adult dependent. The annual cost on increasing maternity benefit to €350 would be an addition approx. €115m. Decisions around the extension of this benefit would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.