Written Answers Nos. 621-640
621. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement there has been with the childminding sector; if she has considered the use of childminders in early phases for frontline workers; if guidance was sought from the NPHET in relation to childminders; if so, if she will publish the response received from the NPHET; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/20]
View answerAs per HSE guidance and in accordance with the regulations under the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2000, childminders who care for the children of essential workers in the children's home were permitted to continue working after childcare facilities were closed on 12 March, and are themselves considered essential workers.
The Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business proposes that the reopening of crèches, childminders and preschools in a phased manner will begin in Phase 3, which is currently scheduled to begin on 29 June. On 29 May, in line with the Roadmap, I announced that in Phase 3 childminders will be allowed to work in their own homes. I also announced which children would be eligible to resume full or part-time childcare services from 29 June, both with childminders and in centre-based services. Whilst initially the Government Roadmap had indicated that services would resume only for the children of essential workers, this has now been widened.
I have established an Advisory Group to support preparations for reopening. Sectoral representatives were nominated by the Professionalisation Sub Group of the Early Years Forum. These include representatives from Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP), National Childhood Network (NCN), National Forum for Community Childcare Services, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), Childminding Ireland (CMI) and PLÉ. SIPTU is also a member of the group in accordance with the requirement of the Return to Work Safely Protocol issued by Government on 9th May to consult with Trade Unions. Childminders are represented by Childminding Ireland.
Childminding Ireland is the national childminding body funded by my Department to represent and support the child minding sector. They recently engaged in a survey with Childminders (834 respondents) and the findings of this survey will assist the Advisory Group with considerations for the childminding sector.
My Department appointed a National Childminding Coordinator in 2019, who supports my Department with matters relating to childminders. We also have in place a team of six Childminding Development Officers who are located in six City/County Childcare Committee’s (CCCs), each of whom work with a cluster of CCC’s. These supports have continued to be in place during COVID and will continue when all childminders are permitted to reopen on 29th June.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance developed by their Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Division (AMRIC) on 'Infection Prevention and Control guidance for settings providing childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic' was agreed by NPHET’s Expert Advisory Group and has been published on the HPSC website and on my Department's website. Working in collaboration with Childminding Ireland, my Department will be publishing guidance specific to childminders in the coming days, based on the HPSC public health advice.
As services reopen, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will keep the operation of the guidance under close review and take appropriate updated action as required.
622. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons in each county that have registered to volunteer through the I-VOL app, since the call for volunteers to support the community in response to Covid-19 went out in March 2020. [9658/20]
View answerIn response to the Deputy, as of 29th May, 17,100 volunteers have signed up for Covid-19 volunteering with 47,270 hours being the number of hours volunteered.
The reports available at the following link provide the detailed breakdown in each county. There are two reports:
- New volunteers who registered from 8th March (by county). That report picks those who picked Covid (15,025) and then the total volunteers (16,199). The difference between both is about 1,174 volunteers.
- The second column is all the Pre march 8th volunteers who came back to Opt in to COVID19 volunteering.
623. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the schemes or grants available for community and voluntary groups, for example, active retirement groups which have experienced a significant loss of income in view of the fact meetings can no longer take place due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9793/20]
View answerMy Department is committed to the successful delivery of a range of programmes and schemes which are benefiting rural and urban communities.
Programmes such as the Community Services Programme (CSP), which currently supports more than 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager, and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. In addition, my Department also recently developed a 2020 Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP supported organisations to cover a 12-week period from 26 March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees
My Department has made €35 million in Dormant Accounts Funding available in a whole of Government initiative to create a targeted, once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering critical front-line services to the most in need in our society, and for those organisations in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raising, or traded income, as a direct result of restrictions imposed to counter the spread of COVID-19.
In line with the ethos of the Dormant Accounts fund, the Stability Scheme for the Community and Voluntary sector will be focusing on organisations providing supports and services in the following sectors:
- Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)
- Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)
- Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence
- Housing/Homelessness
- Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable people’s support groups etc.)
- Community Education Sector
The application portal opened on Monday 11 May 2020, given the high level of applications the deadline was extended to 8pm on Thursday 21 May 2020, in order to ensure that all those interested in applying for the scheme managed to do so. Over 1,000 applications have been received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.
I am confident that the work of my Department is benefiting all communities and delivering on our mission statement. I am determined that this will continue to be the case, and that available funding and supports continues to deliver positive visible impacts for all of our communities.
Further information on all funding programmes and schemes is available on my Department's website on gov.ie
624. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to rural based community centres and community groups deemed ineligible for the Covid-19 stability fund which do not fall within the terms of 2020 CLÁR or the town and village renewal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9853/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges currently faced by community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these.
Community facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. Supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also provide funding to improve community facilities.
In addition to the supports referenced by the Deputy, my Department funds the Community Services Programme (CSP) which supports over 400 community organisations to provide local services. Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department recently developed a Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees up to €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
My Department also funds the Community Enhancement Programme, which provides small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas. The appropriate approach is being examined for programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.
My Department also provides funding to rural community groups through the LEADER Programme. Details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/
Officials within my Department continue to liaise with representatives of the sector and with Departments with relevant policy responsibility in relation to the challenges faced at this time.
625. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons that availed of and the costs incurred by his Department regarding the cycle to work scheme since it was introduced to date by year and cost in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9989/20]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
Please see the following table in relation to the number of persons that availed of and the costs incurred by my Department regarding the cycle to work scheme:
|
Year |
No. of Applications |
Total Cost |
|
2017 |
1 |
€950.00 |
|
2018 |
4 |
€3,450.80 |
|
2019 |
6 |
€7,246.25 |
|
2020 |
2 |
€2,014.00 |
|
Grand Total |
13 |
€13,661.05 |
626. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to volunteer centres in each local authority area to enable the community call scheme; and the amount returned by each volunteer centre in tabular form. [10153/20]
View answerIn April 2020, my Department allocated funding of €267,960 to the 22 Volunteer Centres and 7 Volunteer Information Services to support their contribution to the Community Call response to the Covid-19 challenge. This funding was provided to Volunteer Ireland to distribute to each Volunteer Centre and Volunteer Information Service under a three month funding agreement. This is a once-off payment, in recognition of the difficulties that Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Information Services faced during this challenging time. The contract for this work is ongoing and the Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Information Services are continuing to use the funding provided to support those most vulnerable in our communities during the Covid-19 emergency.
The following table outlines the funding allocated to each Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Information Service.
|
County |
Funding |
|
Carlow |
€9,240 |
|
Cavan |
€9,240 |
|
Clare |
€9,240 |
|
Cork |
€9,240 |
|
Donegal |
€9,240 |
|
Dublin City |
€9,240 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
€9,240 |
|
Fingal |
€9,240 |
|
Galway |
€9,240 |
|
Kerry |
€9,240 |
|
Kildare |
€9,240 |
|
Kilkenny |
€9,240 |
|
Laois |
€9,240 |
|
Leitrim |
€9,240 |
|
Limerick |
€9,240 |
|
Longford |
€9,240 |
|
Louth |
€9,240 |
|
Mayo |
€9,240 |
|
Meath |
€9,240 |
|
Monaghan |
€9,240 |
|
Offaly |
€9,240 |
|
Roscommon |
€9,240 |
|
Sligo |
€9,240 |
|
South Dublin |
€9,240 |
|
Tipperary |
€9,240 |
|
Waterford |
€9,240 |
|
Westmeath |
€9,240 |
|
Wexford |
€9,240 |
|
Wicklow |
€9,240 |
627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of county councils that have provided a list of roads for approval under the LIS allocation for 2020; the counties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/20]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
As the Deputy will be aware, there was no dedicated funding available for this scheme for a number of years until I re-launched it in 2017. Since then, over €48 million has been allocated to the Local Authorities to deliver the scheme.
In March this year, I confirmed that a further €10 million is being made available for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2020, with each Local Authority being provided with the same financial allocation as 2019. This funding can be drawn down by the Local Authorities as works are completed on the LIS roads.
A total of twenty Local Authorities have already determined the roads to be funded under the scheme this year. My Department has reviewed the information supplied and, so far, funding agreements have issued to sixteen Local Authorities so that the works can commence on the roads in question. The remainder will issue shortly as any outstanding matters are finalized.
Given the constraints imposed by COVID-19, the process of determining the roads to be funded is still under way in a number of other Local Authority areas. However, I understand that this process will be concluded in the coming weeks.
The twenty counties listed below have determined the roads to be funded and have advised my Department accordingly.
Counties who have provided lists
Carlow Kildare Monaghan
Cavan Kilkenny Offaly
Clare Laois Roscommon
Cork Leitrim Sligo
Donegal Limerick Wexford
Galway Longford Wicklow
Kerry Meath
628. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation by LAG for projects under the present Leader programme; the amount allocated to date by each; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10218/20]
View answerA total of €168.7 million has been allocated to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country for core project funding under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the amount allocated to projects for each LAG under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme, the value of projects approved to date, and the amount paid to date in respect of projects. The figures do not include expenditure or approvals under national-level thematic schemes which operate on a competitive bid basis.
The level of project activity under the LEADER programme continues to increase and, to date, almost 3,000 core projects have been approved for funding of over €116 million. A further 388 project applications, with a value greater than €29 million, are at various stages in the approval process.
Project payments are now in excess of €59 million and will continue to increase as approved works are completed and claims for payment are submitted. Payments can continue to be made beyond 2020 in respect of projects approved before the end of this year.
Table 1: Total LEADER Project Allocations, Approvals and Payments by LAG as of 8 th June 2020
|
Local Action Group |
Core Project Allocation |
Value of Approved Projects |
Project Payments to date |
|
Carlow |
€4,797,811 |
€3,658,435 |
€1,936,827 |
|
Cavan |
€6,844,583 |
€4,760,190 |
€2,907,845 |
|
Clare |
€6,609,050 |
€5,025,259 |
€2,260,688 |
|
Cork North |
€4,240,071 |
€2,872,793 |
€1,599,087 |
|
Cork South |
€2,839,017 |
€1,463,442 |
€658,360 |
|
Cork West |
€3,628,104 |
€1,866,322 |
€976,166 |
|
Donegal |
€10,063,589 |
€7,380,216 |
€4,204,392 |
|
Dublin Rural |
€4,728,612 |
€2,610,117 |
€1,129,677 |
|
Galway East |
€5,728,456 |
€3,656,067 |
€1,666,071 |
|
Galway West |
€3,406,692 |
€1,977,715 |
€740,780 |
|
Kerry |
€8,083,558 |
€6,665,506 |
€3,906,156 |
|
Kildare |
€3,899,564 |
€2,210,048 |
€960,515 |
|
Kilkenny |
€5,791,285 |
€2,450,340 |
€1,183,466 |
|
Laois |
€5,314,767 |
€3,223,058 |
€1,156,267 |
|
Leitrim |
€4,933,167 |
€3,388,351 |
€2,029,634 |
|
Limerick |
€7,377,584 |
€5,923,798 |
€3,024,019 |
|
Longford |
€5,703,537 |
€3,515,405 |
€1,334,108 |
|
Louth |
€4,551,902 |
€2,877,025 |
€1,702,343 |
|
Mayo |
€8,683,645 |
€6,701,828 |
€3,558,128 |
|
Meath |
€5,139,855 |
€4,160,036 |
€881,214 |
|
Monaghan |
€5,708,155 |
€3,286,473 |
€2,064,909 |
|
Offaly |
€6,436,669 |
€4,451,861 |
€3,193,437 |
|
Roscommon |
€6,586,752 |
€5,158,610 |
€1,719,461 |
|
Sligo |
€5,726,736 |
€4,387,400 |
€2,429,672 |
|
Tipperary |
€7,999,073 |
€6,197,835 |
€3,466,713 |
|
Waterford |
€6,001,670 |
€4,440,857 |
€3,140,004 |
|
Westmeath |
€5,563,394 |
€4,278,222 |
€1,711,972 |
|
Wexford |
€7,569,678 |
€4,903,454 |
€2,579,898 |
|
Wicklow |
€4,743,790 |
€2,667,902 |
€1,099,453 |
|
Total |
€168,700,764 |
€116,158,562 |
€59,221,261 |
629. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the extension of the operation and funding for the school meals scheme will be considered beyond the end of June 2020 to assist families on low incomes particularly during the Covid-19 emergency period. [9674/20]
View answer667. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the fact that schools may now be running out of budget for school meals for the final month of the primary school year; and if she will consider examining the extension of budgets for schools that are affected in this manner to ensure that no child loses out on nutrition that their families might also rely upon. [10178/20]
View answer668. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider taking action to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition during the summer months; and if she will consider a holiday hunger scheme. [10179/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 629, 667 and 668 together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 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 Primary School whose funding does not cover the provision of meals to the end of June should contact the school meals section at school.meals@welfare.ie and funding will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Any proposals to consider a new scheme or extend funding for food provision beyond these dates would need to be considered in the overall budgetary context. Furthermore, it is important to take account of the logistical issues involved in delivering the programme during the school holidays.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
630. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider amending the Covid-19 guidelines to permit small civil marriages on and after 8 June 2020 with restricted attendance of up to ten persons only including the persons getting married under the strict condition of social distancing and with the agreement of the registrar and celebrant in view of the fact up to ten persons are being permitted to attend a funeral while observing social distancing. [9865/20]
View answer633. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when persons that wish to get married and have civil ceremonies in registry offices will be able to do so; and if there are planned measures to be introduced to ensure these offices can be opened in the coming weeks. [10269/20]
View answer634. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will allow civil ceremonies to reassume in circumstances in which physical distancing allows; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that teleconferencing is used for civil ceremonies in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10376/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 633 and 634 together.
Due to current restrictions to support public health initiatives, access to the Civil Registration Service offices is greatly restricted and civil marriage ceremonies cannot proceed, other than in exceptional circumstances such as those involving the risk of death to one of the parties to a marriage.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Civil Registration Service. The General Register Office, which falls under the aegis of my Department, is liaising with the HSE to put plans in place for the resumption of services, including the provision of civil marriage ceremonies in line with the Government's roadmap.
I understand that provisional plans involve the re-opening of local Civil Registration Offices from 29th June to facilitate the completion of the legal preliminaries for marriage. A further extension of services to conduct civil ceremonies from 20th July is also planned. This is subject to strict adherence to social distancing recommendations and each registration area will introduce safeguards, depending on each office's specific needs.
With regard to marriages taking place by teleconference, the Deputy should note that this would require changes to legislation. Currently, all parties to the marriage are required to be in attendance in the presence of the registered solemniser, who are each then required to sign the necessary paperwork immediately after the ceremony.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment of €350 will be suspended in view of the fact it was a 12-week temporary payment; and if not, the length of time it will be extended for. [10052/20]
View answer645. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a submission by an organisation (details supplied) will be supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9816/20]
View answer647. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend current support payments for photographers and videographers in view of the fact that due to the nature of their business they will be affected by business closure longer than other sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9866/20]
View answer672. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue as long as social distancing and other restrictions are in place for those employed in businesses impacted by these restrictions in order to ensure income stability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10198/20]
View answer674. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure the pandemic unemployment payment end dates will be addressed on a sector by sector basis in acknowledgement that some sectors of the workforce will take longer to get back on their feet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10248/20]
View answer675. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered the recovery plan of an organisation (details supplied); and if additional supports will be provided to sectors most impacted by Covid-19. [10271/20]
View answer677. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures to be put in place to extend the Covid-19 reliefs duration to professions such as self-employed photographers and videographers and so on likely to be the in the last sections to return to normal employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10336/20]
View answer687. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider providing sectors most impacted by the Covid-19 crisis with certainty in relation to the continuation of the pandemic unemployment payment, in particular photographers and videographers that are especially impacted by the pandemic and will be slower to recover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10475/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 645, 647, 672, 674, 675, 677 and 687 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic for an initial 12 week period. The Government has, as of last Friday, approved the extension of this payment until 10th August. Changes were also announced to the structure of this payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted.
The Government is mindful of the fact that there are certain professions and businesses which will be affected by business closures longer than other sectors, including self employed photographers and videographers, and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people in these sectors. My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance to assist businesses with their recovery from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic and the details are available on that Department's website at www.dbei.gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
632. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the annual leave entitlements childcare professionals and workers are entitled to during the current Covid-19 pandemic period in which they are not working; if employers can insist such workers take annual leave during the period in which they are not working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10087/20]
View answerI am somewhat unclear as to the particulars of the case referred to by the Deputy, however, it is important to note a number of key points.
Firstly, let me set out the current legislation as it pertains to annual leave. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters for the taking of annual leave and payment for same. The times at which annual leave is granted is ultimately determined by the employer, having regard to work requirements and subject to the employer taking into account the need for the employee to reconcile work and family responsibilities, the need for rest and recreation, and the employer having consulted the employee or a trade union (if any), not later than one month before the day on which the annual leave is due to commence.
Section 19 of the Act provides that an employee shall be entitled to paid annual leave equal to:
- 4 working weeks in a leave year in which he or she works at least 1,365 hours (unless it is a leave year in which he or she changes employment)
- One-third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 177 hours, or
- 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).
As set out above, an entitlement to annual leave arises under the Act on the basis of hours worked, with the exception of sick leave. Therefore, by definition, a person must be in employment to accrue annual leave.
It should be noted that the Act further provides that nothing prevents employers and employees from entering into arrangements that are more favourable to the employee with regard to the times of, and the pay in respect of, his or her annual leave.
I note that the Deputy states that the employees in question are not working. While I am unsure of the details in this particular case, I am advised that it is only possible to negotiate annual leave arrangements, in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 set out above, where an employment relationship has been maintained.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
635. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons that are regarded as high-risk and unable to return to former employment due to cocooning can continue to avail of the Covid-19 enhanced payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10397/20]
View answer669. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports that exist for persons whose jobs are reopening as their workplaces reopen but that are medically vulnerable or need to cocoon and as a result, do not feel able to retake these jobs; and the appropriate payment, that is, the pandemic unemployment payment, illness benefit or other payment available in such circumstances. [10180/20]
View answer671. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the appropriate payment for persons that have been on the pandemic unemployment payment whose jobs are now available but in circumstances in which their medical consultant is recommending they cocoon for a further period due to an underlying health condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10194/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 635, 669 and 671 together.
The enhanced illness benefit payment is available where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer of health diagnoses a person with COVID 19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection. The payment is for a limited period and at a rate of €350 to ensure that the person can comply with medical advice to isolate.
Employees who cocoon without a medical certificate may approach their employer in relation to taking annual or other paid leave - this is at the discretion of the employer. Many employers can, and do, agree leave arrangements with staff who need to take short periods of time off. These include arrangements to enable employees to work remotely from home, to alter shift patterns, to work-up time taken, or to bring forward annual leave entitlements from future work periods. The government has encouraged employers to support workers with leave requests at this difficult time and those with underlying health conditions should be facilitated where possible.
Where an employee is unable to return to the workplace as they are medically vulnerable or they need to cocoon for longer on the advice of their medical practitioner as they may be more susceptible to contracting the COVID-19 virus they may apply for standard illness benefit which is paid at a maximum weekly personal rate of €203 and increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children. Illness benefit claims require medical certification of illness that a person is incapable of work.
Where it is not possible to make appropriate compassionate leave arrangements, employees can call on some statutory entitlements including supplementary welfare allowance.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
636. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if points raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined; if a response will issue in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9660/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department in response to the Covid-19 pandemic emergency. As stipulated in the scheme guidelines both employees and self-employed people can apply for the payment if they satisfy a number of qualifying conditions as set out below.
In order to qualify for the payment, the applicant must:
- be aged between 18 and 66 years old and
- be currently living in the Republic of Ireland and
- have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic or
- have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
- have worked in the Republic of Ireland or were a cross border frontier worker and
- not be in receipt of any employment income.
In order to ensure business continuity across its schemes my Department gave a commitment to continue funding all Community Employment (CE) schemes throughout the emergency period, which included the continued funding of wages for CE participants. In this context, as CE participants are in receipt of an employment income, they do not meet the criteria for receipt of the Covid-19 PUP.
However, where a CE participant loses their employment outside of CE, their second employer can apply for the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) administered by the Revenue Commissioners to assist in the continuation of a wage payment, subject to certain conditions.
637. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the review into entitlement to the State pension (contributory); the number of cases reviewed to date; the number of cases that remain to be reviewed; the number that had their pension increased; the number whose pension remained the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9709/20]
View answer638. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a breakdown of the review of entitlement to the State pension (contributory) to date by county will be provided; the number of cases reviewed by county; the number in each county that were awarded increases in their pension; the number in each county whose pension stayed the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9710/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 637 and 638 together.
In January 2018, I announced an interim total contributions approach (TCA) to the calculation of pension entitlement for those State pension (contributory) customers born on or after 1 September 1946 and in receipt of pension on post-2012 rates. This TCA provides for up to 20 years of HomeCaring Periods in the pension entitlement calculation for applicants who took time out of the workplace for parenting or caring duties.
All contributory pensioners born on or after 1st September 1946 who had a reduced contributory pension based on post budget 2012 rate bands have now been reviewed. The reviews provided for under the Social Welfare, Pension & Civil Registrations Act 2018 commenced from 13 February 2019, the day after I signed the necessary Regulations. From April 2019, all State pension (contributory) applications are being assessed under all relevant rate calculation methods, including the interim total contributions approach.
When the TCA reviews were concluded at end-October 2019, a total of 94,258 reviews were completed, of which 56% were women and 44% were men. As these reviews were processed, pensioners were notified and increases (where awarded) paid, together with arrears backdated to 30 March 2018, or the person’s 66th birthday if later. Those who did not qualify for an increase in payment (59% of those reviewed) continue to receive their existing weekly rate.
An increase in pension entitlement was awarded to 54% of women and 24% of men. 20,129 pensioners increased their rate of payment to the maximum rate of pension (72% women; 28% men).
Please see below in tabular form details of claimants reviewed, according to their county address at the time of review. The figures represent 90% of total reviews, and include those who received an increase in their rate of payment and those who remained on their existing rate of payment.
|
County |
Reviewed by County |
|
Carlow |
997 |
|
Cavan |
1,347 |
|
Clare |
2,510 |
|
Cork |
9,305 |
|
Donegal |
2,729 |
|
Dublin |
22,091 |
|
Galway |
4,761 |
|
Kerry |
3,159 |
|
Kildare |
3,672 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,636 |
|
Laois |
1,189 |
|
Leitrim |
689 |
|
Limerick |
3,632 |
|
Longford |
752 |
|
Louth |
2,046 |
|
Mayo |
2,850 |
|
Meath |
3,239 |
|
Monaghan |
1,178 |
|
Offaly |
1,299 |
|
Roscommon |
1,344 |
|
Sligo |
1,459 |
|
Tipperary |
3,105 |
|
Waterford |
2,052 |
|
Westmeath |
1,672 |
|
Wexford |
2,832 |
|
Wicklow |
3,047 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
639. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of plans to move to a total contributions approach for calculating entitlement to a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9711/20]
View answerThe Total Contributions Approach (TCA), when it is introduced, is intended to be a fairer and more transparent system where the person’s lifetime contribution will be more closely reflected in the benefit received.
Consultation is a very important part of the development and design of such a new approach. With this in mind, a public consultation on the design of the TCA was launched on the 28th May 2018. A wide variety of stakeholder groups were invited to this launch. In addition, the consultation involved a number of workshops with representative bodies, and a briefing and Question & Answer session for Oireachtas members by Department officials in Leinster House.
The online consultation lasted for over three months and the Department received nearly 300 responses from individuals and organisations. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents on a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, provision for home caring periods and for the self-employed.
Having carefully examined the outputs of the TCA consultation process, officials in the Department are designing the scheme, with a view to including significant recognition for home caring periods in the new model. The final design of the model will need to be brought to Government for its consideration and approval.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
640. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a contract will be extended for a person (details supplied). [9719/20]
View answerFirstly, I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that the supervisor in question has provided throughout her tenure, and that of the CE sponsoring bodies in running CE schemes throughout the country along with the wide range of employment opportunities offered.
CE is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and others with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring bodies that receive state funding from the Department to cover the cost of CE employee remuneration.
Funding for CE supervisors is available until the person reaches the state pension age and they may remain on CE until the working day before they reach the state pension age as follows:
- 66 for those born before 1 January 1955;
- 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1955; and
- 68 for those born on or after 1 January 1961
CE supervisors may apply for a State Pension on retirement from CE.
I am advised that the recruitment process for a new CE supervisor with the CE sponsoring body in question is currently underway and officials from my Department are actively engaging with the CE sponsoring body to support this process.
