Written Answers Nos. 929-953
929. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to implement an inspection process in advance of the reopening of crèches and early learning facilities for the purpose of advising providers on the implementation of departmental guidance on reopening. [11627/20]
View answerAs the matter to which the Deputy refers is an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly within 10 working days.
930. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the maximum number of children and staff per pod in crèches and early learning facilities on reopening; and if her Department will provide guidance to providers on this matter. [11628/20]
View answerOn Friday 5 June, I launched a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website. The Guidance for Reopening webpage includes health guidance (published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre), regulatory guidance and practice supports.
The public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is that while there is no evidence base on which to define a maximum play-pod size, play-pods should be kept as small as is likely to be reasonably practical in the specific childcare context.
The maximum adult-child ratios required by the Early Years Services Regulations, 2016 will remain unchanged and so services must continue to operate within them. In most cases there should be either one or two adults in a ‘play-pod’ in order to keep play-pod sizes small. Therefore, play-pod size will be limited by those ratios. For example, a play-pod that involves 3-6 year olds in full day care may have a maximum size of either nine (one adult and eight children) or 18 (two adults and 16 children). For children under 1 in full day care the maximum play-pod size can be either four (one adult and three children) or eight (two adults and six children). For 1-2 year olds maximum play-pod sizes may be six (one adult and five children) or 12 (two adults and ten children).
While in the majority of cases there will be no more than two adults in a play-pod, there may be some scenarios where a third adult will be required e.g. where an individual is employed to support a child with additional needs or where Tusla, as regulator, has suggested that an additional staff member is required to help with a group where there is challenging behaviour. In those instances, the additional adult would not result in any additional children in the play-pod.
931. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if additional funding will be provided to crèches and early learning facilities to fund the additional staff necessary to satisfy the reopening guidance. [11629/20]
View answerOn 10 June 2020, I announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services. In accordance with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and guided by the expert advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), ELC and SAC services can resume from 29 June. I am pleased that Government have committed a €75m package of funding for reopening services over the summer months. This substantial investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country.
The new funding package contains four significant elements:
- A once-off reopening support payment for DCYA-funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- A once-off COVID-19 capital grant for DCYA-funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- Continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)
- Resumption of DCYA ELC and SAC programmes. NCS, CCSP and TEC will be available again for children attending ELC and SAC services from 29 June.
In developing the funding package, I recognise that a reduced number of children are likely to attend ELC and SAC services in the initial weeks of reopening. This funding package is tailored to allow providers to operate with potentially less parental income and to assist in meeting the possible costs associated with complying with public health requirements, including additional staffing costs.
Expert guidance on the safe reopening of ELC and SAC services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29 May. The guidance recommends use of a “play pod” model which restricts interactions between closed groups of children and adults as an alternative to social distancing, on the basis that social distancing is not possible between young children. Based on advice provided by the HPSC, I do not propose to changes to Regulations in relation to either the adult-child ratios or the floor-space requirements for ELC or SAC services as such changes are unnecessary where "play pods" are in use.
The funding package will also ensure that ELC and SAC providers will not charge higher fees than they did pre-COVID-19. This will benefit parents and children returning to services.
A detailed set of FAQs was published on 12 June to ensure that providers are fully informed of the new funding package. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks. My officials will ensure that the application process will be as straightforward as possible.
A key policy priority for my Department is the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector and hence it has and continues to work intensively to support services to re-open after COVID-19. The reopening funding aims to support providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work, and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.
932. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the approach of her Department to testing for Covid-19 for workers in crèches and early learning facilities on the reopening of the sector will be clarified. [11630/20]
View answerIn preparing for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services, my Department has liaised closely with the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) to ensure appropriate health guidance is available to services and their staff. This culminated in the publication, by the HPSC, of "Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Settings Providing Childcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic" on 29th May. This guidance is available on the HPSC website and the Guidance for Reopening webpage available on the First 5 website.
While liaising with the HPSC, my Department sought advice on testing for staff in childcare services. The public health advice is that staff/children do not need to be tested for COVID-19 unless they are displaying symptoms such as fever (high temperature), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. There is no requirement for staff to be prioritised for testing. Staff and parents should be advised to not attend the service if they or their child is displaying symptoms. They should remain at home and contact their doctor immediately. This has been detailed in the FAQs published on the First 5 website.
The latest data from the Department of Health (as of 14 June) shows that it takes on average 1.2 days for the testing process to be completed and 2.4 days for contract tracing to be carried out.
933. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide guidance to crèches and early learning facilities on revised dropping off and picking up procedures on the reopening of the sector. [11631/20]
View answerOn 5th June, I launched a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website.
The webpage includes expert guidance on the safe reopening of childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29th May. That guidance details options for drop off and collection at Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings which seek to ensure physical distancing between adults is maintained as far as practicable. The public health advice is that physical distancing between adults could be achieved by staggering arrival and collection times, by having demarcated waiting areas outside the entrance to the setting, or by asking parents to wait with their children in their car until a childcare practitioner comes to collect them.
Physical distancing between parents and practitioners will not be possible for the drop-off and collection of babies or very young children. It is also acknowledged that the option of collection from cars may not be appropriate in many settings or for younger children and may cause anxiety among children and parents. Collection from cars may work best for school-age children. Service providers are asked to consider what works best in the context of their own setting, the outside space available, the age range of their children, and the needs of parents.
Whatever approach is used, providers should ensure that, wherever possible, physical distance is maintained between adults and between children from different 'play-pods' within the setting.
934. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will provide additional funding to crèches and early learning facilities for the purpose of upgrading outdoor space. [11632/20]
View answerOn 10 June I announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June.
A significant element of the new funding model is a once-off capital grant with a budget of €14.2m. The amount of the grant for each individual provider will be based on the number of children on Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) schemes in the service pre- COVID-19.
All services in contract with DCYA on the 12 March who are re-opening between 29 June and the beginning of September can avail of this grant.
This grant can be used by services to help them to adhere to the reopening public health guidelines by improving hygiene facilities and outdoor play areas. This will reduce the risk posed by COVID-19. Allowable expenditure will include, shade, shelter and play equipment to enable outdoor play as much as possible, and canopies for the creation of a transition space, as well as additional handwashing and toilet facilities.
The application process for the one-off capital grant, which will be administered by Pobal, will go live shortly.
935. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will provide return to work training for employees of crèches and early learning facilities in advance of the reopening of the sector. [11633/20]
View answerOn Friday 5 June, I launched a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website.
As Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services are private businesses, the training of staff and preparation for returning to work are primarily matters for the service provider as the employer. My Department has been engaging intensively with a number of organisations representing the childcare sector, through an Advisory Group on Reopening, to ensure appropriate supports are in place to assist the sector in their preparations.
The Guidance for Reopening webpage, developed with the assistance of the Advisory Group, includes health guidance (published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre), regulatory guidance and practice supports. It also includes a COVID-19 Setting Preparation Plan, developed by Early Childhood Ireland, which details the policies and practices required for the service provider to comply with the Government's "Return to Work Safely Protocol" and to minimise the risk of spread of COVID-19 in their setting.
Online training resources are also being made available on the "Continuing Professional Development Resources for Practitioners" webpage on the First 5 website.
Both webpages will be updated over the coming weeks with more resources and practice examples.
936. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department spent on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11836/20]
View answerThe Department has not incurred any direct expenditure on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019.
937. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further funding will be made available to community projects to enable them to open up their buildings with signage, PPE, sanitising equipment and extra cleaning staff. [10489/20]
View answerMy Department is providing vital supports to rural and community organisations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 restrictions are eased in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, our rural towns and villages will have an important role to play in supporting economic activity and in providing safe spaces for people to meet. My Department is considering the appropriate approach for many of its programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme has been developed to help our towns and villages to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19. This scheme was launched on 27 May 2020 and includes an Accelerated Measure in response to COVID-19.
This measure focuses on immediate interventions that can be delivered in the short-term to assist towns and villages to adapt to COVID-19. It will be administered by Local Authorities who will have the autonomy to identify and develop their own solutions in consultation with local business interests, Town Teams and community groups as appropriate.
The projects funded can be delivered directly by the Local Authority or by a community/business organisation. It is expected that the projects will involve expenditure on supplies and services of a capital nature to adapt to public health requirements. Full details of the 2020 Town and Village Scheme are available at Gov.ie .
The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) is also being considered in that context. The CEP funded by my Department provides small capital grants to community groups. Typical projects funded under this programme can include the renovation of community centres, community amenities, improvements to town parks, common areas and spaces, CCTV equipment and energy efficiency-type projects. The CEP is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.
The CLÁR 2020 programme considers support for interventions that make school/community facility environs healthier and safer for the children attending the schools, and for children and adults using the community facilities.
This measure has been broadened to allow additional investments to adapt areas around schools and community facilities to help meet new public health requirements arising from COVID-19. This measure will be administered through the Local Authorities and applications will be submitted to my Department through the Authorities. It is not open for direct application. The school or facility must also be in a CLÁR area. The scheme outline, including the eligibility criteria for this Measure, is also available on the Gov.ie website .
I am acutely aware of the severe challenges facing communities as a result of COVID-19. My Department is continuing to liaise with representatives of the sector and with Departments with relevant policy responsibility in relation to the challenges faced at this time.
938. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises by organisations based in County Laois. [10590/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is 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 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 fund will provide €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
I can confirm that there were seven applications received from County Laois based organisations. Over one thousand 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.
939. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises by organisations based in County Offaly. [10591/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is 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 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 fund will provide €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
I can confirm that there were sixteen applications received from County Offaly based organisations. Over one thousand 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.
940. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding released to successful applicants from the Social Enterprise Development Fund 2018 to 2020 to date. [10596/20]
View answerThe Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €1.6m fund which was established in 2018 by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland. It is funded by IPB Insurance and by my Department. Through the Dormant Accounts Fund, my Department provides match funding for all philanthropic donations raised by SIFI.
While the Social Enterprise Development Fund was initially due to run to the end of 2020, a further €1.6m in funding was announced in January of this year to ensure the initiative continues to 2022. €800,000 of this funding will be provided by my Department.
Each year the Social Enterprise Development Fund releases €400,000 in cash grants in addition to a range of non-financial supports. The following tables detail the social enterprises which were awarded funding in 2018 and 2019 in addition to those social enterprises which received non-financial supports and a place on the SIFI Accelerator Programme.
2018 - List of Social Enterprises in receipt of Social Enterprise Development funding
|
Social Enterprise |
Location |
Cash Grant |
|
MyMind |
Dublin |
€50,000 |
|
GIY Growbox |
Waterford |
€50,000 |
|
O'Cualann |
Wicklow |
€50,000 |
|
The Shona Project |
Waterford |
€50,000 |
|
Sensational Kids |
Kildare |
€50,000 |
|
Meals 4 Health |
Galway |
€50,000 |
|
Social Farming |
Leitrim |
€50,000 |
|
Sailing into Wellness |
Cork |
€50,000 |
In 2018 a further 14 social enterprises received non-financial support and a place on the SIFI Accelerator Programme, listed as follows:
|
Social Enterprise |
Location |
|
TechIreland |
Dublin |
|
ReCreate Ireland |
Dublin |
|
Siel Bleu |
Dublin |
|
The Peacelink |
Monaghan |
|
Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited |
Dublin |
|
First Fortnight |
Dublin |
|
Third Space Collective |
Dublin |
|
Tipperary Energy Agency |
Tipperary |
|
FoodShare |
Kerry |
|
The Cornmarket Project |
Wexford |
|
Dress for Success |
Dublin |
|
Helium Arts |
Westmeath |
|
St.Gabriel's Orthotics |
Limerick |
|
Generation Accommodation |
Wicklow |
2019 - List of Social Enterprises in receipt of Social Enterprise Development funding
|
Social Enterprise |
Location |
Cash Grant |
|
Active Connections CLG |
Cork |
€30,000 |
|
Bounce Back Recycling |
Galway |
€35,000 |
|
Darndale Belcamp Village Centre |
Dublin |
€20,000 |
|
Deaf Enterprises |
Cork |
€10,000 |
|
Irish Seed Savers Association |
Clare |
€10,000 |
|
Kilcannon Industries |
Wexford |
€10,000 |
|
ReCreate Ireland |
Dublin |
€20,000 |
|
Refill Ireland Project Ltd |
Dublin |
€30,000 |
|
Siel Bleu Ireland |
Dublin |
€30,000 |
|
Spraoi agus Spórt |
Donegal |
€75,000 |
|
St. Gabriel's Orthotic Services |
Limerick |
€70,000 |
|
Teach na Daoine |
Monaghan |
€10,000 |
|
The Peace Link |
Monaghan |
€10,000 |
|
The Urban Co-op |
Limerick |
€20,000 |
|
Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited |
Dublin |
€10,000 |
|
We Make Good |
Dublin |
€10,000 |
These organisations also received non-financial supports.
The 2020 Social Enterprise Development Fund selection process is nearing completion and the applicants will be informed of the outcome in mid-July.
941. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of social enterprises in counties Laois and Offaly that have been awarded a grant from the social enterprise development fund; and the value of the grants. [10597/20]
View answerThe Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €1.6m fund which was established in 2018 by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland. It is funded by IPB Insurance and by my Department. Through the Dormant Accounts Fund, my Department provides match funding for all philanthropic donations raised by SIFI.
While the Social Enterprise Development Fund was initially due to run to the end of 2020, a further €1.6m in funding was announced in January of this year to ensure the initiative continues to 2022. €800,000 of this funding will be provided by my Department.
To date, no organisations from Counties Laois or Offaly have been awarded a grant from the Social Enterprise Development Fund. However, my Department has provided funding to social enterprises in Laois and Offaly through other schemes specifically targeting social enterprises.
For example, between December 2019 and January 2020 I announced funding to 4 social enterprises from Co. Laois and 6 social enterprises from Co. Offaly under the pilot Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises.
Offaly Integrated Local Development Company was also successful in being awarded €33,720 to support training and mentoring of social enterprises under the pilot Training and Mentoring Scheme for Social Enterprises which I announced last December.
Details of the projects supported under these schemes are available at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/a99ff0-small-capital-grants-for-social-enterprises/ (December 2019)
and
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/045094-small-grants-for-social-enterprises/ (January 2020)
942. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will establish a grant aid scheme for community groups (details supplied) to enable them to adapt their premises to minimise the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10601/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges currently faced by community and voluntary organisations like Men's Sheds and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these. My Department has provided consistent support to the The Irish Men’s Sheds Association under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) with an allocation of €269,998 over the 36 month period of the scheme.
At a local level, community groups are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. Some of the supports funded by my Department which are relevant to Men’s Sheds are listed below.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants to community groups like Men’s Sheds to improve facilities in both rural and urban areas. The appropriate approach for many of the Department’s programmes is being examined in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.
Funding may be also be available through the existing LEADER Programme for the type of project activity referred to by the Deputy. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available.
The list of Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details is available on the National Rural Network website at the following link: https://www.nationalruralnetwork.ie/leader/local-action-groups/
Officials within my Department continue to liaise with representatives of the sector and other Departments regarding the challenges faced at this time.
943. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has restored funding to an association (details supplied) in 2020 in respect of the programmes supported in previous years; if so, the amount granted; the purpose it will be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10928/20]
View answerMy Department provides funding towards the regeneration of Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) to support the implementation of the Mulvey Report “Creating a Brighter Future” and the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 – 2022.
In 2019, €86,000 was provided by the NEIC Initiative to the organisation in question. This allocation funded a Football Diversionary Programme in the NEIC.
The funding allocation for the NEIC Initiative is decided on a year-to-year basis as part of the Estimates process. Once notified of the NEIC Initiative’s funding allocation for a given year, the NEIC Programme Implementation Board (PIB) invites proposals for the distribution of the funding which are then considered via a sub group structure and submitted to the PIB for approval. To date in 2020, no proposal for funding has been received by the NEIC Initiative from the organisation in question.
Funding was previously provided to the organisation in question by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) for the period covering 2011 to the 30 June 2014. The SSNO is now administered by my Department and provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards the core costs associated with the provision of services.
There was no SSNO funding awarded to the organisation prior to 2011 and none since June 2014.
944. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support and advice available for non-county and city council operated community centres to determine when they can reopen according to the various facilities and services they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11257/20]
View answerThe government has published a Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society in a phased manner. There is no set date for the reopening of all community centres in Ireland. 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. The roadmap provides more detail and is available on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/roadmap
Community facilities are supported in a range of different ways across different Government Departments and agencies. Some of the supports my Department provides are outlined as follows.
Funding is provided to over 400 community organisations under the Community Services Programme (CSP) some of which are operating community centres.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme which has been developed to help our towns and villages to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19, includes an Accelerated Measure in response to COVID-19. More details are available on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/01125e-town-and-village-renewal-scheme
The Community Enhancement Programme 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.
Funding is provided 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/
While recognising that the social recovery of Ireland post COVID-19 will require a whole of Government approach, my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to determine how best this can be achieved and will continue to work to support community organisatons across the country.
945. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a breakdown for LEADER programme funding will be provided according to categories used by his Department for the period January 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; the amount of funding apportioned to women's projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11526/20]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme with a total budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €225 million of this funding has been allocated as core funding to the 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) that deliver the LEADER programme around the country. This funding is allocated to the LAGs for the full period of the programme rather than on an annual basis, to allow full flexibility to the LAGs.
The remaining €25 million is available for thematic schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated centrally as projects are approved.
Total expenditure on the LEADER 2014-2020 programme to date amounts to over €100 million. This comprises:
- €1.5 million in costs incurred by the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies (LDS) at the outset of the programme (preparatory support);
- €38.7 million in expenditure incurred on administration and on supporting the development of LEADER projects (administration & animation);
- €61.1 million on project expenditure (includes payments under thematic schemes).
Table 1 details the expenditure incurred in each of these categories in the period 2015 to date. It can be seen from this table that project expenditure has increased significantly in the last two years. Expenditure will continue to increase this year as further projects are completed and payment claims are received by my Department.
In total, over 3,100 projects have been approved for funding in excess of €123 million under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme. A further 450 projects requesting over €32.7 million are at various stages of the approvals process. Payments can continue to be made beyond 2020 in respect of projects approved before the end of this year.
Funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and the Rural Environment. The Department does not, therefore, capture details of the amount of funding approved specifically for women's groups or other sectoral organisations.
Decisions on the nature of the projects to be supported and the funding to be awarded are solely a matter for each LAG.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Categories of expenditure broken down per year
|
Year |
Preparatory Support |
Administration & animation |
Projects |
Total |
|
2015 |
€1,251,185.25 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€1,251,185.25 |
|
2016 |
€119,785.45 |
€1,141,135.09 |
€0.00 |
€1,260,920.54 |
|
2017 |
€97,141.59 |
€11,364,865.35 |
€661,844.12 |
€12,123,851.06 |
|
2018 |
€0.00 |
€10,478,473.65 |
€12,505,239.04 |
€22,983,712.69 |
|
2019 |
€4,132.15 |
€11,633,930.13 |
€30,669,533.47 |
€42,307,595.75 |
|
2020 (to date) |
€0.00 |
€ 4,093,993.86 |
€17,302,081.14 |
€21,396,075.00 |
946. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of women's sheds groups that applied for and were successful under the most recent community enhancement fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/20]
View answerMen's Sheds provide a valuable service, strengthening communities by bringing people together and helping to tackle social isolation. Recently a number of Women’s Sheds have emerged, and in order to support this positive development, I ring-fenced funding under the 2019 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) for both Men's and Women's Sheds.
This provided €0.5 million of small capital grants to Sheds throughout Ireland to carry out minor capital works or to purchase equipment. In total 372 Men’s and Women’s Sheds were allocated funding, this included 33 Women’s Shed Groups.
947. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount his Department spent on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11847/20]
View answerMy Department did not incur any expenditure on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019.
948. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if employers are required to pay bank holiday pay and holiday pay to employees who were laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and received the pandemic unemployment payment when they return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10787/20]
View answer960. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the entitlement of employees to holiday pay continues to accrue during the period businesses are closed due to Covid-19. [10483/20]
View answer967. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which annual leave entitlements will be calculated for those on the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10521/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 948, 960 and 967 together.
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters around the taking of annual leave and payment of same. The terms and conditions of individual employment contracts may provide additional specifics within those parameters such as stipulations in relation to the entitlement to extra days' leave above what is statutorily required by the Act.
Section 19 of the Act provides that an employee shall be entitled to paid annual leave equal to:
(a) 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),
(b) One third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 177 hours, or
(c) 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 weeks).
In calculating how many days leave to which an employee may be entitled, employers should include all hours worked, and take account of time spent on annual leave, time spent on maternity leave, parental leave, force majeure leave or adoptive leave, sick leave and time spent on the first 13 weeks of carer's leave.
If an employee has lost all of their employment due to the current crisis and are in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, they are not in a position to accrue annual leave. If an employee is in receipt of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners), they accrue annual leave only in respect of the hours which they actually work. Employees do not accrue annual leave while on temporary lay-off.
The determination of whether a person is entitled to payment from their employer in respect of a public holiday is also governed by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Under the Act, for each of the nine public holidays in a year, an employee is entitled to either a paid day off on the holiday, a paid day off within a month of the holiday, an extra day’s annual leave, or an extra day’s pay. If a person is on temporary lay-off they are entitled to benefit for the public holidays that fall within the first thirteen weeks of lay-off.
An employee may present a complaint to the WRC if it appears that the employer has failed to provide the correct holiday entitlements to which the employee is entitled under the Act.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
949. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment who previously earned less than €200 a week in wages and were in receipt of a social welfare payment when they became unemployed by scheme type (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10891/20]
View answerTo receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), a person must have been in employment or self-employment in March, and must have lost their employment as a result of the public health emergency. The only jobseeker payment recipients who have received a PUP payment are those who were in part-time or casual employment who lost their employment due to the pandemic. Jobseeker numbers below refer only to those who were casually employed, who now receive the PUP.
The numbers in the following table are based only on 2018 earnings data, and are not necessarily a count of the number of recipients of these schemes expected to receive a reduced rate of PUP going forward.
Table 1: Current PUP recipients by selected schemes where 2018 Earnings were less than €200 per week
|
Scheme |
People |
|
Casual Jobseekers |
6,515 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
2,263 |
|
Working Family Payment |
2,482 |
950. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment who previously earned less than €200 a week in wages and are in receipt of rent supplement, HAP, or are living in social housing. [10892/20]
View answerI am advised that my Department does not have data on persons in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), or of those living in social housing. The requested figures for recipients of both Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and Rent Supplement are presented in the following table.
This table is based only on 2018 earnings data, and should not be considered a count of Rent Supplement recipients who will receive a reduced rate of PUP going forward.
Table 1: Current PUP and Rent Supplement recipients where 2018 Earnings were less than €200 per week
|
Scheme |
People |
|
Rent Supplement |
500 |
951. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if cash tips are to be included in assessing the eligibility of a person for the higher rate of the pandemic unemployment payment. [10893/20]
View answer985. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the new lower pandemic unemployment payment is based on earnings before or after tax. [10755/20]
View answer988. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the pre-pandemic unemployment payment income is calculated for part-time earners; the monthly earnings that have been taken into account for the assessment of income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10817/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 951, 985 and 988 together.
On Friday 5th June the Government approved the extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 10th August. The rate of payment will remain at a flat rate of €350 until 29th June when a two-level payment structure will be introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to gross prior earnings. This change to the payment structure will ensure that the rate is fair and targeted.
Where a person’s gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher there will be no change to their rate of payment. If a person’s gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment will be adjusted to €203. This change will take effect in payments made from Tuesday 7 July.
To determine the gross weekly earnings for the purpose of calculating the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment the Department will examine the employee’s average gross weekly earnings in 2019 and January and February 2020, and the higher figure will be used. For example, if an employee’s average gross weekly earnings in 2019 were €195 and €210 in 2020, the figure of €210 will be used. Similarly if the employee’s average gross weekly earnings in 2019 were higher than in 2020, the 2019 figure will be used. Tips are treated as reckonable income and are taxed in the normal way.
For self employed people their gross average weekly income for 2018 will be used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment, the last tax year for which verifiable data on self-employed income is available.
I hope that this clarifies the position.
952. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons due to have their pandemic unemployment payment cut from 30 June 2020 who were earning over €200 a week in wages on that date in 2019. [10894/20]
View answerThe implications of the changes to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) announced on June 5th 2020 is currently being evaluated by my Department in respect of all recipients of this payment.
I am advised that at this juncture it is not yet possible report on the number of persons due to have their pandemic unemployment payment adjusted from 30 June 2020 that were earning over €200 a week in wages one year previously. I will however provide the Deputy with the requested information as soon as it is available.
I am advised that based on the Pandemic Unemployment Payments issued on June 9th, a total of 94,377 recipients had weekly earnings of less than €200. Note that the earnings were calculated from Revenue payroll data in early 2020 and that this number would not include PUP recipients who are self-employed.
953. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons due to have their pandemic unemployment payment cut from 30 June 2020 who are less than and more than 25 years of age, respectively. [10895/20]
View answerThe implications of the changes to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) announced on June 5th 2020 is currently being evaluated by my Department in respect of all recipients of this payment.
However, I am advised that based on the Pandemic Unemployment Payments issued on June 9th, a total of 43,790 recipients were under 25 years of age and had weekly earnings of less than €200. Note that the earnings were calculated from Revenue payroll data in early 2020 and that this number would not include persons who are self-employed.
