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Tuesday, 28 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 554-573

Special Educational Needs

Questions (554)

Holly Cairns

Question:

554. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD special classes in primary and secondary schools by county for the period 1 Jan 2016 to 30 June 2020, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19153/20]

View answer

Written answers

The list of special classes for the years referred to by the Deputy, including special classes for children with autism, is available on the NCSE website at https://ncse.ie/. 

Ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department.  Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.

Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.

The National Council for Special Education has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements. 

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places national to meet identified need for next year. 

Special Educational Needs

Questions (555)

Holly Cairns

Question:

555. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on providing ASD special class-specific inspectors tasked solely with the inspection of said classes. [19154/20]

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Written answers

Given the very significant State investment in special education and in the increased provision of Autism (ASD) special classes, it is important to ensure that practice in those classes is quality assured.  ASD classes are inspected at both primary and post-primary levels as part of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) evaluation model. 

Findings from SEN evaluations are used in the compilation of composite reports; including a recently-published report on the quality of provision for children in ASD classes attached to mainstream primary and post-primary schools.  SEN evaluations are carried out by a team of inspectors with specific expertise and experience in SEN and all team members have been fully trained on the operation of the SEN evaluation model.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (556)

Holly Cairns

Question:

556. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of continuing professional development curriculums in place for special needs assistants. [19155/20]

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Written answers

The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs. While SNAs are very much valued in the provision of care support, the Review recommended that a more broadly based set of supports was required including therapeutic supports.   

The Review also referenced SNA qualifications and training. One of the recommendations of the Review was the development of a national training programme at FETAC level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications for existing and new SNAs.  A quality training programme is being developed and will be available to all SNAs from January next.  The aim of the programme is to ensure that all SNAs have the skills and competencies to carry out their care support role in schools. 

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (557)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

557. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stock of PPE held in reserve by her Department in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 or another health emergency requiring all teachers and school personnel to be equipped with same 24-7. [19170/20]

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Written answers

The Department of Education is working to put in place a framework of suppliers to provide the necessary PPE for schools and other Education Sector bodies and institutions. The primary focus of this procurement is to allow for the full and safe reopening of all schools. This is an active procurement which is intended will provide for the PPE necessary to support the reopening and will be capable of being scaled up and down as required to meet changes in demand.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (558)

Gary Gannon

Question:

558. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the primary school staffing schedule will be adjusted in budget 2021 in order to commence the required reduction of class size; and in view of the fact that there was no general reduction of the schedule provided for in either budget 2019 or budget 2020. [19177/20]

View answer

Written answers

The annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools.  For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1) which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level. 

Budget 2020 has provided for a budget of more than €11 billion for the Department of Education and Skills in 2020. This is the highest ever allocation to the sector and an increase of nearly €2 billion since 2016. 

Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by almost 3,500 when comparing the 2015/16 school year with the current school year and this has led to a steady improvement in the pupil teacher ratio and average class size statistics during this period.

The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2019/20 school year.  Average class sizes at primary level improved from 24.9 to 24.1 in the same period.

I am very conscious of the staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools given their vital role in communities around the country. I am looking at how best to make further progress in reducing the staffing schedule in the context of the Programme for Government implementation.

State Examinations

Questions (559)

Gary Gannon

Question:

559. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason leaving certificate and leaving certificate applied students are being required to opt in again to receive calculated grades before the 27 July 2020 deadline in view of the fact that schools are closed and this cohort of students are at extreme risk of disengaging. [19181/20]

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Written answers

A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.

Detailed guidance for students on calculated grades was published in late May. The document sets out information on the process that was to be undertaken for students to receive calculated grades. This document advised all student that they must register on the school portal between 26th and 28th May. 57,972 Leaving Certificate candidates and 2,855 Leaving Certificate Applied candidates registered for calculated grades.

The guidance for students also advised that further engagement with the student portal would be required to opt to receive calculated grades. This is because students have the option of receiving calculated grades or not.

The student portal opened on Monday 20 July to allow students to opt to receive calculated grades. All students were notified by text and e-mail and schools were also e-mailed requesting that they remind the students to opt to receive calculated grades. Students who haven’t yet logged on to the portal are reminded to do so by daily text message.

As of Monday 27 July 98% of Leaving Certificate and 90% of Leaving Certificate Applied students had engaged with the school portal to opt in to receive calculated grades. The Calculated Grades Executive Office in my Department will continue to follow up with all students to ensure that they have the opportunity to receive calculated grades this year.

State Examinations

Questions (560)

Gary Gannon

Question:

560. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of leaving certificate students who have re-opted in for calculated grades to date; the number who had originally signed up for calculated grades at the end of May 2020, by leaving certificate and leaving certificate applied students in tabular form. [19182/20]

View answer

Written answers

A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.

Detailed guidance for students on calculated grades was published in late May. The document sets out information on the process that was to be undertaken for students to receive calculated grades. This document advised all student that they must register on the school portal between 26th and 28th May. 57,972 Leaving Certificate candidates and 2,855 Leaving Certificate Applied candidates registered for calculated grades.

The guidance for students also advised that further engagement with the student portal would be required to opt to receive calculated grades. This is because students have the option of receiving calculated grades or not.

The student portal opened on Monday 20 July to allow students to opt to receive calculated grades. All students were notified by text and e-mail and schools were also e-mailed requesting that they remind the students to opt to receive calculated grades. Students who haven’t yet logged on to the portal are reminded to do so by daily text message.

As of Monday 27 July 98% of Leaving Certificate and 90% of Leaving Certificate Applied students had engaged with the school portal to opt in to receive calculated grades. The Calculated Grades Executive Office in my Department will continue to follow up with all students to ensure that they have the opportunity to receive calculated grades this year.

Parental Leave

Questions (561)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

561. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing six weeks of parental benefit which would be the same rate as maternity benefit but could be taken by either parent or shared between the two at the end of the period of maternity leave. [18223/20]

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Written answers

The Minister for Justice and Equality has policy responsibility for parental leave.  My Department has responsibility for the payment of parent’s benefit which is provided for in the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019. 

Parent’s benefit is a payment made for two weeks per parent to employed and self-employed parents who are on parent’s leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.  In line with the EU Work Life Balance Directive, parent’s leave and benefit will incrementally increase up to 9 weeks leave by 2024. A provision of the Directive is that this leave is available to each parent and is non-transferrable.

The full year cost of providing parent's benefit to both parents for 1 week is €15.8m.  The introduction of an additional 6 weeks parent’s leave and benefit would have to be split between each parent to ensure the leave remains in line with the EU Work Life Balance Directive. The total cost of 6 weeks, payable at a weekly rate of €245, would be an estimated €47.4m in a full year.

There would be further additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs for staff substitution which would be a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  Decisions around the extension of this benefit along the lines suggested by the Deputy would have to be considered in a budgetary context and would need to consider the impact it would have on employers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Adoption Data

Questions (562)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

562. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending adoptive benefit to male couples that are currently excluded due to a technicality in the legislation which only allows for the adoptive mother or sole male adopter to avail of it. [18224/20]

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Written answers

Adoptive benefit is a payment made for 24 weeks to an employed or self-employed parent who is on adoptive leave and who satisfies certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The Department of Justice and Equality have policy and legal responsibility for adoptive leave entitlements.

In total there were 29 claims for adoptive benefit awarded in 2019 at a cost of some €165,000. It is not envisaged that adoptive benefit for male couples would have a substantial cost.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Maternity Benefit

Questions (563, 616)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

563. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing maternity, paternity and adoptive benefit by €10 per week. [18225/20]

View answer

Thomas Pringle

Question:

616. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing maternity or paternity benefit by €10 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18632/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 616 together.

The estimated full year cost of increasing maternity, paternity benefit and adoptive benefit by €10 per week is as follows:

Maternity Benefit

Paternity Benefit

Adoptive Benefit

€10.8m

€0.6m

€0.003m

The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2020. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (564, 588)

Carol Nolan

Question:

564. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the pension dispute by community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18261/20]

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Carol Nolan

Question:

588. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report on the pension dispute by community employment scheme supervisors will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18260/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 588 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.

CE sponsoring authorities are the legal employers of their CE supervisors, CE assistant supervisors and CE participants; the Department’s role continues to be that of CE funder. The issue was examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments including my own Department were represented on this group, as were the unions and Pobal.

A detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. This exercise estimated a potential cost to the State of between €188 million and €347 million per annum depending on the numbers involved. This excluded any provision for an immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.

Officials from my Department held a series of meetings with CE supervisor representatives to consider a number of proposals, mindful of the operating environment in which any potential solution will need to exist. Related discussions were also undertaken between Department officials and their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).

Just to clarify for the Deputy, there is no report due to be published by my Department in respect of the CE supervisor pension dispute. My Department will however continue to engage with all parties to the discussions with a view to establishing a viable solution to this issue.

Citizens Information Services

Questions (565)

John Brady

Question:

565. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reduce and-or close Citizens Information services in south Dublin and County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18368/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. 

It provides some services directly to the public and also supports and directly funds an extensive range of services through its service delivery partners including the regionally based Citizens Information Services (CIS) companies, which have responsibility for service delivery in defined areas.

The Dublin South CIS and the South Leinster CIS companies have responsibility for service provision in their geographic areas and continue to provide. I can confirm that neither company has any plans to reduce services in their areas  Both CIS are continuing to respond to queries by telephone and email in order to meet the immediate information, advice and advocacy needs of people arising from loss of work and income, closure of businesses and many other issues of concern to people living in their areas. 

Both CIS companies are carefully monitoring the service requirements in their respective areas, with a view to ensuring they deliver a high-quality information and advisory service to citizens in their respective geographic areas, while adhering to the public health guidelines.

Since 29th June, a small number of Citizens Information Centers have reopened to the public, on an appointment basis and where social distancing can be facilitated in line with current HSE Covid-19 public health advice and Return to Work Safely Protocol.   I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Questions (566)

John Brady

Question:

566. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the Citizens Information Board proceeded with the restructuring of the Money Advice and Budgeting Services in view of the recommendation by the joint committee on social protection that this restructuring process be halted until further consultation with MABS took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18369/20]

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Written answers

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through its provision of some services directly to the public and through a network of service delivery companies.

In February 2017, following lengthy and extensive analysis of options and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders, CIB made the decision to restructure the governance arrangements of the network of 42 Citizens Information Services (CIS’s) and 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) into 16 regional companies (8 Regional CIS and 8 Regional MABS).

As part of the restructuring process, 16 new regional companies were set up (8 CIS and 8 MABS). New boards of directors were appointed. All staff, assets and liabilities of the 93 local companies transferred to the 16 new regional companies. The restructuring process was completed in October 2018 and the new companies have been operating effectively since then. There have been no job losses, no closure of service delivery points and no diminution in services provided to clients.

The aim of the restructuring was to enhance the service for users by improving the governance arrangements for CIB’s funded services and unlock the benefits of a more modern and streamlined citizen-focused service delivery model.

New service - level agreements are in place for all the new companies, in line with good governance requirements. It has also been possible to gain efficiencies in the provision of support services for both CIS and MABS companies with a number of shared services now in place, including payroll services, legal and financial advice on pensions, and a single insurance scheme.

At the service delivery level, the regional companies now have more flexibility in allocating staff resources to areas of need, and specialist skills are more easily shared. Administrative resources freed up from previous work associated with supporting 93 local companies are now focused directly on clients’ requirements. In MABS, more regular case reviews are being undertaken and there is increased focus on quality assurance and on achieving improved outcomes for clients.

CIB continues to support the regional companies and works with them as they respond  in an efficient, effective and flexible manner to the needs of clients. This is evident in the response by the regional services during the Covid -19  pandemic when both the CIS and MABS regional networks were able to respond quickly and efficiently to share resources and develop new and innovative ways to serve clients , including a new call back service, instant messaging service and increased use of social media to meet their clients' needs.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (567, 607)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

567. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the enterprise support grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19 will be launched. [18415/20]

View answer

James Browne

Question:

607. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the Covid-19 enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18400/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 607 together.

The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business. A once-off grant will be awarded for 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 covering vouched costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The grant will be available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including: employing fewer than 10 people; having an annual turnover of less than €1 million; and not being liable for commercial rates. This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.

Funding of €12 million has been provided for this grant and my Department is developing the systems to put this grant into effect and will communicate how to apply for the grant over the coming weeks.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

Maternity Benefit

Questions (568)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

568. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending maternity benefit to 52 weeks. [18661/20]

View answer

Written answers

Maternity benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed pregnant women who are on maternity leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. 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. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation. Engagement with employer representative groups and trade unions would have to take place to assess its impact at a time when businesses are facing serious challenges.

In 2020 it is estimated that my Department will spend in excess of €270 million on maternity benefit in respect of an average of 21,000 recipients per week. Increasing the benefit to 52 weeks would double the costs of the existing scheme and would require a maternity benefit provision of €540 million. This estimate is based on the cost for a full year and assumes that any increase in duration is implemented from the beginning of the year.

It should also be noted that there would be additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs for substitution or salary top-ups which would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  Decisions around the extension of this benefit would have to be considered in a budgetary context and the impact it would have on employers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

State Pensions

Questions (569)

Gerald Nash

Question:

569. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans to establish a commission on pensions to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with State pensions and the social insurance fund; when he expects the commission to be formally established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18720/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the public policy and social issues in relation to funding a sustainable and adequate State pension system are complex.  Therefore, the new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” commits to establishing a Commission on Pensions to examine a range of issues including contributions, calculation methods, sustainability, eligibility and intergenerational fairness. 

The Terms of Reference for this Commission on Pensions are currently being developed and its membership is also being considered.  I will bring proposals to Government in that regard as soon as possible.  It is anticipated that the Commission will be considering submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including key NGOs in the area.  Once it has concluded its deliberations, the Commission will report to Government by June of next year. 

In the meantime, pending its report and decisions taken on its recommendations, this Government has clearly stated that the state pension age will remain at 66 years and will not be increased to 67 in January 2021 as currently legislated for.  This will require amendment to primary legislation and the Government will bring the necessary legislation before the Oireachtas later this year.

This Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State’s finances.  However, this is not the only consideration when thinking of the State pension age.  The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland.    It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty.  The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Bereavement Grant

Questions (570)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

570. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost if the bereavement grant of €850 that was abolished in 2014 was reinstated; the cost of this grant in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18733/20]

View answer

Written answers

The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716 at a cost of €20.29 Million. This represented an increase of approximately 4% on 2012.  Based on a similar yearly increase each year since 2013, it is estimated that the number of bereavement grant claims that might arise in 2021, were the scheme to be reintroduced, would be in the region of 32,500, and the number would be expected to increase in future years.  Accordingly, if there were 32,500 such grants made in 2021, at a rate of €850 each, the cost would be approx. €27.625 million.  Any decision to reinstate the scheme would have to be considered in the wider budgetary context and in the light of available resources.

There are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the previous bereavement grant.  These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant 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.  In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance.  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.

Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single 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, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses.  This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses.  In 2019 over 2,900 ENPs were paid at a cost of €5.8 million towards funeral and burial expenses. 

The Department is providing funding of up to €60,000 in Budget 2020 to support the Irish Hospice Foundation who are carrying out research into the economics of bereavement and awaits the outcome of their research and findings in this area. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance

Questions (571)

Gerald Nash

Question:

571. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the proposed review of the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18822/20]

View answer

Written answers

The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. As part of the July stimulus package, the Government has announced an extension of the BTEA supports to recipients of pandemic unemployment payment.

Entitlement to BTEA is conditional on having ongoing entitlement to the qualifying scheme payment.  BTEA participants with eligibility based on jobseekers, transitional jobseekers or one parent family payments who engage in part-time work will be assessed in accordance with their primary payment.  This measure ensures that only participants who continue to satisfy the means test of their primary payment or another qualifying BTEA payment will continue to receive income support under BTEA and that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.

The student universal support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.  The BTEA was never intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system. 

The guidelines for the scheme are reviewed and updated annually to ensure the supports address the objective of supporting those in receipt of welfare payments into employment. 

There are no plans to review the BTEA scheme at this time.

 I trust this clarifies the matter. 

Working Family Payment

Questions (572)

Michael McNamara

Question:

572. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19099/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 June 2020.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.  These have been received and the appeal by the person concerned was referred on 23 July 2020 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and if possible in the context of Covid-19 restrictions, hold an oral hearing. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (573)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

573. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which self-employed persons will be able to apply for the grants of up to €1,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19126/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business.  A once-off grant will be awarded for 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 covering vouched costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The grant will be available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including, employing fewer than 10 people, having an annual turnover of less than €1 million and not being liable for commercial rates.  This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.

Funding of €12 million has been provided for this grant and my Department is developing the systems to put this grant into effect and will communicate how to apply for the grant over the coming weeks.  

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

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