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Wednesday, 9 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 186-205

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (186)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

186. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22707/20]

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Written answers

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.

The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.

To qualify for BSCFA a person must meet a number of conditions namely:

- The child must meet the age criteria.

- The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September.

- The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.

- The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.

This year, the eligibility criteria for the BSCFA scheme has been extended to include the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a qualifying payment for the allowance.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance for the person in question was disallowed in August 2020 as the household income exceeded the prescribed income limit. The person's entitlement to back to school clothing and footwear allowance will be reviewed by a deciding officer as requested.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (187)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reclassify the pandemic unemployment payment as a permanent payment as with the jobseeker’s scheme and other schemes (details supplied); her further plans to rectify the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22731/20]

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Written answers

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced by my Department as a time-limited, emergency income support measure to deal with the public health crisis and meet the dramatic surge in unemployment as a consequence. This week, payments valued at €68.6 million to 219,900 people issued for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This represents a decrease of 5,100 on the 225,000 people paid last week and an overall drop of 63% on the 598,000 paid at its peak on 5 May.

Although the economy is gradually reopening at a steady pace the Government is aware that some sectors will be temporarily closed for longer due to continuing Public Health restrictions and has therefore extended the Pandemic Unemployment Scheme until 1st April 2021. However, there are no plans to reclassify the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a permanent payment as it was developed to cater for exceptional circumstances and will not continue to be paid indefinitely.

The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education. The matter of supports for students for the forthcoming academic year should be referred to the Department of Education and Skills.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance

Questions (188, 189)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a change of strategy in respect of back to education allowance eligibility criteria has been deployed in respect of applications for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22732/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in respect of the back to education allowance that have been refused to date in 2020; the level of qualification they are under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22734/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The back to education allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and certain others in receipt of social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment.

Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for at least nine months before being eligible to apply for the BTEA when pursuing a 3rd level qualification. As announced as part of the July Stimulus, this nine month condition is being waived for recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment wishing to return to education. Someone in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment is required to transfer their claim to a jobseekers payment to access the BTEA.

The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers into employment. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Further and Higher Education represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.

Applications for the 2020/21 academic year are currently being processed by my Department. There are no statistics available on the number of BTEA claims that have been disallowed. If there is a particular case that the Deputy has a concern about, then my officials would be happy to examine it.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Disability Allowance

Questions (190)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing disability allowance from €203 to €209 per week. [22745/20]

View answer

Written answers

The estimated full year cost of increasing Disability Allowance from €203 to €209 per week is €49.1 million. This estimate includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.

This estimate is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.

Free Travel Scheme

Questions (191)

Patrick Costello

Question:

191. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2021 if the budget for free travel scheme increased by 5%; and the estimated cost in 2021. [22762/20]

View answer

Written answers

The allocation for the Free Travel scheme in 2020 is €95m, as published in the 2020 Revised Estimates Volume.

The cost of increasing expenditure by 5% in 2021 would be €4.75 million.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (192)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if those on the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment are eligible for the springboard conversion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22801/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under the July Stimulus the back to education allowance has been extended to people who have been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The Department's back to education allowance provides income support for people who wish to pursue third level courses or SpringBoard.

In advance of commencing a Springboard course, a person in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be required to establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare weekly payment, generally a Jobseeker’s payment. A person will be required to transfer from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to the relevant qualifying social welfare scheme to continue to receive income support while pursuing education.

The qualification period will be deemed to have been met for a person transferring from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This means someone applying for a full-time springboard course will be deemed to have satisfied the required 9 month qualification period when they transfer from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Other back to education allowance eligibility conditions apply, including the age of the applicant.

A person who is in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will need to complete an application form for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit (Form UP1 or UP1 JBSE if they are self- employed) and include it with the BTEA application when posting it to their local Intreo Centre. Further information on the Back To Education Allowance scheme is available on www.gov.ie.

I hope that this clarifies the position for you.

Free Travel Scheme

Questions (193)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

193. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the free travel scheme to all children under 18 years of age and all students in higher level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22802/20]

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Written answers

The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 977,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2020 is €95 million.

Providing an estimate of the cost of extending the free travel scheme to all children aged under 18 and to those in higher level education is very difficult as the cost is determined by the usage of the extra passes provided and not by the increased number. The fact that many operators have reduced fares for children and higher education students and that in some cases children under five years of age can travel for free would also have to be taken into account.

The objective of the free travel scheme is to ensure older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community. Extending the eligibility of the free travel scheme to the cohort of people the Deputy has suggested would change this objective, and radically change the nature of the scheme. Any such scheme would also require a fundamental expansion to the administrative set up and operation of the free travel scheme, as it would have to grant and withdraw potentially hundreds of thousands of passes each year, using information which would have to be provided by all the colleges in the State in the case of higher education students. Any proposals in this regard would have to be considered in the context of priorities for the free travel scheme and the budgetary implications of same.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (194)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

194. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 20 November 2019, when the outcome of the discussions between her Department and representatives of community supervisors will be published (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22804/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is 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 related 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 officials are continuing to work with all parties at present to try to establish a viable solution to this issue.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (195)

Steven Matthews

Question:

195. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the legal framework for persons that were made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic and have to date been unable to access redundancy payments from their employers due to amendments in legislation on 13 March 2020 but can provide evidence that the layoff is not a temporary move due to Covid-19 and in fact a permanent one. [22875/20]

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Written answers

Firstly, I would like to say that my thoughts are with all workers who have been temporarily laid off or who are faced with job losses at this difficult time. I want to assure the Deputy that the purpose of the emergency measure, which relates to redundancy entitlements following temporary periods of lay-off and short-time work due to Covid-19, is to ensure that employees have a continued link to their job, have a pathway to return to their employment and also to mitigate the serious risks to businesses and jobs.

The existing provisions of Section 12 of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 (as amended) were not considered adequate to deal with the current Covid-19 emergency situation. As a result of Covid-19, there have been immediate and unprecedented volumes of temporary lay-offs and short-time work. Under the existing timelines set out in Section 12 of the Act this could have resulted in a large number of redundancies over a very short period of time. Employers are obliged to pay redundancy entitlements to employees who have been temporarily laid off after the periods of time currently provided for in Section 12. This would have serious unintended and detrimental financial impacts on businesses and employees and would have an adverse impact on the potential for a business to recover which could result in insolvency situations. This would only exacerbate the risk of further permanent job losses.

For these reasons emergency legislation was enacted which temporarily suspended the provisions of section 12 for the emergency period. The suspension was considered vital to ensure the future viability of businesses which in turn will help prevent further permanent job losses. In light of the on-going emergency situation the end date of the emergency measure was extended to 17th September so that businesses can continue to recover and plan their future staffing requirements.

It is important to note that an employee’s right to claim redundancy after a temporary period of lay-off or short-time has not been removed; rather, it has been deferred for a temporary period in this unprecedented emergency situation.

All other provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 remain unchanged. In situations where an employer has not placed an employee on temporary lay-off but has in fact permanently let them go, the employer is obliged to comply with existing provisions of the Act such as notice of redundancy and the payment of a statutory lump sum payment to eligible employees.

In the event of a dispute, the employee can seek a determination from the Workplace Relations Commission. The Workplace Relations Commission is the organisation mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation and it remains fully operational. If employees have concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights they should contact the WRC directly on their telephone helpline at 1890 808090. Further information is also available at www.workplacerelations.ie.

State Pensions

Questions (196)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

196. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if the qualifying age for the State pension will not rise to 67 in 2021 as per the programme for Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22879/20]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provided for increases to the State pension age to make the State pension system more sustainable as life expectancy increases. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition). This measure standardised the State pension age for all at 66 years. The legislation provided for increases to the State pension age - to 67 in 2021 and further to 68 in 2028.

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.

The public policy and social issues in relation to funding a sustainable and adequate State pension system are complex. Therefore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine a range of issues including contributions, calculation methods, sustainability, eligibility and intergenerational fairness. The Terms of Reference for the Commission on Pensions are currently being developed and options for its membership are being considered. Proposals will be brought to Government in that regard as soon as possible. Once it has concluded its deliberations, the Commission will report to Government by June of next year.

In the meantime, the Programme for Government also sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions. I will introduce legislation later this year to do that.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (197)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

197. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied). [22898/20]

View answer

Written answers

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 7 July 2020.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for the care recipient.

The person concerned was notified on 28 July 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and/or appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on 14 August 2020 and further medical evidence was submitted in support of her application. Following this review the decision remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified on 4 September 2020 of the outcome of the review, the reasons for it and of her right of appeal.

A further review of this decision took place on 7 September 2020 and as a result of this review CA was awarded to the person concerned on 7 September 2020 with effect from 9 July 2020. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 10 September 2020.

Arrears for the period 9 July 2020 to 9 September 2020 will issue to her nominated bank account on the same date, 10 September 2020.

The person concerned was notified on 7 September 2020 of the revised decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (198)

Gerald Nash

Question:

198. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken an analysis of whether a German-style short-time working scheme based on the kurzarbeit model could be applied in an Irish context; if he will provide costings for April 2020 to the end of 2021 if such a scheme were to be introduced from 1 April 2020 and based on current departmental economic and labour market assumptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22945/20]

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Written answers

My Department’s main social welfare supports (excluding the pandemic unemployment payment) for people who are unemployed are the Jobseeker’s Benefit and the Jobseekers Allowance schemes which provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full time employment. The 2020 revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s schemes of €4.15 billion.

Both jobseekers schemes are based on a day of employment or unemployment as the case may be. A person can work up to 3 days per week but they must be unemployed for 4 in 7 consecutive days. Jobseeker's Benefit is a social insurance scheme paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid. Jobseeker's allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme.

Short-time work arrangements in Ireland operate under the Systematic Short-Time (SST) programme, as part of the Jobseeker’s Benefit /Jobseekers Allowance schemes. The programme is designed for use in situations where an employee’s working hours are reduced by their employer on a temporary basis. This presents an opportunity for employers to retain skilled labour, in a reduced capacity, thus avoiding the need to recruit once the economic situation improves.

In a period where we expect demand to recover in many sectors but still remain lower than it was immediately before the pandemic there is scope for a short-time work support scheme to help employers re-hire staff that were temporarily laid-off rather than to make them redundant.

In the July Stimulus package, I secured an additional €100 million in funding for a significant ramping up in the delivery of employment services to workers. As part of this initiative, my Department will work with the Department of Finance to develop and implement a new short-time working scheme, using the wage subsidy model, and taking into account international practice (including the scheme referenced by the Deputy), to support job retention and help workers and employers in situations where demand for a firm’s services or products is reduced for an extended period of time. In the meantime, the existing Employer Wage Subsidy Scheme and Short-time Work Support schemes will continue to operate. Any proposed changes or expansions to the existing scheme(s) would need to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (199)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to end the temporary suspension of certain redundancy provisions in order that persons that are laid off permanently either due to Covid-19 or otherwise can get their statutory redundancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22956/20]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the emergency measure, which relates to redundancy entitlements following temporary periods of lay-off and short-time work due to Covid-19, is to ensure that employees have a continued link to their job, have a pathway to return to their employment and also to mitigate the serious risks to businesses and jobs.

It is important to note that an employee’s right to claim redundancy after a temporary period of lay-off or short-time has not been removed; rather, it has been deferred for a temporary period in this unprecedented emergency situation.

All other provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 remain unchanged and in force. In situations where an employer has not placed an employee on temporary lay-off but has in fact permanently let them go, the employer is obliged to comply with existing provisions of the Act such as notice of redundancy and the payment of a statutory lump sum payment to eligible employees.

The matter of a further extension beyond 17th September is currently under consideration. In its deliberations the Government will have regard to the criteria and principles underpinning the emergency provision and the public health and labour market situations.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (200)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

200. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance can be offered to expedite a carer’s allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22985/20]

View answer

Written answers

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

My department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 15 June2020.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the carer is not engaged in employment or self-employment outside their home.

However, where a carer can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient in their absence, a carer may engage in employment, self-employment, education or training courses as long as the duration of these combined activities do not exceed 18.5 hours per week.

It has been decided that this condition has not been satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 13 July 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A review of this decision was requested on behalf of the person concerned on 21 July 2020. However no additional evidence in support of her application was submitted at this time.

A request for additional information issued on 04 September 2020 to the person concerned in respect of the number of hours they are currently working.

Once the required information has been received and a decision made, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Public Services Card

Questions (201)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

201. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when full appointments will be available for those applying for the public services card; the reason for the continued delay in making appointments available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23001/20]

View answer

Written answers

The SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face- to-face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.

I am happy to confirm that the SAFE registration service has now resumed in most Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. This is being done in line with all relevant guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff and I expect that the service will be fully resumed nationwide over the coming weeks.

To help manage social distancing in its offices, my Department has suspended the online appointments system for SAFE registration appointments. Any person wishing to book an appointment should contact their local Intreo Centre and they will be assigned one.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (202)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

202. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for parents of children that are sent home from school as a result of Covid-19 and that therefore have to miss work to care for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23006/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has requested employers to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look after their children or other members of their families during COVID 19. Some of the flexible options include offering paid compassionate leave, allowing employees to work from home, altering shifts so that employees can coordinate caring between themselves and partners or another person, allowing employees to rearrange holidays and allowing employees to take paid time off that can be worked back at a later time.

Where it is not possible to make appropriate compassionate leave arrangements, employees may be able to call on some statutory entitlements including force majeure leave, parental leave together with parental benefit or carers leave together with carers benefit or carers allowance.

From 1st September each parent is now entitled to 26 weeks unpaid parental leave where a person has been working for their employer for at least 1 year in general.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial supports under the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs Payment.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (203)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

203. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for persons self-isolating or awaiting results from a Covid-19 test and have to miss work as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23007/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), and subsequent regulations, the Government, having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of COVID-19, amended and extended the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are a probable source of infection with COVID-19.

The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of COVID-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with COVID-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of COVID-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.

The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of COVID-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19. It is due to end on 31 March 2021. People who are awaiting results from a COVID-19 test who meet the medical and eligibility criteria for the enhanced Illness Benefit are entitled to it until they receive a negative test result or, in the case of those diagnosed with the illness, for up to 10 weeks, depending on ongoing medical certification of incapacity for work.

People who are considered high risk under the HSE guidelines in relation to COVID-19 are not entitled to the enhanced Illness Benefit payment for any period unless they have been diagnosed with or informed that they are a probable source of infection of COVID-19. Standard Illness Benefit payment may be payable subject to normal certification and eligibility criteria, where a medical practitioner provides a certificate of incapacity stating that a person is incapable of work due to the medical condition. Standard illness benefit is paid at a maximum weekly personal rate of €203. Increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children. This may be paid for an extended period, depending on the person’s continued eligibility. Standard illness benefit is the primary statutory income support payment for insured contributors who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type, apart from the short-term payment in respect of COVID-19.

Employees who self-isolate 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 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.

The Return to Work Safely Protocol provides that if an at-risk or vulnerable worker cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, employers must make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. However, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible.

In general, if people have additional expenses related to their illness or they are struggling financially, they can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means-tested payment.

I trust that this clarifies the position.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (204)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

204. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if funding for playgrounds will be significantly increased in view of the importance of such facilities during and post the Covid-19 pandemic. [22730/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department introduced the Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation in 2013 to support the development or refurbishment of play and recreation facilities.

€250,000 was provided each year between 2013 and 2018 for new and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities, with a maximum grant allocation of €20,000 per Local Authority and a requirement of the Local Authority to have matched funding of the amount requested from DCYA.

In 2019 my Department increased the amount of capital funding available under this scheme from €250,000 to €450,000. In 2020 DCYA continued to secure this funding with a priority on the upgrade and refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities. This includes the provision of new equipment, the development of natural play areas, and the refurbishment of existing play facilities.

Also in 2020, in recognition of the importance of play in children's lives during the public health emergency, my Department also ran a campaign to promote and encourage play, Let's Play Ireland which ran for many months during the pandemic.

My Department is presently engaging in the budgetary process for 2021 and in this context the importance of play in children's lives continues to be a priority. The outcomes of the budgetary process, including details on any Capital Funding to be made available in 2021 will be announced in the coming weeks.

Cúram agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige

Questions (205)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

205. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Leanaí, Míchumais, Comhionannais agus Lánpháirtíochta cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn i measc an aosa óig lasmuigh de chúrsaí réamhscolaíochta. [22798/20]

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Written answers

Creidim go bhfuil a lán luacha ag baint le tacaíocht a thabhairt do sholáthar seirbhísí i nGaeilge do leanaí óga. Tá ról tábhachtach ag naíonraí agus naíolanna, go háirithe maidir leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn mar theanga bheo.

De réir taighde, is éasca do leanaí teanga nua a fhoghlaim sna blianta is luaithe. Má chabhraímid le leanaí óga a gcuid scileanna Gaeilge a fhorbairt agus iad sa réamhscoil, beidh sé mar leas dóibh agus iad ag aistriú chuig an scoil. Is féidir le seo athbheochan na Gaeilge a chumasú i bpobail. Mar sin, is é i gcomhthéacs na reamhscoileanna a dhírigh mo Roinn an chuid is mó dá saothar.

Cuireann mo Roinn a lán tacaíocht ar fáil chun cabhrú le seirbhísí foghlama agus cúraim na luath-óige lán-Ghaeilge a chuid oibre a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge.

Rinne mo Roinn a lán oibre in éineacht leis an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta chun sraith chuimsitheach gníomhartha a shocrú faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta 5 Bliana don Ghaeilge 2018-2022.

Tacaíonn na gníomhartha seo leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 uileghabhálach, agus dearadh iad chun an tábhacht a bhaineann le suíomhanna foghlama agus cúraim na luath-óige a dheimhniú maidir le forbairt agus athbheochan an Ghaeilge a spreagadh. Tá sé mar aidhm ag na gníomhartha seo cur leis na bearta, na tacaíochtaí agus na comhpháirtíochtaí atá ann go dtí seo i bhfoghlaim agus cúram na luath-óige lán-Ghaeilge, agus na tacaíochtaí agus na seirbhísí sin a fheabhsú a thuilleadh.

Is príomhghníomh é i mBeartas na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir le hOideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 ná an soláthar oideachais luathbhlianta a neartú agus na tacaíochtaí a chuirtear ar fáil do shuíomhanna luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht a dhaingniú. Is iad an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige atá freagrach go príomha as an ngníomh seo a chur i bhfeidhm.

Is é TUSLA rialtóir na Luathbhlianta. Cuireann TUSLA agus an tSeirbhís Forbartha Cáilíochta Tús Níos Fearr seirbhísí ar fáil don earnáil trí Ghaeilge agus tá siad ag leanúint chun a seirbhís Ghaeilge a fheabhsú. Cinntíonn mo Roinn freisin go bhfuil acmhainní Gaeilge ar fáil do sheirbhísí lán-Ghaeilge.

Sheol mo Roinn An chéad 5, Straitéis Uile-Rialtais do Naíonáin, Leanaí Óga agus a dTeaghlaigh go déanach in 2018. Istigh ann, tá dhá ghníomh dírithe go speisialta le tacaíocht a thabhairt d’fhorbairt an Ghaeilge san earnáil foghlama agus cúraim na luath-óige.

Is éard atá i gceist leis na gníomhartha seo ná a chinntiú go bhfuil rochtain ag leanaí sa Ghaeltacht ar sheirbhísí luathfhoghlama i nGaeilge, agus córais a fhorbairt chun tacaíochtaí Gaeilge a sholáthar do sheirbhísí ina bhfuil líon mór leanaí ag foghlaim trí Ghaeilge.

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