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Wednesday, 21 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 143-161

School Staff

Questions (143)

Gary Gannon

Question:

143. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the position in a school (details supplied) and the increased risks the school faces losing a teacher due to lower enrolment numbers than expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32065/20]

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Written answers

The staffing schedule is an allocation mechanism that uses enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to a school. This is a long standing arrangement for allocating teaching posts to our primary schools in a fair and equitable way based on their respective enrolment.

The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location. For the 2020/21 school year at primary level it operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 26 pupils which is historically the lowest level.    I am very pleased to say that under Budget 2021 as announced, this will be further reduced to 25:1 from September 2021.

The staffing arrangements for primary schools also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September.

The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a temporary teaching post on this basis as the school had indicated that it was expecting an enrolment of 334 students in September 2020,which was a projected increase of 39 pupils.

My Department has recently received an enrolment return of 277 pupils from this school as at 30th September and it clear that school has not experienced a growth in enrolments, instead their overall school enrolment has gone down from last year.  This school is 57 pupils below what they had indicated as their projected enrolment for September.

The school has submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board and will be notified of the decision of the Board this week.

School Staff

Questions (144)

Gary Gannon

Question:

144. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools due to lose staff on 24 October 2020 due to smaller enrolments than expected reported on the annual school census by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32066/20]

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Written answers

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing arrangements includes a staffing appeal mechanism and a developing post application process which allows for schools to be allocated posts on the basis of projected enrolments. 

The information requested by the Deputy is not available as the staffing process for primary schools, including staffing appeals, is ongoing.  Schools that had been allocated posts on a provisional basis based on projected enrolments will be informed of the outcome this week.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (145)

Gary Gannon

Question:

145. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of school builds that are in the various stages of planning and build process in tabular form; and her views on the extent Covid-19 has delayed the process. [32068/20]

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Written answers

The Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve 372 large-scale projects and circa. 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.  The pipeline will continue to be monitored to ensure it is aligned with Spending Code requirements and the objectives of Project Ireland 2040.

As the Deputy is aware there were circa 200 school building projects on site in early 2020 when, in line with National Public Health announcements by Government, all construction sites in relation to the education sector ceased in March 2020.  The construction sector re-opened on a gradual and phased basis since Monday 18th May.   While the construction sites were closed, the pipeline of projects in design continued to be progressed in an online and remote working environment. The progression of this pipeline helped smooth the impact of Covid-19 on the overall rollout of Project Ireland 2040 within the education sector. Throughout the remobilisation process my Department has continued to work closely with school authorities and patron bodies to ensure that projects progress and that where necessary contingency arrangements are in place to deal with any issues as they arise. To date, all school building projects resumed on site with the exception of two and discussions are ongoing with the contractor to recommence construction on both sites. 

By way of information, my Department’s website www.education.ie shows the current status of projects, by county, being delivered.  This website is updated on a regular basis to reflect the progress of individual projects through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (146)

Gary Gannon

Question:

146. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many schools in the Dublin area are operating without satisfactory levels of PPE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32073/20]

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Written answers

On 27 July last the Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap. The package of supports is expected to cost in excess of €437 million in the 2020/2021 school year and this includes funding for a range of supports being made available to schools includes additional financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs under the Covid-19 response plans.

Following a centralised procurement process, my Department has established a multi-supplier arrangement from which schools can choose a supplier and select the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Consumables and equipment products that best suits their needs and the requirements under the Roadmap for the Full Return to School:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b264b-roadmap-for-the-full-return-to-school/ . 

This ensures schools have access to, on a value for money basis, a secure supply chain of various PPE and consumables under the Roadmap and their COVID-19 School Response Plan including hand sanitisers, sanitiser fluids, face coverings/visors, gloves, wipes etc.

Schools experiencing difficulty sourcing sufficient PPE should contact my Department. 

Question No. 147 answered with Question No. 129.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (148)

Richard Bruton

Question:

148. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on the pandemic unemployment benefit is entitled to take up a full-time study as an undergraduate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31801/20]

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Written answers

The Department’s Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and certain others in receipt of social welfare payments who pursue full-time courses of education at second or third level. 

The BTEA has been extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19.  Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period before being eligible to apply for the BTEA when pursuing training or education.  The qualifying period has been waived for people coming from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).  

In order to avail of continued financial support while pursuing a full-time course, a person in receipt of the PUP should apply for a jobseeker payment.  The BTEA is payable at the jobseeker's rate.

Where an individual in receipt of PUP wishes to pursue part-time study, they can continue to receive their payment while they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme.

Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options. I trust this clarifies the position.  

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (149)

Thomas Gould

Question:

149. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which pandemic unemployment payments interact with other social welfare payments including disability allowance and the means testing of same. [31838/20]

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Written answers

The current position in relation to the pandemic unemployment payment is that it can be paid concurrently with certain social assistance payments, including disability allowance.  The pandemic unemployment payment is not assessed as means.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (150)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an issue (details supplied) in respect of the pandemic unemployment payment earnings and social protection assistance for the taxi sector will be addressed. [31840/20]

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Written answers

Budget 2021 introduced an earnings threshold of €480 per month for self-employed people who are in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  The threshold limit is based on gross income minus trading expenses and before tax and PRSI are deducted.  The measure will allow a self-employed individual to take up occasional work opportunities and still retain their full Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Where a person exceeds this threshold and is engaging in regular limited self-employment, access to the Part-Time Job Incentive has been extended to those who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  Under this scheme, a self-employed recipient of the Pandemic Unemployment, for at least 16 weeks, can engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and retain a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60.  A self-employed jobseeker with a qualified adult can be paid €209.70 per week.

A self-employed person may also be eligible for support under the COVID-19 Enterprise Support Grant which provides support of up to €1,000 with business re-start costs where a person transitions from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment back into employment.  Budget 2021 has provided that this support will be extended until 2021.

These measures apply to all eligible self-employed recipients including those operating as taxi drivers. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

One-Parent Family Payment

Questions (151)

Martin Kenny

Question:

151. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of lone parents that will benefit from the removal of the income threshold to OPFA; the estimated costings for the removal of the income threshold for OPFA; the estimated cost to increase the income disregard on OPFA and JST by €10; and the way in which new applicants for OPFA and those currently on OPFA can be means tested for payment with removal of the current income threshold. [31844/20]

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Written answers

The removal of the income threshold was introduced to enhance support for working lone parents. There is widespread evidence which shows that policies that allow lone parents to participate in the labour market while also maintaining social welfare support are integral to lifting lone parents and their children out of poverty. This measure was introduced in recognition of this. Furthermore, it allows for a more tapered reduction in social welfare support compared to an earnings cut-off.

An estimated 3,200 lone parents are expected to benefit at the time of the change, although this does not account for those who may become eligible for the scheme and those who may increase their intensity of employment following this change. This change is estimated to cost €4.6 million for a full year. The annual cost of increasing the income disregard by €10 on the OFP and JST schemes is estimated at €4.4 million.

Details regarding any changes to means testing will be communicated in advance of the removal of the limit in April 2021.

Child Benefit

Questions (152)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

152. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a child benefit claim will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [31853/20]

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Written answers

A claim was received from the person concerned on the 3rd of September, 2020.  A Natural Justice letter has issued to the current child benefit recipient; this letter requires a response within 21 days to enable the Department make a decision on entitlement in this case.  Depending on the response to this letter, it may also be necessary to make some further enquiries before a decision can be finalised.

In any event, the Department will make a decision as soon as possible and will communicate this in writing to the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Jobseeker's Benefit

Questions (153, 163)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

153. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the time limits will be extended for jobseeker’s benefit payment for those who need it in view of the increased challenge faced by many to gain employment during this pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31867/20]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

163. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the jobseeker’s allowance for those who need it in view of the unique challenges in finding employment during this pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32050/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 163 together.

The jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker's benefit schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. In the case of jobseeker's benefit entitlement a person must have sufficient PRSI contributions paid. If a person does not meet the contribution condition for jobseeker's benefit they may be eligible for means tested jobseeker's allowance.

Jobseeker's allowance is payable to an individual of working age for as long as they continue to meet the conditionality of the scheme. There is no time limit on the period for which it can be paid.

Jobseeker's benefit is a weekly payment to people of working age and is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people who have less than 260 paid.

The Social Welfare (Covid-19)(Amendment) Act 2019 provides that an employee in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or benefit who would otherwise have had an entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment shall be deemed to have made employment contributions for the period. These contributions can be considered in determining entitlement for any subsequent claim for jobseeker's benefit.

In the case where a person has exhausted their entitlement for jobseeker’s benefit and does not re-qualify for the benefit they may apply for support under the means tested jobseeker’s allowance scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (154)

Matt Carthy

Question:

154. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions in place for community employment scheme employees to work from home during level 3 and 4 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31870/20]

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Written answers

CE is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and others with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities that receive state funding from the Department to cover the cost of CE employee remuneration.

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.  As employers, CE sponsoring authorities' annual contract with the Department,  is to provide jobseekers and other vulnerable groups with good quality work experience and training qualifications to support their progression into employment. Like all other employers and service providers, including those in the community sector, CE sponsoring authorities are facing challenges during the current pandemic.

From the outset of the  Covid-19 emergency, the Department took the decision to continue to fund all of the employment support schemes in order to provide stability for the respective schemes and their employees.   In parallel, sponsoring authorities were reminded by Department officials of their responsibilities as regards  the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees.   Department officials continue to communicate with CE sponsoring authorities on the need to fully adhere to public health guidelines and legislation on the COVID 19 emergency at all level of restrictions including Level 5 restrictions, that the entire country is moving into from  midnight on Wednesday night.  

However it is the responsibility of CE sponsoring authorities to ensure that they are adhering to the public health guidelines and legislation in place at the various levels of COVID 19 restrictions as set out  in the Government's  Resilience and Recovery; Plan for Living with Covid 19. This includes arrangements for working remotely as required by that Plan, at differing levels of restrictions.  

My Department will continue to liaise with CE sponsoring authorities to ensure access to necessary funding throughout the ongoing pandemic.

Jobseeker's Benefit

Questions (155, 156)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

155. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying criteria for a person returning here to work who needs to have their PRSI contributions made in the United Kingdom added to their PRSI contributions recorded here without delay in order to allow them apply for jobseeker’s benefit in view of the fact this person already satisfies the habitual residency condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31876/20]

View answer

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

156. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person that was working in the UK, but is resident in Ireland, can apply for jobseeker's benefit by adding their PRSI contributions from the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31877/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on the 31st January 2020, and is in a transition period until the 31st December 2020. During this time the existing EU acquis will continue to apply to the UK, and with respect to social security coordination that is achieved through EC Regulation 883 of 2004. Under this regulation, contributions made in one Member State may be aggregated with contributions made in another Member State, to support an entitlement to benefits including jobseeker benefits.

In the case of a person who worked in the UK but resided in Ireland, there are particular rules that may apply. In such cases if the person becomes wholly unemployed then it is the State of residence to whom they should apply for unemployment benefits. If the person becomes partially or intermittently unemployed then it the State of employment to whom they should apply for unemployment benefits. The entitlement to benefits is then subject to the national rules that pertain.

The qualification criteria for jobseekers benefit include that a person must be fully or partly unemployed, be under 66 years of age, be capable of and available for full time work, be genuinely seeking employment, and have enough paid or credited social insurance contributions at the relevant contribution class being A, H or P.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (157)

James Lawless

Question:

157. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if the increased parents benefit as introduced in budget 2021 can be availed of by those who had children in 2020 in view of the childcare and other challenges currently presenting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31880/20]

View answer

Written answers

Parent’s Leave and Benefit will be extended from 2 weeks for each parent to 5 weeks as announced in Budget 2021.  This extension will be made available retrospectively to parents in respect of children born or adopted on or after 1st November 2019.  The period during which this leave can be taken will be extended from 12 to 24 months so it can be taken up to a child's second birthday or within two years following adoption.  Parents will therefore not lose out on their entitlement to these extra weeks.

There is a necessary lead-in time following the announcement of this extension to facilitate its implementation.  Firstly, legislative change is required by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which has responsibility for parents leave policy.  This legislation needs to be carefully prepared and drafted before being brought through the Oireachtas, given that it extends a statutory leave entitlement that, in addition to benefitting workers, has implications for employers.

It will also be necessary for parallel amendments to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) to be drafted and brought through the Oireachtas to provide the legislative basis for the extended payment of benefit.

In addition, significant changes are required to the Department's systems to administer this extension, including the provision of retrospective entitlement.  This work needs to be undertaken in such as way that is does not compromise existing supports in an environment where there are unprecedented levels of demand on the Department’s services due to Covid-19.

The extra weeks of leave will be made available as soon as the necessary legislation which is being drafted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is enacted.

Once the new application and payment system goes live in April, my Department will then process and issue benefit payments - to include backdated payment of benefit as appropriate - in respect of Parents Leave taken from the date of enactment.

I can assure the Deputy that everything is being done to make this extension available as soon as possible.

Living Alone Allowance

Questions (158)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for the living alone allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31882/20]

View answer

Written answers

This gentleman applied for living alone allowance (LAA) on his disability allowance (DA) on 4 October 2019. The application was disallowed as he failed to supply information which was requested by this Department.

The person concerned was informed of this decision on 28 November 2019 and also of his right to request a review or to appeal the decision to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO). To date no further request for a review or an appeal has been received from this gentleman and no new application for LAA has been received.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (159)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31890/20]

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.

I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 16 September 2020. 

Additional information in relation to the person’s financial information was requested by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 22 September 2020.  A response to this information request was received on 29 September 2020. Subsequent to this, further information was requested in relation to the person’s financial information on 6 October 2020. A response to this information request was received on 13 October 2020.

Following receipt of this information the application was awarded to the person concerned on 15 October 2020 with effect from 17 September 2020.  The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 22 October 2020. 

Arrears of allowance due from 17 September 2020 to 21 October 2020 issued on 15 October 2020.

The person concerned was notified on 15 October 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Questions (160)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

160. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement payments being paid at present. [31921/20]

View answer

Written answers

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting 18,857 active recipients.

The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Since the introduction of HAP, Rent Supplement continues to revert to its original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and who require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment.  

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.  

Disability Allowance

Questions (161)

Michael McNamara

Question:

161. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment will be reinstated for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31964/20]

View answer

Written answers

When a person is in receipt of disability allowance (DA) and their child is in full-time education, an increase for qualified child (IQC) will be paid up to 22 years of age or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22.

The person concerned was requested to submit confirmation of participation in full-time education in respect of his son. The IQC rate has been re-instated on his DA with effect from 1 July 2020 and his first payment will be on 21 October 2020. He was informed in writing of this decision on 14 October 2020.

Arrears of allowance due have issued to the person concerned. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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