Thursday, 22 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 107-125

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (107)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

107. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the status of efforts to secure a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32241/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, the building project for the school in question is included in my Department's capital programme.

The acquisition of the permanent site for Malahide Portmarnock ETNS is at an advanced stage of conveyancing. Once all contractual matters have been finalised the site will be assessed for Architectural Planning.

While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

DEIS Scheme

Questions (108, 109)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

108. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if vertical DEIS 1 schools will benefit from a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio announced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32252/20]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

109. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if junior DEIS 1 schools will benefit from a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio announced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32253/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.

Under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.

As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1. The reason for this is due to the fact that the differential has narrowed further following the announcement of an overall reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1.

The total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2milion in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need and I intend to engage with the relevant stakeholders as to how best to achieve this.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (110, 111)

Gary Gannon

Question:

110. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to individual schools that have had to make the decision to close after outbreaks of Covid-19 following no guidance from HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32276/20]

Gary Gannon

Question:

111. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the average length of time schools can expect to wait until hearing from the HSE. [32277/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance for managing potential cases of COVID-19 in educational settings, which includes the testing strategy within an educational facility ‘Schools Pathway for COVID-19, the Public Health approach’ https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/.

It is important to note that the response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE.  All decisions as to appropriate actions following a confirmed case or outbreak will be made by their teams in the context of a full Public Health Risk Assessment procedure.  This involves the HSE Department of Public Health liaising directly with the designated school contact, usually the school principal. This practice ensures that no principal is burdened with the responsibility of making a public health decision.  

Should a school be notified of a positive case, Schools should await a call from the Dept. of Public Health. This will usually be on the same day but may be on the following day depending on their assessment. This is safe, as the case is no longer within the school setting, and therefore the risk of onward transmission from this case is no longer there. If the case was not in the school setting whilst infectious, then public health will not routinely call the school.

Public Health  will carry out a Public Health Risk Assessment (PHRA) with the school and advise the school of what actions are necessary.  

My Department is working closely with the HSE Department of Public Health to ensure that public health measures are acted upon speedily by schools and areas of concerns raised by schools are addressed. As part of this close collaboration, the HSE Department of Public Health are in the process of establishing school focused teams in their respective public health areas to further assist schools while risk assessment are being conducted and to provide assistance and guidance to schools in instances where members of the school community may be a suspected or confirmed case.  

This is an important measure of reassurance and support for schools on their return from mid-term break. In the interim My Department will liaise with individual schools in the event of a suspect or confirmed outbreak to ensure that Public Health teams are alerted so that appropriate follow up action is taken.  

My Department will also continue to work with the HSE Department of Public Health to ensure that testing is prioritised for those close contacts within the school community of confirmed COVID-19 cases.  

It is important to note that the experience of public health to date is that transmission rates of Covid-19 in schools are low, much lower than the rate currently in the community. This is a result of the effectiveness of the public health guidelines for schools and the successful implementation and adherence of all in the school community to the guidelines. 

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (112)

Gary Gannon

Question:

112. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there is a pathway for teacher pupil ratios to reach the EU average of 20:1 in classrooms here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32278/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The staffing schedule for primary schools for the 2020/21 school year is currently at its lowest ever level with 1 teacher to 26 pupils. 

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools. 

I was delighted to announce a further 1 point reduction in Budget 2021.  The staffing schedule for the 2021/22 academic year now stands at 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.    

Any further improvement will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (113)

Gary Gannon

Question:

113. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to carry out an audit in all primary and post-primary schools here in responses to growing concerns over lack of adequate funding to follow with public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32280/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy will be aware, 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, following approval by the Government. The package of supports is expected to cost in excess of €375 million in the 2020/2021 school year.

The range of supports 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. The Government also approved a package of minor works grants as part of the July Stimulus to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening.

As outlined in Circulars 45/2020 and 46/2020 which are published on my Departments website at https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0045_2020.pdf and https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2020.pdf, there is a requirement for schools to report on certain grants paid by instalments to assess the level of grant funding utilised that can be taken into account in subsequent grant payments. My Department is making the necessary arrangements to collect this information.  

Invalidity Pension

Questions (114)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

114. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for a disability pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32083/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Following a review of the entitlement of this gentleman, it was found that he had a decrease in his means from his previous assessment. Based on the information provided to my department, an increased rate of disability allowance (DA) was awarded with effect from 18 March 2020. A letter issued to this gentleman informing him of this on 19 October 2020.

Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (115, 120)

Steven Matthews

Question:

115. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarity regarding the pandemic unemployment payment amendments announced in Budget 2021; if a person in receipt of this payment was fortunate enough to earn over the €480 in one month for any reason, the knock on implications for their PUP payment. [32088/20]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the date at which self-employed persons receiving the PUP payment can earn up to €480 will be operational. [32115/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 together.

Budget 2021 provides that recipients engaging in self-employment can earn up to €480 over a four week period and continue to maintain entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  The €480 limit is based on gross income, before tax and PRSI, minus expenses.  This measure applies with immediate effect.

Where a self-employed individual exceeds the earnings 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 person receiving 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.

Another option open to a self-employed person who is engaged in regular employment but trading on a limited basis is the means tested jobseeker's allowance scheme.

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. Further information on this grant is available on www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputies. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (116, 122)

Steven Matthews

Question:

116. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given with regard to those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payments and their ability to join full-time retraining courses that would allow them to upskill in which their current employment is adversely affected due to Covid-19. [32089/20]

Bríd Smith

Question:

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment can participate in a full-time training course and retain the payment; if not, if there are plans to allow claimants to take up full-time training to improve their employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32128/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 122 together.

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 main focus of the allowance is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and their prospects of gaining employment. 

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).  This ensures that those who have lost their employment during the pandemic have immediate access to a range of educational options. 

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

Where someone in receipt of PUP wishes to pursue short term or part-time study they can continue to receive PUP while they continue to satisfy the conditions of that payment. 

Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.

I trust this clarifies the issues for the Deputies.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (117)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

117. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not receiving credited contributions; if their record will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32102/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned made a claim for Illness Benefit (IB) from 16th June 2016 to 13th November 2017. The IB claim for the person concerned was processed and she received her full entitlement under the scheme. Credited contributions were awarded for the duration of her Illness Benefit claim.

This lady has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) from 17 May 2017 to 5 June 2018 and from 3 October 2018 to the present date. Credited contributions have been updated accordingly.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Parental Leave

Questions (118)

Paul Murphy

Question:

118. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will bring forward the implementation and the date of eligibility for the recently promised additional three weeks of parents leave from April 2021 to the 1 December 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32108/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

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 a 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 trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Enterprise Support Services

Questions (119)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

119. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria that has changed in relation to the enterprise support grant of up to €1,000 for the self-employed following Budget 2021. [32114/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Enterprise Support Grant assists eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme to re-start their business.  A once-off grant is payable up to a maximum of €1,000 covering costs associated with re-opening a business that was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Funding of €12 million had been made available for this grant in 2020.  As part of the Budget 2021 measures, an additional €12 million has been allocated to the grant so that it will be available to business owners who may not be in a position to re-start their business and transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 2021. 

To date, approximately 5,000 businesses have been awarded this grant.  Further information and the application process to access this grant is available on www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 115.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (121)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

121. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed using their 2019 returns. [32118/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The rate of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for a self-employed person is calculated by reference to a person’s reckonable income in either 2018 or 2019, whichever is the greater.  Details of a person’s reckonable income is supplied to my Department by the Revenue Commissioners, net of business related costs including capital allowances.  Further, in the year 2019, if a person has earnings, those earnings can be aggregated with self-employed income if it produces a more favourable outcome. This rating rule does not extend to 2018. 

Currently, my Department has no details of 2019 self-employed income returns for the person concerned.  If those details are provided, a review of his PUP entitlement can be undertaken.

I trust this clarifies the matter. 

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 116.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (123)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

123. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarity on students that were working part-time and on pandemic unemployment payments; the reason students cannot claim tax back until the end of 2020; if provision will be made for this to occur sooner; the reason the Citizens Information website still states that students can apply for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32177/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

On 5th August the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced the Pandemic Unemployment Payment Scheme as a statutory scheme.  To be eligible for the scheme and maintain continued payment, all persons, including students, must satisfy all the qualifying conditions of the scheme.

My colleague, the Minister for Finance, has responsibility for taxation matters and the question of students applications for tax back should be referred to him for reply.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (124)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

124. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed [32187/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an Illness Benefit payment on 23/09/2019 but was ineligible as he had non-reckonable credits, having paid Class D PRSI contributions in the tax years relevant to his claim.  Although he was not eligible for an IB payment, he was asked to submit medical certificates as he was entitled to non-reckonable credits for as long as he was unfit for work.  The last medical certificate was submitted for the period 11/11/2019 to 24/11/2019. 

The person concerned subsequently submitted an application for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit (UP1 Form) on 06/10/2020 and was awarded Jobseeker’s Benefit credits effective from 02/10/2020. 

An Officer from the Finglas Intreo Centre will contact the person concerned shortly to discuss an application for a Jobseeker's Allowance which is a means-tested payment.    

If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties he can contact his local Community Welfare Service in the Finglas Intreo Centre where his circumstances will be assessed.  This service can be contacted at 01 8581100 or [e-mail]. 

I trust this clarifies the matter.  

Rural Social Scheme

Questions (125)

Denis Naughten

Question:

125. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rural social scheme participants provided for in the original 2020 and the 2021 estimate; the expected out-turn of participant numbers for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32239/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The 2020 Revised Estimate provided for an average of 3,300 participants on the Rural Social Scheme in 2020.

The outturn in 2020 is expected to average 3,160 participants.  The 2021 estimate is providing for a similar average number of participants in 2021.