Carol Nolan
Question:543. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will address concerns about delays to the building work for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36936/20]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (543)
Written answers
The building project for the school to which the deputy refers is being devolved for delivery to Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB).
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to LOETB. The next step is for the ETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
My Department has also approved rental of a suitable building in the locality for use by the school until the permanent new school building is completed. Refurbishment works to cater for increased enrolments has commenced on site. This rental is effective from 1st September 2020 until this project is completed.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that the ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (544)
Carol Nolan
Question:544. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will prioritise works at a school (details supplied); the status of the efforts of her Department to attain permanent accommodation for the school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36937/20]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was established under the patronage divesting process in 2015 and is currently in interim accommodation pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.
Under the patronage divesting process, a school can be opened where a school building became, or was due to become available as a result of an amalgamation/closure of an existing school. In some areas, including in the case of Birr, in responding to demand for diversity where existing patrons were unable make school properties available, my Department also included an examination of properties held in public ownership.
In this regard, my Department has been liaising with a State body for some time in relation to the potential for part of a building in its ownership in Birr to become the permanent home for the school.
Such projects for divested schools can involve complex factors and my Department is in the process of firming up on costings and related matters in accordance with the Department’s normal capital appraisal process, in line with the updated Public Spending Code.
My Department will update the school authorities once the process of firming up on costings and related matters is complete.
Question No. 545 answered with Question No. 457.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (546)
Cathal Crowe
Question:546. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with the building unit in order for approval to be given to develop a new stand-alone ASD unit for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36973/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (547)
Mark Ward
Question:547. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the provisions in place for primary school children awaiting to be assigned PPS numbers in cases in which it is mandatory for enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36978/20]
View answerWritten answers
Circular 25/2015 lays out the rationale for the introduction of the Primary Online Database (POD) and the use of the PPSN as a unique identifier, extract below:
“The Primary Online Database will serve as a vital administrative and management tool in efficiently meeting the Department’s obligations under Sections 6 and 7 of the Education Act 1998. Individualised data on pupils at primary level is of fundamental importance to fulfil our need for relevant and timely information to ensure the educational welfare of primary school children, to monitor adequately and cater for the needs of vulnerable subgroups, and ensure that all children are making the transition from the primary to post-primary system.
Using PPS numbers as unique identifiers, the database will assist the Department in compiling vital information about the progression of primary pupils through the education system, and the impact of educational interventions. It will be used to provide indicators on what is working and what is not in our educational system, as well as relevant, up-to-date information for future planning and resource allocation. Similar databases are in place already at other levels of education. In time, the Department is very confident that the database will not only reduce administrative burden and form filling for both schools and parents, but will play a vital role in underpinning the provision of education for all primary school pupils.”
It should be noted, however, that it is not necessary for a child to have a PPSN to be enrolled in a school and to have their details entered on POD. In a case where a pupil is waiting for a PPSN to be issued to them their details can still be entered on the POD system to create a pupil profile. In this instance the mother’s maiden acts as a placeholder until the PPSN is received and the pupil's POD profile can be updated at that stage. Such a pupil will still be counted towards capitation and allocation purposes provided they are enrolled in the school on the Census date, 30th September for academic year 2020-21, and are expected to continue to remain in attendance for the remainder of the school year.
Provision is also made, as per POD Circular 25/2015, for parents of children who do not want their details recorded on POD, extract below:
1. Parents/guardians who continue to object to the onward provision of data to POD need to put their objections in writing to the school in order for their wishes to be carried out. Note that verbal objections will not be sufficient in this regard, as schools will be required by the Department to maintain written records of objections, and parents who do not put their objections in writing should be informed by the school that their record will be otherwise transferred to POD within a four week timeframe. Parents/guardians who object should be given every opportunity to provide their objections in writing to the school.
2. Schools that are in receipt of a letter from a parent outlining their objections to the onward provision of data to POD can create a partial record for that pupil on POD, using the guidelines available on request from the POD Helpdesk. This will ensure that a record is created for the pupil which will be counted for grant payments and teacher allocation purposes.
European Court of Human Rights
Questions (548)
Catherine Connolly
Question:548. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 11 November 2020, the persons undertaking the review of the ex-gratia scheme established on foot of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the O’Keeffe case; when the review began; when it is expected that the review will be concluded; the terms of reference of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37002/20]
View answerWritten answers
As outlined in previous replies, the Department undertook a review of the scheme in response to a determination by the Independent Assessor, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill that one of the criteria for eligibility is incompatible with the ECtHR judgement.
The review which commenced during 2019 is being conducted by officials from my Department in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
The terms of reference were to review the operation of the ex gratia scheme to determine whether it should be re-opened and what criteria should then apply for people to be eligible for the scheme.
It is expected that the review has yet to be concluded.
Online Safety
Questions (549)
Emer Higgins
Question:549. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the Action Plan for Online Safety that outlines the objectives that were achieved and the way outstanding objectives will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37006/20]
View answerWritten answers
Recognising that online safety is not the responsibility of any one Department, a Government Action Plan for Online Safety was published in July 2018. The key objective of the Plan was to set out and implement actions, over a short 18 month period, that were achievable and which have the greatest impact on Online Safety for everyone.
The Action Plan was implemented under the guidance of a Sponsors Group established for that purpose.
The Sponsors Group comprised representatives of the then six key Government Departments with responsibility for online safety namely:
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) leads on structured engagements by Departments with online platforms; and review of the Audio Media Visual Services Directive; and also provides the secretariat to the National Advisory Council for Online Safety
- Department of Education and Skills (DES) leads on schools policy development; Webwise; support for schools, teachers, students and parents.
- Department of Justice and Equality (DJE) leads on oversight of hotline.ie; legislative changes to criminal law; liaison with an Garda Síochána on implementation/enforcement issues; and disbursement of EU funding
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) leads on consultative engagement with children and young people, including through Comhairles, and Children First guidance
- Department of Health (D/Health) leads on the development of online mental health tools that augment existing services and implementation of Healthy Ireland
- Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) leads on oversight of the E-commerce Directive (2000/31/EC) and coordination of the EU Digital Single Market strategy
The Department of Education & Skills chaired the Sponsored Group for the duration of the 18 month plan. The Action Plan was based around five goals and set out twenty five specific actions (with 48 constituent actions), to be progressed over the period of the Plan which commenced in July 2018 and ended December 2019. By the end of 2019, 44 of the 48 actions had been fully achieved. Significant progress was made in the implementation of the remaining four remaining actions which relates to ongoing development in regulation and legislation and include:
1. revising the legislative framework and regulatory oversight structure through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill (action 17.2 DCCAE)
2. working with industry to produce a practical guide for online platforms to encourage a standardised approach to best practice in online safety at all stages of design, development and roll out (action 15.1 DCCAE)
3. increasing Internet Service Providers sign up to codes of practice and ethics (action 13.2 DJE)
4. working with industry to publish regular transparency reports in relation to illegal and harmful online content including under the proposed Regulation on Preventing the Dissemination of Terrorist Content (14.2 DCCAE/DJE)
The Action Plan provided that functional responsibility for the delivery of the Actions remains with the lead Department with responsibility for the relevant policy areas. The actions that fell within the remit of my Department were implemented.
The progression of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill was transferred by Government Order from the former Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to the New Department of Media, Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Sports for progression and progress continues to be made in the progression of this Bill.
The elements of online safety policy (including actions set out above) and that rested within DCCAE have all transferred to the new Department.
The Department of Justice also has links with the delivery of actions 14.2 above and also for the delivery of action 13.2.
The Action Plan, and progress reports on its implementation covering the period July 2018-June 2019, are available at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/be-safe-online/gov.ie.
The final progress report covering the six period July – December 2019 is also complete and is expected to be published in the coming weeks on gov.ie.
An Online Safety Hub, a repository providing links to the online safety resources and information available across the six key Government Departments is available at www.gov.ie/besafeonline.
My Department continues to support schools, parents and young people on online safety measures while they also enjoy the benefits of using digital technologies in teaching and learning practices as provided for in the Digital Strategy for Schools.
School Accommodation
Questions (550)
Verona Murphy
Question:550. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the secondary school places available by school in each local electoral area in County Wexford in tabular form. [37019/20]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold information in the format requested.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary.
The selection process used by schools and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, it may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new policies to be published on the school’s website.
The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.
Further information on the new admission process is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/School-Enrolment.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.
The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:
1. Enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;
2. Additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements, Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.
3. Utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The delivery of a building project for Selskaer College, Wexford Town to construct a new 1,000 pupil school has been agreed and its delivery is being devolved to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).
Similar to the process adopted for September 2020 readiness, the Department will be engaging further with patron bodies shortly in advance of identifying specific September 2021 capacity pressure points priorities which will necessitate specific action.
In a ‘normal’ year, addressing the increase demands for school places, whilst challenging, is manageable – generally through utilisation of existing spare capacity within schools, rental, temporary accommodation or other short term measures pending the delivery of permanent accommodation.
Health Promotion
Questions (551)
Holly Cairns
Question:551. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the ERSI/HSE report Talking about Sex and Sexual Behaviour of Young People in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37100/20]
View answerWritten answers
I welcome the publication last week of the ESRI Report “The Talking about Sex and Sexual Relationships of Young People in Ireland”. The report concentrates on where, how and when young people in Ireland get their information on sex and relationships, with the two main sources being parents and Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in school.
Parents’ relationship with their children was found to be the key determinant of whether or not a conversation on sex and relationships occurs between parent and children and how useful that conversation is likely to be.
The report also found that 55% of 13 year olds reported had been given RSE in school and by the age of 17, 90% of those surveyed reported had been given RSE in school, with females more likely than males to have reported receiving RSE, especially in the 13 year old cohort. A third of 17 year olds were found to rely totally on school-based RSE to get their information on sex and relationships, with no parental input.
Further findings include a significant variation in the provision of RSE at a school level. This was not found to be along the lines of school size, gender mix or ethos, which suggests that school policy and leadership play an important role in determining the level of RSE provision in schools. This is in agreement with previous research in this area. However, there was no significant link found between the level of RSE provision in schools and young people’s sexual behaviour and competence.
The report referenced that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)’s review into RSE a number of times. The NCCA review, along with the focus on wellbeing in the Framework for Junior Cycle was stated to provide an opportunity to consider the issue of how information and support on sex are provided in schools. However, the report cautioned that without significant parental involvement, even the most comprehensive and high quality RSE provision in schools is limited in the effectiveness it can have.
The National Council for Currriculum and Assessment (NCCA) conducted a thorough and transparent review, and published its report, “Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary Schools” in December 2019. This Report was developed on foot of extensive consultation which was conducted between June 2018 and March 2019.
The NCCA report makes a number of recommendations. This includes primarily the development of a single integrated curriculum for RSE and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) in schools. Work on updating or developing new specifications for SPHE/RSE will commence in the NCCA in 2021, beginning with a focus on Junior Cycle. This work will include engagement with all the key education stakeholders as well as a further process of public consultation before any new curriculum specifications are finalised.
The NCCA has established two development groups, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in this area and support the development of guidance material for schools. These groups were unable to commence their work until recently due to the COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. However, meetings of these groups have been convened and will continue to be convened from December on an ongoing basis. This will allow them to review significant work that has been progressed.
The NCCA is currently developing interim guidance for SPHE and RSE across primary and post-primary levels. These support materials will be made available in the form of an online toolkit. They will provide guidance on how the current curriculum can be approached in a more holistic way. The materials have been to the development groups from October. It is anticipated that some guidance materials will be published before the end of 2020 and that they will be supplemented incrementally during 2021.
The NCCA has worked collaboratively with the teacher professional development support services and other relevant groups in completing an audit of current teaching and learning resources relevant to SPHE/RSE and compiled a comprehensive resource list which will be published as part of the online toolkit for SPHE/RSE. This will provide a single, online access point for up-to-date resources.
Further recommendations in the report in relation to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regarding SPHE and RSE are being considered by my Department with a view to putting enhanced supports in place.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (552)
Holly Cairns
Question:552. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 431 of 10 November 2020, the number of the 195 appeals made to the Primary Appeals Board that cited the availability of classrooms for social distancing in the context of Covid-19; if any school was allowed to retain a post or gain an additional teaching post based solely or partially on facilitating social distancing or using additional classrooms in the context of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37101/20]
View answerWritten answers
Teaching posts are allocated based on confirmed enrolments from the previous September and the staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
A blanket freeze on the normal arrangements for allocations for one cohort of schools, such as those that have additional classrooms, would disadvantage all other schools of similar enrolment. It is an important feature of the staffing schedule that all schools are treated equally and fairly. As previously advised, this year the Department and the Primary Staffing Appeals Board are very cognisant of the impact of COVID-19 on schools. While the Department does not collate the information in the manner requested by the Deputy, the appeals process looked carefully at all decisions on the allocation of teaching posts where schools have reduced enrolments to ensure that all decisions are reasonable and all schools are treated fairly.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
State Examinations
Questions (553)
Holly Cairns
Question:553. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the redress or opportunity for a review for a student (details supplied) whose leaving certificate marks were significantly downgraded by the standardisation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37104/20]
View answerWritten answers
The decision to adopt a model of Calculated Grades by my Department was a direct result of COVID-19, which prevented the state from running the conventional Leaving Certificate Examinations. In the absence of these examinations, every effort has been made to make the system as fair as possible for as many students as possible.
The process of national standardisation, which forms a key part of the Calculated Grades process, was applied to the information provided by schools in order to ensure comparability between the standards applied by individual schools and the national standard. In order to be fair to the class of 2020, the teacher judgements made at the level of the school had to be adjusted so that a common national standard was applied. It was inherent to the system of calculated grades that school estimates would be subject to adjustment through this standardisations process.
These adjustments resulted in the school estimates of subject percentage marks staying the same or being revised upwards or downwards. The standardisation process operated on the premise that the school estimates should only be adjusted through the standardisation process where there was credible statistical evidence to justify changing them.
A standardising process happens every year and would have happened in 2020 had the Leaving Certificate examinations been run as normal. In the system of calculated grades, the standardisation process applied uniformly across all subject and levels and school types. The degree to which mark changes occurred related to the degree of over or underestimation in the school estimates for each subject and each level. This means that some students experienced mark changes from the school estimates but no changes to the grades based on the school estimates; while others will have experienced marks changes from the teacher estimates leading to grade changes in one or more of their subjects.
Following standardisation, the estimated percentage mark was converted to a calculated mark and subsequently, a calculated grade which was provided to students on 7 September. It is only at this point that students were awarded a grade.
Therefore, it is not accurate to state that student(s) were downgraded, or upgraded, through the standardisation process. Rather the grade that was awarded following the standardisation process is the grade for the 2020 Leaving Certificate (Calculated Grades).
The appeals process for Calculated Grades was open to students who were disappointed with the Calculated Grades they received in one or more subjects. In addition, students had the option to register to sit the 2020 written Leaving Certificate exams which commenced on 16 November.
Question No. 554 answered with Question No. 537.
Legislative Programme
Questions (555)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:555. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when section 13 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 governing deaths abroad will be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36174/20]
View answerWritten answers
Arrangements for the commencement of the relevant section of the Act concerned are now at an advanced stage. It is expected that the commencement will happen in the coming weeks.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (556)
Mark Ward
Question:556. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for PPS number applicants pre-Covid-19; and the new processing times since the pandemic began. [36979/20]
View answerWritten answers
The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Once a person has successfully completed SAFE registration, their Public Services Card, containing their PPSN, is posted to them in about five working days.
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines in respect of social distancing.
To help ensure that those who required a PPSN could get one, my Department introduced an email and postal service through which applications could be made.
My Department has received, and continues to receive, significant volumes of email and post in relation to PPSN applications from people living in and outside the State. Data on the processing times of these applications are not currently available.
It is inevitably the case that a temporary process such as this will not be as efficient as the face-to-face process it has temporarily replaced, neither for applicants nor for the staff dealing with those applications.
Additional resources have been reassigned to deal with email and postal PPSN applications. I expect this will result in improved processing times and a reduction in the number of applications in hands.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domestic Violence Services
Questions (557)
Gerald Nash
Question:557. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37136/20]
View answerWritten answers
Lead responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Since August, I have introduced changes to the rent supplement scheme to make it more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties.
I do not anticipate that additional funding will be required for this measure and that it will be possible to meet the cost of this measure under the existing funding provided for Rent Supplement.
I remain committed to supporting victims of domestic violence and will continue to review this particular aspect of my Department’s services for further improvement in line with the Programme for Government.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (558)
Neale Richmond
Question:558. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection when the backlog of PPSN applications will be cleared and the turnaround time reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36135/20]
View answerWritten answers
The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines in respect of social distancing.
To help ensure that those who required a PPSN could get one, my Department introduced an email and postal service through which applications could be made.
My Department has received, and continues to receive, significant volumes of email and post in relation to PPSN applications from people living in and outside the State. Data on the processing times of these applications are not currently available.
It is inevitably the case that a temporary process such as this will not be as efficient as the face-to-face process it has temporarily replaced, neither for applicants nor for the staff dealing with those applications.
Additional resources have been reassigned to deal with email and postal PPSN applications. I expect this will result in improved processing times and a reduction in the number of applications on hands.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Fuel Allowance
Questions (559)
Bernard Durkan
Question:559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the fuel allowance given their health circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36184/20]
View answerWritten answers
Fuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Gov.ie website.
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A claim for IP was received from the lady concerned on 28 September 2020, including a claim for fuel allowance. In order to establish medical suitability for IP, two medical report forms for completion issued to her on 29 September 2020. As the completed medical report forms were not returned to the department within the given time frame, a reminder issued to her on 20 October 2020. To date the completed medical report forms have not been returned to the Department.
Upon receipt of the completed medical report forms, the IP claim and fuel application will be processed as quickly as possible and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (560)
Seán Canney
Question:560. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that changes introduced in 2016 in relation to length of service on community employment schemes are being applied retrospectively to those that commenced under the previous regime; if her attention has been further drawn to the difficulty this is causing to community employment scheme participants that were of the view that the terms they signed up to would continue to pertain; if those that commenced on schemes prior to June 2016 can continue on the schemes for six years in view of the current economic downturn and the value of community employment schemes to local communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36185/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
A number of new conditions were introduced to the CE Scheme in July 2017 to further support progression to employment, broaden CE access to a wider range of people and to standardise the conditions relating to the length of time a CE participant can remain on a CE scheme.
In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to two years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. CE participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for three years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award.
In either scenario, a maximum of three consecutive year's participation on CE is permissible. A person may re-qualify for CE after a twelve month break once they satisfy the qualifying conditions. An overall lifetime limit of six years applies to all CE participants (seven years for those on a disability payment).
Prior to 2017, there were two available options for participating on CE. Both options commenced with one year of participation with the possibility of either one or two more years, depending on the option taken. Both options were subject to qualification criteria and neither required the CE participant to undertake any training resulting in the achievement of a major award.
In 2017 the new conditions and qualifying criteria were introduced and a saver clause was provided for the existing clients:
‘Participants who commenced on CE prior to 3rd July 2017 will be entitled to remain under their existing CE eligibility rules, where this is to their advantage. If it is more advantageous to the person, the current criteria can be applied.’
The saver clause that was introduced allowed CE participants who commenced under that option to continue on CE for a maximum of three consecutive years with or without working towards a QQI major award, whichever was more advantageous. The 2017 saver clause does not allow those affected to continue to participate on CE for six years consecutively.
The same continuous limitation of three years continues to apply to all CE participants both pre and post 2017. CE participation was never intended to be long-term and the maximum continued participation on CE is three years.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these work programmes will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
While I understand that CE participants may wish to remain on a CE scheme for longer than the permissible time, the Deputy will appreciate that such extensions would have a detrimental effect on other long-term unemployed candidates wishing to avail of the opportunities afforded by CE.
I am fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve CE for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (561)
Niall Collins
Question:561. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a PPSN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36214/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued on 12th November 2020 with details of his PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (562)
Niall Collins
Question:562. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a PPSN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36215/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the individual referred to by the Deputy has been contacted regarding his application for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) by officials of my Department so that we may proceed to progress his application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.