Written Answers Nos. 226-250
226. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the lack of ASD unit spaces for children starting primary school (details supplied); and if this matter can be reviewed urgently as there is now a waiting list of children with diagnosed needs without the required spaces. [37603/20]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.
This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including the area referenced by the Deputy, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.
The NCSE is actively working with schools in the North Wicklow area to establish special classes in the area. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.
NCSE has advised that there are currently 7 special classes in primary schools supporting students with autism in the town of Greystones and the surrounding areas. I am also aware that additional special class places will become available when one of the schools in the town moves to permanent accommodation. I can assure the Deputy that this is being progressed as quickly as possible.
Parents should also be advised to contact their local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) if they experience any difficulty in getting a suitable placement.
227. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if the start date for a school building project (details supplied) will be brought forward to as early a date as is physically and practically possible. [37614/20]
View answerThe tender process for the school building project referred to by the Deputy is running as part of a wider process involving the tender of 8 major building projects. The first phase of the tender process to create a short-list of contractors is complete. The second phase of the tender process is ongoing and is due to be completed in the coming months. The project is expected to commence on site in quarter 1 of 2021. The school building project will commence on site as soon as is practically possible when this process is complete which is expected to be Q1 of 2021.
228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the changes that have been introduced in the operation of the Croke Park pay agreement on extra hours for SNAs; the discussions that are taking place with a union (details supplied) on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37623/20]
View answerI am keenly aware of the huge role played by SNAs and I am extremely appreciative of this work.
My Department recently issued a letter to schools reminding them of the provisions relating to the 72 hours working requirement of SNAs. These hours have been in place since 2005 and form part of an SNA’s contract of employment which was agreed with unions. This letter did not change the terms and conditions of SNAs or amend previous agreements. The letter was an important reminder to schools on the management, communication and recording of the 72 hours which are a part of the SNA contract. It was an aide to ensure that schools effectively plan for the optimum use of this time to support the care needs of pupils.
Under the terms of the standard employment contract agreed in 2005, SNAs were required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term, not exceeding 12 in total.
Under the Croke Park Agreement, it was agreed to convert the previous requirement of SNAs to be available for 12 days outside of the school year to one of 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs). It was agreed at that time that the 72 hours would be used by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year. These arrangements were notified to schools in 2011, in Department Circular 0071/2011.
Both the original 2005 agreement and the Croke Park provisions were negotiated and agreed nationally between management and trade unions.
No additional hours were required of SNAs under the 2011 agreement.
Some recent commentary has referred to the 72 hours as being ‘unpaid’. However, remuneration for the 12 days or 72 hours is included as part of the normal salary paid to an SNA under the terms of the 2005 agreed contract.
As part of the 2011 agreement on reconfiguration, it was agreed that the scheduling of the hours is at the discretion of school management and schools were informed that they should ensure that accurate records are kept in relation to their use.
Fórsa, the trade union which represents SNAs, have formally sought abolition of the 72 hours contractual requirement through industrial relations channels. In addition, Fórsa have formally sought that the 72 hours are frozen and employers do not request their completion for the duration of the Covid pandemic.
Some confusion had arisen at school level on foot of communications issued by Fórsa to schools stating that there is no liability to complete all or any of the hours. As such schools and management bodies had asked the Department to clarify the position. During the course of discussions on the former claim, all parties were notified that the Department intended to issue a letter to school management bodies to remind schools of the provisions relating to the hours.
The agreed uses of the 72 hours include:
- SEN pupil-centred activity - such as assistance with care planning;
- Learning resource administration – such as preparing class rooms and materials;
- Class and school planning and development;
- Assistance with special exam centres for the State exams; and
- Training
The duties listed in Circular 71/2011 form part of the normal range of SNA duties, and are therefore liable to be performed at any time during normal working hours, including during the 72 hours.
The 72 hours allow for very important support work such as assistance with care planning, learning resource administration and training to be carried out without reducing the SNA’s time with the pupil in need of their care. Accordingly, the suspension of the requirement to complete the 72 hours would have a direct, negative impact on pupils with special educational needs as it would impede on normal class time.
Fórsa has previously claimed that SNAs are being asked to carry out duties inappropriate to the grade as part of the 72 hours. The Department’s recent letter reminded schools of the agreed list of uses for the 72 hours under Circular 71/2011 and stated that the grievance procedures should be used where allegations of inappropriate use arise. Neither I nor my Department would support uses outside of those listed in the Circular.
However, I am aware that Fórsa has sought the abolition of the 72 hours requirement. They are pursuing that through the normal industrial relations channels and I do not intend to comment further on that claim at this juncture.
229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a letter promised twice by the Department to a person (details supplied) will be forwarded; the reason for the delay in issuing this letter given the matter has been ongoing for some considerable time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37624/20]
View answerI am glad to inform the Deputy that the requested letter has been issued by the Payroll Division of my Department. The case was particularly complex, involved checking of records in detail and accordingly took some time to resolve.
231. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37631/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets. Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that the children to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary school. Bus Éireann has also confirmed that payment for school transport for the 2020/2021 school year was received by the family in question on 10th September 2020 and as such is late. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present. A refund of the school transport charge was processed on 28 October 2020.
232. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if it is possible to expand the remote learning option to children with at-risk members of their household; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37633/20]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. This guidance provides that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and that this is important for the child’s overall well-being. This is consistent with public health advice internationally in relation to at-risk family members.
The best way to protect against COVID-19 is for households to continue to follow all current public health advice on how to minimise the risk of infection. This includes regular hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing.
It is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for staff. Transmission rates of Covid-19 in schools are low, much lower than the rate currently in the community. This is clearly a result of the effectiveness of the public health guidelines for schools and most importantly the successful implementation of those guidelines by the school community.
My Department has also developed and prepared a comprehensive response to supporting the well-being of school communities at this time. The National Educational Psychological Service is also working with schools to support them to meet the needs of their pupils particularly those who are anxious at this time.
233. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the number of full school closures that have occurred since reopening due to the Covid-19 pandemic; the length of time schools were to close for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37710/20]
View answerThe 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/
This guidance provides that the HSE Department of Public Health will liaise directly with schools regarding any actions to be taken following a Public Health Risk Assessment.
As of 16 November a total of 731 education facilities (primary, post primary and special education facilities) have undergone mass testing following Public Health Risk Assessment.
The positivity rate of close contacts testing in educational facilities including primary, post-primary and special educational needs facilities as of this date is 2.5% with 19,264 close contacts tested. This low positivity rate has led in the main to a group of students or a class having to restrict their movements in line with public health advice rather than school closures. The comparable rate in the community is 10%.
It is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for the staff. Schools are working hard to implement the public health advice which is proving to be effective in keeping transmission levels in schools so low.
234. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when she expects to announce the recommencement of inter-school sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37711/20]
View answerKeeping schools safely open for children and staff is a key priority at all levels of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.
Schools have the flexibility to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst following the control measures they have put in place in line with public health requirements. Competitive fixtures are currently not permitted under level 5 restrictions. Any change to this position will depend on the public health advice prevailing at that time.
235. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37712/20]
View answerI met with the Northern Ireland Minister for Education, Peter Weir on two occasions.
The first meeting took place on 31st July 2020 on the margins of the North-South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting in Dublin Castle, where we exchanged some initial views and shared policies in respect of planning for school re-openings for the 2020/ 2021 school year.
More recently, on 6th November 2020, I met again with Minister Weir as part of the Education Sectorial meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. Again, we shared views on the experiences of school re-openings and the importance of pupil re-engagement with their learning. We also committed to convene a meeting of senior officials, along with agencies/bodies with responsibility in vital support areas, and report findings to the next NSMC meeting in this sector.
In addition, officials in my Department are also in regular contact with their Northern counterparts on a range of issues, including the issue of responding to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
236. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic particularly as it relates to students that cross the Border to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37713/20]
View answerIn addition to regular exchanges between officials in both Departments, I have met with Minister Weir on two occasions since my appointment as Minister for Education. These meetings took place in July and November of this year as part of the North-South Ministerial Council. We shared views and learnings about the impact of Covid-19 on our respective education systems.
The Deputy should note that public health advice, complemented by the guidelines issued by the respective Departments, will apply to all pupils attending school.
237. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic particularly as it relates to teachers that cross the Border to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37714/20]
View answerIn addition to regular exchanges between officials in both Departments, I have met with Minister Weir on two occasions since my appointment as Minister for Education. These meetings took place in July and November of this year as part of the North-South Ministerial Council. We shared views and learnings about the impact of Covid-19 on our respective education systems.
The Deputy should note that public health advice, complemented by the guidelines issued by the respective Departments, will apply to all teachers.
238. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the extension planned for a school (details supplied) will include a special class unit in view of the requirement to include special class units when an extension is proposed for primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37724/20]
View answerThe project at the school referred to by the Deputy which commenced on site in mid October does not included the provision of a special class unit.
It is intended that the demand for special class provision in the area will be met within the new post primary school in the same town that was established in September 2020.
239. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the urgent need for secondary school places (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37733/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Kildare is one such school planning area.
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, depending on the circumstances, 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 school.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and a current exercise to examine updated data, taking cognisance of demographic trends and planned residential development in the school planning areas, is currently at an advanced stage.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Senator that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040, including projects in Kildare, may be viewed on the Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need, has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on the Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
My Department is aware that post-primary enrolments in the Kildare school planning area have been increasing in recent years and it is expected that this pattern will continue in the short to medium-term. In that context, building projects at a number of post-primary schools in the Kildare and surrounding school planning areas which will provide additional capacity have been recently completed or are currently advancing.
Furthermore, it is intended that significant additional capacity to address this demand will be provided by the planned new 1000 pupil building for the existing Curragh post primary school. This is intended to provide capacity to cater for demand arising in the Kildare school planning area as well as that in the Newbridge and Curragh SPAs. There is capacity in the existing Curragh Post-Primary school building pending delivery of the new school building.
The site identification exercise for this school building project is currently at an advanced stage.
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.
240. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 12 November 2020, if she will consider restoring the invalidity pension to the pre-recession level as this pension was reduced during the recession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37444/20]
View answerInvalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who are permanently incapable of work because of a long-term illness or disability. To qualify for an award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions. At 66, those on Invalidity pension transfer automatically to the State Pension (Contributory) at the full rate. Invalidity Pension is taxable. Recipients are entitled to a Free Travel Pass and may also get extra social welfare benefits, for example, the Household Benefits Package. Invalidity Pension was extended to the self-employed from December 2017.
Expenditure on Invalidity Pension was over €728 million in 2019, continuing a steady increase from almost €673 million in 2016. The expected expenditure for 2020 is almost €749 million. There were 58,168 recipients in 2019, with 76,577 beneficiaries when qualified adult and children are included.
My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any change to the rate of payment would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
241. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if self-employed taxi drivers who were claimants of the pandemic unemployment payment and who ceased claiming and returned to work before the introduction of the new level 5 restrictions which resulted in them reclaiming the pandemic unemployment payment can apply for the enterprise support grant to recuperate finances spent adapting their cars to return to work before the new level 5 restrictions were actually implemented; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37452/20]
View answerThe Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) for businesses impacted by COVID-19 is awarded to self-employed people who meet the required qualifying conditions.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the ESG when she returns to self-employment and has closed her Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Funding can be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000.
Information about the ESG including qualifying conditions is available at www.gov.ie/dsp.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
242. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to introduce an amendment to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to give effect to the programme for Government commitment to retain a State pension age from January 2021 of 66; and if so, when the amending legislation will be introduced. [37461/20]
View answer243. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the legal mechanism by which she plans to defer the planned increase in the State pension age from January 2021. [37468/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” 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.
The Government confirmed as part of its Budget 2021 measures that the required amendment to primary legislation (the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005) will be brought before the Oireachtas later this year as part of the Budget Bill for enactment in advance of the 1st January 2021.
The Government has set aside a provision of €221 million in 2021 to support this measure.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
244. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the requirement of a digital signature for collection of social welfare payments has been reintroduced; and if she will report on the guidance upon which this decision was based given the level 5 restrictions in place nationwide. [37485/20]
View answerThe requirement for recipients to sign for their cash payment is an important tool in helping to prevent the fraudulent collection of social welfare payments by unauthorised persons. This is done by means of an electronic signing pad. An electronic signature can only be captured by using a purpose-made stylus which is physically connected to the signing pad. The signature pad will only work with the stylus which is connected to the pad.
Disabling the signature pads was one of a number of temporary measures introduced last March to assist in reducing the spread of Covid-19. However, this weakened the financial controls in place to prevent fraud. Therefore, in agreement with my Department, An Post are now gradually reactivating the signing pads in the post office network along with providing a dedicated hand sanitiser unit beside each pad. This allows customers to sanitise their hands both before and after using the electronic signing pad.
Other measures to help reduce the transmission of Covid-19 have been introduced by An Post with the co-operation of my Department. The period of time in which cash payments have to be collected at post offices has been extended. This is to facilitate those who can afford to collect a number of payments together on a less frequent basis. For State Pensions, that period is 90 days. In addition, more flexibility has been introduced to the rules around nominating an agent to collect social welfare payments at a post office on someone else’s behalf. This now allows for more frequent agent collections.
Finally, I should mention that a customer has the option of requesting to have their social welfare payment paid directly into an account in a financial institution, whether that account is in An Post (Smart payment account), in a bank or in a credit union. If a customer wishes to avail of this option, they should contact my Department to request this change of payment method.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the total value of pandemic unemployment payments made to persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan since June 2020; and the number of recipients in Cavan and Monaghan at the end of October 2020. [37540/20]
View answerThe approximate value of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) payments issued to customers in counties Cavan and Monaghan, from 01 June to 17 Novembers inclusive, is €66 million euro. €34.8 million has been paid to customers in county Cavan, and €31.2 million has been paid to customers in county Monaghan.
The table below sets out these values with the recipient numbers in these counties at the end of October and to date.
Table: PUP paid to those in Cavan and Monaghan, 01 June to date
|
|
Total paid (€m) |
Recipients 27th October |
Recipients 17th November |
|
Cavan |
35 |
4,135 |
4,719 |
|
Monaghan |
31 |
3,577 |
4,164 |
|
Total |
66 |
7,712 |
8,883 |
246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if the requirement that a jobseeker must provide evidence of a job offer which requires a driving licence in order to qualify for the training grant of €250 for essential driver training will be reviewed in view of the difficulty to obtain any job offer which requires a driving licence without having already obtained a driving licence; if she will consider revising the requirement to show that the jobseeker is seriously applying for jobs which require a driving licence rather than evidence of a job offer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37576/20]
View answerThe Training Support Grant provided by my Department is designed to fund quick access to short-term training to support individual jobseekers access work opportunities. Total expenditure on this grant amounted to €2.2m in 2019 and approx. 5,600 individuals were supported. As part of the July Jobs Stimulus the funding available to a jobseeker under this grant has doubled from €500 per year to €1,000.
Given the direct and individually tailored nature of this support, it is a vital tool available for jobseekers to bridge a skills gap that may impede them progressing to employment. The guidelines for the grant state that a jobseeker whose chances of gaining employment can be significantly improved may be awarded funding for training. Support under this measure, including assistance towards driver training, can be provided where the jobseeker has provided reasonable evidence of need which can include a job offer or a potential job offer or has identified a skills gap or requirement to maintain or achieve accreditation.
Anyone wishing to discuss their training options and supports available should contact their local Intreo Centre for advice.
247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if representatives from an organisation (details supplied) will be on the newly established Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37577/20]
View answerI am pleased that the Government approved the establishment of the Commission on Pensions in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced on Budget Day that the planned increase in the State pension age from January of next year will be deferred, in line with our Programme for Government commitment. In this regard, it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Pensions Commission and I will introduce legislation shortly to give effect to this.
The Commission's Terms of Reference includes the examination of sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund. More broadly, it will also consider the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts and consider how the pension system can further accommodate carers, who are predominantly women.
The membership of the Commission, approved by Government, reflects the need to have subject matter experts to deal with the complex social and public policy issues arising in pensions, as well as stakeholder representation which will keep the work of the Commission grounded. This includes representation of workers, employers, civil society, academics and those with technical and policy expertise. In this regard, the membership also includes those with involvement in organisations supporting older people.
The Government was keen to ensure that the Commission had strong female membership and five of the nine members of the Commission appointed directly by the Government are women. It will be chaired by Ms. Josephine Feehily. I am satisfied that the Commission, with its gender-balanced membership and extensive experience of social and public policy, will be keenly aware of the gender dimension of pensions policy and delivery and will bring this perspective to bear in its work.
The Commission will also engage with a range of key stakeholders to ensure that it has a genuine understanding of not only the fiscal sustainability challenges involved, but also the associated social sustainability challenges of implementing potential policy reforms. The exact mechanisms for this engagement will be shaped by the Chair and by Commission members.
It should be noted that while this Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State's finances, 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.
In line with the Programme for Government, the Commission will report to Government by 30 June of next year and the Government will take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within 6 months.
Further details of the Commission's membership and terms of reference are available on the Departmental website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b1c64-minister-humphreys-announces-the-establishment-of-the-pensions-commission/
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
248. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the current backlog of PPSN applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37607/20]
View answer249. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection when her Department will be in position to resume PPSN allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37608/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
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.
My Department did not, however, suspend PPSN allocations. 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 hand.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
250. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37629/20]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. Letters issued to the individual and to the solicitor concerned on 17th November 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
