Niall Collins
Question:342. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will amend a circular based on circumstances (details supplied). [43458/20]
View answerDepartmental Circulars
Questions (342)
Written answers
My Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 for teachers contains the Carer's Leave Scheme at Chapter 6, which is regulated by the Carer’s Leave Act 2001.
Paragraph 2.2 of the Carer’s Leave Scheme states:-
‘Where Carer’s Leave is not taken in one continuous period of 104 weeks, there must be a minimum of 6 weeks intervening period between the periods of Carer’s Leave in respect of the same person.’
There is no provision within the Carer’s Leave Act 2001 to extend an existing Carer’s Leave absence. However, in exceptional circumstances where a teacher has not yet exhausted their 104 week entitlement and provided all eligibility conditions are met, the current period of Carer’s Leave may be extended, subject to the employer’s and Department of Employment and Social Protection’s approval.
Schools Site Acquisitions
Questions (343)
Alan Dillon
Question:343. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of and time frame for the site acquisition, planning and start of the new school for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43473/20]
View answerWritten answers
A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
The site, which includes an existing building, has been acquired by my Department and the school is currently occupying a portion of this building. The next step includes the development of the project brief and my Department will be in contact with the Patron in this regard.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (344)
Alan Dillon
Question:344. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of a school capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43474/20]
View answerWritten answers
A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's school building programme.
The next step includes determining the accommodation brief for the project and my Department will be engaging with the patron in this regard.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (345)
Denis Naughten
Question:345. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43478/20]
View answerWritten answers
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents.
A number of Brief Change requests have been received, in recent years, in relation to this project. The most recent Brief Change Request was submitted by the Board of Management and its’ Design Team in March, 2020. On 9 April 2020 an approval in principle to this Brief Change Request, which is subject to further clarifications from the Design Team and Galway County Council, issued from the Department.
The Design Team has recently completed a revised Stage 2(b) report, incorporating the above Brief Change, into the tender documentation. This revised Stage 2(b) report is currently with the school, as client, for sign off prior to submission to my Department for review.
Last week the school raised concerns in relation to the report as presented to it, by its’ Design Team and is requesting documentation from Department in relation the Brief Change Request approved in principle on 9 April 2020.
My officials are currently following up on the matter and will revert to the school shortly.
Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) report my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of the project.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (346)
Matt Carthy
Question:346. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the needs of the pupils who currently attend a unit at a school (details supplied) considering the plans to close this unit in 2021; if she will examine the feasibility to keep this unit open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43487/20]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is in ongoing contact with the school authority regarding this matter.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (347)
Gary Gannon
Question:347. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if a commitment will be given and initiated to ensure remote learning options for school children who are living with a person in the very high risk category also referred to as extremely vulnerable for Covid-19 in 2021 as a strategy for mitigating the risk of transmission from festive gatherings and following ECDC suggestions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43527/20]
View answerWritten answers
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic the Government has identified as an objective that all students should return to education as normal to the fullest extent possible, while minimising the risks from a public health perspective. Schools have put significant measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and significant funding has been provided to support schools in this respect. The evidence to date from a public health perspective is that schools are safe. The approach to Covid-19 in schools is led by the advice and guidance of the HSE Public Health.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has issued specific advice about children attending school in the context of covid-19. This advice covers both children with underlying medical conditions and children living with family members with underlying conditions. For all children, care should continue to be taken to reduce transmission through the measures promoted by HPSC.
The HPSC advice advises that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and it 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 priority is that the household continues to follow all current advice on how to minimise the risk of coronavirus, through regular hand washing, etc.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (348)
David Stanton
Question:348. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the progress made on the issuing of a tender for the development of a school (details supplied); the associated timescales for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43529/20]
View answerWritten answers
The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which tenders to pre-established frameworks of D&B contractors.
My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. Once this framework is established, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.
Until such a time as the framework is established a definitive timeline for tender is not available
Dental Services
Questions (349)
Thomas Pringle
Question:349. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the practice by dental hygienists of an additional charge of €25 for a clean and polish on top of the payment for having the required contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43024/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Benefit scheme was extended in October 2017 to provide for dental cleanings (commonly referred to as scale and polish) in additional to the existing free annual dental examination. The Department pays a set fee of €42 towards such dental cleanings. When the fee charged by the individual dentist is higher than the amount payable by the Department, the customer can be asked for an additional co-payment, this being the difference between the normal fee charged by the dentist and the €42 payable by the Department. For a "standard scale and polish" treatment (approximately 90% of all cleanings), this co-payment is limited to a maximum of €15.
If the customer requires the more complex "periodontal" cleaning, they are responsible for the payment of the balance between the Department's fee (€42) and the normal fee charged by the dentist for the procedure.
Dental cleanings, both standard and periodontal, can be provided under the scheme by either the contracted dentist or a dental hygienist employed by them.
If a customer believes that have been overcharged they should bring the details of their treatment and payments to the attention of the Department and a review of the case will be undertaken.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (350)
Paul Murphy
Question:350. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if it will be ensured that when a person applies for the pandemic unemployment payment that the Revenue Commissioners and-or her Department include in the calculation a person's annual income, for the purposes of deciding on the appropriate rate of payment, any income from State benefits including maternity or parental benefits to avoid discriminatory underpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43093/20]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2020 the rate of payment for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was set at €203, which is equivalent to the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker’s Benefit and Allowance. Subsequently the rate was increased to €350 per week, which is broadly equivalent to the two-person household rate for the main social welfare payments. In June changes were introduced to the rates structure to link it to prior earnings. This approach is sustainable and fair given the extended duration of the scheme.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a significant measure in alleviating the financial hardship of those at risk of poverty because of a loss of employment arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Research and data published by both the CSO and the ESRI have indicated that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been instrumental in alleviating the impact of Covid-19 related lay-offs on poverty.
Currently, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is paid at 4 rates: €203 where prior earnings were less than €200 per week; €250 where prior earnings are between €200 and €300; €300 where prior earnings are between €300 and €400; and €350 where prior earnings were €400 or more.
Prior earnings are determined with reference to Revenue returns of reckonable earnings or income in the relevant reference period divided by the associated number of paid PRSI contributions or weeks of employment. Social welfare payments are not taken into account as they do not fall to be considered as reckonable earnings or income. This is consistent with the approach taken in other social welfare schemes, such as Jobseekers Benefit and Illness Benefit, where the rate of payment is determined by reference to prior earnings.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
General Register Office
Questions (351)
Seán Sherlock
Question:351. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied). [43392/20]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that notice to marry in this case was served on 09/04/2013 to a marriage registrar. In order to marry in this State, both parties to a marriage are required to provide the marriage registrar with evidence of their civil status and that they are free to marry in this State.
Both parties were previously married to other parties and both were divorced outside this State. The nature of these divorces are required to be examined to determine whether the divorces are entitled to recognition under Irish law.
Additional information was sought from the parties in order to determine the nature of the foreign divorce of one of the parties and additional evidence of domicile was requested. The information submitted in response was considered insufficient to allow for a determination to be made by the General Register Office (GRO). The GRO advised the marriage registrar of this position in July 2013. No further communication was received from the couple until November last.
I have been informed that this matter is currently being examined by the GRO who will advise the couple of the outcome, through the marriage registrar, in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the situation for the Deputy
State Pensions
Questions (352)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:352. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a pension application appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42884/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on 25 June 2020 and the file papers were received from the Department on 30 October 2020.
The Deciding Officer reviewing the case had been awaiting the submission of further, requested, documentation from the appellant’s solicitors, which they confirmed in a letter dated 13 July 2020, was being followed-up. However, no subsequent reply was received and the relevant appeal submission papers were consequently submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The appeal was referred on 3 November 2020 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Free Travel Scheme
Questions (353)
Willie O'Dea
Question:353. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allowing the free travel pass to be used for wheelchair accessible taxis particularly for persons with severe disabilities and those who live in isolated locations and cannot access public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42975/20]
View answerWritten answers
The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 981,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2020 is €95 million.
The objective of the free travel scheme is to ensure that older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community. The scheme was never intended as a targeted support for people with severe mobility issues. The Free Travel Scheme was also never intended to provide additional transport options to travel pass holders but to allow them access to existing services available from transport providers who participate in the scheme.
One of the key aspects of the free travel scheme is that the service provided is via open, publicly available services. Wheelchair accessible taxis are private hire vehicles and any decision to allow free travel pass holders to use their free travel passes on a category of private hire vehicles would lead to similar requests from other groups that provide private hire vehicles. This would place significant extra costs and additional administrative complexities on the free travel scheme. It would lead to a fundamental change to the nature of the Free Travel Scheme and would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
The provision of accessible public transport in rural areas is a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. In this regard, my Department does provide an annual funding contribution of €1.5 million from the Free Travel budget provision towards the Transport for Ireland Local Links Programme, which is administered by the National Transport Authority under the auspices of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Programme provides services to people whose travel needs are not met by existing bus or train services. The Programme aims to enhance and sustain nationwide accessibility through community based participation, particularly for those at risk of social exclusion. Services provided include door to door services on certain routes.
Supports may also be available under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme to assist with necessary travel costs either on a once-off basis as an exceptional needs payment or as a supplement where there is an ongoing need. There is no automatic entitlement to such payments. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned. At the end of 2019, 141 persons were in receipt of a Travel Supplement. In addition, over 17,200 exceptional needs payments were made in 2019 to assist with travel costs, at a cost of almost €1.2 million.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory)
Questions (354)
Michael McNamara
Question:354. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the State pension (contributory) whose pension entitlement is reduced as a result of the pension rate band changes introduced in 2012; the proportion of contributory pension recipients so affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42976/20]
View answerWritten answers
New rate bands for State pension (contributory) were introduced from 1st September 2012 to allow for a wider graduation of yearly average bands and corresponding pension rates. Consequently, the rate of pension payment is more closely related to the paid or credited social insurance contribution record a person holds over their working lives.
The maximum pension rate band, for those with a yearly average of 48 contributions or over, remained unchanged, as did the rate payable to applicants with a yearly average of between 40 and 47 contributions. The rate band changes affected only those who qualified for State pension (contributory) after 1st September 2012, and only those who had an average of between 10 and 39 contributions per year.
In January 2018, the Government announced that pensioners, born on or after 1st September 1946 and affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands, could have their State pension (contributory) entitlement calculated under an interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA). The TCA also provided for up to 20 years of HomeCaring Periods in the calculation of pension entitlement for those who took time out of the workplace for parenting children under age 12 or individuals who needed increased levels of care.
Applicants for State pension (contributory) have their pension entitlement assessed under both the yearly average calculation method and the TCA and are awarded whichever pension rate is higher.
According to the records of my Department, there are currently 50,783 State pension (contributory) recipients whose pension entitlement has been calculated under the TCA: 37,586 females and 13,197 males.
This figure represents some 11% of the total number of State pension (contributory) recipients, which is 448,281 at end-November 2020.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (355)
Cormac Devlin
Question:355. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the processing of PPSN applications (details supplied); her plans to resume normal operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43046/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 Public Health guidelines. Although this suspension was lifted in June when restrictions eased the throughput in terms of processing applications was lower than normal due to the need to limit footfall into our offices in line with social distancing requirements.In order to deal with these constraints and as an exceptional measure my Department introduced an email and postal service through which PPSN applications could be made. By its nature, this temporary service is not as efficient as the face-to-face process it replaced. For example, any issues which arise regarding supporting documentation take longer to resolve than would be the case in a face-to-face environment. In addition, delays in issuing PPS Number arose as staff in my Department were re-assigned to deal with a huge increase in claim processing work arising as a consequence of the pandemic. In this context it was necessary, as I am sure the Deputy will understand, to prioritise getting people into payment above all other activities. I am very conscious of the impact of the measures we had to take on issuing PPSNs and my Department has liaised with public representatives, public bodies, employers and other agencies, to deal with urgent cases as quickly as possible. In recent weeks my Department has re-assigned resources to deal with these applications. This will substantially reduce the number of applications on hand over the next few weeks. In addition, as Level 5 restrictions are lifted, my Department is now resuming SAFE registrations for PPSN applicants.
Deputies seeking updates on PPSN applications in respect of their constituents can contact the relevant section of my Department at TDREPS. ClientIdentity@welfare.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance
Questions (356)
Cormac Devlin
Question:356. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43047/20]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned was in receipt of disability allowance (DA) from 31 May 2017. An increase for a qualified adult (IQA) application was received from the person concerned on 31 October 2019.
Following a review of his entitlement, DA was disallowed with effect from 11 December 2019 as he was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for his circumstances and he was informed of this decision on 20 January 2020. He was also advised of the option to request a review and of his right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review of his means has been received from the person concerned.
To qualify for a DA payment a person must: be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment; be aged between 16 and 66; satisfy a means test; and be habitually resident in the State. Social welfare legislation provides that, for DA, all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
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.
The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 27 January 2020. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied as he was engaged in employment. He was notified on 10 March 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. However, no review request or appeal was received from the person concerned.
It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for IP at any time if he is unfit for work.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Treatment Benefit Scheme
Questions (357)
Róisín Shortall
Question:357. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the treatment benefit scheme eligibility review; if consideration has been given to extending the scheme to retired persons who paid a class D PRSI contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43061/20]
View answerWritten answers
A review of the qualifying criteria for the treatment benefit scheme was carried out by the Department earlier this year.
Section 24 of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act 2019 provided that the Minister “shall conduct a review and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the current criteria in place in order to qualify for treatment benefit and specifically to examine the number of contributions required for 25-65 year olds and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection within 6 months of the enactment of this Act.”
The report, entitled "Report Required under Section 24 of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act 2019 on the Criteria to Qualify for Treatment Benefit" was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in August 2020. The report recommended that a detailed data analysis to identify the numbers and types of contributors who do not qualify for Treatment Benefit and the reasons be carried out under the commitment under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to “Review operation of the Treatment Benefit scheme and consider options to improve its impact in reducing deprivation and poverty”. Retired persons who paid class D PRSI contributions are encompassed under this cohort of people who do not qualify for Treatment Benefit and will be considered in that context.
Any proposal to extend the treatment benefit scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of the current economic circumstances and with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments Administration
Questions (358)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:358. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare payments considered when assessing eligibility for the Christmas bonus for persons with a combination of payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43067/20]
View answerWritten answers
Last week, my Department paid €390 million in a Christmas Bonus to some 1.6 million people who are receiving long-term weekly welfare payments.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
In recognition of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on employment levels and the sudden financial impact on individuals, the Bonus has, on a once-off basis only, been paid this year to those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for a period of four months or more and who were in payment on the date the Bonus was paid. It was also paid to people on Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, Part-Time Job Incentive and Back to Education Allowance who have been in receipt of these payments for four months or more.
In calculating the claim duration of recipients of these schemes for the purpose of the Christmas Bonus, account was taken of time spent on the following schemes - Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, Part-Time Job Incentive, Jobseeker's Transition Payment, One Parent Family Payment, Farm Assist, Back to Work Allowance, Back to Work Family Dividend, Back to Education Allowance, Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Community Employment, Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, TUS and Daily Expenses Allowance. In addition, time spent attending an Education and Training Board or Solas course could also be taken into account.
I trust the clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (359)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:359. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has been out of work since March 2020 owing to Covid 19, has been in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme, employment wage subsidy scheme and the pandemic unemployment payment, consecutively qualifies for the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43068/20]
View answerWritten answers
Last week, my Department paid €390 million in a Christmas Bonus to some 1.6 million people who are receiving long-term weekly welfare payments.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to recipients of social welfare payments, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
In recognition of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on employment levels and the sudden financial impact on individuals, the Bonus was paid this year, on an exceptional basis, to people who have been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for a period of four months or more and were in payment on the date the Bonus is paid. It was also be paid to people on jobseeker payments who have been in receipt of these payments for four months or more. Periods on jobseeker payments and PUP can be combined.
The decision to reduce the time from 15 months to four to become eligible for the Bonus was made to ensure that it was paid to those who have been made unemployed for a significant period since the first shutdown of businesses, and also to reflect the exceptional situation brought about by the pandemic.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) , and its predecessor the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), were both designed to provide economy-wide enterprise supports by preserving the link between employee and employer and to support firm viability through an unprecedented enterprise environment. The funding for both schemes was directed through the Vote of the Department of Social Protection as a mechanism to enable Revenue to pay the subsidies to employers. However, these subsidies are not social welfare payments to individual customers.
Accordingly, entitlement to a Christmas Bonus payment to PUP recipients was based on periods in receipt of PUP or other qualifying payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
Blind Person's Pension
Questions (360)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:360. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reconsider the means test for those in receipt of the blind pension; her plans to ensure those with a visual impairment are eligible to take up income opportunities should they arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43095/20]
View answerWritten answers
Blind Pension (BP) is a means tested payment paid to blind people and certain people with low vision, aged 18 and up to the age of 66 who are habitually resident in the State.
BP is one of a range of means-tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most. Given this, changes to means assessments for schemes, including the Blind Pension, are considered within the overall budgetary context.
BP is designed to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their personal employment goals, be that self-employment or in insurable employment, in that the payment is structured whereby an earnings disregard and taper are applied. Changes have also been introduced in line with the recommendations of the Make Work Pay (MWP) for people with disabilities report. For example, a €20 increase in the Blind Pension earnings disregard was introduced in Budget 2021 - currently the first €120 a week of earnings is disregarded in the means test, with a tapered reduction thereafter for earnings between €120 and €350. This increase in the disregard from €120 to €140 will commence in June 2021. Other changes introduced include the removal of the legislative requirement that work undertaken must be ‘rehabilitative’ in nature, the introduction of an online ‘ready reckoner’ (to assist people to calculate their financial position when taking up employment) and an increase in the medical card disregard to €427 a week.
Resulting also from a measure in Budget 2021, the Training Support Grant (TSG) of up to €1,000 is being expanded and it will be available through Employability services, which is a specialist employment service for Jobseekers with disabilities, delivered on the Department's behalf.
It is important to note that, in addition to providing income supports, the Department provides a wide range of employment-related supports for both jobseekers with disabilities, including persons who are blind or have a visual impairment, and employers seeking to employ a jobseeker with a disability (or retain an existing employee who has or acquires a disability). These supports for jobseekers with disabilities have been designed to enable persons with a disability to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual person’s ability and capacity, rather than on the disability. The pre-employment and in-employment supports available include:
DSP Intreo Service (the public employment service)
Jobseekers (including jobseekers with disabilities) who seek support from their local Intreo Centre, will have a meeting arranged with a case officer with a view to agreeing a suitable personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available with a view to them achieving their employment ambitions.
Local Employment Service
The Department contracts for the provision of the Local Employment Service, which provides a local gateway, or access point, to the full range of services and facilities that are available to help jobseekers, including jobseekers with disabilities, to enter or return to employment.
EmployAbility Service
The Department has contracts for the provision of the EmployAbility Service with 24 companies. This is a specialist employment service designed to improve employment outcomes for jobseekers with a disability. The service includes the provision of dedicated job coach support as well as both pre-employment and in employment support and assistance.
AHEAD (Support For Graduates With Disabilities)
The Department contracts AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability) to deliver the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) and ‘Get Ahead’ programmes. These programmes provide supports for graduates with disabilities seeking to enter the workforce.
Ability
The ‘Ability’ programme is co-funded by the Irish Exchequer and the EU's ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme (PEIL, 2014 – 20). Under this programme funding has been provided, through Pobal, for 27 organisations to support young people (aged 15-29) with disabilities in their transition into further education or employment.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is targeted at private sector employers and is aimed at encouraging the employment of people with disabilities through the provision of financial incentives (a wage subsidy). The subsidy is delivered in three strands:
- Strand I subsidy is a general subsidy for any productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a person with a disability, in comparison to a colleague without a disability. An employee must work for a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 subsidised hours per week. The rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour and the amount of the subsidy is based on the number of hours worked.
- Strand II subsidy is payable when an employer employs three or more people with a disability who are supported by a WSS Strand I payment. Strand II is intended to cover the additional supervisory, management and other work based costs relating to these employees. This top-up payment is a percentage of the Strand I subsidy and is based on the overall number of employees with a disability employed under Strand I. It ranges from an additional 10% of wage subsidy for 3 to 6 employees with a disability to a maximum of 50% of wage subsidy for 23+ employees with a disability.
- Strand III subsidy enables employers who employ 30 or more workers with a disability on the Wage Subsidy Scheme to be eligible for a grant of up to €30,000 per year towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer to support these employees.
Reasonable Accommodation Fund
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund (RAF) assists both jobseekers with disabilities and employers to enable a persons with disabilities to enter/re-enter or sustain employment by providing a range of grants. In summary, the fund is comprised of the following four grants:
1. Personal Reader Grant
If a person is blind or visually impaired and needs assistance with job-related reading, s/he may be entitled to a grant to allow him/her to employ a Personal Reader. The amount of the grant payable is based on an hourly fee paid to the reader, in line with the current minimum wage, for an agreed period - for a maximum of 640 hours per year.
2. Employee Retention Grant
The purpose of the Employee Retention Grant Scheme is to assist employers to retain employees who acquire a disability by providing funding to:
• Identify accommodation and / or training to enable the employee to remain in his/her current position; or
• Re-train the employee so that s/he can take up another position within the company.
3. Workplace Equipment / Adaptation Grant
Where a person with a disability has been offered employment or is in employment, and requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do the job, s/he or the employer may apply for a grant towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment.
4. Job Interview Interpreter Grant
A jobseeker who is deaf, hard of hearing or has speech impairment and is attending job interviews, may apply for funding to have a sign language interpreter or other interpreter to attend the interview with him/her. Funding can also be provided to cover the costs of an interpreter during an induction period when starting work.
Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme
In addition to the RAF, the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme (DASS) provides funding (a grant) for the provision of Disability Awareness Training for a company's staff. The purpose of the training is to deliver clear and accurate information about disability and to address questions or concerns that employers and employees may have about working with and supporting a colleague with disabilities.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (361)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:361. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will postpone social welfare audits on persons with disabilities during Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43096/20]
View answerWritten answers
Reviews of entitlement can arise in a number of situations - at initial application when the customer's entitlement is being assessed, following a request from the customer for a review of entitlement or as part of an ongoing control review process undertaken by my Department. These reviews can, in some instances, require a Social Welfare investigation.
Social Welfare investigations are carried out by Inspectors appointed by the Minister to investigate and report on a person’s circumstances and confirm that they meet the scheme conditionality. All social welfare inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with the public. The code requires that customers must at all times be treated equally, fairly, with respect and dignity, as outlined in the Customer Charter.
Where possible, investigations are being done by carrying out desk assessments of the relevant information or by contacting the customer by phone. In some instances, however, getting to a final determination necessitates the making of home visits. Each case is considered on an individual basis. If a person with a disability requires specific accommodations, this will be taken into account by an inspector when determining the approach to be taken in that particular investigation.
At all times my Department adheres to the Government guidelines in relation to the Covid-19 restrictions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.