Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education her plans for the safe return to school for all primary and second level schools; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the safety arrangements in the context of the prevention of the spread of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4879/21]
View answerSchool communities have worked incredibly hard to operate safely under Covid-19. The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET remain of the view that schools are low risk environments but recognise there is a need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at this time.
Public Health has advised that schools are safe places for both students and adults because of the mitigation measures now in place in our schools. All schools are required to have in place a school COVID-19 Response Plan which contains the key measures for infection prevention control in schools. Public Health have re-iterated that neither the variance of the disease nor the rate of transmission in the community change in anyway the measures required in schools. Schools have been supported by a funding package of €400m to put in place and maintain these key measures since August 2020. Public Health advice is that compliance with these measures ensure that school remain safe places for children and staff.
Following a setback last week to the planned partial reopening of schools, discussions are continuing between the Department of Education and education stakeholders to agree a plan for a phased return to in-school provision for children with special educational needs. This remains a high priority for all partners.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when she expects all special needs classes to be restored throughout the country subject to best safety practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4881/21]
View answer164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs classes at primary and second level will be available throughout County Kildare when schools reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4883/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 164 together.
I am very disappointed that it was not possible to have in school teaching and learning for children with significant additional needs which was planned to commence last week until schools reopened fully. We know that many of these children find online learning very challenging. Over the past year, we have all seen how vital in-person education is for children with complex needs.
Recent weeks have seen intense and regular engagement with partners and family representative groups to seek a solution to our shared objective to support children with complex needs return to in-school learning, could be reached.
My Department sought to agree an approach balancing the need to support our most vulnerable children while addressing the issues raised by trade unions and school management bodies.
These included requests for clear messaging around public health to be given directly to their members by Public Health specialists, temporary arrangements during the current phase of reopening for high risk staff and for those experiencing childcare difficulties.
We continue to work with the primary teacher and SNA trade unions, INTO and FORSA and school management to see if there is a way to return to in school teaching and learning for these pupils as soon as possible.
Every effort is being made to resolve matters in a collaborative way so that children with complex needs can return to school safely as soon as possible.
In the interim I am confident that schools will continue to make significant efforts to provide effective remote learning experiences for these children. Updated Guidance on Continuity of Schooling: Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs (for mainstream primary and special schools and for post-primary schools) has been made available by my Department.
With regard to special class availability in Co. Kildare I can advise the Deputy that there are currently 6 Early Intervention Classes, 54 ASD classes attached to primary schools at present and 18 attached to post primary schools.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of planning in relation to the establishment of new classes for the 2021/2022 school year by looking at both national and local information in relation to projected demand for future specialist places for students with ASD.
Currently SENO’s in the Kildare area are engaging with Parents; local HSE Network Disability Teams, as well as communicating with schools regarding places available in special classes already established and in planning for new special classes. This is part of the planning for provision in the area and SENOs will continue in this work in preparation for the new school academic year 2021/22.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if evaluation still remains an option in respect of junior and leaving certificate examinations in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4882/21]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by students, teachers and families as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has brought significant challenges to the education system, and I am acutely aware of the impacts that this has had on those students preparing to sit their final examinations.
The planning work underway in respect of the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle Examinations in 2021 is being assisted by an Advisory Group of key stakeholders which has met on a number of occasions in recent months. The advisory group has been convened to advise Government on all of the various issues arising in relation to the holding of the 2021 examinations, including public health considerations and appropriate contingency measures. The advisory group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the SEC, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education, including the National Educational Psychological Service.
At a meeting of the group last week, the ISSU presented its Report on the 2021 State Examinations and Return to School. Following this meeting, the group agreed that there would be an intensive set of engagements in respect of exploring further possible options for the examinations, having regard to the findings of the recent ISSU Report on the 2021 State Examinations. A number of these meetings are planned this week.
All partners are committed to acting in the interests and wellbeing of students, who are at the heart of this process.
From Monday 11 January 2021, all students, including Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle students, have been engaging in a programme of remote learning with their schools.
The public health restrictions which resulted in the original closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to mediate the curriculum safely for all pupils/students in a COVID-19 context. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool. This documentation has been complemented by Circular 0074/2020 (Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform) which requires all schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that they are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice.
Other documents published by my Department to support the return to school include ‘Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education’ and ‘Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers’. These documents provide guidance for teachers and schools that is specific to each practical subject area, so that students can be facilitated to actively engage with their learning. All documentation published is available on www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 162.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the alternative arrangements available to leaving certificate or junior certificate students in 2021 if conventional exams are not an option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4884/21]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by students, teachers and families as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has brought significant challenges to the education system, and I am acutely aware of the impacts that this has had on those students preparing to sit their final examinations.
The planning work underway in respect of the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle Examinations in 2021 is being assisted by an Advisory Group of key stakeholders which has met on a number of occasions in recent months. The advisory group has been convened to advise Government on all of the various issues arising in relation to the holding of the 2021 examinations, including public health considerations and appropriate contingency measures. The advisory group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the SEC, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education, including the National Educational Psychological Service.
At a meeting of the group last week, the ISSU presented its Report on the 2021 State Examinations and Return to School. Following this meeting, the group agreed that there would be an intensive set of engagements in respect of exploring further possible options for the examinations, having regard to the findings of the recent ISSU Report on the 2021 State Examinations. A number of these meetings are planned this week.
All partners are committed to acting in the interests and wellbeing of students, who are at the heart of this process.
From Monday 11 January 2021, all students, including Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle students, have been engaging in a programme of remote learning with their schools.
The public health restrictions which resulted in the original closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to mediate the curriculum safely for all pupils/students in a COVID-19 context. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool. This documentation has been complemented by Circular 0074/2020 (Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform) which requires all schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that they are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice.
Other documents published by my Department to support the return to school include ‘Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education’ and ‘Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers’. These documents provide guidance for teachers and schools that is specific to each practical subject area, so that students can be facilitated to actively engage with their learning. All documentation published is available on www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the processing of the request for access to a school (details supplied) via an entrance having particular regard to the health and safety issues involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4885/21]
View answerThe property concerned is owned by Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). My Department understands that KWETB has received an application for access from the adjacent primary school. This application will be considered by the board of KWETB as owners of the property. In the interim KWETB is engaging with the primary school. Queries in relation to any arrangements regarding the property concerned should be directed to KWETB.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress towards the relocation of a school (details supplied) to the proposed three school campus at Donaghcumper, Celbridge, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4886/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware - agreement in principle has been reached with a landowner for the acquisition of a site at Donaghcumper, Celbridge - to which you refer. This site is presently proposed to facilitate the permanent accommodation needs of St. Patrick's National School, Celbridge Community School and St. Raphael's Special School on a campus type arrangement. Work is progressing and is ongoing in respect of technical matters crucial to the delivery of the acquisition.
My Department is continuing to actively engage regularly with Kildare Co. Co. and the Landowner, who is currently presenting a masterplan of the site as a whole. It remains a priority for my Department to make progress on this acquisition.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions in general, I am unable to elaborate further but please rest assured that this project is still being given our full attention.
168. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education her plans for new primary and secondary schools in the areas of Coolock, Raheny and Artane, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4979/21]
View answerIn 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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.
Coolock and Artane are situated in the Beaumont_CoolockD5 school planning area. Raheny is situated in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet increased demand.
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, since April 2018 the Government has announced 47 new schools to be established over a four year period (2019 - 2022) including one new primary school to serve the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area. This school was established in 2019 under the patronage of Educate Together following a patronage process.
The school opened in suitable interim accommodation in Suttonians Rugby Club, Dublin 13 pending delivery of its permanent building.
The project to deliver the permanent accommodation for Killester/Raheny/Clontarf ETNS is on myDepartment's capital programme. A permanent site option has been identified and it is in the school planning area. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in the Beaumont_CoolockD5 and Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning areas, is at an advanced stage.
169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when it is planned to announce details for 2021 leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4982/21]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by students, teachers and families as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has brought significant challenges to the education system, and I am acutely aware of the impacts that this has had on those students preparing to sit their final examinations.
The planning work underway in respect of the Leaving Certificate Examinations in 2021 is being assisted by an Advisory Group of key stakeholders which has met on a number of occasions in recent months. The Advisory Group has been convened to advise Government on all of the various issues arising in relation to the holding of the 2021 examinations, including public health considerations and appropriate contingency measures. The Advisory Group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the SEC, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education, including the National Educational Psychological Service.
At a meeting of the group last week, the ISSU presented its Report on the 2021 State Examinations and Return to School. Following this meeting, the group agreed that there would be an intensive set of engagements in respect of exploring further possible options for the examinations, having regard to the findings of the recent ISSU Report on the 2021 State Examinations. A number of these meetings are planned this week.
All partners are committed to acting in the interests and wellbeing of students, who are at the heart of this process.
From Monday 11 January 2021, all students, including Leaving Certificate students, have been engaging in a programme of remote learning with their schools.
The public health restrictions which resulted in the original closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to mediate the curriculum safely for all pupils/students in a COVID-19 context. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool. This documentation has been complemented by Circular 0074/2020 (Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform) which requires all schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that they are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice.
Other documents published by my Department to support the return to school include ‘Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education’ and ‘Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers’. These documents provide guidance for teachers and schools that is specific to each practical subject area, so that students can be facilitated to actively engage with their learning. All documentation published is available on www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
170. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider permitting the extension of a placement on a community employment scheme for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4781/21]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improves a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. Participation on CE is intended to be for a temporary fixed-term. There are participation limits in place to ensure that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from CE.
The person concerned was due to complete her time on CE on 27/11/2020, having reached the maximum eligible participation period of 6 years. However, due to level 5 restrictions her contract was extended to 26/03/2021.
During her time on CE, the person concerned received relevant work experience in the areas of reception and administration and completed training in Reception & Office skills. She is considered job ready.
On finishing CE, the person concerned may avail of my Department's Activation service who will work with her to ensure that the benefits of the experience and training she received during her time on CE are maximised. A Case Officer will assess her skills, experience, challenges and work goals and assist her in finding sustainable employment. This process will also help identify potential employment opportunities and offers support to her in overcoming any barriers to employment.
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.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
171. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed regarding access to eye care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4959/21]
View answerMy department operates two schemes which provide assistance, to qualified PRSI contributors and their dependent spouse/partners, with the provision of optical services and equipment. The optical benefit scheme provides for a free eye examination and assistance with the provision of a range of spectacles and contact lenses for vision correction every 2 years. The medical appliances benefit scheme provides a grant towards the purchase of contact lenses every 4 years when certified as being required for medical reasons.
The person concerned has availed of both the optical benefit and the medical appliance benefit schemes in recent years.
In 2017 she obtained contact lenses under the medical appliance scheme and in 2018 distance single vision spectacles were provided under the optical benefit scheme. In 2019 an eye examination was provided under the optical benefit scheme and in recent months both an eye exam and distance single vision spectacles were provided under the optical benefit scheme.
As the person concerned last availed of contact lenses under the medical appliances scheme in 2017 she will be eligible again in 2021 for contact lenses under this scheme if medically required.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
172. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid out by county in supplementary welfare in January 2021 to date; and the general reason for each payment in tabular form. [4576/21]
View answerThe amount paid out by county in supplementary welfare in January 2021 to date is set out in the following table.
|
COUNTY |
Amount paid between 3rd and 24th of January 2021 |
|
CARLOW |
€249,215 |
|
CAVAN |
€158,997 |
|
CLARE |
€181,436 |
|
CORK |
€2,077,395 |
|
DONEGAL |
€248,425 |
|
DUBLIN |
€24,600,390 |
|
GALWAY |
€663,554 |
|
KERRY |
€527,705 |
|
KILDARE |
€2,113,881 |
|
KILKENNY |
€334,725 |
|
LAOIS |
€240,521 |
|
LEITRIM |
€71,990 |
|
LIMERICK |
€617,841 |
|
LONGFORD |
€95,156 |
|
LOUTH |
€504,354 |
|
MAYO |
€274,864 |
|
MEATH |
€851,902 |
|
MONAGHAN |
€179,476 |
|
OFFALY |
€238,876 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
€231,157 |
|
SLIGO |
€190,776 |
|
TIPPERARY |
€504,877 |
|
WATERFORD |
€381,574 |
|
WESTMEATH |
€362,482 |
|
WEXFORD |
€433,234 |
|
WICKLOW |
€2,264,228 |
|
TOTAL |
€38,599,031 |
The breakdown by general category is given by the table below. Note that the figures referenced in this table refers to the total number of payments issued in January to date for each general category.
|
Description |
Total payments issued in January 2021 to date |
Percent |
|
Asylum Seeker |
14,191 |
9.0% |
|
Basic SWA - all others |
1,499 |
1.0% |
|
Carer's Allowance |
6,940 |
4.4% |
|
Diet Supplement |
88 |
0.1% |
|
Disability Payment |
1,206 |
0.8% |
|
Exceptional Needs |
360 |
0.2% |
|
Ex-Institution Payment |
2,973 |
1.9% |
|
Family Income Supplement |
4,398 |
2.8% |
|
Fuel Supplement |
2,110 |
1.3% |
|
Graduated Disability Benefit |
2,692 |
1.7% |
|
Heat Supplement |
3,908 |
2.5% |
|
Illness Payment |
172 |
0.1% |
|
Jobeeker's Benefit |
885 |
0.6% |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16,042 |
10.2% |
|
Mortgage Supplement |
47 |
0.0% |
|
No Fixed Abode |
16,617 |
10.6% |
|
One Parent Family |
139 |
0.1% |
|
Other Payments |
2,750 |
1.8% |
|
Payment to Carer |
670 |
0.4% |
|
Pension Payment |
948 |
0.6% |
|
Rent Supplement |
174 |
0.1% |
|
Travel Supplement |
77,293 |
49.2% |
|
Unemployment Appeal |
957 |
0.6% |
|
TOTAL |
157,059 |
100.0% |
173. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy schemes will be extended past March 2021; if special consideration will be given to especially hard-hit sectors such as aviation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4585/21]
View answerThis week my Department has issued weekly payments valued at almost €143 million to just over 475,360 recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as this payment continues to provide valuable financial support to those who lost employment due to the impacts of Covid-19.
PUP will remain available until 31st March 2021 and I recently secured Government approval to retain payment at the existing rates which provides a level of reassurance to recipients at this time, including those in sectors, including aviation, most impacted by the pandemic.
The Government will continue to keep all aspects of the PUP under review and future decisions will be informed by the trajectory of the pandemic and the evolving public health situation.
I hope that this clarifies the position at this time.
174. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year if the disability allowance increased by €5.50. [4635/21]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of a €5.50 increase in the rate of Disability Allowance is €47.3 million, based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. This costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2021.
175. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently review the community employment scheme eligibility criteria to address the nationwide recruitment crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4735/21]
View answerThe 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.
The challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions introduced over the course of last year, including with the most recent return to Level-5 restrictions, has had an impact on the ability of a number of CE schemes to recruit new CE participants.
Throughout the onset of the Covid-19 emergency since last March 2020 and the resultant public health restrictions, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE schemes. This includes the extension of CE participant contracts, when Level 5 restrictions are in place. Department officials have worked with CE sponsoring authorities throughout the three waves of the Covid-19 emergency to arrange for CE participants who were due to finish on their respective CE schemes during these period, to have their contracts extended while the level-5 restrictions are in place, unless a CE participant is taking up employment or reaches the State Pension age. The latest CE contract extension date for those affected is the 26th March, 2021. When it is time for those CE participants to leave their schemes, this will be scheduled on a gradual, phased basis over a period of a number of months in conjunction with the CE sponsoring authorities.
Department officials have continued to fill CE vacancies where it has been safe to do so and CE sponsoring authorities are continually encouraged to promote awareness of the benefits of CE in their local communities, ensuring that CE vacancies are well publicised. They are also able to advertise their vacancies on the Department's JobsIreland website www.jobsireland.ie.
Once the existing restrictions have been lifted and the country returns to normal business operations there will be a continued emphasis on identifying suitable candidates for available CE vacancies.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the recruitment shortfall in a service (details supplied); and the steps she plans to take to address this matter. [4736/21]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) 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.
Throughout the onset of the COVID-19 emergency in March 2020, the subsequent level 5 restrictions introduced in October 2020 and more recently, the return to level 5 restrictions announced by Government in December 2020, my Department has continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while introducing other contingency measures, to support CE schemes and participants, including the extension of CE participant contracts.
Support Meals on Wheels Limited project provides a meals on wheels service in the Finglas area as well as assisting in the progression of participants into employment. The CE roles in this scheme are all for catering assistants. This scheme has not notified the Department of their vacancies via their weekly vacancy listings and now that it has been brought to our attention local CE Management will work with the scheme on making promotional videos as well as other methods that could be employed by the scheme to raise their profile in the community thus attracting interest in vacancies. It is expected that the number of referrals will increase as part of the recommencement of activation services once the Government has announced the return to normal business activity and a reduction in the current level 5 restrictions.
My Department is committed to supporting the CE sponsoring authorities in the valuable services that they deliver across communities through these particularly challenging times.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
177. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the details regarding the continuation of school meals during Covid restriction particularly in relation to the frequency of deliveries; the quality of food provided; the nutritional value of the food provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4780/21]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,557 schools and organisations benefitting 227,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
My Department confirmed that funding for the school meals programme will remain in place during the current period of school closures. This mirrors the arrangements that were in place during the school closures in 2020, when the majority of schools in the school meals programme continued to provide food to children, largely through the home delivery of food parcels by suppliers. The frequency of deliveries is a decision for the school and their supplier. The majority of schools opt to provide a weekly or fortnightly food parcel.
The arrangements will not change from when schools closed previously: namely that the schools may continue to avail of the funding and they may continue to provide food consistent with normal funding terms and conditions. Schools must ensure that they continue to satisfy all public health guidelines.
In May 2020, my Department issued a survey to the schools and organisations on the school meals programme to ascertain the level of provision of food that was been maintained following the school closures. Responses were received from 1,274 of the 1,352 schools and organisations issued with the survey. Based on these responses the following are some findings:
- 1,034 schools continued to provide food, supporting 86,000 children;
- 15 schools were providing food daily, 391 weekly, 280 fortnightly, 242 monthly and 106 indicated ‘other’;
- Food was being collected by the parents in 225 schools, otherwise it is being delivered to the homes of pupils by suppliers or with the help of volunteers.
Nutritional standards apply to the school meals programme. The nutritional standards for school meals were published in 2017 under the auspices of Healthy Ireland, the national framework which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the entire population of Ireland. The standards aim to ensure that children and young people in schools participating in the scheme are provided with healthy balanced meals that follow the Healthy Eating Guidelines. These standards are a valuable resource to enable and promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles in schools.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
178. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has explored adding long Covid to the list of prescribed occupational illnesses for the purposes of the occupational injury scheme; if so, the estimated or range of estimates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4790/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection operates the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme which is a group of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. There are a number of benefits available and there are different conditions attached to each benefit. The benefits include: Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and the Medical Care Scheme.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
I do not intend adding Covid-19 or people suffering long-term effects of Covid-19 to the list of prescribed diseases as they do not meet the criteria as laid down in the Act.
It should be noted that my Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
In a case where a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
179. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has explored extending the duration that Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit may be paid beyond the current maximum of ten weeks; if so, the estimated cost or range of estimates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4791/21]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
In March of this year, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with Covid-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
Given the comprehensive set of supports available to people who are unable to work due to illness, I do not propose to extend the duration of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment at this time.
180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons aged between 18 and 24 years of age who are in receipt of a reduced jobseeker’s payment. [4831/21]
View answerAn age related jobseeker’s allowance rate of €112.70 generally applies to young jobseekers aged 18-24 to incentivise them to engage in education or training to improve their chances of obtaining full time sustainable employment. Where a young jobseeker participates in education or training they can receive the maximum weekly personal rate of €203 increasing to €229.20 if participating on the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS).
At the end of December 2020 there were 19,280 recipients of Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit aged 18-24, of whom 14,850 receive a rate less than €203.
Reduced rates do not apply to all jobseekers under 25. Those rates do not apply to people with a qualified child and people who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency, or TUSLA, during the 12 months before they reached 18 or who are living independently and in receipt of State housing supports including rent supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
I trust that this clarifies the position for you.
