Written Answers Nos. 827-851
828. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if her Department has examined permitting primary school teachers to transfer panel rights between counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31968/21]
View answerThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent/CID holding teachers to schools that have vacancies.
The Main Redeployment Panels are based on school patronage and it is the patron bodies that administer the redeployment panels. As such, the decision to facilitate a panel transfer rests with the relevant Patron.
829. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of admissions for the recently announced additional needs school in Cork; the number who applied for a place; the number of applications approved; and the cost of transport provisions allocated for the students in the 2021-2022 academic year. [31976/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Minister Foley and I have recently secured a significant expansion of special school provision in Cork through the establishment of a new special school and increased capacity in an existing special school to meet the needs of children in the Cork area.
Priority will be given to those children who currently do not have an offer of a school place for next September. The admissions process for the new places have now commenced with the publication this week of the Admissions Policy and Admissions Notice by both St Mary's Special School, Rochestown and Carrigaline Community Special School in accordance with the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018.
While the admission policy and related details are the responsibility of the managerial authorities of the schools concerned, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will ensure that parents are made aware of and supported to access these additional places.
The provision of the additional special school placements is to cater for the immediate requirements. I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the NCSE continue to work towards the development of additional placements in the Cork area to meet ongoing and future demand.
830. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if a construction date has been identified for a project (details supplied). [31977/21]
View answerThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
My Department has completed the tender process for the establishment of a new framework of contractors for the delivery of a bundle of Design and Build projects. On June 14th 2021, the school building project referred to by the Deputy was included in a bundle of projects which was tendered to the new framework. It is anticipated that the project will commence construction in Quarter 4 2021.
831. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if a construction date has been identified for a project (details supplied). [31978/21]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. My Department, through its Project Managers and their Design Team, continues to work closely with the developer and the Local Authority in relation to the necessary planning compliance documentation for both the schools and the roads. Following agreement with the local authority on compliance matters, the developer has commenced construction of the roads.
My Department has completed the tender process for the establishment of a new framework of contractors for the delivery of a bundle of Design and Build projects. On June 14th 2021, the school building project referred to by the Deputy was included in a bundle of projects which was tendered to the new framework. It is anticipated that the project will commence construction in Quarter 4 2021.
832. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received by her Department in each administrative area for school transport for the coming academic school year; the number of applications approved; and the number of applications disallowed, in tabular form. [31979/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
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 my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
The closing date for applications for School Transport for the 2021/22 school year was 30th April 2021. The number of new mainstream applications received by Bus Éíreann for the School Transport Scheme at that date was 20,454.
The number of new transport applications for pupils with special educational needs was 2,429 on 14th June 2021.
833. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of Irish Sign Language trained teachers currently working in schools controlled by her Department. [31980/21]
View answerThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012), it is the responsibility of each employer to ensure that each person has the required registration, qualifications appropriate to the sector and are suitable to the post for which they are to be employed.
As the recruitment of teachers is a matter for the individual school authority, the information requested by the Deputy would not be available in my Department.
The Teaching Council is the independent regulatory body with statutory authority for the professional regulation of teachers in this State. Registration with the Council is necessary in order to be recognized as a teacher for employment in a state funded teaching post. The registration of teachers is governed by Section 31 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 and the Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Registration Regulations 2016. There is currently no information held by the Teaching Council on the register of teachers in relation to ISL.
In September 2019, a new pilot Bachelor of Education (Irish Sign Language) (ISL) programme for primary ITE commenced in DCU. This is a separate CAO entry pathway into primary teaching specifically for deaf and hard of hearing students who communicate through ISL. This has been accredited by the Teaching Council and the first cohort will graduate in 2023. These students' qualification will reflect the ISL element on the Register.
Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs, including children who are deaf/hard of hearing, can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.
The total education spend on special education is about €2 Billion - almost a fifth - of the annual educational and training budget. This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
Included in this provision is an extensive range of supports to assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing. In line with my Department's policy that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, many deaf or hard of hearing pupils are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level, while other children who are deaf or hard of hearing and have more complex needs may attend special schools or classes, which have lower pupil teacher ratios.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Support Service includes Visiting Teachers, who are qualified teachers with particular skills and knowledge of the development and education of children with varying degrees of hearing loss and/or visual impairment. They offer longitudinal support to children, their families and schools from the time of referral through to the end of post-primary education.
Each visiting teacher (VT) is responsible for a particular region and is allocated a caseload of students. The VT supports children/young people, parents, guardians, teachers and other professionals involved with the child.
The frequency and nature of support takes into account a range of factors based on the individual’s needs.
The NCSE provide direct support to schools and individual teachers in as flexible a way as possible, offering telephone advice, a school visit from a member of the team, an in-service course for individual teachers, or whole-school training. Whole-school training will ensure that all teachers are equipped to cater for the pupils’ educational needs, as they progress through primary and post primary school.
Among the courses towards which funding is provided to schools are courses in Irish Sign Language, which are available throughout the country through a variety of providers.
Additional supports provided by my Department include funding to schools for assistive technology such as radio aids and Soundfield systems, special transport arrangements for pupils, and enhanced levels of capitation in special classes and special schools.
Funding is also provided by my Department for a weekly home tuition service whereby tutors visit the homes of deaf and hard of hearing pre-school children and school-going pupils to provide training in Irish Sign Language (ISL) for these children, their siblings, parents/guardians and grandparents.
Reasonable accommodations and supports are made available to support children with special educational needs, including students who are deaf/hard of hearing, to participate in state exams.
The NCSE published the Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme in May 2018. The report recommends that Irish Sign Language (ISL) qualified assistants should be put in place to support profoundly deaf students whose primary language is ISL and that this should be aligned to the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.
In line with the recommendations of this review and the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, a scheme will be developed to provide Irish Sign Language support for students attending recognised schools, whose primary language is Irish Sign Language. It will take some time to introduce and implement this ISL scheme. In the interim these posts are filled, on a case by case basis, through the NCSE to allocate an additional SNA post with appropriate ISL qualifications. They are employed on similar terms and conditions to SNAs. The purpose of these posts is to enable these students attend school and access the curriculum.
834. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the number of children in County Wexford who failed to complete the junior certificate cycle in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [31997/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.
835. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will permit a school (details supplied) to enrol additional pupils given that it has the spare capacity; if she has received a request from the school to permit the enrolling of more pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32016/21]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The newly revised school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
All schools have published an admissions notice which will have been published a minimum of one week prior to the admissions process taking place. The notice details the number of school places that will be available for the forthcoming year. Schools must determine how many places are available and provide this detail in the admissions notice on an annual basis.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
836. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education , further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 15 December 2020, the status of the capital appraisal process; the estimated timelines for completion (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32018/21]
View answerA building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's school building programme.
My Department is currently considering the accommodation brief for the proposed project and will be in contact with the school during this process.
837. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of the developing post application by a school (details supplied) for an additional mainstream post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32027/21]
View answerThe staffing arrangements at primary level include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolments for the following September.
My Department has received a developing post application from the school referred to by the Deputy which is currently being processed. The school will be notified of the decision shortly.
838. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if an application for a special educational needs organiser, SENO, in-class assessment has been considered for children (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32055/21]
View answerThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools is to be deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations the following arrangements for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year:
- Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.
- No school will therefore receive an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.
- SNAs currently in mainstream settings can continue in post for the next school year in the normal way.
- Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.
- As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website https://ncse.ie/for-schools
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.
Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year. Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year.
Circulars 29/2021 and 30/2020 are available on the Departments website.
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
839. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status of the establishment of permanent premises for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32060/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme.
My Department has reached Agreement in Principle with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a site for this school. Significant progress has been made recently and the Department expects the acquisition to proceed to Legal Conveyancing stage in the near future. The acquisition will be subject to contract. The site is some 16.88 acres and is proposed to facilitate the permanent accommodation needs of the school in question as well as two other schools as a campus type arrangement
In tandem with this, the accommodation brief for the proposed project is also being developed.
840. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will address the serious concerns raised by a school (details supplied) in respect of implementing the recommendations as stated in a report; if the appropriate supports will be urgently put in place in order to meet the recommendations in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32066/21]
View answerMy Department is aware of the recently published report referred to by the Deputy, and the recommendations contained therein.
My officials met recently with the school principals of the 3 primary schools referred to in the report and is currently exploring options to address the issues which are highlighted in the report.
841. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the details of the eligibility criteria for availing of school transport with particular emphasis on concessionary transport pupils who have to wait until the second week in August to find out whether they have a seat or not; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32068/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
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 my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle.
In October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to taking a fresh look at the service and its broader effectiveness and sustainability. The review is being conducted to ensure that the school transport is fit for purpose and that it serves students and their families adequately.
It is planned that the Steering Group will report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report later this year with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
The Steering Group will report to me initially on preliminary findings regarding eligibility, before moving to consider and report on broader issues such as the objectives of the scheme and the alignment of the scheme with other initiatives and wider Government policy. The Steering Group has recently reported to me with this preliminary interim report which is under consideration.
842. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if the birth certificate application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31421/21]
View answerDue to the recent cyber-attack on the HSE, the facilities to register live events and to issue civil certificates has been interrupted. Request for certificates can be made to the General Register Office.
Officials of the General Register Office have made contact with the family concerned and have arranged for the issue of the required birth certificate.
My understanding is that the HSE has made good progress in recent days in restoring civil registration services and my Department and the General Register Office will continue to offer support pending full resumption of services nationally.
843. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of Abhaile vouchers, by county; the categories in which the applications were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31549/21]
View answerThe Abhaile Service is the national State-funded mortgage arrears resolution service aimed at helping people who are in serious mortgage arrears. Established in mid-2016, the service is designed to support insolvent mortgage holders and is provided free of charge with the aim of helping them to find workable and sustainable mortgage solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own home.
Under Abhaile, mortgage holders who are insolvent and in mortgage arrears on their home, are provided with voucher(s) to access independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, best suited to their individual home mortgage arrears situation. To date, a total of 23,962 vouchers for services have issued, in respect of 12,086 principal private residences. A breakdown of vouchers by category and county, are set out in the tables below. A Section 115A appeal refers to granting the mortgage holder legal aid to request the Courts to consider imposing a personal insolvency arrangement on a creditor who has already rejected the proposal.
Breakdown of Abhaile Vouchers by Category- 2016 to June 2021
|
Voucher type |
Section 115A Appeals |
Financial (FIN) |
Legal (LGL) |
Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP) |
Total |
|
No of Vouchers issued |
2,058 |
396 |
4,869 |
16,639 |
23,962 |
Breakdown of Vouchers by Category Per County June 2021
|
County |
115A |
FIN |
LGL |
PIP |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
29 |
5 |
110 |
356 |
500 |
|
Cavan |
66 |
10 |
146 |
524 |
746 |
|
Clare |
35 |
2 |
108 |
313 |
458 |
|
Cork |
208 |
11 |
677 |
1586 |
2,482 |
|
Donegal |
47 |
8 |
127 |
330 |
512 |
|
Dublin (total) |
319 |
121 |
777 |
2780 |
3,997 |
|
Galway |
88 |
27 |
343 |
784 |
1,242 |
|
Kerry |
50 |
2 |
55 |
331 |
438 |
|
Kildare |
111 |
51 |
325 |
952 |
1,439 |
|
Kilkenny |
33 |
12 |
98 |
308 |
451 |
|
Laois |
40 |
8 |
78 |
327 |
453 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
10 |
48 |
123 |
191 |
|
Limerick |
47 |
9 |
101 |
481 |
638 |
|
Longford |
28 |
5 |
99 |
248 |
380 |
|
Louth |
190 |
30 |
428 |
1010 |
1,658 |
|
Mayo |
55 |
9 |
129 |
431 |
624 |
|
Meath |
172 |
28 |
166 |
1580 |
1946 |
|
Monaghan |
62 |
1 |
85 |
335 |
483 |
|
Offaly |
55 |
3 |
142 |
414 |
614 |
|
Roscommon |
38 |
5 |
81 |
252 |
376 |
|
Sligo |
13 |
9 |
50 |
156 |
228 |
|
Tipperary |
88 |
7 |
152 |
581 |
828 |
|
Waterford |
68 |
6 |
122 |
503 |
699 |
|
Westmeath |
73 |
7 |
150 |
578 |
808 |
|
Wexford |
69 |
4 |
168 |
778 |
1,019 |
|
Wicklow |
64 |
6 |
104 |
578 |
752 |
|
Grand Total |
2,058 |
396 |
4,869 |
16,639 |
23,962 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
844. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on criticism by an organisation (details supplied) of Government plans for a regional employment service that seeks to replace existing jobs clubs and local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32105/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to a press release relating to the ongoing public procurement process for a regional employment service for four lots across seven counties in the North-West and Midlands.
While I am constrained on what I can say during a live procurement process, I wish to highlight my Department's extensive engagement with ILDN and individual contracted employment services throughout the State in the years leading up the publication of the request for tender.
The legal obligation to hold a competitive procurement for all employment services has been flagged for over two years to the sector. In addition, every effort was made to ensure no barriers were erected to prevent the participation of the sector represented by the ILDN in this procurement and the request for tender reflects this. The RFT will deliver an expanded employment service in the State, thereby increasing our capacity to support more individuals who need employment assistance advice and support in securing employment. The RFT has been designed to deliver high quality employment service supports to those who are furthest from the labour market.
I look forward to a broad range of potential tenderers engaging in this process and to the establishment of appropriate services to assist the long-term unemployed progress towards and into employment.
845. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding streams available for a family and community resource centre to purchase land adjacent to its property for expansion purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30522/21]
View answerMy Department plays no part in the provision of funding to family resource centres. Funding for such centres is a matter for Tusla which comes under the aegis of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
846. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding provided for the school meals programme for the 2020-2021 academic year. [30540/21]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 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.
A budget of €65.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2021.
The Programme provides funding towards food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes - the urban school meals scheme and the school meals (local projects) scheme. The Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated and administered by local authorities and is part-financed by my Department. Expenditure on the Urban Scheme in the financial year ended 2020 was €0.5m.
The school meals (local projects) scheme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations. The total funds allocated to schools and organisations through the school meals (local projects) scheme for the 2020/2021 academic year to date is €61.4m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
847. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for persons who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and had their payments ceased as a result of reaching 66 years of age; if consideration has been given to allowing recipients of the State pension (contributory) to receive the pandemic unemployment payment in circumstances in which their employment continues to be affected as a result of public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30588/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme for those aged 18 to 66 years and the age conditions is aligned with that paid under the Jobseekers supports. There are no plans to amend this condition.
Once a person who is in receipt of PUP reaches 66 years of age their claim for the payment is closed as separate arrangements are in place for this group of customers. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection framework through the State Pension – either the contributory pension based on PRSI contributions, or the non-contributory means-tested pension.
Where an individual does not have the required number of contributions to receive the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, they may qualify for an increased rate of State Pension Non-Contributory, depending on their circumstances.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme under the Community Welfare Service is also available to any person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship. Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments may be made subject to satisfying the means test.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
848. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the uptake and funding rates of the disability awareness support scheme between 2017 and 2021, in tabular form. [30609/21]
View answerThe Disability Awareness Support Scheme (DASS Grant) provides a contribution towards the cost of disability awareness training for private sector employers. The training to be delivered must, for example, provide clear and accurate information about disability, address questions that employers/employees may have, and cover anti-discrimination / equal opportunities legislation. The value of the grants available is as set out below:
|
First year a company applies |
90% of eligible training costs up to a maximum of €20,000 |
|
Second and subsequent years a company applies |
80% of eligible training costs up to a maximum of €20,000 |
The various grants available are promoted through, for example, the Department's employer engagement activities, by contractors delivering LES and Employability services and by the new ‘Employers for Change’ service (launched in March 2021 and funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth – this service aims to deliver a national employer disability information service. Full details of this service are available at www.employersforchange.ie).
The number of employers who availed of DASS funding since 2017 and the value of the grants provided is set out in tabular form beneath:
|
Year |
Number of Companies |
Value of the grants provided |
|
2017 |
11 |
€62,275 |
|
2018 |
5 |
€20,214 |
|
2019 |
12 |
€52,959 |
|
2020 |
4 |
€5,598 |
|
2021 * |
2 |
€6,650 |
* Up to May 2021
It is important to note that the DASS grant is demand-led funding, that is value of the grants provided is linked to the number of applications received.
849. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advertise grants for Heavy Goods Vehicle, HGV, and bus driver lessons as part of the back to work scheme given the pressing need to get drivers trained for the transport and haulage industries due to a shortage of drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30616/21]
View answerThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long-term unemployed and is payable for a 24 month period from the commencement of their new business.
The Training Support Grant which is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. The grant can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities, including driving tuition.
If there is a particular case that the Deputy is referring to, the details should be forwarded to my Department for review. I trust this clarifies the matter.
850. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's application by a person (details supplied) who is providing full-time care for both their parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30659/21]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned in respect of her parents on 30 April 2021.
CA was awarded to the person concerned in respect of both care recipients on 2 June 2021 with effect from 6 May 2021. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 10 June 2021. Arrears of allowance due from 6 May 2021 to 9 June 2021 have also issued.
The person concerned was notified on 2 June 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
851. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families in receipt of monthly child benefit payments, per county, in each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30695/21]
View answerThe below table details Child Benefit recipients by county for the period January 2018 to May 2021 inclusive.
