Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1074-1093

Special Educational Needs

Questions (1074)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1074. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated annual cost in 2022 to increase special education provision by 15% on the 2018 level. [41227/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.

In 2018 my Department invested over €1.75 billion on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.

Based on a 15% increase, the 2022 allocation would be €2 billion.

School Funding

Questions (1075)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1075. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of measures (details supplied). [41229/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to full year cost of measure is set out in the table below.

Details	Estimated Full Year Cost €m
Indicative estimate of providing free primary and post-primary school books to all pupils across all fully publicly funded schools based on a survey by Barnardos	€40
Restoring capitation grant to Primary and Post Primary Schools to pre-2010 levels.	€20
Restoring support for guidance to pre-2008 levels	See Note below

Restoring support for guidance to pre-2008 levels

My Department has committed considerable resources towards the restoration of guidance counselling hours to post-primary schools, to the provision of CPD for guidance counsellors and to the provision of a national guidance counselling supervision service for post-primary guidance counsellors in recent times.

The guidance allocation is provided separately and transparently on each school's staffing schedule. These posts have been ring-fenced so they can only be used for guidance activities and to meet the guidance needs of the school.

As part of the COVID-19 operational supports to schools for the 2021/22 school year, approximately 120 posts have been provided for guidance to support student wellbeing.

There are currently 824 Guidance posts allocated to post primary schools. The corresponding figure for 2008/09 was 708 Guidance posts. As such, these posts have been restored to pre-2008 levels.

Current expenditure on guidance counsellors posts in second level schools stands at €55.2 million.

School Staff

Questions (1076)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1076. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of bringing all currently employed school secretaries and caretakers under the direct employment of her Department. [41231/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am keenly aware of the vital contribution of secretaries and caretakers within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools.

On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department implemented the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covered the period up to 31 December 2019 and has been fully implemented and increased funding was provided by my Department.

The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a secretary or caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019 been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.

Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim from the 2015 agreement. Officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and School Management Bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the claim. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.

As set out in an agreed statement between the parties following the WRC engagement in May, it is vital that any proposals are fully and properly costed on the basis of complete information relating to current actual numbers of workers involved and have regard to the state of the public finances and the repercussive effects of any such proposals for other grant-funded groups of non-public servants.

The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school. As a result my Department does not hold data on the staff concerned and is not in a position to provide costings. In terms of the current claim for secretaries and caretakers, my Department has recently completed a data gathering exercise in respect of school secretaries and caretakers paid by grant-funding which will inform costings of this claim.

The parties continue to engage under the auspices of the WRC with the intention to reach agreement on the regularisation of pay, conditions of employment and pension provision as set out in the roadmap document agreed on 27 October 2020. The parties are scheduled to return to the WRC this week and I support meaningful engagement on these issues by all stakeholders.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (1077)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1077. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of increasing the number of SNAs by 500 in addition to the 990 pledged in Budget 2021. [41232/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Budget 2021 increased the number of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts to over 18,000 by December this year. This represents an increase of increase of 70% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.

The pay at entry of a new entrant SNA, inclusive of employer PRSI, is €28,821 so the estimated cost of 500 SNAs would be €14,410,500.

School Admissions

Questions (1078)

Colm Burke

Question:

1078. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the action that can be taken to accommodate the transfer of a fifth-year student (details supplied) to the leaving certificate applied programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41310/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme is one of three Leaving Certificate options made available by my Department for senior cycle students that schools can choose from. It is the responsibility and choice of individual schools to decide which Leaving Certificate programmes to provide.

Schools are encouraged to provide maximum access to these Leaving Certificate options and to have clear admission procedures in place regarding how the available places are allocated to students. However, the final decision to provide LCA rests with the board of management. The LCA programme is not provided in all schools and the decision to offer it is based on the educational needs and interests of their students.

Under the Education Act 1998, the school Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The child's guardian may wish to write to the board of management of the school outlining their query regarding LCA. The Board may be able to assist.

School Funding

Questions (1079)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1079. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education when a reimbursement payment from her Department will be received by a school (details supplied) for removing trees which cost over €7,000; when the payment will be made; and the cause of the delay. [41317/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I would like to inform the Deputy that the works in question would normally be paid for out of the Schools Minor Works Grant as it would be considered a maintenance issue.

However, under certain circumstances, such as a storm, which caused the trees to fall or become unsafe the school could apply for funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme to have the trees removed.

To date the Emergency Works Team have not received such an application from the school. All applications under the Emergency Works Scheme should be made in advance of the work being carried out as retrospective funding is not permitted under the scheme.

School Accommodation

Questions (1080, 1081)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1080. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some classes in a school (details supplied) are prefabs which are not fit for purpose and which cost tens of thousands of euro annually to rent; and the reason for the delay in replacing them and in the interim having them repaired. [41318/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1081. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the amount her Department contributes annually to the renting of prefabs for a school (details supplied); and the length of the rental agreement. [41319/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1080 and 1081 together.

My Department contributes €91,081 annually to the renting of prefabs for the school referred to by the Deputy.

The Deputy will be aware that a major building project for the school 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. All prefabs are being replaced with permanent accommodation as part of the major project.

My Department has had no recent correspondence from the school in relation to the condition of their prefabs and as these are rented prefabs, the school authority should contact the prefab supplier in relation to any necessary repairs that may be required pending completion of the major project.

Question No. 1081 answered with Question No. 1080.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (1082)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1082. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if a review of the DEIS grading system and the payments scheme associated with identified schools which have needs far and above the threshold for DEIS 1 or 2, which would require specific and more targeted funding to help address deeply ingrained underlying educational issues will be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41320/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

DEIS is my Department’s main policy to tackle educational disadvantage. This year my Department will spend over €150million on supports for schools targeted at supporting the educational outcomes of those pupils most at risk of educational disadvantage. The DEIS Plan acknowledges the allocation of additional resources, such as an improved staffing schedule, to Urban Band 1 DEIS primary schools with the highest concentrations of children at risk of educational disadvantage has served to improve learning outcomes.

The DEIS Plan published in 2017 noted that further analysis of the DEIS identification model was required to identify refinements which may be required to improve its accuracy and application in terms of resource allocation. A detailed analysis of school enrolment data and the latest data available from Census 2016, using the HP Deprivation Index, has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group. My Department has commenced a consultation process with education stakeholder representatives on the refinement of the model, and work is ongoing on further elements of the model.

It is envisaged that the refined DEIS ID model, when complete, will provide the basis for the development and application of a refined DEIS resource allocation model to ultimately match resources to identified need. Until this work is complete, it is not planned to alter the current DEIS resource allocation process.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (1083)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1083. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in having the new build project for a school (details supplied); the timetable of works for same; and when the school community and the wider community will receive a new school building as promised. [41321/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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. All statutory approvals have been secured.

In late 2020, additional provision for a 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) Base was approved for this project. In January 2021, the School and its Design Team received an extension to its current planning, providing for minor modifications and a 2 classroom SEN. The School and its Design Team are now required to submit a Stage 2(b) Addendum Report incorporating the SEN provision into the Design.

My Department has been in contact with the Design Team and it is expected that the report will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) Addendum report, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (1084)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1084. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to a school (details supplied); the interventions that can be made to assist the school address minor and major maintenance problems as it awaits the commencement and completion of the planned new-build and will she comment on the issue. [41322/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I would like to inform the Deputy that the responsibility for maintaining schools and their grounds lies with the school authority in the first instance.

The main grant funding mechanisms for undertaking works of the nature referred to by the Deputy are the Annual Minor Works Grant or the Summer Works Scheme. The Minor Works Grant last issued to primary schools in December 2020 and provides flexibility for schools to manage and prioritise necessary small-scale works.

The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings. This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and the Department are currently addressing category 2 and 6 projects (toilets and roofs).

The Emergency Works Scheme is available to all recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools to provide funding in an Emergency Situation. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (1085)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1085. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason the new build for a school (details supplied) has been delayed; if the school is to frontload the ASD unit which was included in the full new build programme; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that by separating the ASD unit out, the full-build and ASD unit build project are both being delayed. [41323/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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. All statutory approvals have been secured.

In late 2020, additional provision for a 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) Base was approved for this project. In January 2021, the School and its Design Team received an extension to its current planning, providing for minor modifications and a 2 classroom SEN. The School and its Design Team are now required to submit a Stage 2(b) Addendum Report incorporating the SEN provision into the Design.

My Department has been in contact with the Design Team and it is expected that the report for the main contract will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) Addendum report, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time.

Pending delivery of the major building project an ASA application has been received from the school. In February 2021, the school was granted approval under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2021 for conversion works to 2 existing classrooms to create 1 Class SEN Base including safe space, accessible toilet and multi-sensory room.

My Department understands that the School and its Design Team has recently completed the Tender Process for these works and that a tender report will be submitted to the Department for review shortly. Upon receipt and review of this tender report a decision on the progression of this project will be made on the information provided at that time.

School Staff

Questions (1086)

Gary Gannon

Question:

1086. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene to ensure that a school (details supplied) does not lose a primary teacher in the next academic year due to being five pupils short of the retention figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41382/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The staffing schedule is an allocation mechanism that uses enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to a school. This is a long standing arrangement for allocating teaching posts to our primary schools in a fair and equitable way based on their respective enrolment.

The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location. For the 2020/21 school year at primary level it operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 26 pupils which is historically the lowest level.

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and to support small schools.

As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils required to retain a teacher.

The school referred to by the Deputy is not losing a teaching post for the 2021/22 school year.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1087)

Gary Gannon

Question:

1087. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the degree of provisions made to small rural schools to ensure they continue to be able to operate and serve their communities particularly during and throughout the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41383/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Small schools are highly valued in their communities in that they provide a vital link to local heritage and history, help sustain rural populations and often act as a link for sports and social activity.

There is a commitment contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government to recognise the importance of small schools. There is a further commitment not to close any small school without the consent of parents.

Budget 2020 provided for improved teacher staffing levels for small schools. This measure saw a more favourable pupil teacher ratio in small schools from September 2020. This improved schedule will apply in two, three and four teacher schools and ensure one less pupil is required to retain/recruit a teacher. This builds on measures in previous budgets which has seen improvements in the appointment and retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and more favourable enrolment thresholds for one teacher schools situated 8km or more from the nearest school of the same type of patronage and/or language of instruction.

Small schools have also benefitted from the 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule for all schools implemented in 2016 and again in 2018. The staffing schedule at primary level currently operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher and will reduce to 25 pupils to every 1 teacher from September 2021 which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level. The retention band has been reduced by 3 points.

In addition in July 2020, the Government agreed the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, together with a package involving financial supports that eventually amounted to some €639 million to meet costs associated with the return to school for the 2020/2021 academic year. Of this €639 million, €331 million was provided for the period August/September to December 2020 and €308 million for January to July/August 2021.

The package of funding agreed was a combination of targeted supports to schools in advance of reopening last August and a range of supports to sustain that reopening. The range of supports included the replacement of teachers and non-teaching staff unable to attend for work due to Covid-19, minor works grants to facilitate refurbishment and reconfiguration of school buildings, additional release days for principals and deputy principals at primary level, and enhanced cleaning regimes, PPE equipment, school transport costs and wellbeing supports.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (1088)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

1088. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of the community employment supervisors remuneration deal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40652/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors. This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

At the start of April, agreement was reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals include a financial package.

I am confident these proposals are a solid basis for progressing and resolving this complex issue. Discussions on these proposals are ongoing between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. The unions have made a number of observations, and these are now being examined by my officials in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

My officials are continuing to progress this matter as a priority, and I would hope that these discussions can reach a conclusion in the near future.

The costings of proposals, currently under discussion, will be finalised once these discussions conclude.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Employment Support Services

Questions (1089, 1097, 1100, 1101, 1102, 1111, 1113)

David Cullinane

Question:

1089. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the local employment service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40868/21]

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1097. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the proposed model of employment services will utilise training of LES staff in adult guidance and counselling as part of the proposed changes; the way quality will be maintained within the model with regard to client wrap-around supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39123/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1100. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way it is envisaged that local community development companies will interact with the proposed regional employment service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39300/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the existing competencies and capacities in terms of adult guidance and counselling in local employment services will be affected by the proposed regional employment service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39301/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1102. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the quality intensive service for the proposed regional employment service will cater for the needs of clients with complex cases including addiction, homelessness, caring responsibilities, literacy issues, mental or physical health concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39302/21]

Paul Murphy

Question:

1111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to the local employment service (details supplied); and the way in which she proposes getting these clients into full-time sustainable work within such a short timeframe given that payment is for employment only as outlined in this model and who will focus on those facing barriers to employment. [39447/21]

Paul Murphy

Question:

1113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that all local employment services staff are trained in adult guidance and counselling, funded using public money; the reason her Department will not utilise this investment in the new scheme, instead of introducing a model that does not fit with a guidance service; and the further reason her Department has not chosen to focus on addressing the need for continuous improvement for all local employment service operations within a public service quality model. [39449/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1089, 1097, 1100 to 1102, inclusive, 1111 and 1113 together.

Following on from a review of public employment services in my Department, my officials have commenced a series of procurement exercises to secure appropriate services to engage with the long-term unemployed and other cohorts throughout the State. The focus throughout this exercise is the customer, their needs and how they can be met through customer-centric services delivering the necessary supports in their journey to employment. My Department is conscious of the need to have supports in place at the time that the customer needs them and to be able to respond rapidly to changes in the labour market and the demand for services.

This process was preceded by extensive engagement both at Ministerial and official level since 2019, including site visits by officials to every Local Employment Service, Job Club and Employability service in the State to hear the views of those delivering the services, a briefing to stakeholders on the Indecon Reviews of Local Employment Services and Job Clubs, engagement with stakeholders by external consultants on behalf of the Department and numerous meetings at official and Ministerial level with the representative body, the ILDN, and other stakeholders.

Phase one of the process, involving the procurement of a Regional Employment Service for four lots over seven counties in the Midlands and North-East - areas currently without a local employment service - are at an advanced stage. Phase two will follow in due course with the aim of having services in place for January 2022.

The experience of current local employment services caseworkers in providing a quality service to the long-term unemployed and other cohorts should and no doubt will feature in tenders for the new service. I and my Department will welcome high quality submissions from high quality providers in the sector demonstrating their experience and ability. My Department has put great emphasis on the importance of tenderers demonstrating their ability to deliver a service that addresses the complex needs of those farthest from the labour market. Part of this involves describing how the service can address multiple barriers to labour market entry, including by engaging with the appropriate local and regional services. My Department has consistently informed stakeholders it is important that tenderers submit quality bids that clearly demonstrate their expertise and skill and addresses all aspects of the RFT.

The design of the request for tender for the Regional Employment Service ensures it will be accessible to tenders from the community and voluntary sector, giving due regard to their experience and competencies.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (1090)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

1090. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on the pandemic unemployment payment supports. [40981/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

To date the total expenditure by the Department of Social Protection on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment since its introduction in March 2020 is approximately €8.3 billion.

The total expenditure to date on the Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant since its introduction in August 2020 is approximately €8.7 million.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.

Employment Schemes

Questions (1091)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1091. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of the work placement experience programme. [41260/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under Pillar 2 of the National Recovery Programme, launched by Government on 1 June 2021. It is also a central measure of the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. This sets out the national framework for activation and employment supports to assist persons, whose employment has been adversely affected by COVID, back to work while continuing to support those who were unemployed pre-pandemic.

The Pathways strategy sets out an ambitious plan for investment in training, education, skill development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and jobs search. The focus is on helping persons who have lost jobs find, new ones, retrain and develop new skills, in particular in emerging growth sectors with new employment opportunities.

WPEP is a key policy initiative under this the new strategy. It is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for 10,000 jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), regardless of age. Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary.

All participants will receive a personal weekly allowance of €306 per week regardless of age, other income or means. This is equivalent to the national minimum wage. In addition, participants will continue to receive any underlying social welfare entitlements for qualified adults and children and any underlying secondary welfare benefits they had an entitlement to prior to commencing a WPEP placement.

The WPEP programme is planned to run for two years with a total estimated cost of €95 million, with estimated expenditure this year of €11.5million, €61.2 million in 2022 and a further €22 million in 2023.

I was very pleased to launch the WPEP on Monday 12th July 2021. Placements will provide unemployed persons with valuable work experience, recognised internationally as being effective in assisting jobseekers find new jobs. All placements will provide training opportunities and in particular participants will be provided with opportunities to undertake accredited training as part of the programme. Options include a new QQI accredited work placement award which will be delivered by the Education and Training Boards at levels 3,4 and 5. In recognition of this training and development component of the scheme and the value of the new options for accredited and sector recognised learning, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Skills through the National Training Fund (NFT) is investing €27 million in the scheme. The NTF will be repaid if funding from the EU is secured under the National Resilience and Recovery Plan for this element of WPEP.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Questions (1092)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1092. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2022 from increasing the rate of employers’ PRSI from 11.05 to 12.05, 13.05, 14.05 and 15.05 and 15.75% on the portion of individual incomes in excess of €100,000. [41362/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

It is not possible to provide the information requested within the timeframe available.

The data requested are being compiled by my officials and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (1093)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1093. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person with four young children who is returning to full-time education who is currently in receipt of jobseeker's will be eligible for the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39072/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Working Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in work, family payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings, with children, relative to their family size. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents and to offer a financial incentive to pursue employment.

In order to satisfy the qualifying and continued entitlement condition for receipt of WFP, an applicant or the applicant and their spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. The employment must be expected to last for at least 3 months. This employment condition must be met on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, WFP is not payable where a customer is in receipt of a Jobseekers payment or Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

The person concerned can obtain further information on the Department's Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme from the Gov.ie website or by contacting their local Intreo office. Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit are qualifying payments for receipt of BTEA.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.