Written Answers Nos. 641-660
641. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the circulars that have been issued to schools which give guidance on reopening after the summer holidays; if any guidance has been given to schools not to engage in practices which incentivise a full attendance in class for the 2021-2022 academic year; her views on such incentives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43022/21]
View answerIt is a key objective of the Government’s plan for living with COVID-19 (Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19) that our children and school staff can attend school safely. Plans were put in place to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year at the end of August/ start of September 2021.
My Department wrote to all schools highlighting the guidance and resources provided to support schools as they reopen for the next school year and as we continue to live with COVID-19. The Department is very conscious that schools need to be clear on the arrangements and guidance that remain in place for the 2021/22 academic year to support schools during COVID-19.
Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection, including physical distancing measures and reducing the risk of congregation of students. It is a matter for each individual school to implement these measures locally taking into account its individual circumstances such as school layout.
642. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in finalising the pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers; if the finalisation of these issues will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43052/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries and caretakers in the running of our schools.
In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff. The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator for 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.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim and officials from the Department and school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the issues. A process of engagement has taken place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and an understanding has been agreed on a pathway to progress the issues with a phased approach being taken to the development of proposals.
The Department is actively seeking to engage with Fórsa in an effort to resolve the issue as part of an ongoing IR process under the auspices of the WRC. Industrial action would impact on the day-to-day operation of schools at a time when so much effort has gone into ensuring they could open and stay open during the pandemic. The Department would appeal to school secretaries and to Fórsa to defer this planned action to allow further early and intensive discussions to take place.
643. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide transport for a person (details supplied) with an intellectual disability to attend a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43056/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil referred to by Deputy availed of a service under the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Education Needs up to the end of the 2020/21 school year while they attended the school referred to by the Deputy.
School Transport Section understands that the pupil is no longer attending the above referenced school as a post primary school pupil.
Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years.
If the family has any further queires on this matter they can contact the School Transport Section of my Department directly.
644. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the number of formal and informal roles held by a person (details supplied) in the name of her Department or associated agency in the lifetime of this Government; when they were appointed to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43064/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the person referred to in the Deputy's question was not engaged by my Department or any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department during the term of the current Government.
645. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she and or her special advisers and or officials use or have used services (details supplied) to communicate in the past 18 months. [43068/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not provide access for staff to either of the services specified in her question and that neither I nor my special advisers have used the services referred to by the Deputy for official purposes.
646. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education her advice on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the lack of funding for primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43170/21]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting 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 needed to retain a teacher. For the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule will be on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 23.3 in the same period. The most recent budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes.
The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.
As part of the supports provided under The Roadmap for the Full Return to School in 2020, specific funding was provided to support Principals who undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding provided each teaching principal with a minimum of one release day per week. Schools have been advised that, in the context of COVID-19, the additional allocation of Principal Release Days outlined in Circular 45/2020, "COVID-19 Operational Supports for the Full Return to School" will remain in place for the 2021/22 school year and each school with a teaching principal will have 37 Principal Release Days.
In total 1700 additional leadership posts have been invested in our primary schools since the lifting of the moratorium on posts of responsibility in 2017, which has led to 1 in 3 teachers now holding promoted positions. The Department has committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which ensures that the current level of Posts of Responsibility are maintained in the school system. The most recent update for the current school year is available on the Department's website (Circular 0025/2021). This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
The Substitute Teacher Supply Panel was expanded last year, from a pilot scheme consisting of 6 base schools to 132 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 380 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to over 2,500 schools across the country. Primary schools have been informed that the Supply Panel Scheme will continue for the 2021/22 school year.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that Budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in Budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
648. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in finalising the pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers; the timeline for the finalisation of these issues; the current position regarding negotiations with a union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43189/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries and caretakers in the running of our schools.
In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff. The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator for 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.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim and officials from the Department and school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the issues. A process of engagement has taken place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and an understanding has been agreed on a pathway to progress the issues with a phased approach being taken to the development of proposals.
The Department is actively seeking to engage with Fórsa in an effort to resolve the issue as part of an ongoing IR process under the auspices of the WRC. Industrial action would impact on the day-to-day operation of schools at a time when so much effort has gone into ensuring they could open and stay open during the pandemic. The Department would appeal to school secretaries and to Fórsa to defer this planned action to allow further early and intensive discussions to take place.
649. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education if she will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43194/21]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher. In accordance with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC, the qualifications of teachers who qualified outside of the ROI are assessed to ensure they are of a comparable standard to those achieved by graduates of accredited programmes in Ireland.
The person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council and follow their guidance regarding their registration.
650. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding schemes under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41425/21]
View answer686. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the Local Employment Services Network regarding the new Pathway to Work Strategy; if she will meet the group to discuss its concerns; if her attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to the payment by results model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42135/21]
View answer688. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give urgent attention to serious matters of concern raised by a community organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42173/21]
View answer705. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter regarding jobs clubs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42439/21]
View answer706. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the future of local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42441/21]
View answer712. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will engage with the local employment services and job clubs and their staff representatives on the future of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42590/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 650, 686, 688, 705, 706 and 712 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 consistent with the new Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy.
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.
The procurement process was preceded by extensive engagement both at Ministerial and official level and all stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their views and suggestions on the Department's plans to procure quality employment services in an open and competitive manner. At my instruction Departmental officials are continuing to engage with the relevant stakeholders including the ILDN, non ILDN service providers and employee representatives.
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 - is at an advanced stage. Phase two will follow in due course with the aim of having services in place for early 2022.
I am committed to ensuring my Department incorporates the lessons learned in the first phase of procurement and engages once more with a broad range of stakeholders prior to the commencement of the phase 2 procurement. Any learnings from phase 1 will be incorporated into phase 2 to ensure there are no barriers to the participation of the community and voluntary sector.
Nonetheless, the legal requirement to hold competitive tenders for future employment services remains and the procurement model will update decades-old contracts in line with procurement regulations.
The design of the request for tender for the Regional Employment Service, places significant value on an organisations ability to deliver a wide range of services locally through a range of other service providers and has been developed to ensure it is accessible to tenders from the community and voluntary sector, giving due regard to their experience and competencies.
651. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had their disability allowance reduced when they got married and is now relying on their spouse to support them financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41466/21]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 2 October 2020. The question before the Appeals Officer was whether the appellant’s weekly means, which were based on his spouse's earnings from employment, had been correctly assessed, in line with the governing legislation.
A decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final. However, under social welfare legislation an Appeals Officer may revise his or her decision where it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or new facts which have been subsequently brought to his or her notice.
I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer reviewed the appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of the decision. The person concerned was notified of this on 18 December 2020.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
652. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a conclusive response to their application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41467/21]
View answerI can confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 8 March 2021. The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.
On 3 August 2021 a letter issued to the person concerned informing them that their application for DA was withdrawn as they had been awarded invalidity pension (INVP) at a higher rate of payment.
An application for INVP was received from the person concerned on the 29 March 2021. He was awarded INVP with effect from 11 March 2021, backdated to the first payment date after receipt of the DA application. The first payment issued to his nominated bank account on the 12 August 2021.
Any arrears due (less any overlapping social welfare payment) issued in the weeks after the first payment date. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 03 August 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
653. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis for Turas Nua keeping files open on persons after they begin full-time employment even in cases in which persons have taken-up employment in circumstances (details supplied); her views on whether a person who had minimum to no engagement with Turas Nua should be on file for a year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41516/21]
View answerTuras Nua is contracted by my Department to provide employment assistance and advice to jobseekers who are long-term unemployed. Participants receive intensive individual support for a period of 52 weeks, to help overcome barriers to employment and to assist in finding full-time, sustainable employment.
In the event that a jobseeker secures full time employment during the engagement period, the provider is required to offer in-employment support to that person. This includes scheduled contact with the person as well as ad-hoc contact, for example to address a need for immediate support or advice. As part of the service, this support is provided for 52 weeks from the time the employment commences.
The person is not required to attend any meetings with the JobPath provider during this time, and is not under any obligation to provide employment or employer details but, if they wish to do so, and avail of the in-employment support offered, all information will be treated as confidential.
In circumstances where a JobPath client who has secured employment subsequently loses that position within the original 52 week engagement, the service supports will resume and continue for the remainder of that period.
My Department is very aware of the need to have robust data protection policies, procedures and structures in place in line with current data protection legislation. The contracts with the JobPath providers are in compliance with all relevant legislation and any information shared is contractually based and necessary to provide the service. These contracts are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland.
654. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a couple (details supplied) who have been without their pension due to an administrative error; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41517/21]
View answerThe issue referred to by the Deputy arose as the person concerned changed financial institution but did not notify the Department of the change in a timely manner. The matter has since been resolved, and arrears of pension for the period from 2 July 2021 to 29 July 2021 have been paid to the person concerned.
My Department contacted the person concerned on 6 July 2021 when their weekly electronic fund transfer (EFT) for 2 July 2021 could not be lodged to their account and was returned by their financial institution. A letter dated 5 July 2021 was subsequently received, requesting a change of payment method, but this letter was not signed by the customer.
The person was contacted on 8 July 2021 to submit a signed mandate for their change of payment method. This information was received on 26 July 2021 and the person’s payment method was updated. They were notified accordingly in writing on 27 July 2021, and advised of the amount of arrears issued. Weekly pension payments have resumed from 30 July 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
655. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the vetting procedure that is carried out on positions submitted by an employer to the work placement experience programme before it is advertised publicly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41532/21]
View answerThe Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under 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 find jobs.
The Pathways strategy sets out an ambitious plan for investment in a range of training, education, skill development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and jobs search. This includes 50,000 additional places in the further education and training sector, expanding the number of apprenticeships, increasing the capacity of the public employment service to provide employment support to more unemployed persons, 3,000 additional places on employment programmes such as Community Employment, as well as 10,000 places on this new work placement scheme (WPEP).
WPEP 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). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. All participants are paid €306 per week plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children. The intention is to provide quality and valuable work experience to unemployed persons. Work placements are recognised internationally as being effective in assisting jobseekers find new jobs. The Labour Market Advisory Council also recommended the inclusion of a new work placement programme as one of the active labour market measures to be included in the Pathways to Work Strategy.
All WPEP placements are advertised on the Department’s online recruitment service website; jobsIreland.ie. All host organisations and individual placements are vetted for compliance and quality assurance purposes prior to being listed on jobsireland.ie to ensure that each placement provides quality work experience and training opportunities for jobseekers.
In advance of advertising any placement opportunity, host organisations’ tax compliance is verified by the Department. Host organisation must have appropriate insurance and health and safety measures in place and accept the terms and conditions of the programme.
The scope of the work experience on offer for each placement is reviewed in advance to ensure that it is in line with the objectives of the programme. In addition, placements must provide training opportunities, including workplace training and accredited training as part of the programme. Options include a new accredited work placement award which will be delivered by the Education and Training Boards at levels 3, 4 and 5. The provision of training to participants, is a pre-condition for host organisations to participate on the scheme. All host organisation must also demonstrate that they can provide supervision and mentoring to participants.
All the above are checked as part of the vetting process. Where the above requirements are not satisfied then the placement is not approved nor advertised on jobsireland.ie.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
656. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria for qualifying for the short-term enterprise allowance; if previous experience in Ireland or abroad disqualifies persons from qualifying for the allowance; if an applicant can appeal a decision should their application for the allowance be rejected; if so, the grounds on which an appeal can be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41534/21]
View answerThe Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) Scheme is designed to provide support for someone who loses their job and qualifies for Jobseeker’s Benefit and starts up a new business.
The scheme offers support to the setting up of a new enterprise not currently in operation and is expected to be tradable and tangible. Where a proposed new business is similar to a previous business venture already undertaken, a person will be required to establish why the proposal is deemed a new business and not a recommencement of the prior venture. Each case is determined on its own merits and previous experiences, including those outside the country, may be considered as appropriate.The STEA is an administrative scheme and a customer who is not satisfied with a recommendation may request a review by the Department within 21 days. The request must clearly state the basis of the review, enclosing any new evidence or any other information that may support their request.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
657. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41550/21]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 26 January 2021.
A decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final apart from in some limited circumstances. Social welfare legislation allows an Appeals Officer to revise his or her decision where it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or new facts which have been subsequently brought to his or her notice.
I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer reviewed the appeal on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or evidence which warranted a revision of her earlier decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 19 August 2021.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
658. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41601/21]
View answerThe Department works to comply with its obligations in relation to the Disability Act 2005 and reports its status, in respect of individuals with disabilities, to the National Disability Authority each year. The current disability quota for the Department of Social Protection, The Pension Authority and Citizens Information Board is 3%. It is the intention of each body to achieve or maintain a target of 6% by 2024. The disability status for the end of 2020 is present in the below table.
|
Organisation |
Total Staff |
Staff with Disclosed Disability |
Percentage of total |
|
Department of Social Protection |
6715 |
386 |
5.75% |
|
Citizens Information Board |
95 |
11 |
11.58% |
|
Pensions Authority |
86 |
8 |
9.30% |
Department of Social Protection
The Department of Social Protection continues to provide supports and adaptions in the workplace for individuals with disabilities. The Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) which has recently been incorporated into the newly formed HR Equality Diversity & Inclusion Unit (ED&I). The DLO provides supports to people with disabilities including arranging for workplace adaptions to both existing employees and new entrants. In addition to this, the ED&I Unit regularly organise awareness and educational events such as webinars accessible to all Department staff.
Disability is an integral part of the Department’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy. This is highlighted, in the context of the Departments commitment to the employment of individuals with disabilities, on the Departments public website. Under the Department’s employee 'Engagement and Innovation' initiative, a dedicated working group was set up in 2020 in the area of ‘Supports for Staff with Disabilities in DSP’. In accordance with the structure of this employee engagement programme, this collaborative group is represented across the grades in the Department, from trade unions, policy areas and staff with disabilities.
Recruitment for the Department is conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). PAS are committed to ensuring that all competitions held are accessible to individuals who require adaptions or adjustments. The Department annually participates in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme and the Department's HR area are currently in the process of exploring participation in the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme, which may increase the Department's direct recruitment of individuals with disabilities and provide access to development and employment opportunities within DSP.
Citizens Information Board
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is committed to the ongoing improvement of services to people with disabilities. Robust policies and procedures are in place within CIB to ensure current staff with a disability are supported with all supports, which are reasonably expected to be provided by the employer. Since 2019 CIB has extended the reach of all job vacancy advertising involving 13 local and national services working with minority groups including those specifically working with people with disabilities. Every new vacancy is distributed to these agencies with a dedicated point of contact named should they wish to be provided with more detail. Wording on all recruitment advertising and materials has been expanded highlighting CIB not only as an equal opportunities employer but spelling out how it encourages applications from all candidates regardless of race, colour, disability, marital status, family status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, membership of travelling community.
CIB have also developed a new Diversity and Inclusion Policy, highlighting to all staff CIB’s commitment to everyone employed by CIB. Flexi time arrangements have been put in place for staff with disabilities who find it difficult to travel to and from work during peak times, Occupational Health services and employee assistance services are utilised to support any of our staff with disabilities.
All current employees have attended dedicated workshops on dignity at work. Staff who sit on interview panels have had upskilling on interview techniques in advance for interviews and CIB are currently in the planning stage of an organisation-wide rollout of workshops on Disability Awareness. As part of CIB’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme each quarter of the year is dedicated to raising awareness of supports for all staff, October to December 2021 has already been confirmed as the quarter that is dedicated to raising awareness of people with disabilities in line with December being Disability awareness month.
The Pensions Authority
The Pensions Authority is supportive of both applications to vacancies from candidates who may have disabilities and employment of individuals who may have disabilities. Furthermore, the Pensions Authority implements reasonable adjustments for current employees where they are identified/requested or if an applicant to a vacancy requires one e.g., a sign language interpreter during the interview process.
659. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a weekly payment will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41609/21]
View answerThe person concerned was awarded a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment with effect from 08/07/2021. Arrears of €1,005 backdated to 02/06/2021 were paid to the person concerned on 28/07/2021.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned subsequently closed his SWA claim following his return to work.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
660. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the unfair situation in which parents of children with disabilities and in receipt of a disability payment are excluded from the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and either allow parents to continue to collect the allowance or allow children in receipt of a disability payment apply for it independently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41654/21]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
To qualify for BSCFA, a person must meet a number of conditions namely:
* The child must meet the age criteria.
* The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September.
* The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.
* The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.
Parents whose children are in receipt of social protection payments in their own right, will not receive an increase in their weekly social protection payment for those children and so do not qualify for the BSCFA payment.
There are no current plans to amend the eligibility criteria for BSCFA. Any changes to the scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context and within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
Applications which are outside the terms of the BSCFA scheme will not qualify for payment under the BSCFA scheme. However, individuals who are refused a BSCFA payment may be considered for exceptional needs payments (ENP) under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the officers administering this scheme in the normal way.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
