Written Answers Nos. 306-325
306. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the number of those eligible for school transport applicants that had or have not yet secured a place on a bus due to late payment of fees by county and month from September 2021 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49743/21]
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.
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.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition, all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
Bus Éireann has provided the information the Deputy requires in the two tables which are attached - details of mainstream eligible pupils who paid late where no ticket has been issued and mainstream eligible pupils who paid late where a ticket has been issued.
Mainstream Eligible Paid Late by County & Month Where No Ticket has been issued – 2021/22 School Year
|
County |
August |
September |
October |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
11 |
3 |
0 |
14 |
|
Cavan |
54 |
13 |
2 |
69 |
|
Clare |
12 |
12 |
2 |
26 |
|
Cork |
82 |
29 |
5 |
116 |
|
Donegal |
80 |
51 |
4 |
135 |
|
Dublin |
12 |
22 |
5 |
39 |
|
Galway |
164 |
43 |
3 |
210 |
|
Kerry |
58 |
12 |
3 |
73 |
|
Kildare |
36 |
16 |
2 |
54 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Laois |
12 |
3 |
0 |
15 |
|
Leitrim |
12 |
19 |
0 |
31 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
5 |
2 |
9 |
|
Longford |
22 |
7 |
0 |
29 |
|
Louth |
43 |
20 |
2 |
65 |
|
Mayo |
41 |
15 |
3 |
59 |
|
Meath |
36 |
22 |
4 |
62 |
|
Monaghan |
28 |
10 |
0 |
38 |
|
Offaly |
21 |
1 |
0 |
22 |
|
Roscommon |
15 |
4 |
2 |
21 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
13 |
0 |
32 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
12 |
2 |
25 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
7 |
1 |
17 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
28 |
8 |
2 |
38 |
|
Grand Total |
813 |
348 |
50 |
1211 |
Mainstream Eligible Paid Late by County & Month Where a Ticket Has Been Issued – 2021/22 School Year
|
County |
August |
September |
October |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
75 |
10 |
1 |
86 |
|
Cavan |
78 |
25 |
2 |
105 |
|
Clare |
94 |
22 |
1 |
117 |
|
Cork |
210 |
65 |
8 |
283 |
|
Donegal |
339 |
151 |
54 |
544 |
|
Dublin |
69 |
21 |
0 |
90 |
|
Galway |
193 |
63 |
17 |
273 |
|
Kerry |
173 |
42 |
2 |
217 |
|
Kildare |
83 |
41 |
4 |
128 |
|
Kilkenny |
96 |
38 |
4 |
138 |
|
Laois |
40 |
7 |
0 |
47 |
|
Leitrim |
41 |
14 |
0 |
55 |
|
Limerick |
169 |
66 |
1 |
236 |
|
Longford |
34 |
16 |
1 |
51 |
|
Louth |
91 |
35 |
1 |
127 |
|
Mayo |
163 |
75 |
0 |
238 |
|
Meath |
60 |
37 |
1 |
98 |
|
Monaghan |
87 |
26 |
0 |
113 |
|
Offaly |
46 |
18 |
0 |
64 |
|
Roscommon |
33 |
11 |
3 |
47 |
|
Sligo |
50 |
21 |
0 |
71 |
|
Tipperary |
187 |
42 |
4 |
233 |
|
Waterford |
91 |
36 |
0 |
127 |
|
Westmeath |
49 |
30 |
0 |
79 |
|
Wexford |
193 |
99 |
5 |
297 |
|
Wicklow |
43 |
31 |
3 |
77 |
|
Grand Total |
2787 |
1042 |
112 |
3941 |
307. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with works at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the schedule of works to deliver this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49778/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved funding to the patron of the school in question to undertake refurbishment works in the property to facilitate the school's access to additional specialist accommodation for the current school year. This accommodation includes science, woodwork and home economics rooms. The delivery of the project has been devolved to the patron for delivery. The patron has advised my Department that a consultant has been procured to oversee this project with the scope of works agreed and the patron is currently in the process of obtaining quotes to carry out the works and determine the schedule.
My Department has also given approval to the Patron to appoint a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the proposed property to meet the school's permanent accommodation needs. This Study, when available, will be used as a basis for determining the necessary refurbishment works required to the property in the long term.
308. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when a tablet device that was agreed to be supplied to a child (details supplied) will be delivered to their school. [49789/21]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Officers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
The NCSE has not received an application for Assistive Technology from the school in respect of this pupil. Accordingly, I suggest that the parent contacts the school with regard to the kind of supports required by the child in question. The local SENO will also be in position to advise in this regard.
309. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) has been unable to begin their long-awaited education in a specialised setting despite the school being open and functioning for other students; if her attention has been drawn to the negative effects this uncertainty has on the person and their family; and if she can provide a starting date in order that this person can obtain their education. [49799/21]
View answerMy Department is in ongoing contact with the management of this new school regarding the phased transition of the students to the school, now that the building works have been completed.
Very significant progress has been made in establishing this new school, recruitment of teachers and SNAs and reaching out to parents of the children enrolled.
I am very pleased that the first group of students have attended for over a week now. The next group are due to attend from 14 October next, with all remaining students expected to transition to the new school over the coming weeks.
As the Principal and staff have taken up their new appointments, they have been working with and are supported by the Department’s Inspectorate, the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychological Service on their own training plan and the transition planning required for the individual students.
The school authorities have been very anxious to ensure clear and consistent communication with parents around the transition process and I can reassure the Deputy that the Principal is in ongoing contact with each of the families involved.
310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that payslips relating to remuneration for the summer programme are no longer annotated as autistic programme and that a more accurate and suitable annotation is used instead. [49863/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the extended Summer Education Programme, which was in place until 2020, and which was often referred to as the July Provision programme, initially provided for pupils who had Autism, or who had severe and profound learning difficulties.
Since the summer of 2020, and again in 2021, the Department has made provision for a significantly expanded summer education programme, for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure.
Due to an administrative error this term was incorrectly referenced on payslips.
I have received assurances that this inappropriate description will not be used on future payslips, and that it will be amended.
I also wish to re-emphasise my commitment to supporting children with special educational needs, or additional learning needs, and their families, particularly at this difficult time.
€40 Million has been allocated for this year’s enhanced summer education programme, while €10 Million has also been spent this year on a Supplementary Education scheme, which provided extra teaching support for pupils with complex special educational needs.
A COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) is also being put in place to help schools mitigate the adverse impacts of Covid-19 on pupil/student learning loss and wellbeing arising from the periods of school closures in 2020 and 2021.
Under the Covid Learning and Support programme, provision is being made for up to €52 Million in extra teaching hours for schools.
When combined with the additional provision now being made for the COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS), this will bring the total package of support for enhanced educational programmes this year to over €100 Million
311. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason the journey time of a person (details supplied) to school is taking so long; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49882/21]
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.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school 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 (SENO).
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 34.4 km from home to school and is currently availing of transport on an existing SEN service.
School Transport Section of my Department will liaise further with Bus Éireann in relation to the travel times for the pupil to which the Deputy refers with a view to ensuring that a reasonable level of service is provided. Bus Éireann will be in contact directly with the family in this regard.
312. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49091/21]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension (IP) under EU regulations with effect from 29 April 2021. Invalidity pension is paid by electronic fund transfer to persons who reside outside the State and it is paid every four weeks; one week in advance and three weeks in arrears. The person concerned will receive her first IP payment to her nominated bank account on 21 October 2021 and will shortly thereafter receive arrears due covering the period from 29 April 2021 to 06 October 2021. Notification of the decision issued to her on 06 October 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
313. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for parents seeking PPS numbers for newly registered births; her plans to address any delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49106/21]
View answerI have asked the General Register Office to enquire with the HSE the current national average time to register a birth. The HSE has indicated that it currently taking on average of 7 weeks in the Eastern Region to complete the registration process. Other registration areas do not have a backlog of registrations to process. The Deputy should note that this seven week period includes the time taken by the parents to submit the relevant paperwork and to attend to register the birth at a local civil registration office.
The Personal Public Service Number, or PPSN, is automatically allocated by the Department of Social Protection no earlier that the day after the birth registration. There are no delays in allocating a PPSN where the birth has been registered. A Child Benefit claim is automatically activated in respect of that child and any arrears due are included in the first payment. Where a parent is in receipt of a qualify child payment in respect of other children in the family, the relevant payment is adjusted to take account of the newly registered child.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
314. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans due to delays experienced by parents trying to register their child’s birth resulting in a delay in accessing child benefit to assist families in need of child benefit; her plans to specifically target migrant and vulnerable parents in need of child benefit and other social welfare payments while waiting for birth registration to come through; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49107/21]
View answerChild benefit is the principal way the State assists families with the costs of raising children. It is paid in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years, or to the age of 18 in respect of children who are in full-time education or who have a disability. It was paid to 633,270 families in respect of 1.2 million children last month.
The Department invites child benefit applications by contacting the parents of new born children, following receipt of a notification of a birth registration from the General Registrars Office (GRO) or auto processes the payment for the new baby where child benefit is already in payment to the family.
Civil registration offices are fully operational following the HSE cyberattack earlier this year and arere-opening to allow parents to attend to register a birth, with some offices offering an appointment-based service. I understand that the HSE is working to address any residual backlogs that arose as a result of the cyberattack.
Regular updates on the birth registration issue are provided to all customer service teams, while the processing of the delayed birth registrations are prioritised by the Department as soon as they are received. Any arrears of payments due on claims are included with the first payment of Child Benefit.
My Department provides a number of supports which are available to migrant and vulnerable parents. The Daily Expenses Allowance is payable to all international protection seekers who reside in direct provision accommodation. It is payable at the rate of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child.
Parents that have a right to access the labour market and are working, may establish entitlement to certain Social Welfare payments such as Jobseekers Benefit and Illness Benefit. People in that position who lost their work due to the pandemic will have received the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Parents may also qualify for Urgent Needs or Exceptional Needs Payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a recipient of disability allowance who is not married, a civil partner or a cohabiting with another person and is registered with an electricity or gas utility as a consumer qualifies for the household benefits package regardless of the status or income of other members of their household including their parents living in that household; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49131/21]
View answerThe household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €265 million this year on HHB for over 480,000 customers. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test.
The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. Disability Allowance is one of these qualifying payments.
Qualification for the HHB package can only be determined following the submission of an application form to my Department.
In Budget 2020, it was announced that for HHB applicants aged under 70 who are on a qualifying payment, another adult ( except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) living in the household will no longer be a disqualifying condition for the purposes of the Household Benefits Package. Therefore, the status and income of the members of a household (except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) including their parents living in that household does not prevent a HHB applicant from receiving the package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
316. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the total contributions approach for calculating the State pension (contributory) to those who have not accumulated PRSI contributions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49169/21]
View answerUnder current eligibility conditions, applicants must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). This equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment over a person’s working life. It should be noted that having a minimum of 520 full-rate contributions does not automatically entitle an applicant to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). It is the qualifying threshold that must be satisfied so that an applicant’s pension entitlement can be calculated, based on their individual circumstances.
The interim Total Contributions Approach introduced in January 2018 did not alter the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) set out in social welfare legislation.
Individual pension entitlement depends on factors such as a person’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce and their countries of employment. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life. They may also have the option of applying to be a voluntary contributor.
Under European Union regulations, the insurance records of other Member States can be combined with an applicant’s Irish contribution record to determine entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension.
For those who do not qualify for the State Pension (contributory), or qualify for a reduced rate of pension, the State pension (non-contributory) is an alternative means-tested, residency-based payment for persons of pension age. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
317. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the rules relating to a course (details supplied) in Ulster University, Coleraine, County Derry; if it qualifies as acceptable for the back to education allowance when there is a clear exit off the course with different levels of award at level 7, 8 or 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49184/21]
View answerThe back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) provides support to people with a second chance education opportunity that will improve their prospects of securing employment. It enables eligible people to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions. BTEA is paid in respect of eligible courses commencing in colleges in Ireland and in Northern Ireland. The Government has provided funding of €96.5 million for BTEA in 2021, representing a significant commitment and investment.
The BTEA is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system or to provide a basis for a long-duration participation in extended education. A masters degree is not generally supported under the scheme other than in very limited circumstances. BTEA is not payable in respect of the masters degree course referred to by the Deputy.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.
I trust this clarifies the position.
318. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider that all persons aged 70 and over qualify for the fuel allowance to reflect the increased cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49188/21]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the household benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €195 million in 2021. Household benefit applicants aged 70 or over do not have to satisfy the household composition criteria or undergo a means test.
The fuel allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. Allowing all persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments regardless of means or household composition to receive the fuel allowance would also fundamentally change the nature of the scheme and add significantly to its cost.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance in this manner would require considerable extra funding for the fuel allowance scheme and would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context.
This year funds raised through the carbon tax will again support targeted social welfare and other initiatives to alleviate fuel poverty and ensure a just transition. In this regard, the Government will continue to consider how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
319. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's benefit review will be processed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49210/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 August 2021. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.
These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 5 October 2021. The case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s payment application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if the decision can be reviewed and or appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49220/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that no appeal by the person concerned has been received by that office. On foot of the Deputy's question an appeal form was forwarded to the person concerned on 6 October 2021 by the Appeals Office requesting them to state the grounds on which they are seeking an appeal of the Deciding Officer's decision. Should a reply be received, the appeal will be registered and processed in the normal manner. The person concerned also has a right to request the Department to review the decision of the Deciding Officer.
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.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of her Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49261/21]
View answerMy Department has the following capital allocation under the NDP:
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
€16m |
€16m |
€16m |
€16m |
€17m |
The primary focus of this expenditure will be on continual investment in projects to modernise the Department’s business systems and Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to replace older, less energy efficient hardware. This involves the continued migration of business functionality to the Department’s strategic ICT platform and the development of a digital service platform. It also includes continued investment in the efficiency of data-centres, physical ICT infrastructure, security systems and ensuring that the complex ICT environment remains fit for purpose, secure and more energy efficient.
While the Office of Public Works has the principal responsibility for the provision and maintenance of office accommodation, my Department has a small capital allocation for elective works, including works to facilitate changing business requirements, consolidation of staff in existing buildings, refurbishments related to health and safety, improving disability access, and climate action works such as LED lighting.
The refurbishment of Áras Mhic Dhiarmada will be a significant capital project for my Department. While it is mentioned in the National Development Plan, no funding for this project has been allocated in the period 2021-2025. The OPW has prepared a preliminary report on the work required with a view to work commencing after 2025.
322. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if increasing the rate of domiciliary care allowance has been considered with regard to the cost of disability and the cost of parenting older children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49339/21]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child with a severe disability. In August 2021, there were 45,000 recipients of the payment in respect of 50,000 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2021 is €197m.
My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability. In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, the Government will use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to inform the direction of future policy.
The report has been received and my Department is considering it in detail. As part of this consideration, the Department has been briefing and seeking the views of relevant Government departments which have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and supports. As this matter is significantly wider than the income support system, a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Once this process is complete, I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration.
Measures have been introduced over the last number of budgets in acknowledgement of the higher costs faced by families with older children. For example, in 2019 a new, higher rate of increase for a qualified child was introduced in recognition of these additional costs. In addition, over the last two budgets, the rate of payment in respect of dependent children has been increased by €4 for children aged under 12, and €8 for those aged 12 and over.
Any changes to the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
323. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to include recipients of the part-time job incentive scheme reflecting the fact that recipients will have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for 15 months before moving to the part-time job incentive scheme and are restricted in the hours they can work whilst on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49349/21]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Qualifying payments for fuel allowance are those payments that are considered long term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means test.
The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI) is a scheme which allows persons who are long-term unemployed to take up part-time employment for less than 24 hours per week and receive a special weekly income supplement. PTJI is awarded for one year only but may be extended for up to 12 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Participants get a fixed weekly allowance which is paid regardless of how much a person earns and therefore it is not a means tested scheme
While a person on the PTJI scheme may only work up to 24 hours per week to receive their weekly supplement, one of the conditions for participating on the scheme is that a participant must be genuinely seeking work and available for full-time work while they are on PTJI so they should not refuse additional employment if available to them.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance to include people participating on the PTJI Scheme would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
324. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered a pre-budget submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49390/21]
View answerAs part of the annual budgetary process, my Department invites pre-Budget submissions from representative bodies. As well as giving consideration to the submissions received, my Department hosts an annual Pre-Budget Forum attended by representative bodies from the community and voluntary sector. This year’s Pre-Budget Forum, held in Dublin Castle in July, was an opportunity for me to meet with groups, including carer representative groups, to gain a deeper insight into the issues they are most concerned about in the context of the Budget.
In addition to the Pre-Budget Forum, and as part of its commitments under the National Carers Strategy, my Department also hosted the Annual Carers Forum on 17 June.
I am very grateful for the time and effort taken by Family Carers Ireland and every other organization in making pre-Budget submissions this year. I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the key role that family carers play in our society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
325. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the provision that her Department made for redundancy payments accruing from postponed redundancies from 2020 and to date in 2021; and the estimated number of persons that will apply for this facility. [49418/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Section 12A of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 was introduced as a COVID related emergency provision in March 2020. It suspended an employee’s right to claim redundancy from their employer following certain periods of layoff and short-time work. During periods of COVID related public health restrictions and sectoral shut downs, Government was concerned that the financial impact of significant redundancy claims on employers would have a serious impact on the potential for businesses to recover post COVID, resulting in insolvency situations and exacerbating the risk of further permanent job losses. With the successful roll-out of the vaccination programme, the public health situation has improved and with the economy re-opening, the emergency provision was considered no longer necessary. This provision expired on 30th September 2021.
In situations where employers are genuinely unable to meet their financial obligations to pay statutory redundancy to their employees due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State can fund statutory redundancy payments under the redundancy payments scheme from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) on their behalf on an interim basis. The employee entitlements are paid from the SIF and a debt is raised against the employer. In order to support employers, a flexible and discretionary approach is taken in relation to recovery of the redundancy debt over a phased basis.
The estimate of SIF expenditure for the redundancy payments scheme included in the Revised Estimate for 2021 was €43.3m. This was based on an expected earlier economic reopening in 2021 than actually transpired. At this time, it is difficult to estimate how many redundancies in the economy are likely following the expiry of Section 12a at the end of September. This will largely depend on the level and pace of economic recovery. Many people have returned to employment as the economy re-opened over the summer. For example, the number of people on the PUP has fallen to just over 101,000 in the first week of October, its lowest level to date. While many sectors are rebounding relatively quickly once restrictions are lifted, redundancies in some businesses will regrettably arise. However, with 2021 expenditure to date on redundancy running at €15m, it is not anticipated that the full provision for this year will be required. It will be later in the year and into 2022 before the impact of lifting of Section 12A in terms of the number of redundancies and its implications for SIF expenditure will become apparent.
