Written Answers Nos. 365-384
365. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the 29-day sick certificate for teachers given that there appears to be confusion in relation to extended sick leave beyond the 29 days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55873/21]
View answerThe Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, which applies to teachers, is regulated by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014, SI 124 of 2014, as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, SI 384 of 2015.
The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 (Chapter 1).
The employer has a duty under Section 8 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to “ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees”. The Occupational Health Service (OHS) is in place to assist the employer in carrying out this duty. The OHS provider, contracted by my Department, is the sole recognised provider of independent medical advice for teachers and employers.
Where a teacher has been absent on Certified Sick Leave for 4 weeks (28 days) continuous or cumulative in a 12 month rolling period, they must be referred to the OHS, for the purpose of an independent medical assessment to determine their medical fitness for work. The OHS will inform the teacher’s employer of the outcome of the medical assessment regarding medical fitness for work.
Under the terms of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, a teacher who is absent from duty because of illness or injury, may be granted paid Sick Leave of:
- A maximum of 3 months (92 days) on full pay in a year
- Followed by a maximum of 3 months (91 days) on half pay
- Subject to a maximum of 6 months (183 days) paid Sick Leave in a rolling 4 year period.
366. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will address points (details supplied) regarding the exclusion of non-teachers from appointment as examination superintendents for the State examinations. [55969/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the processes of her Department regarding provision of school rulebooks to parents of children who were school students in the 1960s and 1970 specifically with regard to the 1946 rules and regulations for national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56046/21]
View answerThe ‘Rules for National Schools’ was published on 11 February 1965. With regard to the earlier publication of 1946 and arrangements for the provision of school rulebooks to parents of children at that time, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.
The rules outlined in such publications have largely been superseded by legislation and Department circulars in the intervening years.
368. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to further resourcing schools to deal with the issues of bullying, in particular online bullying. [56071/21]
View answerThere are currently extensive training and curricular supports, including through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and the Webwise Programme, to assist schools in the development of policies and practices on the safe use of the Internet and on the prevention of bullying including cyber-bullying.
The PDST and its Webwise team have developed dedicated resources for teachers, parents, children and young people which gives practical information and advice on the safe, ethical and responsible use of the Internet and addresses key issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, image sharing, respectful communication, social media, popular apps and more. The Webwise resources are available at www.webwise.ie.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 also promotes the development of digital literacy in our young people and the importance of respectful online communications. A new digital strategy is under development with planned publication early next year. Online safety will be an important feature of the new strategy.
My Department’s Inspectorate is prioritising monitoring and gathering information about the implementation of anti-bullying measures in schools across all its inspection types. As part of this work, the Inspectorate will also identify and report on examples of effective practice in relation to preventing and tacking bullying in schools. This will help provide evidence of the type of bullying that is occurring in our schools and examples of approaches that can be successful in dealing with it. An important part of the Inspectorate’s work will be a focus on the priority actions of schools in relation to promoting a positive school culture and climate.
As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced that my Department will commence a review of my Department’s 2013 Action Plan on Bullying and the 2013 Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools. This review will take account of developments and relevant research since the action plan and procedures were published in 2013 and will specifically consider areas such as cyber bullying and gender identity bullying. The review will also give detailed consideration to the recommendations contained in the Oireachtas Joint Committee Report on School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health.
369. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the energy usage and energy costs for primary and secondary schools each year since 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56105/21]
View answerEnergy usage is the responsibility of schools Board of Management. The Department does not hold this information.
370. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the reason the contract for printing exam papers for the State Examinations Commission has been given to a British company and printed outside of Ireland rather than being given to an Irish company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56151/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
371. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a case will be reviewed (details supplied); if she will provide advice on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55475/21]
View answerIn order to qualify for a payment under the terms of the Illness Benefit scheme, a person must have paid a prescribed number of reckonable PRSI contributions in the relevant tax years prior to their claim. The person concerned has been paying class S contributions, paid by those who are self employed, in the relevant tax years. Class S contributions are not considered reckonable contributions for Illness Benefit and as such the person concerned does not satisfy the conditions for a payment. The person did receive PRSI credited contributions for the duration of her claim.
The decision letter that issued to the person concerned explained the reason for the outcome of her application and also advised her regarding the option of seeking assistance under the terms of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
372. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available for those whose industries are open but remain heavily affected by Covid-19; if measures are being considered to support front-line workers who are aged over 60 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55491/21]
View answerMy Department is primarily responsible for the provision of income supports to individuals. The PUP payment was the main income support introduced for those impacted by Covid-19 which was payable to eligible workers up to age 66 years. In line with the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan the PUP is being gradually withdrawn between September 2021 and February 2022, using a tapered approach to align it with the standard jobseeker’s terms.
The Department contacts recipients in advance of their transition from PUP to advise the options available to them. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, the options could include transfer to Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit for the self-employed or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Where a person qualifies for Jobseeker’s Benefit they will automatically move to that payment. Where a person has applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed, they will retain their PUP payment until a decision is made on their application.
The range of supports for the self-employed continue to be available to those who remain in receipt of PUP. Self-employed persons exiting the PUP scheme and who are working in their business for up to 24 hours per week may apply for the Part Time Job Incentive for Self -employed. Recipients receive a payment of €128.60 per week and there is no income limit applied. The €1,000 Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant to assist self -employed people to restart their business continues to be available to the end of 2021, including to those who may have previously availed of the grant in 2020.
It addition to these supports for individuals, a range of business and sectoral supports are available across Government from the relevant departments.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.
373. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 634 of 19 October 2021, the date and content of correspondence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands; the reason the report does not have a public publication page on her Department’s website given that it appears to be accessible only as a pdf file at present; the reason the report is dated December 2020; the reason there are no recommendations to equalise current rates for young persons with standard jobseeker’s rates; the reason a report of just 20 pages required such a lengthy timeframe for compilation and consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55519/21]
View answerA copy of the Poverty Impact Assessment (PIA) relating to jobseekers rates of payment for young people was issued for the attention of the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, and the Islands on 21st July 2021. The correspondence advised that the assessment was carried out further to the requirement as set out in Part 2 Section 7 of the Social Welfare (No 2) Act 2019 and of the intention to publish the report on Gov.ie. The delay in finalisation of the report is due to the unprecedented challenges faced by the Department as a consequence of Covid-19.
A copy of the report is available on the Department's gov.ie collection page for impact assessments. This site provides context on the poverty impact assessment process and collates all such assessments in one place.
The date of the PIA is December 2020 because, although it was prepared using data from end of 2019, the arrival of the Covid-19 Pandemic has had significant economic and social impacts particularly for young people and updated information for 2020 was added to reflect this position.
The report notes that, prior to the onset of the pandemic, the overall package of measures introduced, including the age related reduced rates and activation measures, combined with the improved economy has been successful in reducing the number of young jobseekers on the live register. The research carried out by NUI Maynooth regarding unemployment durations for young people also clearly points to the position that the age related rates are a positive policy response to prevent long term welfare dependency.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
374. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount an organisation (details supplied) expended on investigations, appeals, hearings and so on since its formation; the percentage of this that has been spent on human resources and industrial relations issues in County Longford; if her attention has been drawn to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55520/21]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding and support to eight regional CIS companies, including North Leinster CIS. Each of these companies is overseen and governed by a Board of Directors.
I have therefore forwarded your correspondence to CIB for its attention and I am informed that there are current legal proceedings in place in relation to this case. CIB is therefore unable to address the matters outlined in your correspondence, while these legal proceedings are ongoing.
375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a decision on a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55541/21]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 22 September 2021. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that they were substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 October 2021 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
376. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for the publication of the cost of disability report commissioned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55544/21]
View answerMy Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits the Government to using this research to properly inform the direction of future policy.
Costs of disability are significantly wider than the income support system, which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken to this matter. There is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’, rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person with a disability. Additional costs of disability go across a number of areas of expenditure including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses.
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.
This process is now complete and I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration shortly. A decision regarding the appropriate date of publication will be made once Government has had an opportunity to consider the report fully.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to make applications for social welfare supports available online at MyWelfare.ie in a way that is friendly to those who are blind or vision impaired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55545/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is committed to making the information on all its online portals accessible to all, regardless of ability. In order to achieve this, we have designed our portals to follow guidelines set out by the W3C (the World Wide Web Consortium). The W3C WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) produces accessibility guidelines that are an internationally recognised benchmark of accessibility.
The Department is committed to inclusive design, enabling online portals, which can be used by all users including those who may have cognitive or physical impairments, such as blindness. This means that our sites, including MyWelfare.ie, can be used with assistive technologies such as screen readers or by using a keyboard for navigation, but also that the design of our sites supports cognitive and visual impairments such as dyslexia, colour blindness or those short of sight, to ensure for all users that there is a smooth journey and experience through our online portals.
In designing new services for MyWelfare.ie the Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder groups to assist in the design and testing of prototypes to help shape online services in a customer centric manner.
The Department is also aware of the new requirement for Public Body websites to meet the new WCAG 2.1 standard. Following the completion of audits of our sites, the websites’ accessibility statements will include a statement of commitment and a compliance status statement as required under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.
378. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons waiting for an appointment for a public services card, in tabular form; and the expected waiting time before they will receive an appointment. [55576/21]
View answerThe SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC), which can be used as proof of identity when accessing public services. At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process and the centralised online appointment system used to manage those interviews. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines in respect of social distancing thus ensuring a reduced footfall in our offices, to protect the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff. SAFE registrations resumed in May this year and my Department carries out an average of 1,000 PSC appointments each day, across its nationwide office network.
My Department's capacity to accommodate these interviews is lower than was the case pre-pandemic, due to the social distancing measures that are applied to protect customers and staff.
For that reason, the centralised online appointments system has not yet been resumed and requests for appointments are dealt with at a local level across the Department's network of offices. As a result, it is not currently possible to provide the data requested by the Deputy.
Urgent requests for a PSC appointment are dealt with on a local basis, however, and any person who requires a PSC should contact their local DSP office, where an appointment will be made for them at the earliest opportunity.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if flexibility can be shown over the requirement to have a public services card to renew driver licences given the lengthy waiting times for a public services card appointment; and if not, the alternative avenues available for those who are currently unable to renew their driver licence without their public services card. [55577/21]
View answerA Public Services Card (PSC) is only one of the forms of identification that are accepted by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) when a person attends an NDLS office to renew their driver's licence.
The NDLS also accept a driver's licence (Irish or UK), a Passport, a national identity card (for EU/EAA/Swiss citizens), an Irish Certificate of Naturalisation or an Irish Travel Document as proof of identity.
Alternatively, once a person has verified their identity through the in-person SAFE registration process carried out by my Department and they have been issued with a PSC, they can use their PSC to set up a verified MyGovID account.
MyGovID is a secure online identity authentication service provided by my Department , which can be used for accessing online services provided by various public bodies, including online renewal of a driver's licence. A person cannot set up a verified MyGovID account if they have not first verified their identity.
I understand online driver's licence renewal is only available to those who have a verified MyGovID account, but that is a matter for the NDLS. Any person who cannot, or does not wish to, set up a verified MyGovID account should contact the NDLS and arrange an appointment at an NDLS office to renew their licence.
Any person who requires a PSC should contact their local INTREO Centre where an appointment will be arranged for them.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55661/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the person referred to by the Deputy.
A letter issued to her on 10th November 2021 providing her with her PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
381. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children who will benefit from the extension of access to domiciliary care allowance for children in hospital from three to six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55663/21]
View answerChildren in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), who are admitted to hospital, can retain entitlement to the payment for a period of 13 weeks in any 12 months. This period will be extended to 26 weeks from January 2022.
When preparing estimates for Budget 2022, the Department estimated that the extension could benefit up to 170 children. However, as DCA is a demand led scheme, the number of children who will benefit is not capped and it will be payable in respect of any child who fulfils the conditionality.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
382. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of providing domiciliary care allowance for children that require prolonged hospitalisation in excess of 30 days from birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55664/21]
View answerChildren who are in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) and who are admitted to hospital, can retain entitlement to the payment for a period of 13 weeks in any 12 months. This period will be extended to 26 weeks from January 2022.
Children who remain in hospital after birth do not qualify for DCA as it is paid in respect of children with additional care needs who are being cared for in their own home.
Information on the number of children who remain in hospital for greater than 30 days after birth is not collated by the Department, so it is not possible to provide a costing as requested by the Deputy.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
383. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of providing domiciliary care allowance to children aged 16 and 17 years in view of the fact that children can no longer access this payment once they turn 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55665/21]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a qualified child's 16th Birthday, after which they may have an entitlement to Disability Allowance.
The number of children in receipt of DCA in the month immediately before their 16th birthday will vary each month and over time. However, as an indication of the potential cost, at December 2020 there was just under 4,000 children aged 15 in receipt of DCA. Assuming these children continue to meet the qualifying conditions for the scheme, the cost of continuing to pay them the DCA after their 16th birthday and until they reach 17 would be circa €15m euro per annum. If this payment were to continue to age 18 the additional cost would amount to around €30m. Carers support grant and Carers allowance where applicable, would also be payable and incur additional costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
384. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a PPS number for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55669/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the person referred to by the Deputy.
A letter issued to him on 10th November 2021 providing him with his PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
