Wednesday, 1 Dec 2021

Written Answers Nos. 119-138

School Admissions

Questions (120)

Thomas Gould

Question:

120. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a lack of secondary school places in the Glanmire area of Cork. [59410/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas, including County Cork.

Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school, they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities, the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

 

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in Cork, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.  This engagement with Patrons is ongoing and is focussed on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently approved an extension to the existing Colaiste an Phairsaigh. This major project will increase capacity to a 750 pupil post-primary school. The project has been devolved to the Joint Managerial Board (JMB) for delivery. This request is currently being assessed and my Department will convey a desision to the school authority when this process has been completed.  

Pending completion of the building project, my Department has approved 3 general classrooms and a science room through the Department’s Framework of Modular Accommodation. This project is currently underway and the expected handover is early January 2022. The school has put contingency arrangements in place to make best use of existing accommodation (including accommodation currently rented) until the modular accommodation is ready to be occupied.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (121)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

121. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that parents are expressing concerns in relation to the mental health impact that the wearing of masks will have on children and the future impact it will have on society (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59416/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department has always been guided by Public Health as to the mitigation measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools.  The aim of all of the Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place for schools is to support schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among the school community. These measures protect pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.

NPHET has recommended and the Government has approved a measure introducing the wearing of face masks by children aged nine years and older in a number of settings, including for children in 3rd class and above in primary schools.  HSPC interim Guidance on the use of face coverings in childcare and educational setting has been published.

The Department has provided guidance for schools, including information on those categories of children who are exempt on medical grounds from wearing face masks. The measure is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022. Schools will be best placed to identify those children whose complex needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them, and to discuss this with parents as required. In such circumstances a school may not require medical certification to provide an exemption to the wearing of face coverings.

I am aware that this is a challenging time for pupils, teachers, other school staff and parents, and a strong focus should be kept on wellbeing and self-care during this time. The National Educational Psychological Service of the Department (NEPS) is leading on supporting the wellbeing of schools communities. The Department’s response is aligned with the HSE guidance and based on the five key principles of promoting a sense of safety, calm, connectedness, self- and community-efficacy and hope. 

My Department will continue to work in partnership with the Department of Health to ensure that the wellbeing needs of all members of the school community are met and we will continue be guided by the Department of Health and the HSE on public health measures.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (122)

Gary Gannon

Question:

122. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will address the heating issue currently facing schools by providing air filtration for schools given windows are being left open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59512/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels.

Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre last Thursday November 18th .

The Expert Group note in its own report notes “very good advice is contained in the Department of Education s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools”

The over-arching approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use.  It is worth noting that windows do not need to be open as wide in windy/colder weather in order to achieve the same level of airflow into the classroom. This will assist in managing comfort levels in classrooms during periods of colder weather.

Deployment of the above measures can be supplemented and enhanced by the use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) monitors. These monitors can provide a useful general indication that areas/  rooms may not be adequately ventilated and can enable occupants to become familiar with  the impact of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation within a room.

The guidance outlines that Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.

In excess of 35,400 monitors were delivered to schools nationwide at a cost of circa €4 million.

The Department considers the above practical steps and stepwise approach are sufficient to ensure good ventilation practices in school while at the same time ensuring an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort.

A dedicated team has been established in the Department to support schools that may have concerns about ventilation. Officers are also available to contact schools where required, walking through the steps the schools should take to deploy good ventilation practices etc.  Where it is not possible for a school to access the expertise of an engineer or architect, and where necessary, a technical assessment to assist the school can be facilitated through the Department.

Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis. 

 

Gender Recognition

Questions (123)

Steven Matthews

Question:

123. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the gender recognition certificate; if there is a timeframe for when persons aged 16 years of age and above can obtain the certificate with family support without requiring a reference from a general practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59192/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Programme for Government contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition.  My Department is engaged in progressing these actions.  These follow recommendations contained in the Report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act, which was completed in July 2018. The previous Government signalled its intention to legislate to give effect to the recommendations of the Review Group, including those relating to children.

Given the complexity of some of the issues under consideration and that any legislative changes will need  to be introduced in a sustainable and sensitive manner,  I am not in a position to commit to a legislative timeframe until work in relation to the recommendations made by the Review Group is sufficiently complete.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time. 

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (124)

Michael Creed

Question:

124. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements available for a person who has class S self-employment contributions who is medically certified as currently unavailable for work due to a work related injury; the entitlements under the social welfare code for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59293/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There is a wide range of benefits available to people who make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.  Entitlement to such benefits is dependent on the individual's social insurance contribution record, the class of social insurance paid as well as satisfying other qualification criteria relevant to the scheme being applied for. 

In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S.  Where all qualification criteria for the particular scheme are satisfied, this class of PRSI gives access to the following benefits - 

- Adoptive Benefit, 

- Guardian's Payment (Contributory),  

- Invalidity Pension,

- Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed),

- Maternity Benefit,

- Parent's Benefit,

- Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension),  

- Paternity Benefit,

- State Pension (Contributory),

- Treatment Benefit, and

- Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.

The benefits to which class S PRSI does not provide access are - 

- Carer's Benefit,

- Health and Safety Benefit, 

- Illness Benefit, and

- Occupational Injuries Benefits. 

Although self-employed people are not usually eligible for Illness Benefit, an exception was made in relation to Covid-19, primarily as a public health measure.  The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.

There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits by self-employed social insurance contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them.  In effect, self-employed contributors, in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors, have access to benefits which comprise over 90% of the value of all benefits available to employed contributors.

The Programme for Government commits to giving consideration to increasing all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund to help pay for measures and changes to be agreed including to the State pension system, improvements in short-term sick pay benefits, parental leave benefits, pay-related jobseeker's benefit and treatment benefits. 

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.  Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). 

The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (125)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

125. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if INTREO front and back office set-ups established in response to Covid-19 have been reviewed; if she will advise on when front and back office set-ups will return to normal office set-ups following the lifting of certain public health guidelines particularly in consideration of the impact that prolonged front-back INTREO office set-ups may have on client-facing services and securing appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59344/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I can confirm to the Deputy that in-person appointments continue to be available at all Intreo Centres and that all of these centres are open 5 days per week, as are our branch offices.  Offices are open for walk-in service each morning and for appointments all day to 5pm.

If a person wishes to make an in-person appointment for any of the Department's services, they can contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office and an appointment will be arranged for them.

Contact details for all our offices are available on www.gov.ie

The health and safety of members of the public and of staff in my Department is of paramount importance.  For in-person appointments, we continue to observe public health measures including the use of screens and hand sanitiser.  The duration of all in-person appointments are kept as short as practically possible and social distancing guidelines are observed at all times.    

During the Pandemic, we also enhanced and developed other means of accessing services including by telephone and online and, for most people, these have worked well.  We would encourage people to continue to use these options wherever possible. 

Many people are now using www.gov.ie to obtain information and our easy to use online portal www.MyWelfare.ie to apply for various income supports.  

We expect the high uptake of both online and in-person services to continue.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (126)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

126. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is flexibility in which a person (details supplied) has the required number of PRSI contributions but not at the necessary class for the invalidity pension given that through no fault of their own they had paid a WOPS stamp during their early years at work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59366/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim.  Only PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.  

The qualifying  PRSI contribution is laid down in social welfare legislation and  must be satisfied in order to be considered eligible for IP.    There is no scope for me to set aside these  legislative requirements.

As previously advised, a claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 23 July 2021.  She was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied.  Specifically, she does not have the required 260 contributions paid since entering social insurance. The WOPS credits on her record are not reckonable for Invalidity Pension purposes. She was notified on 27 July 2021 of the decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. Following enquires made to the Department's PRSI records section and a review of her application, the original decision to refuse her claim remained unchanged. 

The person concerned appealed the decision of the 27 July 2021 and her file was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 03 September 2021 for determination by an Appeals Officer (AO).  The SWAO upheld the Department's decision and disallowed the appeal.  Notification of the AO's decision issued to the person concerned on 23 November 2021.  The decision of the SWAO is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the AO in the light of new evidence or new facts. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (127)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

127. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time of paternity benefit applications since being introduced. [59368/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Paternity Benefit is a payment to employed and self-employed people who are on paternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). The benefit is payable at the rate of €245 per week for two weeks in total.

Since the introduction of the scheme approximately 2,200 claims have been received per month and claims have been processed on average within 6 weeks of receipt.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (128)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is obligatory for persons in receipt of social welfare payments including job seeker’s benefit to have a valid public services card issued by her Department; the reason for this rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59382/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) provides that it shall be a condition of any person’s right to benefit that they, inter alia, satisfy the Minister as to their identity.

The Act also provides (in section 247C) that a person in receipt of any social welfare benefit must satisfy the Minister as to their identity, when requested to do so. The list of benefits set out in legislation for the purpose of these provisions includes jobseeker's benefit.

The SAFE registration process is the process through which a person satisfies the Minister as to their identity.  Once their identity is verified in this way, they are issued with a Public Services Card (PSC) which can be used as proof of their identity when dealing with public service bodies.

These provisions are in place to ensure my Department establishes the identity of all persons to whom it makes a payment and helps to deter, detect, and reduce the incidence of identity fraud.

In their 2019 Report into the processing of personal data in relation to SAFE registration processing, the Data Protection Commission found that my Department has a legal basis for the processing of such data and for the issuing of a PSC for the purpose of authenticating the identity of a person claiming, presenting for or receiving a social welfare benefit. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (129)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

129. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will agree to reinstate an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in view of the changed circumstance involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59412/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The eligibility criteria for Invalidity Pension (IP) do not permit people taking up employment. However there is a Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme (PCB) which can be used by individuals in receipt of IP who wish to enter the workforce for a period of time. The person concerned was advised of the availability of PCB but opted not to apply for it at that time.

The changes to regulations referenced by the Deputy, regarding scholarship awards for PHDs apply to claimants of the Disability Allowance (DA) scheme. New regulations, effective from 1st September 2020,  exclude scholarship awards for PhD students from the means test for DA. The new disregard apply to DA recipients and their spouse/partner who have been granted a stipend towards completing a PhD (Level 10 qualification). It is subject to an annual limit of €20,000 (i.e. if a recipient gets more than one bursary the combination cannot exceed €20,000) and is available for a maximum of four years.

These changes to DA do not impact on the eligibility criteria for IP.

The issue for the applicant at this time relates to the determination of the relevant date for the current IP application. Following a review of the IP application received from the person concerned on 06 October 2021 it was decided that as the medical condition is a recurrence of the condition which commenced in 2011, the relevant date can be taken as 2011. Therefore, she continues to meet the qualifying contribution criteria. 

IP has been awarded to her with effect from 23 September 2021.  Her first payment, including arrears due from 23 September 2021, will issue to her nominated bank account on 09 December 2021. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 30 November 2021.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Childcare Services

Questions (130)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

130. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a number of childcare facilities that have closed down in County Wicklow due to reduced numbers attending pre-school; the efforts he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59148/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am aware of the current challenges facing the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare  sector caused by the ongoing pandemic. Support is available to concerned services through Case Management. My Department oversees a Case Management process through which local CCCs and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services experiencing difficulties. Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering on-the-ground case management assistance. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.

Financial supports, which may also be accessed through the Case Management process, are available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal.

Normally, financial supports are only available for community services. However, there is a COVID-19 Impact Support funding strand available in 2021, which is for both Community and Private services. The funding will be available on a rolling basis throughout 2021 for eligible ELC and SAC services that require further financial assistance in addition to current support measures available and others that may be announced throughout the year.

The CCC should be the first point of contact for any service seeking support; I would therefore urge any SAC or ELC service in difficulty to contact their local CCC as soon as possible if they have not done so already.

Youth Services

Questions (131)

Mark Ward

Question:

131. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there have been developments, additional supports or funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) following the publication of a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59155/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department has worked extensively with the Board of the organisation referred to by the Deputy to progress a number of important actions in response to findings of poor safeguarding policies and practice in the organisation in the past. The publication of the report referred to by the Deputy was one part of that process. The actions included:

- a governance and safeguarding review conducted by former Senator, Jillian Van Turnhout, completed in 2018;

- a follow up report on the progress following that review conducted by Brigid McManus, former Secretary General, completed in 2020;

- the introduction of an ongoing requirement for regular updates on governance and safeguarding reforms.

- the commissioning of Ian Elliott, a child protection expert, to carry out a learning review into historical sexual abuse, which was published in May 2020.

- an audit carried out by Mr Elliott in February of this year noteng the ‘positive and impressive’ progress made by the organisation. 

The organisation has adopted revised safeguarding policies in consultation with Tusla. Tusla has expressed its satisfaction with progress made in relation to safeguarding, and relevant training is being provided throughout the organisation. 

On the basis of this positive feedback from independent governance and safeguarding experts and Tusla, and my Department’s ongoing engagement, I am satisfied with the progress and structures now in place.  Safeguarding is now a strong focus and priority for the organisation.  In this context, I was able to continue normal levels of funding in 2021 and I provided €75,000 in extra funding in recognition of the need for additional resources in the national office. 

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (132)

Noel Grealish

Question:

132. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the name and professional position that is, secretary general, principal officer and so on, of those members of the interdepartmental committee involved in the preparation of the Mother and Baby Home redress package; the basis of the exclusion of children less than six months in such institutions; if any form of acknowledgment, State apology and redress will be offered to the boarded out children; if he plans to make a statement on the plight of such former children who are now elderly survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59166/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

An Interdepartmenal Group (IDG) was tasked by Government with developing detailed proposals for a payment scheme for former residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government, having considered the proposals put forward by the IDG, have approved details of a Scheme called the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.  

The full membership of the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) is available as Appendix C to the IDG Report, which has been published on my Department’s website. The names and grades of the IDG members are as follows:

- Fergal Lynch (Chair), Secretary General, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

- Laura McGarrigle, Assistant Secretary, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

- Caitríona O’Connor, Principal Officer, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

- James Gibbs, Principal Officer, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

- Janet Lacey, Principal Officer, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

- Niamh Callaghan, Principal Officer, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

- Fionnuala Bourke, Assistant Principal, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

- Brenda Boylan, Principal Officer, Department of the Taoiseach.

- Pamela Carter, Principal Officer, Department of Health. Replaced by Catherine Bannon, Principal Officer, Department of Health.

- Valerie Hughes, Assistant Principal, Department of Health. Replaced by Angela Noonan, Assistant Principal, Department of Health.

- Teresa Fitzgibbon, Assistant Principal, Department of Education.

- Hugh Geoghegan, Assistant Principal, Department of Education.

- Christine O’Rourke, Advisory Counsel, Grade 1, Office of the Attorney General (alternate: Diarmuid Cunniffe, Advisory Counsel).

- Ben Mannering, Senior Claims Manager, State Claims Agency.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, as Action 20, sits as one element of the entire package of redress measures and supports set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. This Action Plan is fully inclusive and responds to the diverse needs of all of those who are affected by the complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions.

In providing an overall response grounded in a wide variety of differing needs, the Government considered what would be the most effective remedy for all survivors of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. For children who spent short periods of time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, the overwhelming priority need which has been expressed is access to birth information and records. A lack of information about their origins is deeply troubling to many survivors and the remedy to address this is making sure that they have access to this information. Therefore, I have prioritised work on legislation that is going to achieve that aim, in the form of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill.

In the case of children who were boarded out, the State Apology delivered by the Taoiseach in January of this year includes the following acknowledgement:

"Children born outside of marriage were stigmatised and were treated as outcasts in school and wider society.  Some children who were subsequently boarded-out experienced heartbreaking exploitation, neglect and abuse within the families and communities in which they were placed.  This was unforgiveable.  The sense of abandonment felt by many of these children is palpable in the witness accounts.  The circumstances of their birth, the arrangements for their early care, the stigma they experienced and the continuing lack of birth information, is a terrible burden in their lives."    

The proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme are designed to be non-adversarial and will not require applicants to bring forward evidence of abuse or harm suffered. The  Scheme will consist of a general payment rising based on time spent in one of the institutions, so that those who suffered most from the harsh institutional conditions will receive the highest level of payment. Children were boarded out in a range of circumstances, in some instances from their own home when a family no longer had the means to care for them and from institutions other than a Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions. In addition, the abuses suffered were not experienced by all people who were boarded out as children and, so, could only be fully considered on a case by case basis.  The payment approach in this Scheme does not cater for such individualised assessments. However, if a person was boarded out as a child and also spent time in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution, they may be eligible for the Scheme in respect of the time spent in one of these institutions.

Other aspects of the Government’s Action Plan that provides support and assistance to those who were boarded out as children, include:

- Access to birth and early life information as part of the Birth Information and Tracing Legislation which is being advanced.

- Inclusion in the memorialisation initiatives being developed which will afford an opportunity for people to tell their story.

- The provision of an ex-gratia payment to reimburse anyone who was boarded out and had to pay inheritance taxes for farms which they inherited from their foster parents.

Furthermore, I intend to make arrangements for the provision of access to dedicated counselling supports through Tusla to those who were boarded out as children.

Family Resource Centres

Questions (133)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

133. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase core funding for family resource centres; if funding can be increased by a centre (details supplied) in County Galway to allow it to recruit a third-staff member given the complex needs of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59404/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme and since 2019, an additional €1.5m has been provided in funding. Funding for 2021 will amount to €18 million. Additional funds have been provided to FRCs by Tusla with approximately €650k through the Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 2021 and as part of supports to the C&V sector to meet challenges arising from Covid-19.

As Tusla administers the FRC Programme, I have asked Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly regarding the funding of this particular service.

Direct Provision System

Questions (134)

Gary Gannon

Question:

134. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department holds responsibility for the daily expenses allowance. [59513/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Department of Social Protection is responsible for the daily expenses allowance.  Any queries in this regard should be referred to the Minister for Social Protection. 

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (135)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is planned to introduce health regulations in relation to the holding of in-person third-level examinations between the end of November and Christmas 2021 in view of the risk that they might become super-spreader events and cause Covid-19 to be reintroduced by students returning home for Christmas to households throughout the country including parents, vulnerable family members and grandparents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59380/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Education is an essential service and the Government has agreed that it can continue on-site, in line with Safe Return Plan published in June. The Safe Return Plan and the most recent guidance on the current approach advocate and support contingency planning to ensure that institutions remain flexible and adaptable in response to changes in the public health environment.

The Department does not determine sector specific matters at this level and there is no intention to introduce a specific regulation in relation to the holding of in-person examinations in response to COVID 19. However, in order to attenuate concerns and to ascertain planning in relation to the management of terminal examinations, the Minister recently met with management, staff and student representatives and the issue was discussed.

Due to the diversity of our higher education institutions, and the broad range of activities they undertake and the different contexts and requirements applicable to examinations, it was agreed that a uniform or one size fits all approach would not be appropriate across the whole of higher education or indeed the tertiary sector more generally.

In line with the approach taken to date which is based on the premise of institutional discretion and is facilitated by the Safe Return Plan, it was also agreed that the basic principle of risk assessment and the application of appropriate precautionary measures which has enabled and supported the safe return to onsite activities would also apply in this instance.

Management bodies confirmed that they are actively looking at a range of approaches to ensure that end of term examinations will be safe, and that the requirements of students who may have Covid-19 or underlying health conditions can be addressed. It was also pointed out that there are some examinations – such as those related to external accreditation - which are challenging to change to an online format at short notice.

The outcome of the meeting was that individual higher education institutions will assess the appropriate approach to examinations consistent with the outcome of their risk assessments of appropriate approach taking into account the significant contextual factors that arise in different instances. Consistent with the successful operation of the Safe Return Plan, timely engagement and communications with their stakeholders will be essential and all higher education institutions have been encouraged to continue to engage with their students on their arrangements for the end of semester exams.

In all instances public health must remain a priority and I know that there will be a continuing focus on the evolving and often quickly changing public health situation overall.

Education and Training Boards

Questions (136, 137, 138, 139, 140)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a project (details supplied) and the fact that an arts programme is now at risk with the recruitment process happening for a new manager and community education facilitator for the centre with no mention of the arts programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59495/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

137. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the job description for the community education facilitator position to manage a centre (details supplied) was advertised without mention of one of the central parts of that person’s and the centre’s work, namely the performing arts programme including the theatre; and the reason no mention was made of the need for it being desirable for an applicant for the post to have appropriate skills in the arts. [59497/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

138. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a job description for the community education facilitator position to manage a centre (details supplied) was advertised without taking into account one of the key aspects of the region, the adjacent Gaeltacht region and therefore the need for an applicant for the position to have proficiency in Gaeilge to enable them to communicate with and deliver for the Gaeltacht community. [59499/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

139. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Chiarraí has advertised for a manager and facilitator for a centre (details supplied) without specifying that the person appointed would have any responsibility for ensuring an arts programme is provided as set down when the funding of his Department was used to restore the old school in 2006, including the provision of a 99-seat theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59501/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the advertisement for a manager and community education facilitator for a centre (details supplied) left ealaíona pobail nó as Béarla community arts out of the title of the centre; if it was, deliberate as a sign of what is to come; if not, if it was in error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59503/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Niall Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 138, 139 and 140 together.

Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) in relation to this matter and have been informed of the following:

The manager appointed will have responsibility for managing all programmes and activities in the Centre which ‘shall be used exclusively and maintained solely as a centre for arts and for promoting general educational economic and current affairs’ as outlined in the grant agreement with the Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) of 2008. As the fields of learning for Further Education and Training includes the fine arts, performing arts etc. and given that the recruitment process is competency based, which includes management and specialist knowledge competencies, further specifying the need for the applicant to have appropriate skills in the arts was not required and thus not included. The advertisement for a Community Education Facilitator to manage the Centre was based on the template advert used by KETB for these positions.

With regard to the names of the KETB FET Campuses and Centres, these were standardized in 2020 and the five Outreach Centres were named as ‘Further Education and Training (FET) Centres’. The non-inclusion of community arts should not be interpreted as a dilution or diminution of the commitment of KETB to the provision of community arts in the Centre. Tech Amergin FET Centre has been identified to continue to be a Centre of Excellence in the Arts.

Indeed, KETB remains fully committed to the continuation and expansion of the arts programmes in the Centre. The Centre has excellent facilities built using funding of around €1million from DTCAGSM in 2008 and that as part of this funding contract, with the then Kerry Education Service, KETB is fully supportive of the full utilization of these facilities for training and education in the arts and provision of the performing arts.

Finally in relation to proficiency in Gaeilge, the Kerry ETB Scéim Teanga 2020-2023 sets out the designate Irish Language Posts for KETB. The Scéim Teanga was approved by the DTCAGSM in 2020. The Tech Amergin manager position is not a designated Irish language post in the Scéim Teanga. Proficiency in Gaeilge is not a requirement for this post. However, KETB remains committed to providing services to the Gaeltacht community as Gaeilge as required.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 136.

Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 136.