Written Answers Nos. 83-102
83. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be provided with a sensory area, gross motor area, behavioural therapist, occupational therapist and a speech and language therapist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59540/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware my Department opened the school in question this year in recognition of the significant demand for special school places in the local area. The establishment and opening of the school helped to ensure that children who required a special school place could access one, with priority in admissions given to those students who did not have a special school place previously.
The ground floor areas were completely renovated to provide classrooms with associated Assisted Use WCs and Quiet Spaces, staff and admin areas and support spaces to enable the school start up in September 2021. The layout was developed by the Department in consultation with the school and is based on optimising the space available. External secure play area was also provided.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a sensory room has been provided as part of the extensive development undertaken at the school in question. My Department is currently liaising with the principal in relation to the fit out of this room.
Special schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil/teacher and SNA staffing allocations.
In general, speech and language and occupational therapy supports are provided by the HSE.
On an ongoing basis, special schools also have access to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs, including behavioural needs.
Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school is currently taking place with inputs from my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the relevant agencies including the NCSE. This school will also continue to be supported by NEPS.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the NCSE will continue to prioritise this school for support.
84. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a project (details supplied) [59541/21]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
On June 14th 2021, this project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework. The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021 and are currently being assessed by my Department's Project Manager.
The award of the building contract to the successful Contractor is anticipated in Quarter 1 of 2022. Once a Contractor has been appointed, my Department will keep the school informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
85. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that have received funding for ventilation works per county to date in 2021, in tabular form. [59542/21]
View answerManaging 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 over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The Department's guidance outlines 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 which assists in guiding their ventilation strategy.
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. 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. There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application for emergency works requires bespoke analysis.
My Department's approach on good ventilation in schools, as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus, is fully consistent with Public Health advice and the Expert Group recommendations on good practices, the use of portable CO2 monitors and the targeted deployment of HEPA air filter devices where necessary for poorly ventilated areas.
There are a number of options for schools who wish to apply for capital funding towards ventilation works in their school buildings including the Emergency Works Scheme and on a more planned basis as part of the Summer Works scheme. Ventilation works generally forms part of many capital works projects.
Under the Emergency Works Scheme a small number of applications have been received to date which specifically requested funding for work relating to ventilation issues.
To date in 2021 14 schools have applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation. Of these, 10 have been approved, one was returned to the school to review the scope of works, one is being assessed and two were found to be not ventilation related. Of these 10 approvals 4 were in Dublin, 3 in Tipperary, 2 in Cork and 1 in Kerry as set out below.
These are collated by county in the table below.
|
County |
Number of Approvals |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Dublin |
4 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
My Department remains available to assist any other schools that have ventilation issues to be addressed.
86. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the grants available outside of the capitation grant scheme that a school can access in order to fund repairs to its roof and address electrical wiring issues; if she will fund a school in Leixlip County Kildare (details supplied); if she can make provision in respect of bringing some of the school’s rooms back into use. [59547/21]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department administers a number of grants that can be used to address the issues raised.
The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings. This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and I announced the schools approved under Category 2 Roofs (Primary Schools only) and Category 6 (Toilet Refurbishment Primary and Post Primary Schools) in the final quarter of 2020.
The Emergency Works Scheme is available to all recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools to provide funding in an Emergency Situation. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The Emergency Works Scheme appears to be the correct grant funding mechanism for undertaking these works mentioned in this instance. The application form can be downloaded and uploaded when complete via the schools Esinet portal.
87. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school places that were available for the 2021-2022 academic year in south County Kildare by school; the number predicated for the 2022-2023 academic year by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59643/21]
View answer88. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 340 of 23 November 2021, the number of meetings her Department has had with secondary school patrons on the provision of secondary school places in south County Kildare over the past two years; if such meetings have taken place in 2021 year given the lack of places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59644/21]
View answer89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some parents are by-passing their nearest rural local primary school in favour of enrolling their children in larger urban centres given the lack of secondary school places in south County Kildare; her views on the way this will affect enrolment in these rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59645/21]
View answer92. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected lead time for the opening of the proposed new secondary school for the Curragh, County Kildare subsequent to the site being finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59648/21]
View answer93. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education when she expects parents and children who have received letters stating that they have not received a place for the 2022-2023 academic year to receive a place given she has stated that talks are underway with school patrons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59649/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88, 89, 92 and 93 together.
My Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country including south Kildare.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies/school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
This engagement with Patrons/school authorities 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.
Details relating to the number of secondary school places that were available for the 2021-2022 academic year in County Kildare by school is available on the website of each school. The schools website also provide details of each schools admission policy and the number of places available in the school for the 2022-23 academic year.
Department officials are currently in negotiation with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the construction of a new school for the existing Curragh post primary school. The Department will continue to work closely with Officials from Kildare County Council with a view to progressing acquisition of the site. While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, the Department is not in a position to comment further at this time. This matter is being given priority attention and my Department is attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.
90. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered and adopted a reasonable or acceptable distance for a child to travel to another secondary school given that a place may not be available to them at their local secondary school; if her Department’s modelling has considered the need for the provision of school transport for students in order to avail of such a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59646/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current 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.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance the pupil resides from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
Such requests are considered on a case by case basis following documentary evidence being submitted by the family, including but not limited to:
- The detailed steps taken to enrol the pupil in the nearest and next nearest schools.
- Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school.
- A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment.
If a family has further information in regard to the closest school being full they should contact School Transport Section of my Department. Further information in this regard is available on gov.ie/school transport.
91. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received legal challenges to the right of a child to a secondary school place from a parent or child over the past number of years; if so, the outcome of these challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59647/21]
View answerWhere a board of management make a decision to refuse admission, expel a pupil or suspend a pupil for a period of 20 or more school days in any school year, a parent/guardian, or a pupil who has reached 18 years, can appeal that decision under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. An independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee directs that the school admit the child concerned.
The decision of a section 29 appeal committee is legally binding on both parties to the appeal, and is only open to challenge by way of Judicial Review through the High Court.
In the last three years there have been 8 Judicial Reviews taken in respect of section 29 appeal outcomes in respect of secondary school places.
For three of these cases the school board of management was the applicant seeking the Judicial Review and for the other five it was the parent who sought the Judicial Review. With regard to the five cases taken by the parent, one was dismissed by the court and one was withdrawn by the parent. Two of the cases were settled before court hearing one being remitted back to the school and one remitted back to a new section 29 committee for a fresh hearing. The other proceeded to a full hearing in the High Court and the Judgement directed that the appeal be returned to a new section 29 committee for a new hearing.
Of the three taken by the school's board of management two didn't proceed to a hearing in the High Court and the third was conceded by the Department during the court hearing. Two of the appeals were granted new section 29 hearings by my Department and the other had the section 29 decision quashed as the parent no longer wished their child to attend the school in question.
94. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if her Department or ETBs have engaged in the purchase or procurement with regard to air filtration systems for schools; if so, the terms and conditions in respect of the use of such systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59668/21]
View answerManaging 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 Expert Group in its report notes “very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools ”
And that “ It must be emphasized that ventilation should be delivered as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.”
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The Expert Group also note “consider using a portable carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to identify areas of the school with inadequate ventilation. The Departments guidance outlines 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.
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.
The Expert Group also notes the potential use for air cleaners “consider using stand-alone high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter devices to further reduce airborne virus in poorly ventilated spaces”
The Departments Guidance is clear that where the recommended measures in the Practical Steps and poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. This is line with Expert Group guidance which identifies that in areas with poor ventilation that structural interventions and measures to increase natural ventilation should be completed. Where such structural interventions or measures are not possible in the short term, that consideration should be given to using stand-alone HEPA filter devices in poorly ventilated spaces pending the completion of structural interventions.
There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. If, following consultation with a supplier a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought.
The requirement for air cleaners in schools will depend on advices provided to schools by their Architect/Engineer. As part of contingency planning, the Department has put arrangements in place (including at ETB level) for a small reserve of air cleaners to facilitate quick deployment to any primary or post-primary school which has an immediate need and has been unsuccessful in sourcing locally.
In conclusion my Departments approach on good ventilation in schools, as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus, is fully consistent with Public Health advice and the Expert Group recommendations on good practices, the use of portable CO2 monitors and the targeted deployment of HEPA air filter devices where necessary for poorly ventilated areas.
95. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers in each county by primary and second level. [59669/21]
View answerThe attached tables detail the total number of teaching posts allocated for primary schools (mainstream only) and post-primary schools during the 2020/2021 academic year, broken down by county.
|
County |
Total posts 2020 2021 |
|
Carlow |
478.55 |
|
Cavan |
457.78 |
|
Clare |
691.81 |
|
Cork |
3595.96 |
|
Donegal |
1145.13 |
|
Dublin |
7284.8 |
|
Galway |
1736.23 |
|
Kerry |
949.02 |
|
Kildare |
1525.5 |
|
Kilkenny |
621.51 |
|
Laois |
489.27 |
|
Leitrim |
225.62 |
|
Limerick |
1316.67 |
|
Longford |
336.21 |
|
Louth |
996.24 |
|
Mayo |
871.24 |
|
Meath |
1228.71 |
|
Monaghan |
443.06 |
|
Offaly |
538.47 |
|
Roscommon |
341.55 |
|
Sligo |
425.3 |
|
Tipperary |
1118.25 |
|
Waterford |
743.1 |
|
Westmeath |
673.34 |
|
Wexford |
1072.43 |
|
Wicklow |
987.14 |
|
County.Description |
Total posts 2020, 2021 |
|
Carlow |
488 |
|
Cavan |
635.9 |
|
Clare |
904 |
|
Cork |
4323 |
|
Donegal |
1271.9 |
|
Dublin |
9398.5 |
|
Galway |
2136.8 |
|
Kerry |
1092 |
|
Kildare |
1787 |
|
Kilkenny |
671 |
|
Laois |
745.5 |
|
Leitrim |
245 |
|
Limerick |
1589 |
|
Longford |
389 |
|
Louth |
1084.8 |
|
Mayo |
1011.7 |
|
Meath |
1584 |
|
Monaghan |
510 |
|
Offaly |
691 |
|
Roscommon |
555.2 |
|
Sligo |
482 |
|
Tipperary |
1267 |
|
Waterford |
905 |
|
Westmeath |
744 |
|
Wexford |
1194 |
|
Wicklow |
1123.2 |
96. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education if the return to 100% capacity on school buses is to remain in place in view of the current Covid-19 situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59673/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 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.
For the 2020/21 school year, based on public health advice the Department provided for School Transport Scheme services to fully operate, but with additional measures in place including the operation of post-primary transport services at 50% capacity. Primary services operated at 100% capacity but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place.
For the 2021/22 school year, planning for school transport scheme services proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.
In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation commenced for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review. With regard to primary transport, measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating and cleaning continue to be in place also.
With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department is working with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.
97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59699/21]
View answerMy Department occupies three main campuses in Marlborough Street, Tullamore and Athlone. In addition, the Department also maintains the ESBS offices in Blanchardstown and 41 local offices throughout the country.
The table below displays the total the Department of Education has expended on electricity, gas and oil/lpg in each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021.
Please note that it is not possible to extrapolate the amount the Department expends on lighting alone. Therefore, the figures below includes all electrical usage and heating costs.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
YEAR TO DATE 2021 |
|
€463,521.87 |
€549,389.83 |
€501,659.52 |
€485,969.31 |
€420,967.10 |
98. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the steps she has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of her Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59717/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the refurbishment of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments.
No air cleaning and/or purification systems have been installed in my Department's office buildings in 2021 and there are no plans to install same in 2022.
I recognise the importance of ensuring adequate levels of ventilation of any indoor spaces either through natural (e.g. opening of windows and external doors) or mechanical means (e.g. central air-conditioning unit) if required.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors, such as those provided to schools, are being utilised in some of my Department offices as a measure to confirm adequate levels of ventilation are being met and ensure a safe working environment.
99. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce access to free travel for persons with epilepsy who due to their condition are unable to drive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59551/21]
View answerThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,012,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2021 is €95 million.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the campaign by Epilepsy Ireland. I intend to meet with representatives to discuss their proposal in detail and will ask officials in my Department to examine the matter.
However, it is really important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. Crucially as many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact across a spectrum from mild to severe, entitlement to these schemes is not provided on the basis of a simple diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned. In this way resources can be targeted to people with most need. Therefore, while a diagnosis of a particular medical condition will be required to establish if a person may be eligible for certain social welfare schemes, evidence of impact is also required before entitlement to the scheme or the related free travel scheme is established. The sole exception to this general approach is in respect of people who are blind.
It is also important to note that there are a range of disabilities and medical conditions that can prevent a person from holding a driving licence and to award a free travel pass to a person with any one of these conditions in isolation would immediately result in calls for all people who are not allowed to hold a driving licence because of their medical condition to receive the free travel pass and could result in challenges under the Equal Status Act.
While consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, uncoupling the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would move it away from being a social welfare measure to being a general transport initiative.
The Deputy will be aware that under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the decision on the appeal for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) has not yet issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59555/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 June 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 21 June 2021.
The appeal was referred on 16 August 2021 to an Appeals Officer who, after consideration of the matter, has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case in the near future. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements for the hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone.
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.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of illness benefit payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59556/21]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of Illness Benefit at a rate of €203.00 per week.
The person concerned was previously in receipt of an increase for three children on her claim, which made her weekly rate of payment €331.00. This increase was stopped from the 17th September 2021 as the person's spouse began earning over €400 per week. This meant she was no longer eligible for an increase for her children.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider changing the name of the invalidity pension given that many persons with a long-term illness or disability find this name derogatory and inappropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59599/21]
View answerInvalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical conditions and is not means tested. Increases are payable for qualified adults and children. People in receipt of invalidity pension transfer to the State Pension Contributory when they reach pensionable age. My Department spent €760 million on Invalidity Pension in 2020. This was part of an overall spend of €4.7 billion on a wide range of illness, disability and caring payments.
Although some may associate the term “pension” with older age, it is commonly associated with long-term payments throughout the European Union for the contingencies of invalidity or old age. The use of the term "Invalidity" reflects the terminology used in the relevant European Directive. The rules for the co-ordination of invalidity benefits in the EU are provided for in EC Regulation No 883/2004, invalidity benefits being a branch of social security co-ordinated under this regulation. As such the term “Invalidity Pension” is an instantly recognisable term in respect of its purpose and the risk it covers in both an EU and domestic context. Invalidity benefits/pension are generally provided where an insured person suffers incapacity for work leading to permanent invalidity.
It is also very difficult to find a term that is acceptable to everyone and that continues to be acceptable over the passage of time. However, the terminology in this case reflects accurately the purpose of the payment and is consistent with the relevant European Directive, thereby avoiding any legal ambiguity around the status of the payment.
My Department gives careful thought to the terminology used in respect of schemes and entitlements and works very closely with stakeholders to ensure that the language used is appropriate. These issues are kept under review; however, for the reasons outlined, I do not propose a change at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
