Written Answers Nos. 79-93
81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 485 of 2 November 2021, the reason an official reply has not regarded the issue of a lack of substitute teachers in County Wicklow and across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60710/21]
View answer82. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of teacher absences that qualify for substitution that were recorded on the online claims system since the start of the 2021 school year; the number of substitute teachers that were recorded against those absences; the number of substitute teachers that were fully qualified by county and by primary and secondary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60711/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.
In response to the question recently raised by you, regarding the number of teacher absences that qualify for substitution and that were recorded on the online claims system, I had responded to advise you that the information requested was not readily available, but that the information would be compiled and forwarded directly to you.
I had also advised that as the amount of information requested was extensive, and was required to be collated from a number of information sources, that this process would be likely to take some time to complete.
I can advise you that a response in relation to this matter is currently being prepared and will be issued directly to you in the coming days.
84. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected to give clarity to third year and sixth year students as to the type of State exam structure that will be in place for the June 2022 exams given that they are facing the pre-exams in early spring and it is of concern to students, parents and teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60873/21]
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.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an invalidity pension application in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60580/21]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 07 October 2021. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 December 2021. Any arrears due from 07 October 2021 to 15 December 2021 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 03 December 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
86. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding pension entitlements (details supplied). [60581/21]
View answerThe number of state pension non-contributory recipients at the end of 2020 was 95,465. However, based on the latest complete year of PRSI contribution data, 2019, there were 94,854 recipients, 4,888 of whom made a paid PRSI contribution in 2019, of which:
- 30 made self-employed class contributions
- 4,858 made non-self-employed class contributions
- 10 made both self-employed and non-self-employed class contributions.
The Department can not provide summary information on state pension non-contributory recipients holding occupational pensions as its systems do not differentiate between different types of private pension.
In determining the eligibility of a state pension non-contributory applicant, the first €30 per week of assessed means, from any source, including self-employment, is disregarded. In addition, a weekly earnings disregard from insurable employment (as an employee) of up to €200 per week applies. This disregard is intended to facilitate non-contributory pensioners who wish to continue working, or to re-enter the workforce. Apart from providing an incentive to take up employment, this approach recognises that persons in employment incur additional expenses such as travelling expenses, clothing and so forth, consequent to the employment.
The rules applying to state pension non-contributory do not prohibit individuals from engaging in any form of self-employment; it is the means available from the profit from such self-employment (after allowing for authorised expenses) which determines the rate of pension payable, if any.
The means assessment for the state pension non-contributory allows for "any expenses necessarily incurred in carrying on any form of self-employment” to be disregarded. There is no exhaustive list of all allowable expenses in self-employed cases, since expenses vary with the nature and extent of the self-employment. This means that earnings from self-employment are assessed net of expenses incurred by the person concerned in the course of their work; for example, on petrol/diesel, purchase of equipment and raw materials and so forth.
Any changes to the means testing criteria for state pension non-contributory would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
87. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension claim by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60607/21]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 16 September 2021. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 16 December 2021. Any arrears due from 16 September 2021 to 15 December 2021 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 07 December 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 30 November 2021, the date on which she and or her predecessors and or her officials received a document (details supplied). [60617/21]
View answerThe document specifically titled Insurance Company Data protection.pdf, which contains redacted data and is 17 pages in total, was received by officials in my Department by email on 27th February 2019.
That email dated 27th February 2019 was sent to a solicitor acting for an unnamed third party and copied to officials in my Department.
89. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment, jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit payments will revert to collection in post offices; if so, when this is expected to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60877/21]
View answerThis Government continues to be committed to maintaining the post office network and for An Post to remain in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. My Department’s support for An Post is equally apparent. We are in the process of renewing the contract for cash payment services with the company for another year. The current agreement allows me, as Minister, to extend the term of the contract on an annual basis up to the end of 2025.
The introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), and the need to ensure payments quickly reached the hundreds of thousands of people who lost their employment as a direct result of public health restrictions, necessitated paying the majority of applicants by direct fund transfer into their bank account (EFT). This has been acknowledged by many stakeholders, groups and individual customers.
When the Government had to introduce public health restrictions in 2020, all those in receipt of Jobseeker payments were given the option of being paid by EFT. Only where jobseekers requested a change of payment method was their payment changed from the post office to EFT. My Department did not recommend a change of payment method nor actively promote such a change among Jobseekers. The process was driven by customer choice.
This change in payment method also reflects a wider societal shift away from cash and is reflective of a natural year-on-year reduction of post office payments on all Departmental schemes. It should also be noted that one in every five Jobseeker payments were paid via EFT prior to the pandemic.
As the country emerges from the worst of the pandemic and PUP scheme recipients are gradually migrating over to Jobseekers’ payments, my officials are reviewing the Department’s payment policy.
I am very conscious that a balance needs to be struck between the requirement to ensure that appropriate financial controls are in place while also considering the views of Social Welfare customers regarding their payment method choice.
90. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres that have invoiced his Department for the purchase of period products since March 2021; and if free period products are readily available at all direct provision centres. [60604/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that period products are provided free of charge in all of my Department’s accommodation centres.
As part of the initiative to prevent period poverty and promote gender equality, since 15 March 2021, residents of centres that offer a points-based food hall system have not had points deducted for period products. Residents of centres without a food hall system have continued to receive period products free of charge from centre management. All centre managers were advised of their obligations in this regard by way of email on 8 March 2021.
A notice advising residents of the availability of period products free of charge was included in the March 2021 newsletter and can be accessed at the link below:
ipascomms.newsweaver.com/n1dppz67ll/118k0kxtap6?lang=en&a=2&p=276930&t=80498
To date, 15 centres have submitted invoices to my Department for the recoupment of costs associated with the provision of period products to residents. Two of these remain unpaid to date as my Department is awaiting back-up documentation from the centres to support the invoice amount. No other centres have sought recoupment of costs for period products this year. In response to previous enquiries by my officials, three centres had indicated they received donations of period products from the local community/local businesses and four stated they intended to carry the costs of period products themselves and they would not be invoicing the Department.
91. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the breakdown and a detailed explanation will be provided of the additional €5 million youth services funding to assist youth organisations as Covid-19 restrictions lift. [60686/21]
View answer92. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of the €73 million youth funding for UBU your place your space; the additional new services for 2022; and if this is in addition to the €5 million outlined in his Budget 2022 announcement. [60687/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
As the Deputy states, I secured an additional €5 million in current funding for youth services nationally as part of Budget 2022. My officials and I are currently finalising the detailed breakdown of how this funding will be used in 2022 and as such, I am not in a position as yet to share this, but I would hope to do so shortly.
In general terms however, I can say that this additional funding will support the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide, with a particular view to the role played by youth services in supporting mental wellbeing, fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people, including those that are disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
In recent years, funding for the provision of youth services has increased on an annual basis. Between 2016 and now moving into 2022, the annual current youth funding available to my Department will have increased from €51.9 million to €71.79 million. Including capital allocations, the total funding next year will be €73 million.
The additional funding secured for Youth Services is particularly important given the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on young people. This additional funding will allow us to re-engage young people in youth services, re-engage and train volunteers, and provide new youth services where needed.
It is now more critical than ever that our young people are supported as they experience the social, economic, physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic. In recognition of the vital role played by youthwork services in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. The increased funding in 2022 will enable DCEDIY to offer more supports to existing services, to help them reach more young people, and will enable the introduction of brand new services across the country.
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic, I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
The Budget 2022 Expenditure Report set out the proposal for youth services funding in 2022. Further details on the allocation of resources across youth services from my Department will be made available following publication of the Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service (REV).
93. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently housed within the direct provision system. [60691/21]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the total number of international protection applicants currently housed in international protection accommodation is 5,449 persons as of the end of November. This figure does not include the number of persons with status or those with deportation orders.
