Written Answers Nos. 111-130
111. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her views on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) with regard to the 2022 leaving certificate examinations; if she will consider the option of predicted grades for this cohort of leaving certificate students in view of the continuing impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62128/21]
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.
112. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to ensure that a family (details supplied) living in emergency homeless accommodation can access transport in order that they can attend school. [62140/21]
View answer113. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the steps she has taken and will take to ensure that all children who are living in emergency homeless accommodation have access to school transport. [62141/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
School 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.
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.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service once all eligible children have been accommodated.
With regard to the family referred to by the Deputy, Bus Eireann has confirmed that family is not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance eligibility criteria. However, officials from School Transport Section of my Department are liaising with Bus Éireann with regard to the availability of transport on a concessionary basis.
114. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the person in her Department who is managing the delivery of the final permanent school building for a school (details supplied); if their contact details will be provided; the current status of the project; when the building will be completed; the estimated cost of the project; and if a clearly defined budget has been agreed and made available for same. [62178/21]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers is aware of the contact details of the officials in my Department dealing with the project. The major building project for this school is currently at Stage 3 - Tender Stage and is working through the tender process. As the tender process is ongoing the Deputy will appreciate that commercially sensitive information in relation to estimated costs cannot be released at this time.
The Design Team are expected to submit a revised Stage 3 Tender Report to the Department shortly, which will identify a recommended bidder. Subject to no issues arising, works could commence on site in Quarter 1 2022 with an estimated construction timeframe of approximately 21 months.
This major building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
115. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to review the minimum essential qualification for special needs assistants in line with a campaign (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62182/21]
View answerSpecial Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a huge role in helping to ensure the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.
The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs including referencing the training needs of SNAs. In this regard, the NCSE recommended that a new national training programme at Level 5 of the National Qualification Framework be developed for existing SNAs who do not have the requisite level of training and for new SNAs on appointment. The NCSE also recommended that training tailored to the specific complex needs of some students being cared for by SNAs would also be provided.
The policy advice has been considered by the Department. It was decided that priority should be given to the development of a training programme for SNAs who may not have had a recent opportunity to access a training programme tailored to their role. The new first national training course for SNAs provided by UCD aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs whose work is central to the inclusion of students with additional care and complex needs in school life. The programme is fully funded by the Department and delivered at no cost to the SNA.
This is the first national training programme for SNAs employed in schools and is tailored to their needs. As this is the first programme, it is appropriate to take the time to review outcomes which will inform the future approach to ongoing training and professional development of SNAs. Part of that consideration will include accreditation.
Raising the minimum qualification for appointment as a special needs assistant has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Department has been engaging in that process.
The recruitment and appointment of Special Needs Assistants is a matter for the individual school authority and the Department's circular 36/2020 and 51/2019 sets out the current educational requirements for appointment as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA). In addition, the actual requirements for a post will vary depending on the specific needs of the children and the school to which the SNA is to be appointed. The Department does not believe that the existing minimum qualifications has impacted on the calibre of person appointed and it is also the case that people with experience and/or higher qualifications than the minimum are often the successful candidate in competitions held by schools.
However, having considered the claim and, in particular, the period of time since they were set, the Department is open to reviewing the position. However, the Department is not yet in a position to indicate when that review might take place but is of the view that the forthcoming review of the SNA contract proposed as part of the Building Momentum national pay agreement should be carried out and implemented first.
116. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education when a payment will be issued to the contractor who carried out work in installing temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62184/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received a request for payment from the school in question and Department officials are communicating with the school authority regarding same. My Department monitors these payments to ensure that they are paid as promptly as possible.
As the contract is between the school authority and the rental company, my Department has no direct relationship with the contractor in this case. Consequently, the matter will be the subject of direct discussion between the two parties to the contract.
117. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by her Department during 2021; and her main priorities for 2022. [62191/21]
View answerMy Department published its Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 earlier this year, setting out the vision, mission and strategic goals that will guide the Department’s work programme in the three-year period 2021-2023. I intend to publish an Action Plan for Education in early 2022 which will outline priorities for the year ahead, and which will elaborate on and develop the strategic actions set out in the Statement of Strategy. The Department's Annual Report for 2021 will also be published and will outline the significant work undertaken during 2021.
Throughout 2021, my Department’s goal has been to continue to support school communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, to enable continuity of education and assessment, and to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 especially for those students at risk of educational disadvantage.
In recent weeks, we have seen the introduction of a programme of antigen testing in primary schools where there is a confirmed case of Covid-19. I also announced the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, and a further €17m for post-primary schools minor works in the context of Covid-19. This will enable them to address both their minor works requirements and also to address ventilation and other Covid-19 related improvements at school level should this be required.
Other significant achievements in 2021 include:
- €50 million funding to primary and post-primary schools to address the digital divide, under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan
- funding of €57.6 million was provided by way of COVID-19 capitation to schools in September for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures for this term.
- the introduction of a new Covid Learning and Supports Scheme (CLASS) that will mitigate the impact of Covid-19 to students’ learning and wellbeing
- €9.2 billion education funding in Budget 2022, including measures to tackle disadvantage and support children with special educational needs
- launch of guidelines on the use of reduced school days
- the establishment of three new Local Creative Youth Partnerships
- Primary staffing schedule reduced by one point, to a historically low level of 25:1 in 2021. Further investment in new teaching posts will see the general average reduced to 24:1 in 2022.
- The provision of an administrative principal position in any school with 2 or more special classes.
- The provision of a minimum of one day administrative leave per week for teaching principals
- An additional annual allocation to the DEIS programme of €18 million is provided for in Budget 2022. Together with a further one point improvement in the staffing schedule for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools this creates the largest ever education package to tackle educational disadvantage and represents an increase of over 20 per cent in funding for the DEIS programme over the years 2022 and 2023.
- Budget 2022 includes a capital allocation of €20m to schools for the purchase of books, audio books and other media for the purposes of improving their existing literacy resource banks. This funding is additional to that already given for the school books rental scheme.
- launch of a two-year action research project aimed at supporting small rural schools, to encourage small schools to cluster together in local groups and enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.
- a new language sampler module for third to sixth class pupils in primary and special schools
- launch of a new arts in education initiative – BLAST 2021
- the 2021 energy retrofit pathfinder programme, where six schools benefit from a selection of energy efficiency works with a €14 million budget.
- The allocation of €792m for 2022, which will see a continued strong rollout of school building projects. A further €52m funding sanctioned under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will facilitate two projects in the education sector with an overall investment of €63.5m for 2021 and 2022 with €52.3m required in 2021.
- 200 school building projects are currently at construction, most of which are scheduled for completion in 2022. These projects will deliver over 30,000 school places (new and replacement).
118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that an application for accommodation by a school (details supplied) will be finalised and approved at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62324/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie. I also wish to advise that since mid-2018 all schools approved for additional accommodation under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme are also having necessary prefabs replaced as part of their additional accommodation project.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that an application for accommodation by a school (details supplied) will be finalised and approved at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62325/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
Officials in my Department have had recent engagement with the school patron in respect of this application and formal confirmation of the decision on the application will issue to the patron shortly.
120. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the status of the Covid situation in schools; and the measures she is taking to alleviate the spread of the virus at primary and secondary level and in relation to special education. [62336/21]
View answerThe Department of Education has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective.
Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses), is by ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attend school, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid response plans.
Each school was provided with an updated COVID-19 Response Plan in advance of the return to school. Significant additional resources of €639m were put into schools in the last academic year to keep schools safe.
Further funding of €57.6 million has been paid by way of Covid-19 capitation to schools in September for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures for this term. This funding will cater for school costs related to hand hygiene measures, PPE requirements, enhanced cleaning supports and supervision.
At primary level, additional management resources for principal release days were provided for Principals and Deputy Principals. Teacher Supply panels were also expanded to cover the majority of primary schools nationwide, and a recent review saw an additional 200 teaching posts added resulting in approximately 680 teaching posts on these panels available to provide substitute cover in schools.
At post primary level over 1000 teaching posts were provided to support social distancing within classrooms, to provide for enhanced supervision arrangements in order to manage and prevent congregation of large groups of students and ensure the careful movement in a socially distant manner to classes for specialist subjects where it is neither practical nor possible to remain in the classroom. This funding also included additional posts for guidance provision.
Managing ventilation is one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. 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 including in relation to the role of air cleaners in helping to deal with poorly ventilated areas. The practical steps and stepwise approach set out in the guidance are sufficient to ensure good ventilation practices in school while at the same time ensuring an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort. See www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/. To date over 36,500 C02 monitors have been delivered to schools nationwide.
To provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools, was recently announced.
The Minor Works Grant announced can be used to address any small-scale ventilation improvement. In the event the school's engineer/ architect recommends a HEPA air cleaner to address a poorly ventilated area, relevant technical guidance can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c6578-room-air-cleaner-guidance-for-schools/
All of these measures are remaining in place for this school year. The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools. The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
121. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if a cost-benefit analysis has been conducted on the installation of air filtration systems in primary schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62376/21]
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.
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.
The over-arching approach is ventilation first with the guidance 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 has not undertaken a cost analysis regarding the installation of air filtration systems. The focus of the Department has been providing support to schools in applying public health advice with respect to the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19.
The Department's 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.
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.
122. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if her Department is considering closing schools early or extending closure over the Christmas holidays in view of the increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections and the changing public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62377/21]
View answerThe scheduling of the school holiday periods during the academic years is agreed between the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and my Department for the purposes of standardising breaks at Christmas, Easter and mid-term. This is important to ensure certainty for the school community about the dates of school holidays.
There are no plans to alter the school break at Christmas. The approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools. The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
123. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the date a death certificate will be processed for a person (details supplied) by the local coroner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62113/21]
View answerNeither the Minister for Social Protection nor the Minister for Justice have any role with respect to an investigation into a death that is being conducted by a Coroner. My officials have been in contact with your office to explain this position.
I trust this clarifies the position.
124. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was denied the fuel allowance for the winter when their household received the fuel allowance for years prior to their spouse passing earlier in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62119/21]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons.
An application for fuel allowance from the person concerned was received by my Department on 20 October 2021. A member of their household is currently in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit, which is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance.
Since the qualifying conditions for the scheme are not satisfied, the person’s application for fuel allowance was disallowed and they were notified in writing of this decision on 2 December 2021.
If the person’s circumstances change, it is open to them to reapply for fuel allowance.
Under my Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. This is payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the legislative requirements and all the relevant circumstances of the case. Applications for a Heating Supplement may be made to the person’s local Intreo Office administering Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Also, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet essential, once-off costs which applicants are unable to meet out of their own resources – this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
125. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if families living in emergency homeless accommodation can access an exceptional needs payment to pay for taxis for their children to go to school; if not, the reason for same; and if she will reconsider this position. [62142/21]
View answerThe 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.
Families living in emergency accommodation placements may have additional costs, such as travel. Under the SWA scheme my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. In addition support can be provided through a supplement under the SWA scheme which can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. Assistance can be provided for travel costs where there are no other supports available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse an application for a carer's allowance can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62162/21]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit which in this case is €222.60 weekly.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
The evidence before the deciding officer included the valuation of 3 additional properties, capital and shares. Following the means calculations and relevant disregards the person concerned was found to have means in excess of the statutory means limit.
The application for CA was disallowed as his means exceeded the statutory limit.
The person concerned was notified on 4 December 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and his right of review and appeal.
On foot of this parliamentary question, the file has been sent for review. If the person concerned has further evidence to support his request for a review, it should be submitted now.
Once the review is complete, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time from application to approval for the Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit, by month from January 2021 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62168/21]
View answer128. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time from application to approval for illness benefit, by month from January 2021 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62169/21]
View answer129. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to address the lengthy delays in processing claims for illness benefit and Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62170/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 129, inclusive, together.
Standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed without delay once medical evidence has been received from the customer i.e. where an application is received and an e-Cert submitted by a GP.
COVID Illness Benefit (Enhanced Illness Benefit) is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 217,313 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed.
Over the past four weeks, an average of 8,000 COVID Illness Benefit applications has been received weekly with some 11,500 claims received last week. The medical evidence provided for the majority of these claims is a text from the HSE advising the person to self-isolate or that they have a COVID diagnosis. All of these claims require manual officer intervention to verify that the medical evidence provided by the customer is valid for payment.
Claims made between 29th November and 5th December, where medical evidence has been provided, are currently being processed. My Department has taken a number of measures to reduce processing times for COVID Illness Benefit including the temporary redeployment of staff from across the Department and system changes to increase automation within the process. It is expected that these measures will improve processing timelines in the coming weeks.
It is not possible to differentiate between Illness Benefit and COVID Illness Benefit in claim processing statistics, with one week being the current average processing timeline. Processing statistics for Illness Benefit for January 2021 to 10 December 2021 are set out in the table below.
A substantial number of claims received do not have appropriate medical evidence which adds to processing delays.
Standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed without delay once medical evidence has been received from the customer i.e. where an application is received and an e-Cert submitted by a GP.
COVID Illness Benefit (Enhanced Illness Benefit) is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 217,313 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed.
Over the past four weeks, an average of 8,000 COVID Illness Benefit applications has been received weekly with some 11,500 claims received last week. The medical evidence provided for the majority of these claims is a text from the HSE advising the person to self-isolate or that they have a COVID diagnosis. All of these claims require manual officer intervention to verify that the medical evidence provided by the customer is valid for payment.
Claims made between 29th November and 5th December, where medical evidence has been provided, are currently being processed. My Department has taken a number of measures to reduce processing times for COVID Illness Benefit including the temporary redeployment of staff from across the Department and system changes to increase automation within the process. It is expected that these measures will improve processing timelines in the coming weeks.
It is not possible to differentiate between Illness Benefit and COVID Illness Benefit in claim processing statistics, with one week being the current average processing timeline. Processing statistics for Illness Benefit for January 2021 to 10 December 2021 are set out in the table below.
A substantial number of claims received do not have appropriate medical evidence which adds to processing delays.
Standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed without delay once medical evidence has been received from the customer i.e. where an application is received and an e-Cert submitted by a GP.
COVID Illness Benefit (Enhanced Illness Benefit) is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 217,313 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed.
Over the past four weeks, an average of 8,000 COVID Illness Benefit applications has been received weekly with some 11,500 claims received last week. The medical evidence provided for the majority of these claims is a text from the HSE advising the person to self-isolate or that they have a COVID diagnosis. All of these claims require manual officer intervention to verify that the medical evidence provided by the customer is valid for payment.
Claims made between 29th November and 5th December, where medical evidence has been provided, are currently being processed. My Department has taken a number of measures to reduce processing times for COVID Illness Benefit including the temporary redeployment of staff from across the Department and system changes to increase automation within the process. It is expected that these measures will improve processing timelines in the coming weeks.
It is not possible to differentiate between Illness Benefit and COVID Illness Benefit in claim processing statistics, with one week being the current average processing timeline. Processing statistics for Illness Benefit for January 2021 to 10 December 2021 are set out in the table below.
Standard Illness Benefit claims are automatically processed without delay once medical evidence has been received from the customer i.e. where an application is received and an e-Cert submitted by a GP.
COVID Illness Benefit (Enhanced Illness Benefit) is a scheme that was introduced in March 2020, to support people who are incapable of work or who are required to self-isolate, as a result of a COVID diagnosis or being a probable source of infection. To date a total of 217,313 COVID Illness Benefit related claims have been processed.
Over the past four weeks, an average of 8,000 COVID Illness Benefit applications has been received weekly with some 11,500 claims received last week. The medical evidence provided for the majority of these claims is a text from the HSE advising the person to self-isolate or that they have a COVID diagnosis. All of these claims require manual officer intervention to verify that the medical evidence provided by the customer is valid for payment.
Claims made between 29th November and 5th December, where medical evidence has been provided, are currently being processed. My Department has taken a number of measures to reduce processing times for COVID Illness Benefit including the temporary redeployment of staff from across the Department and system changes to increase automation within the process. It is expected that these measures will improve processing timelines in the coming weeks.
It is not possible to differentiate between Illness Benefit and COVID Illness Benefit in claim processing statistics, with one week being the current average processing timeline. Processing statistics for Illness Benefit for January 2021 to 10 December 2021 are set out in the table below.
A substantial number of claims received do not have appropriate medical evidence which adds to processing delays.
|
Month |
Claims Registered |
% awarded within 7 days |
|
January 2021 |
52,199 |
80.31% |
|
February 2021 |
25,639 |
69.84% |
|
March 2021 |
23,590 |
74.59% |
|
April 2021 |
21,349 |
80.50% |
|
May 2021 |
22,233 |
79.72% |
|
June 2021 |
24,522 |
79.27% |
|
July 2021 |
32,953 |
77.51% |
|
August 2021 |
38,116 |
67.85% |
|
September 2021 |
33,918 |
69.93% |
|
October 2021 |
30,633 |
74.55% |
|
November 2021 |
62,355 |
73.58% |
|
01-10 December 2021 |
22,758 |
63.04% |
130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends on charging PRSI on pensioners over 66 years of age, as per the recommendation of the Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62177/21]
View answerThe Pensions Commission was established, inter alia, to develop options for Government to consider in addressing the sustainability of the State pension system and the social insurance fund. The Commission has completed this work and its report was published on the 7th October 2021. The Commission’s Report has unambiguously established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that change is needed. It is a comprehensive and detailed report that takes account of responses to an extensive consultation process. The report sets out a wide range of recommendations, including measures to increase Social Insurance Fund (SIF) income.
In the interests both of older people and of future generations of older people, the Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Commission’s Report very carefully. The report has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and the Commission for Taxation and Welfare for their views. I will also work with my officials over the coming months to examine each of the recommendations carefully and will consult with colleagues in Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I intend to bring a recommended response and implementation plan to Government by the end of March 2022. I think it is important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions.
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
