Written Answers Nos. 503-521
503. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 3 February 2022, when she received the review on farm assist; if she will publish the review; the additional agri-environmental schemes it is intended will qualify towards the disregard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8039/22]
View answerThe Farm Assist Scheme is a means tested support for farmers on low incomes who satisfy the scheme’s statutory conditions including a means test. The estimated expenditure for the scheme for 2022 is approximately €53.9 million.
A commitment was made under the Programme for Government and in the 'Our Rural Future Rural Development Policy 2021-2025' to conduct a review of the means test disregards for Farm Assist to better reward farmers who avail of the scheme. I am currently considering the report of the review which was submitted to me in December 2021 and I will arrange to finalise it in due course.
As part of the review process it was recommended to provide for an extensive expansion to the list of Agri-Environmental schemes which will qualify towards the disregard of €2,540 with 50% of the balance assessed as means. The Social Welfare Act 2022, which enacts Budget 2022 measures, extended the list of schemes to which this measure applies.
The table below lists the additional Agri-Environmental schemes, which are under the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, being added to the list of schemes to which the disregard applies:
|
The Beef Exceptional Aid Measure |
|
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (2015-2020) (2017-2022) (2021) |
|
The Beef Environmental Efficiency Plan (BEEPS); as part of the Beef Sector Efficiency Programme |
|
The Dairy Beef Calf Programme; as part of the Beef Sector Efficiency Programme |
|
The Results Based Environment Agri-Pilot Programme |
|
The Sheep Welfare Scheme |
|
The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme (2000-2006) (2007-2013) (2014-2020) |
|
The Ash Dieback Replanting Scheme |
|
The Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Schemes |
|
The Deer Tree Shelter and Deer/Hare Fencing Scheme |
|
The Forestry Grants and Premium Schemes (2014-2020) |
|
The Forest Genetic Resources Reproductive Material Scheme |
|
The Forest Road Scheme |
|
The Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme |
|
The Innovative Forestry Forest Technology: Central Tyre Inflation Scheme Module |
|
The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme |
|
The Neighbourwood Scheme |
|
The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) |
|
The Woodland Improvement Schemes including Continuous Forestry Cover |
The measure was originally due to take effect from October 2022 but will now be implemented from June. It will support the Government’s climate change agenda and act as an incentive to farmers to participate in these schemes.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
504. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8067/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 December 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. Those papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 January 2022 and the case was referred on 25 January 2022 to an Appeals Officer .
The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
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.
505. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of workers in the film and television industry that are currently in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit, pandemic unemployment payment or the employment wage subsidy scheme in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8118/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The numbers are based on the industry classification (NACE) of the last known employer on my Department's administrative systems, and includes persons in the motion picture, programming and broadcasting industries.
I am advised that my Department does not have this data available in relation to the Employment Wage Subsidy scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
|
Scheme |
People |
|
Pandemic Unemployment Payment |
724 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
1,165 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
532 |
506. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if contact with an alternative case officer can be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8190/22]
View answerThe person concerned is a customer of the Local Employment Service (LES), a contracted third party provider of employment services. My officials have spoken to the person concerned and will address her concerns.
507. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding illness benefit payments for a married couple (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8232/22]
View answerAt the time of receipt of the claims made by the two people concerned, the Department received a very high volume of Enhanced Illness Benefit claims. While 92% of the 37,500 weekly claims received in January were processed within a week, some claims required further examination by a officer of the Department.
The Enhanced Illness Benefit claims concerned have now been awarded, and arrears have issued to them paying them in full for their claims.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
508. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of their full pension entitlement given their working record; if a full breakdown of their pension contributions can be furnished to them in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8261/22]
View answerSocial welfare legislation stipulates that a minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions are required to qualify for standard State pension (contributory).
The person concerned reached pension age on 9 October 2021. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 24 August 2021. According to the records of my Department, they have a contribution record of nil full-rate paid social insurance contributions. Since they do not have the required minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions, they do not qualify for standard State Pension (contributory). The person was notified in writing of this decision on 9 September 2021 and provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based.
Since the person concerned was employed in the public sector for the tax years from 1979/80 to 2008 inclusive, during which period modified contributions (Class B) were payable, their entitlement to a mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory) was also examined, based on their combined modified and full-rate social insurance records.
To qualify for a mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory), a total of 520 contributions are required, of which a minimum of 260 must be full-rate paid contributions. Since the person concerned has nil full-rate paid contributions, they do not qualify for a mixed insurance pro rata pension. They were notified in writing of this decision on 9 September 2021 and provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based.
I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them. If they consider that they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
The person’s eligibility for State pension (non-contributory) was also examined. Based on the information provided with their application, their weekly assessable means exceed the current statutory means limit. They were notified on 31 August 2021 that they do not qualify for State pension (non-contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
509. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if regulation 130 of SI. 142/2007 is the only legislation which allows her Department to make deductions from the one-parent family payment; if a deduction may only take place in cases in which the parent is in receipt of maintenance arising from a court order and the maintenance exceeds the parent’s housing costs; if there are other circumstances in which deductions may be made by her Department from the payment; and if so, the legislation that provides for such deductions. [8294/22]
View answer511. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if clarification will be provided in relation to the provision of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 which empowers her Department to seek a contribution from a liable parent in circumstances in which a parent is in receipt of the one-parent family payment; if such payments are forwarded to the claimant parent (details supplied). [8296/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 511 together.
The issue of family maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the people concerned. Social Welfare legislation provides that some or all of the cost of One-Parent Family (OFP) payments are recovered from the other parent. These "liable relative" provisions are set out in Part 12 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended, and in Part 10 of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007, as amended.
In every case where OFP is awarded, the Department seeks to trace the other parent, known as the "liable relative", in order to ascertain whether they are in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the OFP. The liability is determined following an assessment of the liable relative’s means and circumstances. If they are deemed to be in a position to contribute, that person is contacted by the Department and informed of this.
Liable relatives are advised that they can meet their liability by making payments directly to the Department or to the OFP recipient. Payments made directly to the OFP recipient are assessed as means and may have an impact on their weekly payment from the Department.
I have asked my officials to consider the position with regard to Article 130 of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007 in general, but if the Deputy has a particular case in mind perhaps she would provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.
I trust this clarifies the position.
510. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the provision of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 that empowers her to introduce the requirement for claimants of the one-parent family payment to seek maintenance as stipulated by statutory instrument and Ministerial regulation in 2007 regulations 125, 125A and 126 of SI. 142/2007. [8295/22]
View answerI am happy to assist the Deputy with the information requested; however, this should not be construed as an interpretation of the law, which is solely a matter for the Courts.
Section 4 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended (the "Act"), provides, amongst other things, that the Minister may make regulations for any purpose in relation to which regulations are provided for by the Act, and for prescribing any matter referred to in the Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
The legislative provisions in relation to the One-Parent Family Payment are set out in Chapter 7 of Part 3 of the Act, that is, sections 172 to 178F inclusive. Section 173 sets out the provisions in relation to entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment and specifies that entitlement is subject to the Act and to regulations made under the Act. Section 177 further provides that the Minister shall make regulations regarding One-Parent Family Payment. The relevant regulations are set out in Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
512. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve an application by a person (details supplied). [8354/22]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance on 26th November 2021. This application was refused on the grounds that the proposal was not a new enterprise as the person had previously been self-employed in this sector in the locale, and that there was a risk of displacement as there are many other similar businesses in the vicinity.
My officials acknowledge that it is a very long time since the person concerned was self-employed and are happy to review the decision. The person has been issued with an invitation to attend an appointment to discuss the proposal in greater detail, particularly with a view to exploring ways in which the risk of displacement can be addressed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
513. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of illness benefit that is being paid to a person (details supplied) can be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8403/22]
View answerThe rate of Illness Benefit payable is based on a person's average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. For claims made in 2021, the relevant tax year is 2019. The person concerned qualified for Illness Benefit at a rate of €134.20 per week as her average weekly earnings in 2019 were between €150.00 and €219.99. For 2022, the relevant tax year is 2020; the current rate of payment remains correct.
If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties meeting her financial commitments she should contact the Department's representative, formerly known as a Community Welfare Officer, at her local Intreo Centre so that an assessment of her circumstances can be carried out to determine whether she might qualify for assistance under the terms of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
514. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 of his Department for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and the breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [7561/22]
View answerUnder the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Tusla is funded from my Department through Vote 40.
My Department does not have a capital budget for this DSGBV. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation for victims of DSGBV, is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In 2021, this Department allocated Tusla with €28m in core funding for DSGBV services plus €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from COVID-19.
In 2022, funding has been increased to €31m that will maintain continuity of services including core sustainability costs, ongoing support for initiatives commenced in 2021 and to support implementation of the recommendations of Tusla's review of accommodation for victims of DSGBV.
515. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons including children seeking international protection who have been required to quarantine in hotels on arrival in Ireland from 1 January 2021 to 31 January 2022; the number of persons who have been required to quarantine beyond 14 days; if those who receive a negative PCR test no earlier than five days after arrival are permitted to exit quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is presently being collated and will be forwarded directly to her at the earliest opportunity.
516. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of emergency reception and orientation centres operating in the State in 2021; the capacity and occupancy of each centre as of 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/22]
View answerThank you for your query, Deputy. I can confirm there are two Emergency Reception Orientation Centres (EROCs) currently in operation:
- The Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
- The Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
In addition, there are dedicated EROC places within the Mosney Accommodation Centre, due to its particular suitability for families. The table below sets out the current numbers for each of the centres as of 31 December 2021. The Deputy should note that room configurations and family size can have an impact on the contracted capacity of an EROC.
EROC Accommodation Centres
|
Centre |
Address |
Contracted Capacity |
Current Occupancy |
|
Clonea |
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
125 |
99 |
|
Abbeyfield |
Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon |
220 |
163 |
|
Mosney |
Mosney, Co. Meath |
200 |
168 |
|
Total |
545 |
430 |
517. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons living in direct provision and emergency accommodation who share a bedroom with a non-family member; the median length of stay in such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that on 11 February 2022 the number of unrelated single residents sharing a room in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation was 2,374. This comprises 1,361 residents in a room assigned to 2 people and 1,015 residents in a room assigned to 3 people.
It should be noted that some of these 2 and 3 person rooms may not be fully occupied at any given time for a variety of operational reasons. In line with IPAS policy, there are never more than 3 unrelated single persons sharing a room with other people at any given time.
My Department recently published a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for single people and families seeking international protection. This tender process will focus on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living such as access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms.
This will allow IPAS to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to international protection applicants and to move away from reliance on temporary or emergency accommodation. It is anticipated that the tender will provide the Department with adequate capacity so that IPAS can respond flexibly to increases in demand for accommodation as they arise. The tender also seeks to reduce the number of single people sharing rooms with non-family members.
518. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the provision of a dedicated women’s refuge for victims of domestic violence in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7578/22]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-Agency issue coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides supports for victims of domestic violence primarily through funded NGO service providers.
Tusla supports Sonas, a provider of domestic violence services across Dublin, which currently provides a dedicated Outreach Support Worker and individual Safe Home accommodation units in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Services at Bray Women's Refuge are also in close proximity to many people in the County. However, I recognise it is not situated within the County boundaries.
Tusla’s ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation and has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
Government will be guided by the recommendations of the Review. I expect that the implementation process for the Review will identify priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of DSGBV.
519. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 26 January 2022, if he will provide a full reply. [7589/22]
View answerAs the matter raised by the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 26th January 2022 was an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I had referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Tusla has advised my Department that the direct reply is under review in Tusla, and will issue in due course. As you are aware from our meeting with the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach, the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is of significant importance to this Government.
In late January 2022, Tusla provided my Department with the below figures. ‘Safe home’ units are independent units of accommodation within the community where victims and their children at medium to low risk can be supported. A ‘unit’ or ‘family place’’ can accommodate a single person or a person and their children.
Since the arrival of COVID-19, the number of ‘core’ refuge units operational has been reduced at times to comply with public health guidelines, particularly in refuges with shared facilities. On-site accommodation in refuges has been supplemented with access to a range of alternative safe accommodation units. Last November Tusla provided material in response to a PQ asked by Deputy Dillon I have included the relevant table below it sets out the number of women’s refuges per county as reported 4th of Nov 2021.
|
County |
No. of Units normally operational pre-Covid |
|
Co. Limerick |
14 |
|
Co. Kerry |
6 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Co. Dublin |
29 |
|
Co. Wicklow |
7 |
|
Co. Clare |
6 |
|
Co. Tipperary |
4 |
|
Co. Cork |
6 |
|
Co. Donegal |
4 |
|
Co. Louth |
12 |
|
Co. Westmeath |
4 |
|
Co. Mayo |
5 |
|
Co. Meath |
5 |
|
Co. Galway |
9 |
|
Co. Waterford |
15 |
|
Co. Kildare |
4 |
|
Co. Wexford |
4 |
|
Total: |
139 |
|
County |
No. of Safe Homes Operational |
|
Co. Sligo |
3 |
|
Co. Cork |
2 |
|
Co. Dublin |
17 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Nth. Tipperary |
1 |
|
West Cork |
1 |
|
Total: |
26 |
520. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 26 January 2022, if he will provide a full reply. [7590/22]
View answerAs the matter raised by the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 26th January 2022 was an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I had referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Tusla has advised my Department that the direct reply is under review in Tusla, and will issue in due course. As you are aware from our meeting with the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach, the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is of significant importance to this Government.
Under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. You may be interested to know, my Department provided the funding below to Tusla for the provision of DSGBV services.
|
Year |
Funding (million) |
|
2016 |
€20.6 |
|
2017 |
€22.1 |
|
2018 |
€23.8 |
|
2019 |
€25.3 |
|
2020 |
€25.3 |
|
2021 |
€30.0 |
521. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when reforms to the funding model for early learning and childcare services will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7667/22]
View answerThe report of an Expert Group, Partnership for the Public Good: A new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), was published on 7 December 2021 following consideration by Government and acceptance of its 25 recommendations. Work has now commenced on implementation of these recommendations.
The new funding model outlined in Partnership for the Public Good comprises four key elements: two new elements (Core Funding and Tackling Disadvantage funding) and two elements which are developments on the existing funding approaches of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
These four elements, and their associated conditions, will form an interlocking and integrated system of funding which is designed to ensure progress on each of the main goals of ELC and SAC policy, and move in the direction of enhanced public management.
Announcements in Budget 2022 signalled the commitment to the first stage of implementation of the Expert Group’s recommendations.
In particular, a new Core Funding stream for services to support improved quality, affordability, and sustainability and the establishment of an Employment Regulation Order, is being introduced in September 2022 and will be worth up to €69 million in 2022, equivalent to €207 million in a full year.
A Transition Fund will be also available to ELC and SAC services from May to August inclusive, during the period between the phasing out of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) in April and the introduction of the new Core Funding stream in September. The Transition Fund will also include the condition that services do not increase the fees charged to parents above September 2021 levels.
The introduction of fee control measures is one of the recommendations of the Expert Group, and further information on proposed fee management mechanisms in the longer term is available in the Group's report.
Budget 2022 also announced an extension in the age of children who are eligible for the universal National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy and a change to how 'wraparound hours' for NCS subsidy are determined. These measures were also recommended by the Expert Group.
The recommendations of the Expert Group are designed to deliver quality for children, affordability for parents, stability for providers, and support employers to improve pay and conditions for staff. The report of the Expert Group is available here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/report/.
Full implementation of all recommendations will be progressed in the coming years as additional funding is secured through the annual Estimates process. An impact monitoring element of this approach to funding is also being developed which will capture data on key indicators that it is anticipated will be addressed through the scheme including workforce pay, qualifications, turnover rates, non-contact time etc. Progress on the implementation of the Expert Group’s recommendations will be reported in the context of the Annual Implementation Report for the First 5 whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families.
