Written Answers Nos. 133-152
133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by her Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8502/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is as per the following table.
Statement of Travel Episodes
|
Year |
Location |
Amount |
|
2018 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€1,435.10 |
|
2018 |
Germany (Munich/ Hamburg) |
€12,316.18 |
|
2018 |
Southeast Asia (Malaysia/ Indonesia) |
€1,973.29 |
|
2018 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€3,068.54 |
|
2018 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€1,704.87 |
|
2018 |
South Asia (India) |
€3,191.10 |
|
2018 |
Middle East (United Arab Emirates and Oman) |
€3,597.79 |
|
2018 |
Portugal (Porto) |
€1,137.20 |
|
2018 |
England (London) |
€1,302.04 |
|
2018 |
China (Beijing) |
€12,617.49 |
|
2018 |
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) |
€4,628.24 |
|
2019 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€1,259.86 |
|
2019 |
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) |
€4,174.34 |
|
2019 |
United States of America (Denver) |
€11,343.36 |
|
2019 |
United States of America (South Bend/ Boston) |
€13,155.18 |
|
2019 |
Russia Moscow/ Kazan |
€7,639.10 |
|
2019 |
China (Beijing) |
€985.05 |
|
2019 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€3,330.18 |
|
2019 |
Germany (Helsinki) |
€1,678.50 |
|
2019 |
China |
€20,292.90 |
|
2019 |
Germany (Brussels) |
€3,163.48 |
|
2019 |
USA (Washington) |
€2,940.47 |
|
2019 |
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) |
€12,444.56 |
|
2019 |
England (London) |
€1,321.88 |
|
2019 |
England (London) |
€801.78 |
|
2019 |
France (Paris) |
€1,547.33 |
|
2021 |
France (Paris) |
€1,283.08 |
|
2022 |
France (Paris) |
€1,086.26 |
134. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will take measures to ensure that a student (details supplied) who is taking physical education as a leaving certificate examination subject as an external candidate can be assessed for their performance assessment and physical activity project even though they have not carried these out in a school setting due to complications during the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8548/22]
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.
135. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if there is a process for receiving information from schools regarding teachers who have been unable to attend school due to illness or being a Covid-19 close contact; if these numbers were examined and taken into account when making decisions regarding the State examinations for summer 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8549/22]
View answerMy Department does have a process in place for receiving information from schools regarding teachers who have been unable to attend school due to illness or being a Covid-19 close contact.
On 1 February, following consultation with the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations, I announced extensive changes to the Leaving Certificate examinations for 2022. These further extensive changes to the examinations, additional to adjustments announced in August 2021, took account of the disruption to teaching and learning experienced by the Leaving Certificate class of 2022. The decision to make these changes to the examination papers has been taken to provide the Leaving Certificate students of 2022 with certainty and clarity. The changes will provide the fairest pathway to successfully completing their post-primary education and enabling them to progress to further and higher education and training, apprenticeships and the world of work. The changes are the same as those that were implemented in March 2021 for Leaving Certificate 2021. They are designed to cater for a range of different absence scenarios experienced by students as a result of the impact of Covid-19, while ensuring that the overall familiar structure of the examinations remains intact. Full details of the further changes made to the examinations are published on gov.ie/leavingcertificate and on www.examinations.ie. They have been notified to schools, who have been requested to communicate them to students.
136. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the status of the summer work scheme application submitted by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8595/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers applied under the Multi Annual Summer Works Scheme under category 9 Fabric defects.
As you are probably already aware, I announced funding of €65 million for the approval of 497 projects under the 2022 Summer Works Scheme on 24th January 2022.
307 of these projects were at primary level involving mechanical works (89 schools), electrical works (65 schools), window projects (89 schools) and external yards/play areas (64 schools).
190 of the projects I announced were at post-primary level involving roof works (81 schools), mechanical works (34 schools), electrical works (12 schools), window projects (35 schools), science labs (23 schools) and yards/play areas (5 schools).
It is envisaged that the remaining categories of projects from the current Multi-Annual Summer Works Scheme (categories 8, 9 and the balance of 10) will be dealt with as part of the Summer Works Programme in 2023 and relevant schools will be notified in Q4 2022 in relation to this. Any urgent issues in the interim can be dealt with as part of the Department's Emergency Works Scheme.
137. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools by name and locality in an area (details supplied) that have been approved for delivery and construction; the stage of the planning process each is currently at in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8625/22]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,200 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible.
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 64,000 school places.
Overall there are currently 30 schools with ongoing projects at various stages of planning, design and in construction in the Newcastle_Rathcoole, Clondalkin_D22, Lucan and Palmerstown_Ronanstown_D20 school planning areas. These projects, listed below are being progressed through the various stages of assessment and delivery.
The length of time a project takes to deliver depends on a number of factors, including scale and complexity, and is subject to the time it takes to progress through the statutory approval process. There is also always a risk of unforeseen issues giving rise to slippage in the progress of a project through the design, statutory approvals or tendering process
The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
Current Large Scale & Additional Scheme Accommodation (ASA) Projects
|
Roll Number |
School Planning Area |
School Name |
Education Type |
Project Type |
Current Stage of Project |
|
18655C |
Clondalkin_D22 |
SCOIL NAOMH SEOSAMH |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 1 |
|
19221U |
Clondalkin_D22 |
SCOIL NAOMH AINE |
Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 1 |
|
19799I |
Clondalkin_D22 |
SACRED HEART N S |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 4 |
|
60121B |
Clondalkin_D22 |
Moyle Park College |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 2b |
|
19590F |
Clondalkin_D22 |
Scoil Mochua |
Special Education |
New School Building |
Pre Stage 1 |
|
19855P |
Clondalkin_D22 |
GAELSCOIL CHLUAIN DOLCAIN |
Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 3 |
|
19991A |
Clondalkin_D22 |
GAELSCOIL NA CAMOIGE |
Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 3 |
|
70100W |
Clondalkin_D22 |
Coláiste Chilliain |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 3 |
|
20537I |
Clondalkin_D22 |
Clondalkin Dublin 22 Primary School |
Planned Primary |
New School Building |
Timing of the establishment of this school is under review. Site secured |
|
19940G |
Lucan |
GAELSCOIL NAOMH PADRAIG |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 2a |
|
20274C |
Lucan |
Esker Educate Together N.S. |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 1 |
|
20390E |
Lucan |
Ballydowd High Support Special School |
Special Education |
Refurbishment |
Stage 1 |
|
70042L |
Lucan |
St. Kevin's Community College |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 1 |
|
76065H |
Lucan |
Coláiste Cois Life |
Post Primary |
Refurbishment |
Stage 4 |
|
76065H |
Lucan |
Coláiste Cois Life |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 5 |
|
19542R |
Lucan |
ST THOMAS JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Primary |
New School Building |
Project Brief |
|
19676P |
Lucan |
SCOIL AINE NAOFA |
Primary |
New School Building |
Project Brief |
|
19865S |
Lucan |
DIVINE MERCY JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 2b |
|
20187H |
Lucan |
DIVINE MERCY SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 2b |
|
20268H |
Lucan |
Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School |
Primary |
New School Building |
Project Brief |
|
60263V |
Lucan |
St Josephs College |
Post Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 3 |
|
70080T |
Lucan |
Lucan Community College |
Post Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 2b |
|
76454S |
Lucan |
Griffeen Community College |
Post Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 2b |
|
19503H |
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
SCOIL CHRONAIN |
Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 2b |
|
91301D |
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
Holy Family Community School |
Post Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 3 |
|
20531T |
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
Gaelscoil Lir |
Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 2b |
|
20549P |
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
Rathcoole ETNS |
Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 2a |
|
76594L |
Newcastle_Rathcoole |
Citywest and Saggart Community College |
Post Primary |
New School Building |
Stage 2b |
|
19785U |
Palmerstown_Ronanstown_D20_22 |
ST BERNADETTES SENIOR N S |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 1 |
|
70041J |
Palmerstown_Ronanstown_D20_22 |
Collinstown Park Community College |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 3 |
138. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she plans to implement the recommendations of the Caranua report Facing the future together: Discussing Ireland’s lifelong responsibility to the survivors of institutional abuse for additional supports for survivors of institutional abuse. [8626/22]
View answer139. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made to equip all survivors of institutional abuse with medical cards and support with housing. [8627/22]
View answer140. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if all survivors of institutional abuse and their families will be provided with free, easily accessible counselling services. [8628/22]
View answer141. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made to ensure that all public service staff working in a customer-facing role and all medical staff receive trauma-informed training on the way to identify survivors of institutional abuse and support them. [8629/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 141, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of published reports highlighting the ongoing needs of survivors and the lifelong difficulties they experience due to their childhood experiences in residential care.
The “Facing the Future Together” conference report produced by the Christine Buckley Centre, Caranua, and others, was launched in October 2020 and identified the following supports as being particularly important for survivors:
- medical card,
- family services,
- advocacy support,
- trauma-informed practice, and
- global support.
This report, along with other reports and outcomes of a survivor-led consultative forum, are currently being considered by my Department with input from colleagues from other Departments. Significant resources are being devoted to progressing this work which will feed into my consideration of proposals to Government in this context.
As part of the State's response to individuals experiencing distress as a result of trauma and abuse in childhood, a free, professional and confidential National Counselling Service is operated by the HSE. Full details are available at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service
142. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the policies that her Department is pursuing to ensure that Irish-medium education is not discriminated by a first past the post system of school patronage bidding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8632/22]
View answerAs part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the announcements since April 2018 on the establishment of 47 new schools from 2019, which affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge as part of the patronage process for new schools.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. The New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) is an external independent advisory group which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools.
The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction, i.e. Irish or English, for a new school.
Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the relevant school planning areas, together with other considerations such as the extent of diversity of provision currently available in these areas (including Irish-medium provision), are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process and to whether a school would take the form of an Irish-medium Gaelscoil/Gaelcholáiste or whether, if English-medium, the post-primary school would include an Irish-medium unit or “Aonad”. Most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 – 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcoláistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Aonad within a school.
Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on the education section of the gov.ie website.
143. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the legislation, Act and section, which governs the bidding process for school patronages. [8640/22]
View answerHistorically, school patrons monitored demographic increases at local level and sought approval from the Department to extend existing schools or provide new schools where a significant level of demand could not be met within existing school capacity.
Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the Department. New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The arrangements also give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental patronage and language preferences and an analysis of existing provision in the areas where the schools are being established.
This approach is underpinned by a 2011 Government Decision.
The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been in operation under my Department since 2018 and provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school.
A prospective patron can chose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to my Department. The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s). Parents can then access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (with the exception of the Irish-medium primary gaelscoileanna which have been designated as Irish-medium prior to the opening of the OPPS - in the case of these schools, parents can select their preferred patron). Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on the education section of the gov.ie website.
144. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 131 of 1 February 2022 and 87 of 9 February 2022, and related press statement issued from her Department, if her Department has decided the location for the school (details supplied); her views on whether this relocation of an existing school onto the campus of another school is planning exempt as claimed in the recent press statement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8641/22]
View answerA site visit took place on 31 January 2022 with the purpose of identifying on the ground the practical matters which need to be addressed to accommodate both schools. This includes addressing the possibility of the provision of SEN facilities in both schools for the coming school year. In considering available space on the campus of the other school site, this development can be considered exempt under the planning exemption introduced in March 2021 - Planning and Development (Exempted Development) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 114 of 2021) – School Buildings.
My Department officials have endeavoured to keep both school authorities informed and will continue to do so as the details of this option are developed.
145. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) will not proceed until the new campus and facilities are fully ready to receive the students; when same will occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8690/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department approved the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in question following an application from the schools' Patrons. It was also agreed that the amalgamated co-educational school would have a design capacity for up to 800 pupils.
My Department approved significant capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the construction of the required additional capacity. This additional accommodation encompasses provision for 6 additional mainstream classrooms, science, home economics, textiles, art, music, DCG, technology rooms, and staff room in addition to 4 classrooms for children with special educational needs. This project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
At the request of the patrons, my Department agreed to the amalgamation taking effect from September 2022. Following subsequent engagement and again at the request of the school patrons, my Department has now agreed to extend the timeline for opening St Seton’s Secondary School. The school patrons will use this time to engage in further planning and coordination with the school community before agreeing a new timeline for opening the school.
146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the current implementation status of each recommendation of the 2014 review of the role, organisation and management of Visiting Teachers for Children with Hearing and Visual Impairment Service which was published by her Department in January 2022; the date of the complete implementation of each outstanding recommendation; the recommendations not implemented that are not to be implemented; the reason each will not be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8707/22]
View answerThe information requested is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
147. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the process for a school to secure a system (details supplied) for a classroom; if she will consider including such systems as a specification standard for all new classrooms approved by her Department in view of the benefit of the system to all pupils and not just children with hearing impairments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8710/22]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
All Applications for special equipment must be submitted by school management authorities as follows:
1. In respect of children with Visual or Hearing Impairment, applications for equipment should be made to the Visiting Teacher Service for Children with Sensory Impairment. Contact details for the Visiting Teacher Service are available at
www.gov.ie/en/publication/4226e8-review-of-role-organisation-and-management-of-visiting-teachers-for-/
2. The Visiting Teacher Service will assess the application and give advice to the SENO in relation to equipment commonly used e.g. technology, large print, tapes, braillers, audiology equipment etc. The SENO will take account of the Visiting Teacher’s recommendations when considering applications for equipment for such pupils and make a recommendation to the DES for equipment.
All other applications for support should be made to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) with assigned responsibility for the school. Application forms are available at www.ncse.ie.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
148. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the allocation of SNAs for the 2022-2023 school year; if the freeze in SNA allocation will continue or the frontloading model will be initiated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8712/22]
View answerIn light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools was deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations, the following arrangements for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year were announced:
- Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 were maintained and automatically rolled over into the 2021/22 school year.
- No school received an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.
- SNAs currently in mainstream settings can continue in post for the 2021/22 school year in the normal way.
- Priority consideration was given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year. In particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools were prioritised with determinations made before 30 June. Other applications were processed in order of date received.
- As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website, ncse.ie/for-schools.
The NCSE published SNA allocations on their website, www.ncse.ie.
SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.
Circular 0029/2021 advised schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.
Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 were extended for the 2021/22 school year.
Circular 0029/2021 and Circular 0030/2020 are available on the Department's website.
149. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to her Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9029/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that neither Minister of State Madigan nor I have the services of Garda ministerial drivers.
150. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a living alone increase claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8466/22]
View answerThere is no record of a claim for the living alone allowance having been received in my Department from the person concerned. In order to have entitlement to the allowance examined, a completed application form must be received.
I have arranged for a living alone application form to be posted to the person concerned. When the completed application form is received in my Department, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of outcome without delay.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
151. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the capital value or rental income was used when assessing the means on the non-contributory pension review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8489/22]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at application stage and through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held and inform the Department of any relevant changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement.
Where a person leaves their home on a temporary basis, or for an indefinite period for care reasons, the capital value of their home is not assessed as means unless it is put to profitable use. Where their home is put to profitable use (for example, rented out) then the capital value of the house is assessed as means.
The person concerned is in receipt of state pension (non-contributory) since 5 April 1996. A means-review questionnaire was issued to the person on 27 October 2021 to determine if they were receiving their correct weekly pension entitlement. Following an assessment of the means of the person, which took into account their savings and the capital value of their rented property, a Deciding Officer deemed that the person’s means exceed the weekly permissible statutory limit. A natural justice letter issued to the person concerned affording them the opportunity to furnish, within 21 days, any statement or evidence that they wished to make available to the Deciding Officer before a decision on their entitlement is finalised.
On 10 February 2022, the Deciding Officer suspended the person’s payment and issued a further letter, to again offer the person concerned the opportunity to submit any statement or evidence that they wished to furnish to the Deciding Officer before a final decision is made on their state pension (non-contributory) entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by her Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8512/22]
View answerThe following table details the foreign travel episodes arranged for the persons concerned and undertaken from 1 January 2018 to date.
|
Purpose |
Number Travelling |
Destination |
Departure Date |
Return Date |
Total Cost |
|
Presidential delegation |
1 |
Athens |
20/02/2018 |
24/02/2018 |
€504.82 |
|
St Patrick's Day |
3 |
Paris |
14/03/2018 |
16/03/2018 |
€1,373.73 |
|
Future of Work Conference |
3 |
Sofia |
20/03/2018 |
22/03/2018 |
€1,542.47 |
|
Informal EPSCO |
3 |
Sofia |
16/04/2018 |
18/04/2018 |
€3,819.31 |
|
Meeting DWP (Brexit) |
3 |
London |
23/04/2018 |
23/04/2018 |
€478.02 |
|
OECD Meeting |
3 |
Montreal |
13/05/2018 |
15/05/2018 |
€6,155.21 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Luxembourg |
20/06/2018 |
21/06/2018 |
€1,873.08 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Luxembourg |
10/10/2018 |
11/10/2018 |
€944.01 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Brussels |
05/12/2018 |
06/12/2018 |
€716.43 |
|
St Patrick's Day |
3 |
Rome - Malta |
15/03/2019 |
19/03/2019 |
€1,403.69 |
|
Conference/Informal EPSCO |
3 |
Brussels - Bucharest |
08/04/2019 |
11/04/2019 |
€1,365.66 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Luxembourg |
12/06/2019 |
13/06/2019 |
€704.10 |
|
Informal EPSCO |
3 |
Brussels |
07/07/2019 |
08/07/2019 |
€865.27 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Luxembourg |
23/10/2019 |
24/10/2019 |
€686.10 |
|
EPSCO |
3 |
Brussels |
09/12/2019 |
10/12/2019 |
€1,415.25 |
No Ministerial or related foreign travel was undertaken in 2020 and 2021.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
