Written Answers Nos. 103-118
103. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the Butlerstown to Tramore school bus route is included in the changed school bus guidelines announced recently as part of the recent cost of living package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15294/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
As part of measures recently announced by Government to reduce the cost of living, for the 2022/2023 school year the annual school transport that the maximum amount payable per family will be reduced from the current amount of €220 to €150 per family at primary level and from €650 to €500 per family at post-primary level.
As the Deputy is aware, the Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes. The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) has had an infant class teaching post removed despite having a classroom available and a large waiting list of children hoping to attend; and if she will take steps to ensure this is corrected. [15395/22]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September.
The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment.
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated an additional temporary teaching post on this basis for September and October 2021. The enrolment required to retain the post for the remainder of the year was 263 pupils. The school's actual enrolment in September was 246 and so the school was informed that the post was to be suppressed at the end of October.
The school submitted an appeal to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. This appeal was deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board as the school's enrolment did not meet the appointment figure for the 14th classroom teacher. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
Staffing arrangements for the 2022/23 school year will be published shortly and schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year.
105. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the once-off reductions in new enrolments in junior infants in some schools in 2021 due to Covid is now resulting in a reduction in teaching posts for the coming 2022-2023 school year despite a recovery in the numbers seeking enrolment, potentially leading to classrooms being left empty while students are unable to find a school place, and if he has plans to prevent same. [15396/22]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September.
Budget 2022 progressed the ongoing major investment in our primary education sector which impacts positively on the staffing in primary schools by providing a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022. This brings the staffing schedule to a further new historical low for primary schools.
Staffing arrangements for the 2022/23 school year will be published shortly and schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. Details on the process and application form will be available in the staffing circular.
106. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of contracts that her Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15404/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department does not currently hold any contracts with the company to which the Deputy refers.
107. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education the rationale for providing an extension to the deadline for submitting stage 2B for a school (details supplied). [15425/22]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which involves the production of a complex and detailed set of tender
documents and an accurate pre-tender cost check by the Design Team, in accordance with my Departments Technical Guidance Documents, Building Regulations and Public Works Procurement procedures.
The Design Team advised my Department earlier in March that the completion of Stage 2b would be delayed while they continue to complete the required detailed design and tender documents. My
Department have met with the Design Team and School as recently as this week to discuss in detail the completion of Stage 2(b) and to establish a revised estimated date of submission. It is in the best interest of the project that the Design Team complete the Stage 2(b) submission in a coherent and comprehensive manner in order to progress the project to Tender Stage and to ensure that the risk of further issues arising is minimised during the tender and construction stages.
108. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider making provision for representatives of a union (details supplied) to have an input into school boards of management. [15428/22]
View answerIn accordance with section 14 of the Education Act, 1998 it is the duty of a school patron, to appoint where practicable a board of management the composition of which is agreed between patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and the Minister.
Changes to the existing composition of Boards would require the agreement of all parties referred to in section 14 of the Education Act, 1998.
My Department consults regularly with the education partners and stakeholders, including the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union on the making and implementation of policy. This ensures that the voice of second-level students is represented and that the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union contributes to the advancement of second-level education of all second-level students.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and completed second stage in the Dáil on 8th July 2021 and now awaits progress to Committee Stage.
The overall aim of the Charter Bill is to improve the level of engagement between the school community by inviting feedback, comment and observation from students and parents and by further developing a listening culture in schools. One of the key concepts of the Bill is the need for a school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities.
109. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if financial assistance will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who will be accommodating six Ukrainian refugees three adults and three children in their home in the coming days given the unexpected challenges they may encounter. [15117/22]
View answerOn 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive, due to the mass influx of persons fleeing Ukraine as a consequence of the war.
This means that persons to whom the Directive applies will be able to work in Ireland and to access social services and the full range of social welfare supports including supplementary welfare allowance.
People who volunteer to provide accommodation to people arriving from Ukraine are doing so on a voluntary and altruistic basis.
110. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of pandemic unemployment payments to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/22]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) Scheme was made available to employees and self- employed people who had lost their employment due to the effects of the Covid pandemic. It has proven to be a vital income support to workers, thousands of whom lost their jobs virtually overnight.
In line with the standard practice applying to all jobseeker payments, my Department undertook a number of exercises where it contacted recipients of the PUP and requested that they confirm their continued eligibility to receive the payment. In doing so, my Department also advised individuals that failure to respond would have affected their entitlement to continue to receive a payment.
The person concerned was in receipt of PUP from 13 March 2020. In March 2021 they failed to respond to a request that they confirm their ongoing eligibility for the payment. As a result, payment of their claim stopped from 2 April 2021. A letter confirming this issued to the person concerned at that time, outlining the options available to the customer. The Department has no record of any response from the customer on foot of this letter.
The person concerned reapplied for the PUP on 8 June 2021 and their claim was awarded from 4 June 2021. They subsequently closed their claim on foot of a return to work on 9 August 2021.
The person concerned contacted my Department on 16 September 2021 requesting payment of PUP for the period 2 April to 3 June 2021. Following an internal review of the case, this request was refused. A letter issued to the person advising them of this on 22 September 2021. This letter also advised of the right to appeal this decision.
My officials have confirmed with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office that it has no record of an appeal from the person concerned.
If the person concerned wishes to submit new facts or evidence relating to their eligibility to payment for the period in question, my officials would be happy to review the matter.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
111. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when in-person assessments will resume for those applying for disablement benefit; the reason that these assessments have not been restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15134/22]
View answerSince the lifting of the restrictions on the 28/02/22, the Medical Review and Assessment Service of the Department has planned to resume in-person assessments which are scheduled for the week starting 21/03/2022.
During the pandemic, my Department continued to service the customers of Disablement Benefit Scheme by conducting Desk Assessments where appropriate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons with alopecia and who do not qualify for a medical card can benefit from any other source of financial assistance to help cover the cost of their wig as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15137/22]
View answerIn Budget 2022, I introduced a new measure that will provide a flat grant of up to €500 a year for eligible individuals towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement including wigs. The grant will be available from 28 May 2022 under the Treatment Benefit scheme.
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is a social insurance scheme and eligibility is based on age and social insurance contributions. These conditions are set out on our gov.ie website and in a range of publications. The grant for wigs will be available under the Medical Appliances strand of the Treatment Benefit scheme. This has medical eligibility requirements in addition to the general eligibility requirements. It will require evidence of a medical condition or treatment of same – this will include alopecia.
The Social Welfare Bill that provided for Budget 2022 measures, including this new grant, was published in November 2021. Regulations setting out the conditions of the scheme, including medical conditionality, are currently being drafted. Providers will be able to register with the scheme once the regulations are in place. Customers will be able to apply after the regulations come into force. They will not be able to receive a grant for items purchased before that date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
113. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons enrolled in the activation and family support programme; and the amount of funding allocated to the scheme for 2022. [15140/22]
View answerThe Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP) enables my Department to assist local organisations and agencies to implement projects addressing the needs of recipients of welfare payments and their families, to provide progression routes into education, training and employment.
The application of the funding is largely responsive to demand identified by local organisations who apply for funding for a project via my Department’s activation services. The programme is designed to fund projects that have the capacity to result in positive changes in the circumstances of our customers and their families. Funding applications come from a wide range of organisations including family resource centres, partnerships, community development companies and advocacy groups.
A budget of €600,000 is provided for this programme in 2022. A number of courses are currently approved or underway and there are currently some 60 learners attending courses co-funded by this programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
114. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on child benefit since 2017 by year ; the number of recipients of child benefit since 2017 by year; and the effect means testing child benefit would have on the amount allocated to child benefit and the number in receipt of child benefit in tabular form. [15141/22]
View answerThe table below shows Child Benefit expenditure and average recipient numbers for the years 2017 - 2021.
|
Year |
Expenditure €000 |
Average Recipient Numbers |
|
2017 |
2,086,390 |
623,170 |
|
2018 |
2,096,671 |
626,240 |
|
2019 |
2,102,436 |
629,760 |
|
2020 |
2,102,328 |
635,110 |
|
2021 |
2,090,455 |
632,820 |
Child Benefit is a universal scheme which is paid in recognition of the fact that all parents with children incur expenses with children.
It is designed as a universal payment, in recognition of the costs involved in raising children, and plays an important role in tackling child poverty. As a universal payment it does not rely on a means test or social insurance contributions.
Any decision to introduce a means test for child benefit would be a matter for consideration by Government in the context of both overall budgetary and child income support policy. The impact of means testing on child benefit expenditure would depend on the specific design of any such means testing regime.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors who served in the role prior to 1 July 2008 are not eligible for the recently approved ex-gratia payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15164/22]
View answer116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an ex-gratia payment rather than a pension was agreed with community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15165/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Fórsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors to implement this 2008 Labour Court recommendation.
These discussions were held on the clear agreement of all involved that they related solely to those parties who were the subject of the 2008 Labour Court recommendation, namely CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors, and that any agreement reached on the proposal arising from these discussions would apply only to those parties.
Agreement was reached in December 2021 between the Department of Social Protection and unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors that resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment rather than a pension to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. On the 23rd December, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit over 2,200 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.
Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008. People who retired since 2008 and who have reached retirement age will be able to apply for payments immediately when the scheme is in place.
The qualifying period for the scheme is from 1st July 2008 to the 31st December 2023 and will apply to all periods of employment as a CE supervisor or CE assistant supervisor during that period subject to certain conditions. The terms of the settlement, in line with the Labour Court recommendation, does not apply to those who were employed and retired prior to 1 July 2008.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times she has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15188/22]
View answerMy Department has a commitment to the provision of interpretation and translations services under its Customer Charter and Action plan. The provision of these services assists customers in the conduct of their business with the Department.
The table below sets out the total cost of engagements with Word Perfect Translation Services LTD from 2011 to 2022 for the provision of translation and interpretation services.
|
Year |
Language Translation Services |
Language Interpretation Services |
|
2011 |
€0 |
€54 |
|
2012 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
2013 |
€0 |
€12 |
|
2014 |
€0 |
€5,957 |
|
2015 |
€268,701 |
€0 |
|
2016 |
€337,345 |
€0 |
|
2017 |
€644,549 |
€0 |
|
2018 |
€538,930 |
€0 |
|
2019 |
€521,125 |
€33,105 |
|
2020 |
€496,202 |
€53,616 |
|
2021 |
€498,775 |
€1,353 |
|
2022* |
€20,623 |
€0 |
* Figures provided for 2022 include up to the first week of March.
118. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department can support workers (details supplied) who entered a 30-day collection redundancy period without any income support or social protection payment for themselves during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15232/22]
View answerOfficials from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been working together to coordinate the Government response. In addition, officials from my Department have been in ongoing contact with the Receiver for Roadbridge since Saturday the 12th of March 2022.
While the statutory 30-day period under the 1977 Act must be adhered to, given the specific circumstances of this case, the Department has taken a decision to process applications for Jobseeker Payments. The Employees will not have to wait 30 days for payment. Information and instructions have issued to the Receiver informing the employees what measures have been put in place and that all applications should be submitted through our online application system to allow the Department to process these applications quickly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
