Written Answers Nos. 84-103
84. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the queries regarding the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) are now fully resolved and if the payments are up to date. [16735/22]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and 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.
On 21 October 2021, a request for information issued to the person concerned in order that their weekly means could be correctly assessed. The information was provided on 22 February 2022. On the same day, the Deciding Officer wrote to the person concerned seeking a bank statement or verification that a bank account had been closed. A reminder was issued on 23 March 2022.
On receipt of the requested documentation, the Deciding officer will complete their review and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of the decision to refuse the back to education allowance will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16740/22]
View answerThe person concerned applied for Back to Education Allowance on 03 December 2021. This application was refused on 21 December 2021 on the grounds that it was a late application as the submission date was significantly beyond the requirement that it be no more than 30 days following the commencement of the course.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The decision was reviewed and the person concerned was notified on 24 January 2022 that the original decision was upheld.
Based on the information that has now come to hand, a further review will be undertaken. An officer will be in touch with the person concerned shortly to progress this review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
86. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the recent closure of the Wicklow Citizens Information Office in Wicklow town; if funding will be secured for a new premises; the expected timeline for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16751/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Leinster CIS which encompasses Co. Wicklow.
In March 2020, the Board of South Leinster CIS made the decision to close the Wicklow CIC office as part of their COVID 19 response. Wicklow Town CIC to date has remained closed, as the South Leinster CIS Regional Manager on behalf of the Board informed CIB that they due to health and safety concerns, this office could not be reopened.
The decision to close any office within the CIS network is a matter for the relevant CIS Board as they are responsible for their region’s service delivery.
An alternative office space in the centre of Wicklow town was considered in 2021. However this premises would require substantial financial investment before it could be utilised. Planning permission for the change of use of these premises was granted in late 2021 and consequently had not been factored into CIB’s 2022 budget allocation estimates process.
CIB continues to work closely with the Board of South Leinster CIS to support the region and ensure that delivery of high-quality services to citizens remain the priority.
The Department of Social Protection and CIB are currently holding discussions in respect of the funding required to complete the new premises development for Wicklow Town. These discussions are taking place in the context of CIB’s 2022 budget allocation and other competing priorities.
87. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending the age for qualification for the domiciliary care allowance from 16 to 18 years of age and providing those in receipt of the allowance with a less bureaucratic pathway to disability allowance. [16762/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability in their own home.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) ceases to be payable when a child reaches age 16 years. Disability Allowance (DA) can then be paid from age 16 if the qualifying conditions for that scheme are met, even if the child is in fulltime education.
Following a commitment made in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities 2015 -2024, the “Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities” (MWP) report was published. The report undertook to better identify how people with disabilities could be supported to achieve their employment ambitions. A number of MWP report recommendations focused on the need to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according to their capacity, and to change the qualifying age for disability allowance from 16 to 18 years of age while leaving Domiciliary Care allowance in payment where applicable to 18 years of age.
An extensive national consultation process was organised to engage people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and sectoral representatives to seek their views on the specific recommendations in the report. A consultation report was published in December 2021.
Consideration of the most appropriate measures to be taken is continuing. It is imperative when deciding on any changes to the age limits for the relevant schemes that such changes have a positive effect on those in receipt of the payments and that any unintended negative consequences. are avoided.
Disability Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance are different schemes with different qualifying criteria and a separate decision making process is required. The application form for DA applicants has recently been reviewed and a very significant reduction in the size of the form has been implemented. However, the scheme has a number of eligibility criteria and information about all of these has to be captured on the form in order for the Deciding Officer to be able to make an informed decision on each application. The current average processing times for Disability Allowance is 5 weeks.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
88. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance has been approved for a person (details supplied). [16802/22]
View answerDisability allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
A decision as to whether or not a person is eligible to receive a DA payment can only be considered on receipt of a completed application form for that payment. To date no application for DA has been received from the person concerned. An application form has been issued by post by the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
89. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16811/22]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded a widows contributory pension at the weekly rate of €213.50 with effect from the 22nd April 2022. In addition they have also been granted the qualified child increase at the weekly rate of €48.00 each for the two children. Payment will commence into the nominated bank account from that date.
The Widowed Parent Grant of €8,000 has also been awarded. Payment of this once off lump sum will be made into the nominated bank account on the 1st April 2022.
The person concerned has been notified of these decisions in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
91. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the long-term future plans for an Intreo centre and social welfare office (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17100/22]
View answerThe Department currently has 58 Branch Offices at various locations throughout the country. The Castlepollard office is one such Branch Office.
Each contracted Branch Office is operated and managed under a contract for services, by a Branch Manager who is required to act as an agent for the Department in the area served by the office. Branch Office Managers operate on a contract for service and are independent contractors.
The contract for the delivery of Branch Office services in Castlepollard was due to expire on the 8th of February 2023. However, the Branch Manager has very recently informed the Department of his intention to retire.
The continued provision of Social Welfare services to Castlepollard customers has been prioritised, both in accessing supports online and in-person. This includes the Community Welfare Service (CWS) and Employment Services. I can assure the Deputy that the Department will ensure that an efficient and quality public service, which properly reflects customer needs, will continue to be provided for all our customers in the Castlepollard area. In this regard, all options for continuation of service delivery in the Castlepollard area are currently being examined.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the diet supplementary allowance has not been paid in recent months to a person (details supplied); if their payment can be reinstated and arrears issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17114/22]
View answerThe person concerned has been in receipt of a monthly Diet Supplement since February 2014.
My officials have advised the Diet Supplement payment for January 2022 was not collected at the post office and the payment subsequently expired. No further payment issued beyond the date of expiry.
Following your representations my officials have reinstated the Diet Supplement payment and a payment for the period January to March 2022 inclusive will be available at the person’s nominated post office on 31/03/2022.
Should the person concerned not be in a position to collect a payment in the future, she should contact the Community Welfare Service to advise them accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
93. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees that have arrived in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16913/22]
View answerMy Department continues to source accommodation as quickly as possible for Ukrainian refugees.
To date my Department has contracted almost 2,800 hotel rooms, including in Donegal, with additional capacity also being pursued through:
- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs
- Accommodation pledged by the general public
- State-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation
- Religious properties, and
- Local authority facilities.
As this time, county-by-county data is not available.
94. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding that was provided by his Department specifically for children's playgrounds in the past five years. [16730/22]
View answerIn the past 5 years a total of €2,070,000 was provided by my Department for the development and renovation of children’s playgrounds.
My Department operates the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people, and for the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and incorporation of natural play elements.
The Criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established for the purpose of bringing a focus on play and recreation within each Local Authority. The total value of the fund since 2019 is €450,000 per annum.
- Grants are for the development of new play facilities, the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and / or incorporation of natural play areas.
- 25% of awarded amount must be provided by Local Authority for each project.
- Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
- All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe.
- All projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence, or a commitment to providing evidence, that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
- All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them eg. outside of school hours.
€2,070,000 was provided by my Department through this fund for the development and renovation of children’s playgrounds in the past five years, as follows:
Capital Grant Scheme funding awarded 2018: €250,000
Capital Grant Scheme funding awarded 2019: €450,000
Capital Grant Scheme funding awarded 2020: €450,000
Capital Grant Scheme funding awarded 2021: €470,000
Capital Grant Scheme funding awarded 2022: €450,000
Evaluations of applications for 2022 have just been completed and I can confirm that the funding available has been fully subscribed.
95. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when Ireland will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [16753/22]
View answerIreland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.
Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation - each year moving forward on key reforms, with the obligations arising from the Convention being met over time. Initial priority has been given to meeting legislative commitments and requirements.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol following the state's review before the UN Committee is a commitment in the Programme for Government. As we now expect Ireland's review before the Committee to occur later than planned, both I and Minister Roderic O'Gorman T.D. have stated that we are open to earlier ratification of the Protocol, provided the state is in a position to meet the obligations therein.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is in the process of examining the requirements for ratification of the Optional Protocol and we know, for example, that we will require the passage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill before ratification. As the Protocol chiefly concerns redress mechanisms, the review process will encompass a robust review of present redress mechanisms for breaches of rights under the UNCRPD. If any further action is required this will identified and pursued.
96. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if non-European Union students who had been studying in Ukraine will be facilitated to continue their studies in Ireland; if this service is restricted to refugees with Ukrainian citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16828/22]
View answerIn line with the European Council Decision of 4th March, the Government are applying the rights afforded under the International Protection Act, 2015 to:
(a) Ukrainian nationals residing in the Ukraine before 24th February 2022;
(b) Stateless persons, and nationals of third countries other than the Ukraine, who benefited from international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24th February, 2022; and,
(c) family members of the persons referred to in (a) and (b).
This International Protection Act 2015, as set out in Section 60, confers the right to access to the labour market and education to qualified persons on the same basis as citizens of Ireland.
Persons other than above wishing to come to Ireland to continue their studies may apply for an appropriate visa via the normal Department of Justice immigration channels.
97. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the terms of reference in terms and actions to be progressed by the National Apprenticeship Alliance following its first meeting on 24 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/22]
View answerAs set out in the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’, the National Apprenticeship Alliance will have an advisory role in relation to the development of the apprenticeship system and will oversee and sanction the development of new apprenticeships over the coming years.
Members of the Alliance will be responsible for a number of actions including representing apprenticeship stakeholders, working with the National Apprenticeship Office, SOLAS and the HEA to implement the craft apprentice migration plan and recommending apprenticeship proposals for development and approving formal occupational profiles in the development of new apprenticeships.
The 23 member Alliance is representative of apprenticeship stakeholders and brings together a wealth of knowledge and first-hand, practical experience from the worlds of education providers, learners, industry partners and trade unions.
The Alliance held its first meeting on Thursday 24 March last. As the NAA operates as a stand-alone body and is not directly under the remit of the Department, I will ask my officials to relay your request to the NAA.
98. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he anticipates the work on the Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16889/22]
View answerThe Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains legislative provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark (IEM).
The new Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and qualifications across the further, higher and adult education sectors. The Fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the Fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.
The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. To obtain the IEM providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare, cultural awareness and academic support provisions. In addition, providers will also be required to satisfy conditions relating to the recruitment, training and the cessation of employment of staff.
While the legislation to establish the Fund and the IEM is now in place, a considerable amount of preparatory work is required to facilitate their full implementation. My Department and QQI are currently prioritising the work to develop and implement the necessary key precursor measures including the development of specific Ministerial Regulations for corporate fitness assessments.
It is my Department’s intention that substantial progress will be made on advancing this work in 2022.
99. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total expenditure each year since 2011 on travel allowances, accommodation allowance and meal allowance for apprentices, in tabular form; the average cost per apprentice per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16890/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total expenditure each year since 2011 on travel allowances, accommodation allowance and meal allowance for apprentices is currently being collated and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
100. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding his Department has ring-fenced for a new campus for a facility (details supplied); and the stage the plans are at. [16924/22]
View answerOn the 14th February last I announced the parameters of an ambitious new phase of capital investment in the further education and training sector. The investment will include:
- A FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, supporting projects to drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence and unified tertiary planning; and
- A Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund, supporting smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure which are also aligned with FET College of the Future principles
The Cavan Institute project was previously part of the school building programme, prior to the establishment of my Department. It has been agreed that the project will now be advanced as part of the new FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, subject to meeting Public Spending Code (PSC) requirements. A proposal for Cavan Institute is at the early stages of development by Cavan and Monaghan ETB (CMETB). SOLAS and CMETB will engage in a process of planning and appraisal of the project which will include the development of cost estimates.
Capital investment in the FET sector is expected to increase from expenditure of less than €20 million in 2020 to annual funding of over €100 million by 2025. The project for Cavan Institute will be progressed as part of that programme of investment.
101. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the anticipated number of Ukrainian refugees that will need to be accommodated within both the further and higher education systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17106/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that as many Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland are traumatised, the Government's priority is to provide sanctuary and immediate supports such as food and housing. Therefore, only limited data is gathered by the Irish Visa Authorities, and as such, there is no available data on the number of students arriving in Ireland.
However, through engagements between officials from my Department and higher education representative associations, I understand a number of Ukrainian students have approached Irish Universities and Institutes of Technology directly seeking to continue their studies.
In line with the overall Government position, my Department is working with stakeholders to put a central structure in place, which will enable a more structured response to be delivered by Higher Education Institutions. This work, which is being conducted in a very positive manner by all, is ongoing.
102. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Ukrainian refugees will be treated as European Union students within the system and any implications in terms of SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the situation in Ukraine has developed very rapidly over the past number of weeks and events are continuing to unfold on a daily basis. In this uncertain environment, officials of my Department are continuing to gather as much information as possible in order to formulate recommendations for appropriate policy responses across a range of areas.
Displaced Ukrainian people arriving in Ireland are immediately being granted temporary protection, as set out in Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. The technical/legal status of these people is “beneficiaries of temporary protection under the EU Directive" and they are not classed as refugees. The Department is currently examining all student support options for incoming Ukrainian students.
In line with the overall Government position, my Department and agencies will work together to support Ukrainian and Irish students, whose studies have been affected by the invasion. I am working closely with the higher education sector to see what can be done to support them and facilitate the continuity of their studies. This work is ongoing.
103. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the work being carried out to mobilise student accommodation for housing Ukrainian refugees during the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/22]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that finding accommodation for the numbers of people displaced by the war in Ukraine who are expected to come to Ireland over the coming months is challenging and all of Government is working to ensure that the refugees, many of whom are traumatized, have immediate access to basic needs such as food and shelter.
The Government response to the crisis in Ukraine has been generous and in line with the International Displaced Persons Act 2015, displaced persons fleeing from the war are entitled to access to education, the labour market and health care on the same basis as a resident Irish or EU citizen.
My officials are continuing to engage with the Irish Universities Association (IUA) in relation to the possible use of student accommodation to meet an anticipated surge of displaced persons from Ukraine arriving during the summer months.
The IUA have identified 1000 potential bed spaces in student accommodation, and this information has been shared with the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth.
My officials will continue to work on identifying and securing any additional potential accommodation which may be available in the sector.
