Written Answers Nos. 519-542
519. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if her Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by her Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by her Department. [23220/22]
View answerThe Department does not currently engage any persons or firms to deal with public relations.
520. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the reason that two schools in Galway lost their DEIS status in 2022 while the DEIS programme is being expanded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23311/22]
View answerI recently announced that from next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. 37 schools will also benefit from additional supports following reclassification. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools who were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data now have the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. Circular 0019/2022, outlining the details of the DEIS appeals process, was published on the 30th March 2022? by my Department and is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/7e7ca-deis-identification-2022-appeals-process-for-schools/. All schools were notified of the appeals process. The two schools referred to by the Deputy have both submitted appeals which are currently being processed.
When all appeals have been processed, schools will be informed of the outcome in writing by my Department. It is the Department’s intention that schools will be provided with the outcome promptly to allow schools time to plan for the 2022/23 school year.
521. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the outstanding amount due by religious institutions in the residential institutional redress board scheme; the amount that is due by each of the religious institutions in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23313/22]
View answerThe 18 religious congregations involved in the management of most of the residential institutions in which child abuse took place have made contributions towards the costs incurred by the State in responding to that abuse under two rounds: the legally binding 2002 Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the “Ryan Report”).
Some €125 million of the €128 million provided for under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement has been contributed, with the transfer of the following two properties remaining to be fully completed –
|
Congregation |
Number of Properties |
Valuation (€) |
|
Sisters of Mercy |
1 |
2,667,000 |
|
Religious Sisters of Charity |
1 |
190,500 |
|
Total |
2 |
2,857,500 |
The voluntary offers made in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report in 2009 included cash, properties and contributions in kind. Cash contributions of approximately €111.5m have been received to date and one further cash contribution is expected under the 2009 offers, arising from the disposal of a site by the Sisters of Mercy.
Of the 18 properties accepted for transfer to the State under the 2009 voluntary offers, the following two remain to be fully completed –
- site at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire from the Sisters of Mercy
- Bláithín Childcare Facility, Drumcondra, from the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Valuations of each of these properties will be prepared once the transfers are complete.
In addition to the above, the Congregation of Christian Brothers is in the process of transferring its portfolio of playing fields, which it values at €127m, to the Edmund Rice Schools Trust under an arrangement whereby the State will receive 50% of the proceeds arising from the future disposal of any of those properties. The Congregation has informed the Department that a number of transfers have now been completed, and the Congregation has engaged legal and technical consultants to progress the remaining transfers as a priority.
522. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to ensure the viability of the school transport service in view of the large cost increases for operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23319/22]
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.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
With regard to increasing fuel costs, as the Deputy will be aware, Government has announced a reduction in excise on fuel will result in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.
In saying this, the Department of Education is aware that a number of contractors have highlighted concerns about the ability to sustain school transport services to the end of the current school year given the recent increases in the cost of fuel.
In this context, the Department of Education is considering in consultation with other relevant departments and Bus Éireann the implications that increasing fuel costs may have on the provision of school transport services and is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter. The Department is also very aware of the potential impact of the current situation in Ukraine which is impacting fuel prices further.
523. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education the plans for the July provision programme 2022 for a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; if a pupil attending that school who availed of the programme up until Covid-19 restrictions were implemented will be able to avail of the programme this summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23325/22]
View answerEarlier this month, the Government announced the Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.
The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
The programmes on offer this summer include:
- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools (2-3 weeks programmes) for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 weeks programmes).
- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)
- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage
- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)
A key objective of this year’s scheme is to increase the number of schools offering the summer programme to their students. Steps have been taken to afford schools as much flexibility as possible, and to ease administrative requirements. This year there is provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer as well as undergraduate student teachers who have registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5.
To support and facilitate schools and principals with organising and running the programme, the 2022 Summer Programme allows principals to delegate these functions to other members of staff through the Overseer role and preparation hours. The Overseer and preparation roles provide an exciting personal opportunity for teachers to develop their leadership skills and experience with recognition at a whole-school level.
Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage participation of schools, these include:-
- A Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools.
- Provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes.
- Provision to recruit final year student teachers graduating this summer and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers.
- Guidance, Information and support will be provided to schools to help design and deliver the programmes.
- Earlier payment of school staff will be facilitated
- Capitation Grant Funding will be provided to cover the running costs of the scheme including enhanced capitation for special schools and classes.
However, the Department also recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme, so a home-based programme continues to be available for students with complex needs where the school-based programme is unavailable. It is important that the home-based programme provides support for the education and/or care needs of students with complex needs during the summer break period.
Under the home-based programme grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home. Schools are requested to provide parents with the contact details of a teacher/SNA where possible.
The NCSE have compiled a non-exhaustive list of private home tutor services and online platforms who may advertise for tutors for the 2022 Summer Programme and published it on their website.
Additionally the Irish Primary Principals Network has created a Summer Programme Noticeboard for teachers and SNAs to advertise their availability for the programme. Parents can also post notices on the board to source suitable candidates.
My Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to support parents in accessing summer provision and with schools to ensure that they have the resources and supports necessary to successfully run these programmes.
524. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist ag a Roinn airgead a chur ar fáil chun obair a dhéanamh ar scoil (sonraí tugtha) bunaithe ar an tairiscint is lú a fuair an scoil seachas an méid a ceadaíodh an chéad uair in 2019, de bharr an ardaithe mhóir a tháinig ar chúrsaí togála ó shin i leith; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23375/22]
View answerFuair an scoil a ndéanann an Teachta tagairt di cead le dul le haghaidh pleanála i mí Lúnasa 2020.
I mí Aibreáin 2022, chuir an scoil comhfhreagras ar ríomhphost go dtí an Roinn inar luadh go raibh sí ag dul ar aghaidh chun tairiscintí a lorg agus bhí na cáipéisí tairisceana ceangailte leis.
Ní raibh cead bronnta ag an Roinn ar an scoil chun dul ar aghaidh agus tairiscintí a lorg mar go gcaithfidh sí cáipéisí áirithe a chur isteach le bheith in ann cead a fháil. Iarradh na cáipéisí seo i mí Aibreáin 2022, dá réir.
Chuir an Roinn in iúl don scoil nuair a bheadh na cáipéisí a iarradh faighte dhéanfaí athbhreithniú ar na tairiscintí a bhí curtha isteach cheana féin.
Faoi láthair, tá an Roinn ag fanacht ar an scoil leis na cáipéisí seo a chur isteach.
525. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if an additional teacher will be appointed to a school (detail supplied) in County Mayo for the 2022-2023 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23446/22]
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 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including a specific one aimed at small schools, to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted a staffing appeal. The appeal will be considered by the Appeals Board and the school will be informed of the outcome at the end of this month.
526. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the schemes that are covered under the €40 million funding for school summer programmes; the incentives that are in place to encourage additional schools to apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23449/22]
View answerEarlier this month, the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.
The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
The programmes on offer this summer include:
- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools (2-3 weeks programmes) for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 weeks programmes)
- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)
- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage
- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)
A key objective of this year’s scheme is to increase the number of schools offering the summer programme to their students. Steps have been taken to afford schools as much flexibility as possible, and to ease administrative requirements. This year there is provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer as well as undergraduate student teachers who have registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5.
To support and facilitate schools and principals with organising and running the programme, the 2022 Summer Programme allows principals to delegate these functions to other members of staff through the Overseer role and preparation hours. The Overseer and preparation roles provide an exciting personal opportunity for teachers to develop their leadership skills and experience with recognition at a whole-school level.
Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage participation of schools.
These include
- A Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools.
- Provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes.
- Provision to recruit final year student teachers graduating this summer and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers.
- Guidance, Information and support will be provided to schools to help design and deliver the programmes.
- Earlier payment of school staff will be facilitated
- Capitation Grant Funding will be provided to cover the running costs of the scheme including enhanced capitation for special schools and classes.
Through the National Association of Boards of Management for Special Schools (NABMSE) the Department and Inspectorate recently hosted a webinar for special schools and provided a presentation on supports and benefits of running a school based summer programme including the positive outcomes for students that participated in the 2021 programme.
527. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to ensure that a home-based summer programme will be available for pupils with complex special educational needs in cases in which schools are not providing a school-based programme. [23460/22]
View answerThe Department of Education considers that school-based programmes provide a more holistic experience for students and help retain the important connection with school and peers.
However, the Department also recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme, so a home-based programme continues to be available for students with complex needs where the school-based programme is unavailable. It is important that the home-based programme provides support for the education and/or care needs of students with complex needs during the summer break period.
Under the home-based programme grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home. Schools are requested to provide parents with the contact details of a teacher/SNA where possible.
The NCSE have compiled a non-exhaustive list of private home tutor services and online platforms who may advertise for tutors for the 2022 Summer Programme and published it on their website.
Additionally the Irish Primary Principals Network has created a Summer Programme Noticeboard for teachers and SNAs to advertise their availability for the programme. Parents can also post notices on the board to source suitable candidates.
528. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the discussions that have taken place with special schools to ensure they engage with the programme to provide a summer programme for their pupils previously called July Provision; the supports that they are being offered and the changes in the terms of the support programme in 2022 in view of the importance of this programme particularly for children with high dependency needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23476/22]
View answerEarlier this month, the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.
The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
The range of programmes on offer this summer include the Special Classes and Special School Programme, which can be run from 2-5 weeks.
Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage participation of schools. These include:
- A Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools.
- Provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, with additional preparation hours allocated to special classes and special schools.
- Provision to recruit final year student teachers graduating this summer and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers.
- Earlier payment of school staff will be facilitated
- Capitation Grant Funding will be provided to cover the running costs of the scheme including enhanced capitation for special schools and classes.
Through NAMBSE the Department and Inspectorate recently hosted a webinar for special schools and provided a presentation on supports and benefits of running a school based summer programme including the positive outcomes for students that participated in the 2021 programme.
529. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the process in which genealogy records are accessed by members of the public; the process of the way records are uploaded onto the main database; if there is selective process in which some details are uploaded and others are not; when she expects all of the work of uploading the details to be complete (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23186/22]
View answerThe GRO hold the civil records of all births, deaths and marriages which occurred in Ireland. These records extend to 1864 for births and deaths and 1845 for marriages.Genealogical records of births that occurred more than 100 years previously, deaths that occurred more than 50 years previously and marriages that occurred more than 75 years previously are made available online via the irishgealogy.ie website maintained by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
These records are published online and are free to access to the public by the Department.A tranche of records meeting the timing criteria outlined above are made available annually. Death register records for the period 1864 to 1870remain to be uploaded to the website.The GRO is currently finalising this process and it is hoped that it will be fully completed by the end of this year.
I have asked the GRO to address the other matters raised in the correspondence you provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
530. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the living alone allowance scheme to include single retired civil and public servants employed prior to 1995 given that the current scheme discriminates against such employees (details supplied); if she will further consider the fact that those in this cohort of State employees who are widowed qualify for the scheme thereby adding to the discriminatory nature of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22626/22]
View answerPrimary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments, both cash and non-cash, on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary in nature.
The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment in itself, but rather it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. For those aged 66 or over,these payments include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit.
Accordingly, there are no circumstances where the Living Alone Increase can be paid to people who are not in receipt of a primary qualifying payment from my Department. Any decision to allow those who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment to receive the Living Alone Increase- and thereby establish it as a scheme - would have budgetary and administrative consequences and would have to be considered in the context of Budget negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
531. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if payment for the fuel allowance will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22629/22]
View answerFollowing a review of his entitlement for the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance), the person in question is eligible for fuel allowance with effect from 06 January 2022. Notification of this decision issued on 05 May 2022. Arrears due will issue shortly to his nominated bank account.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she is aware of the concerns of community employment supervisors in respect of their pensions; if the matter will be considered as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22644/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, following complex and detailed discussions between the Department of Social Protection and unions representing CE supervisors and a subsequent ballot of union members, an agreement was reached late in 2021 that resolved issues arising from a 2008 Labour Court recommendation on CE supervisor pensions.
Both Minister Humphreys and I were very pleased that this settlement brought this difficult issue to a conclusion in a fair and balanced manner.
The total cost of the settlement is over €24 million which will be paid to individual beneficiaries by the Department of Social Protection.
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.
Eligible supervisors and assistant supervisors will be required to submit an application to the department to confirm that they satisfy the terms of the settlement as agreed and to ensure that all payment details are in order.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department officials are currently working on the administrative arrangements to implement the agreed settlement so that payments can start to issue to qualified CE workers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
533. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a child benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22771/22]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
Under the Convention of Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the country of employment pays the family benefits even though the family may reside in the other country.
When both parents are employed in two different States, the country in which the children reside pays the family benefits and the other country considers the entitlement to a family benefit supplement payment.
Family benefit supplement is the difference in the total amount of family benefits payable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
An application for Child Benefit was received from the person concerned on 14th March 2022. An email issued to the person concerned on 28th April 2022 requesting further information required to make a decision on this application. The information has not been received to date.
On receipt of the requested information, the application will be reviewed and a decision will issue to the applicant.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
534. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if national insurance will be provided to refugees from Ukraine. [22779/22]
View answer535. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if national insurance will be provided to refugees from Ukraine. [22779/22]
View answerOn 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted the decision to apply the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC to persons displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 as a result of the military invasion by Russian armed forces that began on that date. This means that people from Ukraine arriving in the State will receive a letter confirming that they have been granted temporary protection under this Directive.
The priority of my Department is to assist Ukrainian people to apply for an income support payment immediately on their arrival in the State. A fast-track approach to processing such applications has been put in place which includes simplified decision-making and swift processing of Personal Public Service Numbers to facilitate prompt access to a range of public services.
A reception centre has been set up in Dublin Airport where officials from my Department and other Government Departments are available to meet Ukrainian people and to help them access a range of services including income supports. My Department has also established dedicated Ukraine Support Centres in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and the services, including the employment support services, of the Intreo Centres located across the country are also available to Ukrainian people.Ukrainian citizens in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive can work legally in the State and are entitled to the range of statutory employment rights and protections in the same manner as Irish workers.
A dedicated webpage has been published on my Department’s website to ensure people arriving from Ukraine are aware of the supports and services available to them. The webpage is entitled ‘Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive’. The information on the webpage is in plain English and also in the Ukrainian and Russian languages.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
536. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if payments made to households who house Ukrainian refugees in their homes will be assessed as income in cases in which the householder is in receipt of a means tested social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22784/22]
View answerMy Department is providing ongoing support and services to assist people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland, such as the provision of PPSNs and income supports.
Currently, where a recipient of a means tested social assistance payment provides accommodation in their own home, any rental payment received in exchange will be assessed in the means test for their social assistance payment and could affect their weekly rate of payment.
In addition, entitlement to secondary benefits such as Fuel Allowance or Living Alone Allowance may be affected due to changes in household composition.
With this in mind, I have asked my officials to examine these issues and come forward with proposals as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
537. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if a married couple (details supplied) can have their payments backdated to the date of the original application for in view of the fact that their cases were examined recently and they were given the appropriate level of payment for their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22801/22]
View answerThe person concerned has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) from 31 March 2010. A request to have an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) added to her DA claim was received on 23 February 2022.
The person concerned was awarded an IQA on her DA with effect from 16 February 2022. She was notified of this decision in writing on 15 March 2022. On foot of a request for the IQA to be backdated to 31 March 2010, her claim is currently being reviewed.
Once the review is complete, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
538. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person who is working and paying PRSI and who is also in receipt of the widow’s, widower’s or surviving partner’s pension is not entitled to illness benefit when they are unable to work due to being sick or ill; her views on whether it is fair for a person to have to pay PRSI but not be entitled to illness benefit when they are unable to work due to being sick or ill; if she will consider altering this policy in order that people in receipt of the widow’s, widower’s or surviving partner’s pension are entitled to claim illness benefit when they are unable to work due to being sick or ill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22810/22]
View answerMy Department provides social insurance and social assistance payments to those who are experiencing a particular contingency. Social insurance schemes are paid to those covered by the Social Insurance Fund, whereas social assistance payments are designed to support those most in need and are based on a means-test. However, there is a general principle of one person, one payment, which applies across the Irish social welfare system.
Given the contingency-based nature of this system, even if the person experiences more than one contingency at the same time, generally, they can receive only one of those payments to help meet the person’s income needs. This means that a person will not be able to claim Widow’s Pension, Widower's Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension and Illness Benefit at the same time.
It should be noted, however, that people might be eligible to claim one of the supports below in addition to their Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension:
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly means-tested tax-free payment available to employees with children. A person can receive Working Family Payment (if they meet the criteria) and get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension at the same time. Full details are available and updated regularly on the www.gov.ie website. The Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension is assessed as means.
A person might also be eligible to receive Living Alone Increase, Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits Package depending on their living circumstances and their age.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is available to people struggling financially. This is a means-tested payment. It is administered by this Department’s Community Welfare Service and can be accessed by customers through their local Intreo office. The Department may also make an Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
Full details of the above and further rules and guidelines are available and updated regularly on the www.gov.ie website.
The Department will continue to keep the range of supports under review. However, changing the underlying one person, one payment principle would involve significant additional expenditure which could prove unsustainable in the long-term, and which would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
539. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if the School Meals Programme will be extended to the summer (July) provision scheme 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22811/22]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.Funding under the School Meals Programme is normally confined to the academic year but an exception was made in summer 2020 and 2021 in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. As restrictions relating to Covid-19 have been lifted, the school meals scheme has resumed funding for the normal duration of 36 weeks for primary schools and 33 weeks for post primary schools.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
540. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will task JobsIreland and the Intreo service with supporting Ukrainian refugees and others in the international protection system in assisting them in securing skills appropriate employment opportunities that matches their educational and work experience, knowledge and expertise, or if she has plans to pilot such a programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23002/22]
View answerUnder the EU Temporary Protection Directive, my Department is providing income support and employment services to assist Ukrainians in Ireland who have fled the war in Ukraine.
My Department's first priority is to address their immediate income support needs, followed by the provision of employment advice and support.
To date, my Department has issued just under 30,000 PPS numbers to people (of all ages) from Ukraine who have arrived here to flee the war, with 15,000 adults on income support.
In relation to employment supports, a dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie has been developed to provide information on employment supports and opportunities for those newly arrived from Ukraine. This information is available in Ukrainian and Russian.
Employers across all sectors who wish to support people arriving from Ukraine through provision of employment opportunities are advised to register on www.jobsireland.ie to advertise vacancies. This will enable Intreo Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities. People arriving from Ukraine seeking employment can also use jobsireland to upload details of their skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities. Ukrainians are invited to attend Intreo Jobs Fairs and other employment events arranged countrywide.
Since the middle of April, Intreo Employment Services are arranging employment support events specifically for Ukrainians. These are being arranged on an outreach basis in, or close to, current accommodation hubs and by inviting Ukrainians to Intreo Centres to receive these services.
At these events, details of Ukrainians proficiency in English, their qualifications, employment history and employment preference are provided to assist with job matching. Those attending are also assisted on site to find employment through the provision of information on employment opportunities – via jobsireland.ie and with ‘jobs walls’ advertising local vacancies. Assistance is also provided to ensure that Ukrainians are on the correct income support payment, be it jobseeker's allowance or another payment more appropriate to their personal circumstances.
To date Intreo Employment Services staff have engaged with almost 4,000 Ukrainians at these events. Of those, many have high levels of education and professional qualifications, and they have a broad range of work experience. Around 60% have indicated that English language skills may be a barrier to finding employment.
My Department is also working closely with education and training boards to facilitate access to relevant training supports, including English language training.
Therefore at this stage, widespread employment supports are being provided to Ukrainians through a number of channels, including dedicated supports for Ukrainians. My Department through Intreo will continue this work, to assist Ukrainians find employment while they remain in Ireland.
My Department's employment services are available to those in the International Protection system. Intreo Employment Services staff engage systematically with refugees who are in receipt of a jobseeker payment and the walk-in service is available to all on a volunteer basis.
Local teams have also been engaging with Cultural Ambassadors, linked with Local Community Development Committees, to explore how to best leverage their services to support migrants, refugees and asylum seekers into employment.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
541. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering expanding the qualifying criteria for the fuel allowance to include qualifying people who live with dependents who are partaking in apprenticeship and or training courses and are under 23 years of age in line with the rule that applies to persons who are attending third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23009/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022.The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The household composition rules for Fuel Allowance indicate that an applicant must live alone or only with a qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren). A child under 22 is only considered a qualified child for Fuel Allowance purposes if an increase for a qualified child is being paid on the fuel applicant's qualifying primary payment and not solely because a child is participating in third level education.
If a person is getting a long-term social welfare payment and their child is in full-time education, an Increase for a Qualified Child will be paid up to age 22 or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22. Full-time education does not include training provided by SOLAS where an allowance is paid, or where the period of work experience is greater than the period of training or instruction, or where the training forms part of an employment or work experience programme.
Any decision to expand the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance in the manner outlined by the Deputy would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
542. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to the Exchequer of a weekly cost of disability payment based on the Indecon report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23015/22]
View answer543. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to the Exchequer of a weekly cost of disability payment of €20, €30 and €40 respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23016/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.
Expenditure by my Department on Illness, Disability and Carers programmes, in 2020, was €4.7b or 15.7% of total expenditure.
My Department commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland in order to get a better understanding of the extent and composition of these costs and the way they affect people differently.
The Indecon report highlighted that the ‘Cost of Disability’ is significantly wider than the income support system and found that there is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’; rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person concerned.
Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including: housing, equipment, aids and appliances, mobility, transport and communications, medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses.
The research has implications for many areas of public policy, and in order to implement an all-Department response, the Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D.
The Indecon report does not recommend a weekly cost of disability payment amount; rather it found that broad ranges apply. The report notes also that even where individuals had the same disability, different needs could be identified. Indecon concluded that costs faced by individuals will severe disabilities on average ranged from €9,600-€12,300 per annum and for those with limited disabilities from €8,700-€10,000 per annum. The report further concludes that:
- Measures to address the additional costs of disability should be based on a multifaceted approach involving increased cash payments, enhanced access to service provision and specific targeted grant programmes;
- A high priority should be given to facilitating an increase in employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities;
- Concentration of any additional supports should be targeted on those most in need and who face the greatest additional costs of disability. This would be more effective in meeting policy objectives and in enhancing value for money than introducing additional small scale supports for those who face minor additional costs of disability.
- That the levels of disability payments and allowances should be changed to reflect the very different costs of disability by severity and type of disability.
In Budget 2022 a number of measures were introduced to support people with disabilities and carers.
- An increase across core social welfare payments/rates. (Increases to the weekly rates of payment for working age recipients under 66 years of age) by €5 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates).
- Increase to the income disregard for Carer's Allowance from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple.
- Increase to the Capital Disregard for Carer's Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000.
- Extension to the period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital from three months to six months (including payment of Carer's Allowance for this period).
- Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for Disability Allowance, by €25 per week, from €350 to €375 per week.
- Increase in the rate of the Wage Subsidy Scheme for private sector employers by €1 per hour (equivalent to 60% of National Minimum Wage)
Three grants, currently available through Intreo centres, to also be available through EmployAbility contractors in 2022; these are:
- Job Interview Interpreter Grant
- Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant
- Personal Reader Grant
Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60 (was €2.50 per week).
- Extension to the eligibility for the disregard of PhD scholarship income, in the means test, to recipients of the Blind Pension.
- Introduction of a grant of up to €500 in any calendar year towards the purchase of wigs/hairpieces/hair replacement system in cases of hair loss due to illness or treatment of an illness.
- Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week - with immediate effect. This increase was paid from early November 2021. The weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120.
Increase to the Living Alone Allowance (LAA) of €3, from €19 to €22 per week. The LAA is an additional payment made each week to:
- people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, and who are living alone;
- people who are less than 66 years of age, living alone and in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
Under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2020-2025) and Pathways to Work (2021-2025) strategies, my Department has committed to developing and consulting on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report’, and a review the current long-term disability payment schemes with a view to removing inconsistencies/anomalies and ensuring that they recognise the continuum of disabilities and support employment’.
This work is currently underway within my Department, with a public consultation process to commence in due course.The estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of a weekly cost of disability payment of €20, €30 and €40 is as follows:
|
Estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of a weekly cost of disability payment of €20, €30 and €40 |
|||
|
264,960 |
€20 |
x 52 |
€276m |
|
264,960 |
€30 |
x 52 |
€413m |
|
264,960 |
€40 |
x 52 |
€551m |
* note: the estimate is based only on persons in receipt of the following payments (at the end of 2021): Domiciliary Care Allowance, Partial Capacity Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Disablement Benefit. The cost of such an approach would increase, as other payment groups may need to be included, given demographic trends and other factors.
