Thursday, 12 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 255-269

Schools Building Projects

Questions (255)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to be made to meet the educational needs of children in Maynooth, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school-building projects; the precise current position of each school building project at primary and second level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24071/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction, most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage which are being progressed as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Maynooth.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (256)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to be made to meet the education needs of children in Celbridge, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school building projects; the precise current position of each school building project and primary and second-level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24072/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction, most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage which are being progressed as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

A project to provide for three schools (St Raphael’s Special School, Scoil Naomh Padraig, Celbridge Community School) on a single campus in Celbridge has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.

A letter was issued to the school on the 18th February 2022. This letter advised the school that the NDFA will write to them once all the preparation works are complete to make arrangements to meet to discuss the project brief for the school and the expected timeline for the project.

Conveyancing for the site acquisition for this project is at an advanced stage. Due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further at this stage.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (257)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to be made to meet the education needs of children in Kilcock, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school building projects; the precise current position of each school building project at primary and second-level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24073/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction, most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage which are being progressed as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Kilcock.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (258)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to be made to meet the education needs of children in Prosperous, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school building projects; the precise current position of each school building project at primary and second-level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24075/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage and are being progressed as quickly as possible

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Prosperous.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (259)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to be made to meet the education needs of children in Clane, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school building projects; the precise current position of each school building project at primary and second-level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24076/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction, most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage which are being progressed as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Clane.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (260)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary and second-level provision continues to made to meet the education needs of children in Sallins, County Kildare with particular reference to the various planned and ongoing school building projects; the precise current position of each school building project at primary and second-level in this area; the extent to which any or all issues likely to impact on the progression of each project have been dealt with or are currently in hand; the expected completion date for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24077/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including County Kildare, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

My Department utilises this Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage and are being progressed as quickly as possible

It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Sallins.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (261)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs requirements in terms of accommodation, teachers and SNAs in all schools throughout County Kildare at primary and second-level continue to be met in line with the requirements as set out by the various school authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24078/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority for Minister Foley and myself.

In order to make accommodation provision to meet the needs of students with special education requirements, my Department has close engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class or to construct additional accommodation. Similarly, where special schools wish to expand provision, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to accommodate additional placements.

The NCSE has additionally provided my Department with projections of future requirements for classes for students with special education requirements. These are informing my Department's advance planning for special class accommodation.

This advance planning is building on the significant work to date in delivering additional classrooms for students with special education needs. Such classrooms for pupils with special education needs are included as standard in the accommodation brief for new school buildings and major extension projects, unless local circumstances indicate that they will not be required. Typically, two classrooms for pupils with special education needs are provided in new primary schools and four classrooms are provided in new 1,000 pupil post primary schools, with pro-rata provision for schools of other sizes.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of these projects are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible. There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.

The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.

Under the allocation model, schools have been provided with a total allocation for special education needs support based on their school profile.

The provision of a profiled allocation is designed to give a fair allocation for each school which recognises that all schools need an allocation for special needs support, but which provides a graduated allocation which takes into account the level of need in each school.

Schools are front-loaded with resources, based on each school’s profile. The allocations to schools include provision to support all pupils in the schools, including where a child receives a diagnosis after the allocation is received by a school, or where there are newly enrolling pupils to the school.

Both the Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are committed to ensuring that all schools are treated equally and fairly in the manner in which their school profiles have been calculated.

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

School Accommodation

Questions (262)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which a review of school accommodation continues with a view to achieving the highest possible standard of education at primary and second-level throughout the country and in County Kildare in line with modern requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24079/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System (GIS) and statistical modelling to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing school accommodation capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. A national inventory of school capacity, which utilises information from schools’ annual returns, is maintained by my Department and is supplemented by data on enrolment trends at individual schools as well as other indicators of potential capacity. My Department’s GIS is a critical tool in assessing such data in support of strategic planning for school accommodation needs. The GIS facilitates the geospatial analysis of capacity relative to school place demand and the customised reporting of data at local, regional and national levels.

As the Deputy may be aware, at primary level national enrolments peaked in 2018 and are projected to decline by over 120,000 by 2033, as outlined in my Department’s statistical report of November 2021: “Projections of full-time enrolment Primary and Second Level 2021-2040”. In that same report it can be seen that post primary enrolments are forecast to peak in 2024 and then decline thereafter to 2039, by circa 90,000 places. Although these projections do not account for arriving Ukrainian students, it is clear that at a national level there will be increasing levels of capacity within our existing schools infrastructure. While local and regional variations will, of course, be relevant, the use of such capacity - to meet the needs of Ukrainian children in the first instance - will be an important element in my Department’s strategic planning for capital investment in our schools. In this regard, a capacity survey at post-primary level has indicated available capacity of the order of 20,000 school places. There is also very good capacity at primary level given the downward trend in demographics and this will be analysed at an individual school and town/area level when a capacity survey of special schools and primary schools is undertaken at end May/early June 2022.

Where the geospatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – for example a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution.

Separately, where a school considers that it has a requirement for additional mainstream or special education needs accommodation it is open to the school authority to apply under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The assessment of such applications is also informed by a geospatial analysis of demand and capacity in the relevant area, and a consideration of the timing and duration of the need. The level of capacity in an individual school or in neighbouring schools is relevant when decisions on enrolment are being made. It is important that capacity across a town or area is fully utilised before additional accommodation is approved.

While the main focus of resources over the last decade has been on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification. My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects. Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents have been achieving A3 Building Energy Ratings since 2009 with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher performance than required by the current Building Regulations, along with 10% of primary energy provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.

My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications established a jointly funded pathfinder programme with the SEAI, testing and demonstrating energy efficiency and decarbonisation retrofit approaches. This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the educational environment on an evidence based approach. This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector. The longer-term outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland. The deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is due to be rolled out as included in the National Development Plan.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme to cater for current and future educational demands. The pipeline of projects is kept under continual review to ensure alignment with Project Ireland 2040 objectives. Good progress continues to be made with the rollout of projects, and the current status of projects being delivered is listed in tabular format, on a county by county basis, on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie and is regularly updated.

School Accommodation

Questions (263)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when a perceived delay in the completion of the extension to a school (details supplied) is likely to be rectified; the reason for the particular delay in question; if the necessary provision will be made on time to ensure a readiness for the new school year in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24080/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The school project to which the Deputy refers commenced construction in December 2020 and works are currently progressing well on site scheduled for completion in Quarter 3 of 2022.

School Accommodation

Questions (264)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position in regard to a permanent location for the Gaelcholáiste for north County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24081/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

It is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the gaelcholáiste in question will be met in a former school building. In this regard, the patron of the gaelcholáiste appointed a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the property concerned.

The patron furnished a copy of this Options Study to my Department and this is currently being considered. My Department will engage with the patron further when this process has been completed.

School Transport

Questions (265)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which an evaluation continues of the school transport system throughout north County Kildare with a view to ensuring the availability of transport to the greatest extent possible with particular reference to the needs of children who have been awarded the service previously but have subsequently been informed otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24082/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

School 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 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 for the 2021/22 school year for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but were attending their second nearest school and had 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. Decisions in regard to measures for the 2022/23 school year will be made shortly. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (266)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position in regard to the assessment of special needs in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24097/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

An Assessment of Need is a service provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for children or young people with a disability. The assessment identifies the child's health needs and what health services are needed to meet the child’s needs.

Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services and the assessment of need process should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Health.

Following a recent High Court ruling in October 2021 there is now a requirement on the education system to provide an assessment of Education Needs as part of the Assessment of Need Process.

The Department is considering its implications. The Department are working with the Department of Health, the NCSE and the HSE and taking legal advice. Officials in my Department are continuing to work through proposals to address the implications.

Any queries in relation to applications should be addressed direct to the HSE.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (267)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

267. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) who submitted an application for illness benefit eight weeks ago will be advised of the decision on their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23916/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In order to qualify for a payment of Illness Benefit a person must be medically certified as being incapable of attending work due to illness and satisfy prescribed PRSI contribution conditions.

The person concerned does not meet the PRSI conditions and therefore does not qualify for a payment. A letter issued to her dated the 9th May 2022 explaining the decision in full.

If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties in meeting her basic financial commitments it is open to her to contact the Department's representative, formerly known as a Community Welfare Officer, at her local Intreo Centre to see if she might qualify for assistance under the terms of the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Child Poverty

Questions (268, 269)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

268. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the research and data material that was used by her Department for the purposes of measuring child poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23951/22]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

269. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the research and data material that was used by her Department for the purposes of measuring child poverty in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23952/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.

The Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) is the official poverty data for Ireland. The most recent survey results in relation to the 2021 survey were published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on 6 May 2022.

It is welcome that the national rate of child poverty, which is based on consistent poverty, decreased significantly, from 7.2% in SILC 2020 to 5.2% in SILC 2021. There were also decreases in the At Risk of Poverty rate for children from 16.4% in 2020 to 13.6% in 2021, and the Basic Deprivation rate from 18.9% in 2020 to 17.0% in 2021.

Poverty data is not available at county level, only at a regional level. Data in relation to County Clare would be included in the data for the Southern region. However, child poverty data at regional level is not readily available on the CSO website. The issue of producing poverty statistics is a matter for the CSO.

Addressing child poverty is a Government priority. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 notes that no child in Ireland should live in poverty and that, where it happens due to adverse circumstances, available supports should ensure that the child and their family exit poverty as soon as is possible. The Roadmap highlights the importance of both income supports and access to services, particularly to basic essential services such as housing, health and education, in addressing poverty and social exclusion.

Budget 2022 included a range of measures to support families and children including increases to all core weekly payments and to the qualified child rates; an increase in the weekly income threshold for the Working Family Payment for all family sizes; an increase in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for older and younger children; and the extension of the Hot School Meals programme.

Question No. 269 answered with Question No. 268.