Written Answers Nos. 112-131
112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the current status of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; the estimated start date for the construction of the new building; the estimated dates for both the completion of the construction and the children being moved into the new building from the inadequate prefabs which currently make up the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26806/22]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design.
This project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.
The Stage 2(b) report has been reviewed by my Department and comments issued to the Design Team in early April. The Design Team are required to carry out a final review of all of the tender documentation to ensure compliance with Department and Building Regulation requirements. Written confirmation from each Design Team member will be submitted to my Department when this work has been completed.
In order to expedite the progression of this major building project my Department authorised the Design Team to commence a pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors. The pre-qualification process is currently on-going.
Upon receipt of Design Team confirmations and completion of the pre-qualification process and subject to no issues arising, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities and the Design Team with regard to the further progression of this project to the next stage of architectural planning, Stage 3 (Tender Stage).
Tender Stage usually takes between 6 and 8 months to complete.
113. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if special schools have a high take-up of summer programmes; and if steps can be taken to encourage a higher take-up given that these children are those most likely to benefit from such a programme and are likely to regress if they do not attend, even if some home tuition is provided. [26811/22]
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 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.
Building on the 2021 programme, all primary and post primary schools can offer a summer programme and in line with last year’s funding, there is up to €40 million available to provide for this year’s programme. In 2021 nearly 38,000 children availed of the summer programme, an increase of 60% from the previous year.
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 the administrative 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 provided to schools to help design and deliver the programmes.
- Capitation Grant Funding provided to cover the running costs of the scheme, including enhanced capitation for special schools and classes.
This year, for the first time, there will be an online claims system for schools to submit payments details for those staff taking part in the school based summer programme. This will provide for faster and more streamlined payments to staff.
In addition, with the assistance of the National Association of Management Boards in Special Education (NAMBSE), the Department and Inspectorate recently hosted a webinar for Special Schools and provided a presentation on the supports and benefits of running a school based summer programme. The presentation focused on the positive outcomes for students that participated in the 2021 programme.
While the number of special schools and classes taking part has risen over the last 2 years, we want to continue this growth in participation further. The 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. Planning for the 2023 Summer Programme is due to commence shortly with a view to making further enhancements of supports which will including consultation with Education Partners and stakeholders.
It is acknowledged 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.
114. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school building application (details supplied). [26818/22]
View answerI 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 will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
As the Deputy may be aware, at a national level including the Athlone school planning area, primary enrolments are decreasing and this downward trend is projected to continue over the coming decade, from a national peak in 2018. While there will be local and regional variations, and the impact of Ukrainian arrivals will mitigate this reduction somewhat, there will be strategic opportunities to consider the overall accommodation needs of schools.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my officials shall continue to monitor the long term accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy and the wider school planning area. My Department has been approved interim accommodation to the school in question to facilitate their recently appointed additional teacher.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.
115. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if assistance will be offered to a family (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26823/22]
View answerThe Department considers that the school-based summer programme offers a more holistic experience for the student and generally where their school is running a programme a student should be availing of that.
However it is recognised that there may be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided even where their school is running a programme. Officials in my Department have been in contact with the family referred to by the Deputy and are progressing the matter.
116. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if the Good Friday Agreement, the vote on same and the aftermath of the vote are covered on the junior certificate history syllabus. [26827/22]
View answerThe Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) provides the underpinning for the Junior Cycle. The Framework gives students the opportunity to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills – to equip them for further learning, for work, for responsible and active citizenship, and for healthy living. The Junior Cycle has been developed and implemented over several years, with the final phase of new subject specifications having been introduced to schools from September 2019. The Junior Cycle subject specification for History was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and introduced from September 2018.
When schools in Ireland implement the Framework for Junior Cycle, they have the autonomy and flexibility to design programmes within the parameters of the framework, mindful in particular of the needs of their students and their teaching resources. This allows decisions on what is offered within these programmes to be at the discretion of the school, and students to have as broad a range of options to choose from as possible.
In the Framework for Junior Cycle, all schools are expected to provide opportunities for students to achieve 24 statements of learning over the period of Junior Cycle. These statements include valuing local, national and international heritage and understanding the importance of the relationship between past and current events, the forces that drive change, and understanding the origins and impacts of social, economic and environmental aspects of the world around them.
The specification for Junior Cycle History provides a framework for students to acquire the historical skills, conceptual understanding and substantive knowledge that lead to a sense of historical consciousness, whereby students can see the world and their place in it from a historical perspective. It has been designed for a minimum of 200 hours of timetabled student engagement across the three years of Junior Cycle. The specification has three interconnected strands, each with a set or related elements: the nature of history, the history of Ireland, and the history of Europe and the wider world.
As a result of the learning outcomes approach, teachers can facilitate discussion around a wide range of periods of Irish history and culture, as well as the many other issues which might arise during the course of a class. For example, in Learning Outcome 1.3 (Junior Cycle History) students are asked to appreciate their cultural inheritance through recognising historically significant places and buildings and discussing why historical personalities, events and issues are commemorated.
The two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) in the Junior Cycle specification allow students to explore topics that are interesting and relevant to their own lives. In A Life in Time, students choose a person from the past and explore why that person is historically significant, while The Past in my Place, allows students to present their findings on a study of an aspect of their home place that they consider of interest.
In October 2019, the Minister for Education announced that History should have special core status within the Framework for Junior Cycle. Further details in this regard are set out in Circular Letters 0076/2020 and 0016/2020. From September 2020, students will study English, Irish, Mathematics and History (with some exceptions in the case of students with special educational needs), along with a number of other subjects or short courses in their Junior Cycle programme.
The NCCA is also developing a short course in History for certain students with general learning difficulties/needs. Students in this category will not be required to study the subject ahead of the new short course being made available.
Across each of the strands and strand units of the curriculum, teachers have flexibility in determining the content which is to be taught and are encouraged to expose pupils to a range of perspectives. In particular, through Strand two: The history of Ireland, students should be able to identify the causes, course and consequence of the Northern Ireland Troubles and their impact on North-South and Anglo-Irish relations as well as examine how one sporting, cultural or social movement impacted on Irish life. This would include elements related to the Good Friday Agreement.
117. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if there are 29 ASD classes at primary-level and 1.5 ASD classes at second level in schools in the Dublin mid-west area; and her plans to rectify the discrepancy between the number of placements at primary and secondary level across this area. [26867/22]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen over 300 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in the Dublin area referenced by the Deputy. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years in this area to meet the demand for places.
NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open additional special classes and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education
The list of special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCSE-Special-School-Allocations-21-22-website-03-12-2021.pdf
and for special classes at:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf
118. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her Department has undertaken a review of the manner in which schools with religious patrons have delivered on the obligations to children for whom it has been indicated that they do not wish to participate in religious arrangements; and if she is considering issuing guidelines on the matter. [26888/22]
View answerUnder Article 44 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religious instruction classes if they so wish. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
The right of parents to have their child opt out of religion classes applies in all schools regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school concerned.
119. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she plans to initiate a programme of transfer of patronage at second level in areas in which there is substantial demand for non-denominational patronage, but no schools are serving that need. [26889/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware the Department establishes and supports new schools, including post-primary schools, where a demographic need for a new school has been identified.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years is underway. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed to provide objective information to all parents and guardians which allows them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage of a new school. The assessment process also includes an analysis of existing provision in the area and the adjacent school planning areas. At present, nationally circa. 50% of post-primary schools have either a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos.
It is possible for any school, including a post-primary school, to transfer patronage, if the school patron so wishes. A school patron may engage with another patron, including a multi-denominational patron with a view to transferring patronage of its school, and may write to the Minister for Education to request a transfer of patronage under Section 8 of the Education Act 1998 of a school under its patronage.
School communities who wish to explore the potential to transfer patronage should contact their school patron in the first instance.
120. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the authority, the budget and the mandate of the facilitators who seek to achieve the transfer of patronage in eight pilot areas; if their new role has taken learnings from the previous initiative by the education and training boards which have had limited success; the form that the consultation with parents will take in the eight areas; and the way that parents will be chosen for participation. [26890/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware I recently announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this.
The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference (representing the Catholic patrons) and relevant Bishops have confirmed their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these towns and cities. The engagement has involved reviewing learnings to date and developing agreed arrangements to explore reconfiguration opportunities in these areas as part of a pilot arrangement, as follows:
|
Arklow |
Athlone |
Cork* |
Dublin* |
|
Dundalk |
Galway* |
Limerick* |
Youghal |
*parts of these cities
To facilitate the pilot, the Department has made available a number of independent facilitators across the pilot areas to work with the school patron and relevant school authorities at a local level:
- to progress the reconfiguration pilot initiative;
- to assist in identifying potential school(s) in this regard; and
- to engage with stakeholders including school authorities, school staff and the school community
with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this in the pilot areas.
As part of this process, in each area the facilitator appointed by the Department, along with the relevant patron/patron representative will review data on the schools in the area and will engage directly with the relevant school authorities to progress the initiative at a local level. The process will be shaped by the stage (if any) of consideration of reconfiguration in the area concerned and whether any schools have already been identified or have opted-in at this point.
The facilitators will be paid at standard per diem rates approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for engagement of retired civil servants. Standard civil service travel and subsistence rates will also apply. Accordingly, the overall cost will depend on factors such as the number of schools being engaged with in a pilot area, the number of meetings required and the location of same, and the level of preparation work required.
Administrative support for the facilitators will be provided by Departmental staff from within existing resources.
The learnings from the process in the pilot areas should provide a pathway forward on the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
121. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of indexing core social welfare rates to 35% of average weekly earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26599/22]
View answerIn recent years, on foot of a commitment in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform (2018), my Department has developed proposals for a system of indexation for the State Pension (Contributory) scheme known as the “smoothed earnings” approach.
This approach aims to ensure that the relative value of State Pension (Contributory) compared to market earnings would be maintained over time and that, in the short-term, the real value, or purchasing power, of these payments would be protected.
More recently, the Pensions Commission report examined the issue of benchmarking pension rates and endorsed implementation of the “smoothed earnings” approach. The recommendations of the Pensions Commission are being considered at present and I plan to bring an overall proposal to Government in the coming weeks.
My Department has also committed, through the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, to examining a benchmarking and indexation approach for working age payments.
The estimated full year cost of indexing all core weekly social welfare payments to 35% of average weekly regular earnings in 2021, with proportionate increases for qualified adults is €3.1 billion annually.
This estimate is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
122. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the 18-week delay for appointments to get a Public Services Card in Newbridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26600/22]
View answerThe Public Services Card (PSC) establishes and fully authenticates a person’s identity, assisting them in accessing a range of public services in an easy and safe manner.
It is the case that some offices in my Department, including the Newbridge Intreo Centre are experiencing high levels of demand for PSC appointments. Additional staff have been assigned to increase capacity in offices in respect of these appointments.
The approximate wait time for PSC appointments in the Newbridge Intreo Centre is currently 11 weeks and additional staff have been allocated to significantly reduce this waiting time. The reason for each application is considered and where a request is deemed to be urgent the application is prioritised.
On average there are 180-190 appointments scheduled each week in the Newbridge Intreo Centre. However, approximately 25% of customers fail to attend their scheduled appointment. For example, in May up to 20/05/2022, 591 appointments were scheduled and customers notified of their appointment but only 446 customers attended.
It may be helpful to note that my Department has an online service which allows customers to renew their PSC for 10 years through www.MyWelfare.ie. A verified MyGovID account is required to use this service, and a passport quality photograph must be uploaded with the renewal application. An expired card can be extended for three years by calling the Department’s PSC Helpdesk at 0818 837000. Where a PSC is lost, stolen or damaged, a person should immediately contact the PSC Helpdesk where officials will arrange for a new card to issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
123. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow applications for a Public Services Card to be made online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26601/22]
View answerThe SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face to face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC). Currently, it is not possible for someone who does not already have a PSC to acquire one without attending an in-person appointment.
My Department is exploring the delivery of services to augment the current face-to-face identity proofing processes carried out by staff in Intreo and SAFE Centres nationwide by allowing customers to satisfactorily establish their identity online.
My Department has published a request for tenders (RFT) for an online document-centric identity proofing service to meet the Department’s SAFE standard. A decision on the development of this service will be made following an examination of responses to this RFT.
My Department has also introduced a new online PSC renewal service which is available on MyWelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
124. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reducing the pension age to 65 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26602/22]
View answerIt is important to note that the State Pension Age was never 65 years of age - 66 is the lowest the State Pension Age has ever been.
Reducing the State Pension Age to 65 years would increase pension related expenditure significantly. My Department had previously estimated that changing the pension age to 65 with effect from 1/1/2021 would cost €450 million extra in the first year (2021), €845 million extra in the second year (2022), rising to over €1 billion extra in 2025, and this extra cost would continue to rise every year thereafter. The accumulated cost differential for the period 2021-2025 was estimated to be €4.25 billion, i.e., it would cost c.€4.25 billion more than the existing system.
The estimates are for net costs and take into consideration additional increases or reductions arising in PRSI receipts, movements from other social welfare schemes, and secondary benefit entitlements including Free Travel, Fuel Allowance, Household Benefit Payment and Telephone Allowance. The estimates were based on the rates of payments at end 2020 and did not make any provision for rate increases. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revisions of the estimated numbers of recipients.
In February 2021, I introduced the "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. This new payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021 and it contained almost 250 pages of analysis, consideration and recommendations. The report, Technical Sub-Committee's working papers, agendas, minutes, external presentations and submissions in response to an extensive public consultation process are available on the website, pensionscommission.gov.ie. The Commission’s work established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed. It has set out a wide range of recommendations, including in respect of the State Pension Age and early access, and aligning retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension age.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government is considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare are being considered as part of these deliberations. Once the detailed consideration of all of this in the round is complete, I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government.
It is clear from the Commission’s work that State Pension reform is necessary and it is complex. It would be a strategic risk not to plan and provide for projected demographic changes, not least in terms of income adequacy for older people. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
125. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the issue of the terms and conditions of applying for jobseeker's benefit online, which do not include the circumstances in which applicants who are still in employment but are making an application due to reduced hours of employment must declare that they are unemployed; if she will ensure that the terms and conditions will be adjusted in order that applicants who are on reduced hours of employment are not legally compromised by agreeing to such terms and conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26644/22]
View answerIf a person wishes to avail of a Jobseeker’s payment they must complete the Declaration as part of their application stating that they satisfy all the conditions for the scheme including being unemployed, capable of, available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work. The conditions for a jobseekers payment apply to all jobseekers regardless of their current employment status. If a person is in casual or part-time employment they are deemed to be unemployed and are expected to continue to look for full-time work.
On going reviews are carried out on all jobseeker’s claims, including those in casual or part-time employment, to ensure that a person continues to satisfy all the conditions for the scheme and s/he may be asked, from time to time, to produced evidence of their efforts to find suitable full-time employment.
All claims are decided on an individual basis by a Deciding Officer based on the circumstances of the person and all parts of the application process must be fully completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will advise on an illness benefit-matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26661/22]
View answerIllness Benefit is the main income support provided by this department for those who cannot work due to illness of any kind. The provisional outturn for Illness Benefit was €570.9 million in 2021.
Illness Benefit is a social insurance payment and in order to qualify, the person must have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. They must also provide a Certificate of Incapacity for Work.
The relevant tax year plays a part in determining eligibility for Illness Benefit and it also constitutes the basis of calculating the person’s rate of Illness Benefit.
The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins. For example, the relevant tax year for an Illness Benefit claim that begins in 2022 is 2020.
There are four rates of Illness Benefit payable, based on the average weekly earnings of the person in the relevant tax year. A person can only get the full rate of Illness Benefit if they satisfy all eligibility requirements and their gross weekly earnings was determined as being €300 or more.
Maternity Benefit is a social insurance payment payable to women who have the required number of social insurance contributions. Contributions paid in Classes A, E and H count towards Maternity Benefit. The benefit is payable for 26 weeks; however, it can be extended with 16 weeks of additional maternity leave. While the person does not get Maternity Benefit for this period, they receive credited social insurance contributions for each week of unpaid leave.
If a woman who was on Maternity Benefit in 2020 falls ill in 2022, her rate of Illness Benefit will be based on her average weekly earnings in 2020, the relevant tax year. However, her average weekly earnings are only divided by paid contributions, and the time spent on the benefit should not impact her Illness Benefit rate.
If her average weekly earnings from employment were €300 or more, she will receive the maximum rate of Illness Benefit. If an Illness Benefit claim runs into a new calendar year, the claim will be checked to see if the claimant is eligible for a higher payment based on the updated relevant tax year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a partial capacity benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26724/22]
View answerOne of the criteria to be satisfied in order to qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit is that the person must, at the time of application, be in receipt of Invalidity Pension or have been in receipt of Illness Benefit for a minimum of 6 months.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of Disability Allowance which is not a qualifying payment for Partial Capacity Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
128. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to replacing the bus pass with a fuel voucher for elderly people that live rurally and cannot avail of public transport in the locality (details supplied). [26726/22]
View answerThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,030,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
The objective of the free travel scheme is to ensure that older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community, and it has a significant role in promoting social inclusion and preventing their isolation.
Any decision to introduce a new scheme to give a fuel voucher to senior citizens that live rurally and cannot avail of public transport in the locality would have considerable budgetary consequences, would require significant administrative procedures to be put in place to decide which pensioners lived in areas that were deemed sufficiently remote to qualify, would be contingent on that pensioner's ability to use the voucher and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
My Department provides an annual funding contribution of €1.5 million towards the Transport for Ireland Local Links Programme, which is administered by the National Transport Authority. The Programme provides services to people whose travel needs are not met by existing bus or train services. The Programme aims to enhance and sustain nationwide accessibility through community-based participation, particularly for those at risk of social exclusion. Services provided include door to door services on certain routes.
Under the SWA scheme my Department may award a travel supplement, in any case where the particular circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on a social welfare payment matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26820/22]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 3 March 2020.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 6 March 2020 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
On foot of the SWI report, a Deciding Officer (DO) decided that although the person concerned was providing a certain amount of care, the level involved did not amount to full-time care.
It was determined the full-time care and attention criteria was not satisfied and the application for CA was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 6 January 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was requested. Following this review the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 30 March 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of appeal.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The outcome of the appeal is that the original decision was upheld, and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified of the Appeal decision in writing on 4 May 2021. The SWAO decision is final in this matter and can only be reviewed in light of new evidence or facts not previously considered.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
130. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who want to remain on the community employment schemes rather then returning to jobseeker’s are not allowed once the period is expired even though these persons carry out great work for their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26898/22]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market.
CE placements are intended to be temporary and subject to time limits. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for a broad range of long-term unemployed candidates. Those who are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months or more may be eligible to participate on CE.
In general, all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. However, CE participants, working towards a major educational award, can seek to extend participation by up to two years to enable them to reach the required qualification standards.
Those over 55 years of age can remain on CE for up to three years, while CE participants who are aged over 55 and commenced on CE prior to the introduction of the changes in 2017 continue to be eligible to stay on CE for six consecutive years. CE participants over the age of 60 can participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age.
During the COVID pandemic the Minister for Social Protection and I extended CE participants contracts on a number of occasions. These contract extensions, which were in place from October 2020, supported CE schemes at various stages of the pandemic so that they could maintain important community services while also ensuring that participants had sufficient time to fully avail of the work experience and training opportunities affected by public health restrictions.
CE participants with extended contracts started to leave schemes on a coordinated and phased basis from 8 April 2022 and this will run up until January 2023. This will ensure continuity of service delivery and also support a phased recruitment of new participants.
In light of the ongoing COVID related challenges faced by CE schemes Minister Humphreys and I announced a number of reforms to CE in December 2021 including lowering the age limit at which CE participants can stay on CE up to state pension age from 62 to 30.
As part of these reforms and to assist with the transition from COVID emergency supports, participants including those with extended contracts, may not be required to leave CE, where a suitable replacement has not yet been referred to the scheme. This is a transitionary provision for supporting schemes to retain services, with the higher-than-normal turnover of participants in 2022. Extensions under this provision must be approved by officials from the Department and consideration will be given to the impact of COVID on the recruitment of participants, the type of service provided by the placement along with recruitment and referral efforts. This does provide schemes with additional flexibility to retain participants, where required to maintain services in communities.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants in particular given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
131. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will raise the age for the home carers period scheme from the age of 12 years to a minimum of 23 years of age for all foster carers, based on the aftercare supports required by vulnerable children in care. [26935/22]
View answer132. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will include the entire period that foster carers are on the Tusla panel of approved-foster carers and remain available for receiving a child into foster care for the State pension (contributory) purposes. [26936/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
Matters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.
More widely, this Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system includes a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment.
HomeCaring Periods may be awarded for each week not already covered by a paid or credited social insurance contribution (regardless of when they occurred) to a maximum of 20 years. Only one person can benefit from a HomeCaring Period for supporting a child or adult at one time. HomeCaring Periods can only be used under the Interim Total Contributions Approach (also known as the Aggregated Contribution Method) of pension calculation. HomeCaring Periods relate to full-time care for:
- a child or children under the age of 12 years of age;
- a child or children over the age of 12 who needed an increased level of care; or
- an adult who needed an increased level of care.
Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods, on the same basis as other carers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, s/he can still qualify for the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.
Since April 2019, all new State Pension (Contributory) applications are assessed under all possible payment rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the Interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. The Homemaker's Scheme and HomeCaring Periods Scheme cannot be used together to calculate State Pension (Contributory) entitlement. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment to examine options for a pension solution for carers, the majority of whom are women, particularly those of incapacitated children, in recognition of the enormous value of the work carried out by them. The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission’s terms of reference included consideration of how people who have provided long-term care for incapacitated dependants can be accommodated within the State Pension system.
The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021. It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed. The report set out a wide-range of recommendations, including enhanced pension provision for long-term carers.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government is considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare are being considered as part of these deliberations. I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government for its consideration in the coming weeks.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
