Written Answers Nos. 132-151
133. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing core social welfare payments by €15, €20 and €30 per week in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26954/22]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment by €15, €20 & €30 is shown in the table below.
|
Payment |
|
€15 |
€20 |
€30 |
|
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
|
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
|
380.5 |
507.3 |
761.0 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
Under 66yrs |
22.3 |
29.8 |
44.7 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
70.1 |
93.4 |
140.1 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
Under 66yrs |
1.7 |
2.3 |
3.5 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
1.9 |
2.6 |
3.9 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
48.6 |
64.8 |
97.2 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
1.7 |
2.3 |
3.4 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
|
0.9 |
1.2 |
1.9 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
|
0.6 |
0.8 |
1.1 |
|
Disablement Pension |
|
3.7 |
5.0 |
7.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
|
39.1 |
52.1 |
78.2 |
|
Injury Benefit |
|
0.6 |
0.8 |
1.1 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
|
0.7 |
0.9 |
1.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
|
33.2 |
44.3 |
66.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) |
|
1.2 |
1.6 |
2.4 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
|
2.8 |
3.7 |
5.6 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
|
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
|
15.8 |
21.1 |
31.7 |
|
Paternity & Parent's Benefit |
|
4.5 |
6.0 |
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
|
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
|
75.6 |
100.8 |
151.2 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
|
0.9 |
1.2 |
1.7 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
|
0.9 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
|
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
|
30.9 |
41.2 |
61.8 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
40.2 |
53.6 |
80.4 |
|
|
66yrs or Over |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.9 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
10.1 |
13.5 |
20.3 |
|
|
66yrs or Over |
5.7 |
7.6 |
11.4 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
|
0.4 |
0.6 |
0.9 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance Max Rate |
|
113.6 |
151.5 |
227.1 |
|
JA age 18 to 24 |
|
10.6 |
14.2 |
21.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
130.9 |
174.5 |
261.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
|
4.6 |
6.2 |
9.3 |
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
|
11.6 |
15.5 |
23.2 |
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
|
29.9 |
39.8 |
59.7 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
|
2.7 |
3.6 |
5.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|
11.5 |
15.3 |
22.9 |
|
TOTAL |
|
1,111.7 |
1,482.1 |
2,223.1 |
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
134. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the working family payment by €20, €30 and €40 per week for all recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26955/22]
View answerThe Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees, with children, on low earnings. The scheme is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment.
There are currently approximately 46,000 families in receipt of Working Family Payment, in respect of 103,000 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2022 is €349 million. The payment a person receives is 60% of the difference between their average weekly family income and the income limit that applies to their family size.
In Budget 2022 I provided for a €10 increase in the weekly income limits for all families. This change was due to come into effect from June 2022, but I am pleased to confirm that implementation was brought forward to April 2022 as part of the package of measures the Government announced in February to assist families with cost-of-living increases.
The full year cost of increasing the Working Family Payment income limits for all families by €20 per week is estimated at €46.2 million. A €30 increase is estimated to cost €69.3 million and a €40 increase is estimated to cost €92.4 million in a full year. It should be noted that these estimates are based on current numbers of recipients.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing core social welfare payments and the working family payment by seven per cent in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26957/22]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment by 7% is shown in the table below:
|
Payment |
- |
Total |
|
|
|
€m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
|
449.4 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
Under 66yrs |
22.2 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
82.7 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
Under 66yrs |
1.7 |
|
|
Over 66Yrs |
2.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
48.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
1.7 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
|
0.8 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
|
0.7 |
|
Disablement Pension |
|
4.1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
|
38.0 |
|
Injury Benefit |
|
0.6 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
|
0.7 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
|
32.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) |
|
1.2 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
|
3.0 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
|
0.0 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
|
18.5 |
|
Paternity & Parent's Benefit |
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
|
85.2 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
|
0.8 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
|
0.9 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
|
30.1 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
42.1 |
|
|
66yrs or Over |
1.8 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
10.6 |
|
|
66yrs or Over |
6.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
|
0.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance Max Rate |
|
110.6 |
|
JA age 18 to 24 |
|
5.8 |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
127.4 |
|
Farm Assist |
|
4.5 |
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
|
11.3 |
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
|
31.7 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
|
3.8 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|
11.0 |
|
Working Family Payment |
|
24.4 |
|
TOTAL |
|
1222.6 |
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
136. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the current ratio of her Department's employment services case officers to clients; the current proportion of case officer clients who are lone parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26958/22]
View answerThe current number of clients within Intreo employment services is 24,671, of which 3,913 are lone parents in receipt of a Jobseeker Transition Payment. This represents almost 16% of the total.
There are 383 directly employed employment services officers (287 Case Officers plus 96 Job Coaches), giving an average ratio of clients to officers of 65:1.
Apart from the mandatory Activation process, any lone parent who wishes to avail of employment services can do so on a voluntary basis at any time by requesting a walk-in appointment with an employment services officer at their local Intreo Centre.
In addition to directly-provided Intreo employment services which focus on the short-term unemployed, contracted public employment services provide services to primarily long-term unemployed customers. Contracted services have an average client to employment personal advisor ratio of 120:1.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
137. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to carry out excavations at former mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/22]
View answerI am committed to advancing the legislation that is required to facilitate an intervention at site of the former Mother Baby institution in Tuam, Co. Galway, and am conscious of the need to start excavations there at the earliest opportunity.
The Institutional Burials Bill, which was published in February 2022, seeks to ensure that the remains of those who died in residential institutions, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. It also provides for the identification of remains and their return to family members, where possible. The legislation is not site specific and will provide for interventions at other sites associated with institutions should similar situations arise in the future.
The Bill has completed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann. I hope to bring it through the remaining stages of the legislative process as quickly as possible, with a view to establishing an Office to manage intervention at the Tuam site later this year so that excavation can begin.
138. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2021 and 2022 on the UBU Your Place Your Space Programme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2022, in tabular form. [26767/22]
View answer147. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on targeted youth funding scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26815/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 147 together.
The amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the targeted youth funding scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 is provided in the table below.
|
Targeted Youth Funding Scheme |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Allocation |
€17,898,844 |
€275,264 |
N/A |
|
Draw down |
€17,898,844 |
€275,264 |
N/A |
The amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 is provided in the table below.
|
UBU Your Place Your Space |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Allocation |
€18,926,335.50 |
€39,443,138 |
€44,783,200 |
|
Draw down |
€18,926,335.50 |
€39,657,849 |
N/A |
139. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the youth services grant scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26768/22]
View answer144. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to national youth organisations; the breakdown of organisation and allocated funding; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26773/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 144 together.
Pobal administers funding on behalf of my Department to 30 national youth organisations for a number of funded youth schemes. The funding drawn down reflects the funding provided to Pobal for the administration of these schemes.
I have provided the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to national youth organisations; the organisations allocated funding; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 in the table below.
*The 2022 allocations should not be taken as the final figures for the year as allocations are still to be made under the Youth Capital scheme later this year.
140. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the local youth club grant scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26769/22]
View answerThe amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the local youth club grant scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 is provided in the table below.
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Allocation |
€2,107,754 |
€2,254,664 |
€2,500,000 |
|
Draw down |
€2,107,754 |
€2,088,536 |
N/A |
141. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on youth information centres; and the amount of this allocation was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26770/22]
View answerThe amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to youth information centres; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 is provided in the table below.
|
Youth Information Centres |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Allocation |
€1,347,492 |
€1,354,047 |
€1,391,399 |
|
Draw down |
€1,347,492 |
€1,350,875 |
N/A |
142. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to Tusla for youth counselling services; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26771/22]
View answerMy Department does not allocate a budget amount to Tusla in respect of youth counselling specifically. As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
143. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to Tusla for family resource centres; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26772/22]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme and for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, this has amounted to approximately €18m annually.
As budgeting and drawdown of funding for the FRC Programme is an operational matter for Tusla, I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the deputy, to provide the information sought.
145. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to youth capital projects; and the amount of the allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [26774/22]
View answerThe amount allocated in 2020 and 2021 to youth capital projects; and the amount of the allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 is provided in the table below. Allocations have not yet been made under the Youth Capital scheme in 2022. An application process is currently underway.
|
Youth Capital |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Allocation |
€1,950,000 |
€3,000,000 |
N/A |
|
Draw down |
€2,379,650 |
€2,921,000 |
N/A |
146. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding that was allocated to youth services to mitigate Covid-19 and its impact. [26775/22]
View answerDuring the period of Covid-19 restrictions, the youth funding provided by my Department to youth work organisations was maintained fully. An additional €5 million was allocated in Budget 2021 and Budget 2022 to bring the annual youth funding, including capital allocations, to €73 million.
Specific Covid-19 related funding was also made available. A Covid-19 Minor Grant Scheme for Youth Services and Youth Clubs was announced by my Department in June 2021 making €1.4 million in funding available to frontline youth services and clubs nationally to support them as Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed in line with Government guidelines. An application for funding was required.
The funding was dispersed among the 16 Education and Training Boards for local administration to the youth services and clubs within their functional areas. The application process for funding from the scheme was administered locally by each of the 16 Education and Training Boards, comprising an application, assessment and award process.
The following table provides details of the indicative funding allocations provided to Education and Training Boards based on the number of youth services and clubs within their functional area together with the funding amounts drawn down.
|
Education and Training Board |
Funding Allocation initially provided to ETBs |
Funding Drawn Down By ETB |
|
Cavan and Monaghan |
€23,309 |
€33,440.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
€385,702 |
€385,702.00 |
|
Cork |
€134,362 |
€134,362.00 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire |
€217,646 |
€40,705.25 |
|
Donegal |
€23,132 |
€23,132.00 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
€86,887 |
€70,098.21 |
|
Kerry |
€26,313 |
€26,313.00 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
€67,407 |
€41,582.00 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow |
€31,084 |
€24,777.85 |
|
Laois Offaly |
€15,892 |
€14,000.00 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
€119,588 |
€119,588.00 |
|
Longford and Westmeath |
€30,831 |
€18,856.00 |
|
Louth and Meath |
€34,910 |
€34,910.00 |
|
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim |
€29,799 |
€29,799.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€42,493 |
€42,493.00 |
|
Waterford & Wexford |
€130,645 |
€130,645.00 |
|
Total |
€1,400,000.00 |
€1,170,403.31 |
A Covid-19 Minor Grant Scheme similar to that made available to youth services and youth clubs was launched in September 2021. Total funding of up to €1 million was made available for distribution between the national youth organisations to defray additional Covid 19 costs, the costs of re-engaging volunteers in universal services, and a contribution towards funding gaps emerging as services re-open in line with Government guidelines.
Following an application process, funding of over €900,000 was distributed to 23 successful applicant youth organisations following the completion of the assessment process. Additionally, during the periods of restrictions due to Covid-19, all youth funding provided by the Department was maintained fully.
|
|
National Youth Organisation |
Grant Allocation |
|
1 |
Young Irish Film Makers |
€9,500.00 |
|
2 |
Involve |
€30,000.00 |
|
3 |
Church of Ireland Youth Department |
€12,500.00 |
|
4 |
Ógras |
€30,000.00 |
|
5 |
Experiment in International Living |
€4,000.00 |
|
6 |
Localise |
€20,000.00 |
|
7 |
Catholic Girl Guides |
€29,795.00 |
|
8 |
Voluntary Service International |
€12,000.00 |
|
9 |
An Óige |
€30,000.00 |
|
10 |
Youth Work Ireland |
€105,200.00 |
|
11 |
Irish Methodist Youth and Children’s Department |
€6,500.00 |
|
12 |
Girls Friendly Society |
€10,000.00 |
|
13 |
Scouting Ireland |
€110,000.00 |
|
14 |
Irish Girl Guides |
€66,524.00 |
|
15 |
Crosscare |
€15,000.00 |
|
16 |
National Youth Council of Ireland |
€125,613.00 |
|
17 |
Macra na feirme |
€68,142.00 |
|
18 |
BelongTo |
€20,000.00 |
|
19 |
ECO Unesco |
€20,000.00 |
|
20 |
Gaisce |
€20,000.00 |
|
21 |
Order of Malta |
€7,215.00 |
|
22 |
Youth Theatre Ireland |
€20,000.00 |
|
23 |
Foroige |
€136,000.00 |
|
|
Total Funding Provided |
€907,989.00
|
148. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the extension of parents leave from five to seven weeks announced in Budget 2022 will come into effect (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26824/22]
View answerAs you are aware, provision has been made in Budget 2022 to increase the number of weeks of Parent’s Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents from five weeks to seven weeks from July 2022. This will be introduced by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended).
It has been decided that the additional two weeks' leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under the age of two in July 2022 (or adoptive children who have been with their parents for less than two years at that point).
Practical arrangements for the payment of Parent’s Benefit are being finalised with the Department of Social Protection and, once finalised, a date for the commencement of the extension will be announced.
149. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the report on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 pursuant to section 10 of the Act; when the report was received from the National Disability Authority; when it will be published; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26855/22]
View answerThe Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was signed into law on 24th December 2017 and I commenced the Act jointly with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, in December 2020.
The Act recognises the right of the Deaf community to use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their native language. The Act creates obligations for the public sector regarding the provision of ISL. In addition, the Act provides for specific duties and obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting.
Implementing the Irish Sign Language Act requires a whole of government approach. As such, all public bodies have obligations to fulfill. My Department has an important role to play in monitoring the implementation of the Act to ensure that users of Irish Sign Language have equal access to the services of the State and equal opportunities to achieve their full potential.
Section 10 of the Act requires me, as the responsible Minister, to request a report on the operation of the Act to be produced, initially three years after enactment and every five years thereafter. These reports must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In line with these requirements, in 2021 the National Disability Authority (NDA) was commissioned to produce the first report on the operation of the Act. The NDA completed the report in December 2021.
The Report is receiving detailed consideration within my Department. As the recommendations of the Report affect a wide range of organisations, it has been necessary to consider the whole of Government implications arising. I intend to publish the report at the earliest possible opportunity.
150. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 328 of 4 May 2022, the anticipated breakdown of the €70 million allocation by year and by Early Learning and Childcare Investment project, namely on modernisation, new capacity and first five initiatives in tabular form. [26895/22]
View answerDuring 2021, my Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during 2023-2025. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: (1) Modernisation, (2) New Capacity and (2) First 5 Initiatives.
It is proposed that the €70m allocation will be apportioned across schemes as follows:
|
Pillar |
Total |
|
Modernisation |
€10m |
|
New Capacity |
€45m |
|
First Five Initiatives |
€15m |
Funding for Pillar 1 amounting to €10m will be disbursed in 2023, to be followed by Pillars 2 and 3 from 2024 onwards.
Further information on the Department’s NDP allocation and the application process will be communicated to the sector in the near future.
151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of apprentices that are allocated a training place that is at an education institute that is not the closest training location to where they live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26790/22]
View answer152. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average distance travelled by apprentices to attend off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26791/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
My Departments officials have been in contact with SOLAS who have advised that they do not collate data on the questions posed. SOLAS is responsible for offering training places to apprentices. While efforts are made to offer training within reasonable distances of an apprentice’s geographical location, for some off the job training programmes, this is not always possible.
Craft apprentices are paid training allowances directly by Education and Training Boards during their three periods of off-the-job training. Training allowances are equivalent to the agreed rates set by the sector.
In addition to training allowances, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology or a Technological University, are entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
Apprentices are primarily employees and as such eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports such as the Working Family Payment and other relevant schemes.
