Wednesday, 6 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 133-147

Special Educational Needs

Questions (133, 135, 136)

Robert Troy

Question:

133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the number of special education schools in counties Longford and Westmeath. [36624/22]

Robert Troy

Question:

135. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the number of autism spectrum disorder unit places available in counties Longford and Westmeath in the academic years of 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. [36626/22]

Robert Troy

Question:

136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the number of applications made for autism spectrum disorder unit places in counties Longford and Westmeath in the academic years of 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. [36627/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 135 and 136 together.

Enabling 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.

In terms of Longford and Westmeath, I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in primary and post-primary schools. 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 you 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

Third Level Admissions

Questions (134)

Robert Troy

Question:

134. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary students in counties Longford and Westmeath continuing on to third level education in 2019, 2020 and 2021 as a percentage. [36625/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

For 2021, the data is not yet available. The transition rate from post-primary to higher education in a given year measures the percentage of pupils from the previous five academic years who ultimately entered HE in that year.

The total that transferred into third level was 66.1% for the 2020-21 academic year. For Longford and Westmeath, the rates were 61.7% and 73.5%, respectively.

The total that transferred into third level was 62.1% for the 2019-20 academic year. For Longford and Westmeath, the rates were 59.5% and 66.5%, respectively.

Westmeath 2019
Academic Year	Non-Entry	Attended	Total	per
2014	1120	16	1136	0.014085
2015	1195	15	1210	0.012397
2016	1218	37	1255	0.029482
2017	1114	157	1271	0.123525
2018	641	600	1241	0.483481
Total	5288	825	6113	0.662969
Longford 2020
Academic Year	Non-Entry	Attended	Total	per
2015	579	3	582	0.005155
2016	552	4	556	0.007194
2017	551	16	567	0.028219
2018	564	76	640	0.11875
2019	374	316	690	0.457971
Total	2620	415	3035	0.617289
Longford 2019
Academic Year	Non-Entry	Attended	Total	per
2014	545	3	548	0.005474
2015	576	6	582	0.010309
2016	538	18	556	0.032374
2017	486	81	567	0.142857
2018	382	259	641	0.404056
Total	2527	367	2894	0.595071
Westmeath 2020
Academic Year	Non-Entry	Attended	Total	per
2015	1197	13	1210	0.010744
2016	1236	19	1255	0.015139
2017	1234	37	1271	0.029111
2018	1082	158	1240	0.127419
2019	624	773	1397	0.553329
Total	5373	1000	6373	0.735742

Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 133.

Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 133.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Questions (137, 138)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

137. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department has issued memos and or circulars to boards of management, school managers and college presidents in respect of the use of CCTV cameras on their properties and facilities. [36632/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she has a policy for the schools in respect of the use of CCTV in primary and secondary schools. [36633/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is the statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that organisations meet their obligations under the Data Protection Acts.

The general position is that in relation to the use of CCTV/surveillance cameras, all schools are subject to the Data Protection Acts and must ensure that any use of such equipment is carried out in compliance with these Acts.

Concerns in relation to whether an organisation including a school, is meeting its data protection obligations can be raised with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.

Information is available on the data protections for schools website with particular information and advice in relation to CCTV at the following link:

www.dataprotectionschools.ie/en/Data-Protection-Guidelines/CCTV/Use-of-CCTV-Systems-in-Schools/

Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 137.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (139)

Niall Collins

Question:

139. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if her Department is dealing with a funding application for works at a school (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the need for an early decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36723/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

The application is currently being assessed by my officials and a decision will issue to the school directly upon completion of the assessment process.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (140)

Michael Ring

Question:

140. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of former county managers and CEOs of local authorities who are currently working within her Department and any agency or body under the remit of her Department, including details for persons employed in any format such as on a contract or advisory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36306/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is not held in respect of staff currently employed in my Department or those employed on a contract or advisory basis.

Neither the Pensions Authority nor the Citizens Information Board, bodies under the aegis of my Department, currently employ any former county managers or CEOs of local authorities.

Social Welfare Rates

Questions (141)

Michael Creed

Question:

141. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Cork is in receipt of a weekly payment of €148.30 under their jobseekers allowance application when their means have been assessed at €45 which would suggest a weekly rate of €158 per week; if this is correct, if she will arrange a back payment from 19 July 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36357/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The decision on the amount of Jobseeker’s Allowance for the customer concerned was due to the financial information that the customer supplied at the time of their application. On the decision letter sent to the customer concerned, the maximum amount payable to them at the time was €145, taking into account €45 means. This rate has increased to €148.30 due to 2022 Budget increase.

As the customer’s spouse is in receipt of a benefit payment i.e. the State Non-Contributory pension, a maximum payable calculation is applicable. As the pension payment cannot be reduced in such cases, this means the reduction must be applied to the allowance payment i.e. the customer’s Jobseeker’s Allowance.

As per the customer’s decision letter, the rate of €157 was noted after means of €45 were applied; however it is further explained that the person concerned was entitled to a maximum of €145 after the maximum pay calculation - i.e. the Spouse’s non-contributory pension family rate of €364.50 less the €219.50 payable to the spouse.

The customer concerned was entitled to appeal this decision for up to 6 months afterwards. If the financial situation of the customer concerned has changed since the original decision, the customer concerned should contact their local office with the updated information and request that a new means assessment is completed.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Questions (142)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

142. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of personal insolvency practitioner abhaile vouchers issued by each Money Advice and Budgeting Service office by county; the number of issued vouchers that have been redeemed in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36452/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Abhaile Service is the national State-funded mortgage arrears resolution service aimed at helping people who are in serious mortgage arrears. Established in mid-2016, the service is designed to support insolvent mortgage holders and is provided free of charge with the aim of helping them to find workable and sustainable mortgage solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own home.

Under Abhaile, mortgage holders who are insolvent and in mortgage arrears on their home, are provided with voucher(s) to access independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, best suited to their individual home mortgage arrears situation.

The table below outlines the number of Personal Insolvency Practitioner Abhaile vouchers issued and redeemed by each Money Advice and Budgeting Service office broken down by county. The table outlines total vouchers issued and redeemed. It also includes vouchers issued to 1st July 2022.

County	MABS Office	Total Vouchers Issued 2016 to 1st of July 2022	Total Vouchers Redeemed 2016 to end of Q1 2022	Total Vouchers issued in 2022 up to 1st of July
Carlow	Carlow MABS	449	223	14
Cavan	Cavan MABS	270	94	18
Clare	Clare MABS	104	49	3
Clare	Ennis MABS	134	54	15
Cork	Charleville Cork MABS	45	11	0
Cork	Cork MABS	392	179	8
Cork	North Cork MABS	70	14	0
Cork	Dunmanway MABS	79	25	4
Donegal	Iarthar Dun Na nGall Mabs	1	0	1
Donegal	Letterkenny (North Donegal) MABS	111	17	11
Donegal	South Donegal MABS	17	2	6
Dublin	Ballyfermot (Dublin 10 & 20) MABS	131	36	8
Dublin	Ballymun MABS	36	16	0
Dublin	Blanchardstown MABS	171	54	10
Dublin	Clondalkin MABS	75	23	3
Dublin	Coolock MABS	85	37	6
Dublin	Crumlin MABS	47	12	1
Dublin	Dorset Street MABS	31	17	4
Dublin	Lombard St MABS	63	18	6
Dublin	Tallaght MABS	266	56	14
Dublin	Dun Laoghaire MABS	72	23	3
Dublin	Dundrum Mabs	131	40	2
Dublin	Fingal/Swords MABS	127	115	24
Dublin	Finglas/Cabra MABS	216	60	19
Galway	Galway North MABS	184	78	17
Galway	Galway South MABS	176	87	6
Galway	Loughrea MABS	38	20	0
Galway	MABS Fo-oifig Chonamara	17	5	0
Kerry	Killarney MABS	94	15	8
Kerry	Tralee MABS	8	3	0
Kildare	Kilcock MABS	146	38	10
Kildare	Kildare MABS	57	28	1
Kildare	Newbridge MABS	206	40	11
Kilkenny	Kilkenny MABS	120	33	3
Laois	Portlaoise MABS	166	51	14
Leitrim	Leitrim MABS	103	30	6
Limerick	Limerick MABS	294	136	11
Longford	Longford MABS	139	73	6
Louth	Drogheda MABS	461	252	17
Louth	Dundalk MABS	214	97	9
Mayo	North Mayo MABS	159	60	2
Mayo	South Mayo MABS	59	15	11
Meath	Trim MABS	105	42	15
Meath	Navan MABS	674	405	8
Monaghan	Monaghan MABS	82	51	5
Offaly	Offaly MABS	166	46	9
Roscommon	Roscommon MABS	52	22	1
Sligo	Sligo MABS	125	39	4
Tipperary	Carrick-on-Suir MABS	23	12	0
Tipperary	Clonmel MABS	107	37	11
Tipperary	Nenagh MABS	31	12	1
Tipperary	Thurles MABS	61	20	3
Waterford	Waterford MABS	198	76	15
Waterford	West Waterford MABS	81	35	3
Westmeath	Athlone MABS	70	35	4
Westmeath	Mullingar MABS	250	129	22
Wexford	Wexford MABS	240	119	21
Wicklow	Arklow MABS	188	97	12
Wicklow	Bray MABS	168	63	3
	MABS National Helpline	540	215	8
	MABS NDL	42	16	0
	Total	8,967	3,707	457

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Questions (143)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

143. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the fees to personal insolvency practitioners under the abhaile scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36453/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The fees paid to a Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP) under the Abhaile scheme are paid by the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) to the PIP and are subsequently recouped at an aggregate level by the ISI from the Citizens Information Board (CIB).

The annual breakdown of payments made to ISI by CIB in respect of vouchers redeemed is the following:

	2016 Actual	2017 Actual	2018 Actual	2019 Actual	2020 Actual	2021 Actual	2022 Actual YTD	Total for 2016-2022
PIP Voucher Refunds	€404,670	€3,049,785	€1,481,790	€1,225,440	€1,006,830	€569,725	€267,525	€8,005,765

A further breakdown is not available from CIB or from my Department.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (144)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

144. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care allowance applications received by her Department in 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of applications that were refused during this time. [36483/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the level of care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

The following is the number of Domiciliary Care Allowance applications received by my Department in 2021 and to date in 2022 and the number of applications that were disallowed during this time.

Year	Applications Received during year	Applications Disallowed during year
2021	9,092	2,395
2022 to date-June 2022	4,814	1,767

The number of claims awarded or disallowed in any particular year do not necessarily relate to the applications received during that year. Applications received at the end of one year are likely to be decided in the following year.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (145)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

145. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the one-parent family payment scheme age cut-off to 14 years of age. [36494/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The One-Parent Family Payment is a means tested payment to support lone parents whose youngest child is aged under 7. The Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) payment is also a means tested payment but it is available to support lone parents where their youngest child is aged over 7 but under age 14. Where their youngest child is aged 14 or over, lone parents may qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The Working Family Payment is also available to recipients of One-Parent Family Payment who are working for at least 38 hours per fortnight and who satisfy the qualifying conditions. Lone parents who move off One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment and into employment may also apply for the Back to Work Family Dividend.

The full year cost of paying One-Parent Family Payment until the youngest child reaches age14 would be very difficult to estimate accurately. While people whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 may already be in receipt of Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, others will be in receipt of other payments such as Working Family Payment or Back to Work Family Dividend, while still others might not be in receipt of any social welfare payment. The numbers in these groups who would qualify for One-Parent Family Payment were it extended are not known.

In addition, extending the scheme in this way would also increase the incidence of dual payments of One-Parent Family Payment and the Working Family Payment (WFP) but it is not possible to predict the extent to which this would occur without detailed knowledge of individuals’ working patterns and how people's behaviour might change.

Therefore, I am advised that the Department is not in a position to provide the costing requested.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (146)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

146. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of recipients of the benefit for those over 65 years; the full year cost of this scheme to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36495/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There were 4,093 recipients of the benefit payment for over 65s at end May 2022. The cost to the end of June 2022 is estimated to be €23.6 million.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Rates

Questions (147)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

147. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the weekly payment rate for the carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit to €325 per week; and if she will provide this information in tabular form by payment. [36496/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The estimated full year cost of increasing the weekly payment rate for Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit to €325 per week is shown in the table below.

Scheme	Cost (€m)
Carer’s Allowance	369.0
Carer’s Benefit	18.7
Total	387.7

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 the matter for the Deputy.