Written Answers Nos. 582-601
583. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payment paid by category for County Wicklow for June 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39498/22]
View answer584. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payment by county in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39499/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 584 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The Government has provided funding of €45.75 million for the provision of exceptional and urgent needs that are provided for as Additional Needs Payment in 2022. A further provision of €5.3 million has been provided for SWA Supplements in 2022 (excluding rent supplement). The scheme is demand led and is funded accordingly. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
An Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 shows the number of exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments paid by category for County Wicklow in June 2022.
Table 2 shows the total expenditure for exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments in each of the years 2019-2022 (end of June). Breakdown of expenditure by county is not available.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - Number of exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments paid by category for County Wicklow in June 2022
|
Category |
Number of Payments |
|
Bills |
6 |
|
Child Related |
3 |
|
Clothing |
53 |
|
Funeral |
6 |
|
General |
28 |
|
Housing |
59 |
|
Illness |
2 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
3 |
|
Total |
160 |
Note: These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of claims as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
Table 2 - Total expenditure for exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments in each of the years 2019-2022 (end of June)
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2019 |
43.2m |
|
2020 |
41.0m |
|
2021 |
42.4m |
|
2022 (to end of June) |
22.7m |
585. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the provision of Citizens' Information Services in County Wicklow; if her attention has been drawn to the lack of staff and offices open across the county due to changes in the structure of the services; the interventions that she has made in relation to recent changes and the reduction in services as a result;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39500/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB receives an annual funding allocation from the Department of Social Protection and it, in turn, provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a board of directors and makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their regions. Decisions regarding the delivery of services in Wicklow are a matter for the Board of the South Leinster CIS.
586. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for social welfare benefit claims from applicants in County Wicklow that were granted and refused grand on review, granted on appeal by scheme in the last available year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39504/22]
View answerMy Department does not distinguish between claims awarded following registration, claims awarded and subsequently disallowed or claims that are awarded following review. Detailed information on claims awarded, claims rejected, claims withdrawn and total claims registered are available in the Annual Statistics report at www.gov.ie/dsp/statistics.
Claims awarded on appeal are managed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office which functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 2% are appealed.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the person concerned as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the person concerned in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
The table below shows the outcome of appeals finalised for each benefit scheme in the last full calendar year (2021).
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that these statistics are not maintained on a county by county basis, and it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the specific county breakdown.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Benefit |
Allowed |
Partially Allowed |
Revised Decision |
Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
29 |
7 |
58 |
241 |
9 |
344 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Contributory) |
5 |
2 |
11 |
38 |
5 |
61 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
96 |
93 |
242 |
562 |
109 |
1,102 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit Over 65 |
11 |
- |
7 |
121 |
7 |
146 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit Self Employed |
3 |
0 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
25 |
|
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment |
14 |
2 |
1,984 |
630 |
35 |
2,665 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
3 |
- |
1 |
2 |
- |
6 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
4 |
3 |
21 |
30 |
1 |
59 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
3 |
2 |
17 |
14 |
0 |
36 |
|
Parent’s Benefit |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
42 |
- |
14 |
81 |
12 |
149 |
|
Illness Benefit |
33 |
10 |
433 |
202 |
49 |
727 |
|
Injury Benefit |
15 |
1 |
13 |
32 |
18 |
79 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
869 |
5 |
439 |
675 |
19 |
2,007 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
79 |
18 |
41 |
169 |
4 |
311 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
|
Medical Care |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
- |
3 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
58 |
3 |
97 |
119 |
4 |
281 |
587. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to reform eligibility for supplementary welfare allowance to cover rent arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39540/22]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance and can include assistance with rent arrear costs.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
588. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated total cost of providing a once-off €10, €50 and €100 payment to recipients of each social welfare payment, disaggregated by social welfare payment type, provided in tabular form. [39552/22]
View answerThe estimated total cost of providing a once-off €10, €50 and €100 payment to recipients of each social welfare payment, disaggregated by social welfare payment type, are shown in the table below
|
Scheme |
Increase €10 |
Increase €50 |
Increase €100 |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
950 |
4,751 |
9,502 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
4,952 |
24,761 |
49,522 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
1,240 |
6,202 |
12,403 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
7 |
37 |
73 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
1,430 |
7,151 |
14,301 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
396 |
1,980 |
3,959 |
|
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
12 |
59 |
117 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
136 |
681 |
1,361 |
|
Farm Assist |
47 |
235 |
470 |
|
Daily Expense Allowance |
33 |
167 |
333 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
431 |
2,154 |
4,307 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
15 |
77 |
153 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
47 |
234 |
467 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
203 |
1,015 |
2,029 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
10 |
49 |
99 |
|
Parents Benefit |
40 |
201 |
402 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
226 |
1,128 |
2,255 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
31 |
156 |
312 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement |
68 |
338 |
676 |
|
Job Initiative |
4 |
22 |
44 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
49 |
246 |
491 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
84 |
421 |
842 |
|
Part Time Job Incentive |
2 |
12 |
23 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,570 |
7,849 |
15,698 |
|
Blind Pension |
11 |
53 |
105 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
943 |
4,717 |
9,434 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
465 |
2,326 |
4,651 |
|
Illness Benefit |
505 |
2,524 |
5,049 |
|
Injury Benefit |
8 |
40 |
80 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
589 |
2,946 |
5,891 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
34 |
172 |
343 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
134 |
668 |
1,335 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
36 |
180 |
360 |
|
Covid 19 Illness Benefit |
8 |
41 |
81 |
|
Child Benefit |
6,339 |
31,697 |
63,394 |
|
Working Family Payment |
452 |
2,258 |
4,516 |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
28 |
141 |
281 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
6 |
28 |
57 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
12 |
60 |
120 |
|
Total cost |
21,555 |
107,783 |
215,548 |
*Rounding may affect totals
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
589. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social welfare recipients by social welfare type in 2019; and the projected number of social welfare recipients by social welfare type in 2022, disaggregated by social welfare type and provided in tabular form. [39553/22]
View answerThe table below provides the average number of recipients in payment for 2019 and 2022 by scheme. The figures for 2022 are provisional and will be subject to change as the estimated outturn will be reviewed over the next few months.
|
Scheme |
2019 Recipients |
2022 Recipients |
|
PENSIONS |
|
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
95,230 |
95,020 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
454,210 |
495,220 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
121,990 |
126,030 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
761 |
730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WORKING AGE INCOME SUPPORTS |
|
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
144,440 |
143,010 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
39,465 |
39,590 |
|
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
1,380 |
1,170 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
94 |
59 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
16,140 |
13,610 |
|
Farm Assist |
6,208 |
4,700 |
|
Exceptional & Urgent Needs Payment |
67,589 |
55,469 |
|
Daily Expenses Allowance |
3,630 |
3,330 |
|
Other Supplements |
3,234 |
2,183 |
|
Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) |
0 |
28,560 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
32,750 |
43,070 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
131 |
1,530 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
5,940 |
4,670 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
20,720 |
20,290 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
10 |
10 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
1,030 |
989 |
|
Parents Benefit |
29 |
4,020 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
33 |
51 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
|
|
|
Treatment Benefits - Dental |
827,485 |
820,000 |
|
Treatment Benefits - Optical Benefit |
452,671 |
503,000 |
|
Treatment Benefits - Medical & Surgical Devices |
14,643 |
19,000 |
|
Treatment Benefits - Wigs |
0 |
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
|
|
|
Community Employment Programme |
20,330 |
22,550 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
3,204 |
3,120 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement |
6,001 |
6,760 |
|
Job Initiative |
660 |
439 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
5,620 |
4,910 |
|
Youth Employment Support Scheme (closed) |
158 |
0 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
7,469 |
8,420 |
|
JobsPlus |
2,696 |
5,270 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme (new scheme) |
0 |
3,367 |
|
Other Employment Supports |
|
|
|
Part Time Job Incentive |
228 |
230 |
|
COVID 19 Part Time Job Incentive (new scheme) |
0 |
930 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
|
|
|
Disability Allowance |
142,940 |
156,980 |
|
Blind Pension |
1,137 |
1,050 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
81,660 |
94,340 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
40,735 |
46,510 |
|
Carer's Support Grant |
117,262 |
128,300 |
|
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
2,686 |
1,753 |
|
Illness Benefit |
52,360 |
50,487 |
|
Injury Benefit |
810 |
800 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
58,123 |
58,910 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
2,739 |
3,430 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
14,683 |
13,350 |
|
Paid 4 Weekly |
12,575 |
11,227 |
|
Gratuities |
400 |
250 |
|
Medical Care |
20 |
25 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
2,864 |
3,600 |
|
Covid 19 Illness Benefit (new scheme) |
0 |
12,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHILDREN |
|
|
|
Child Benefit |
634,535 |
625,010 |
|
Working Family Payment |
50,010 |
45,160 |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
6,420 |
2,810 |
|
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
144,282 |
144,040 |
|
Other Child Supports |
|
|
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
540 |
568 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (NON-CONTRIBUTORY) |
43 |
61 |
|
Other Vote 37 funded Child Related Payments |
|
|
|
SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
|
|
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
1,151 |
1,200 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Contributory) |
946 |
1,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
|
|
|
Rent Supplement |
23,010 |
12,890 |
|
Household Benefits Package |
|
|
|
Electricity Allowance |
395,759 |
431,248 |
|
Gas Allowance |
50,544 |
52,506 |
|
Free Television License |
447,800 |
488,900 |
|
Telephone Support Allowance |
129,785 |
139,687 |
|
Fuel Allowance [Vote 37 ] |
369,094 |
370,000 |
|
Miscellaneous Services |
|
|
|
Rent allowance (de-control of rents legislation) |
60 |
45 |
|
Ex gratia payments to women from Magdalen Laundries and other Institution |
426 |
407 |
The 2019 figures are based on the 2019 outturn. The 2022 figures are based on the 2022 revised estimate numbers.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
590. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the terms of the means test for a qualified adult allowance will be adversely affected if the savings of a continuous positive airway pressure claimant are put into joint names due to the claimant’s diminishing capacity to take decision; and if she will consider protecting the qualified adult allowance payment in such circumstances. [39571/22]
View answerRecipients of certain social welfare payments can claim an increase in their payment in respect of a Qualified Adult, subject to a means assessment. A Qualified Adult is the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the recipient who is being wholly or mainly maintained by that claimant.
The means test in respect of the increase for a Qualified Adult applies to both contribution based social insurance payments (where only the means of the Qualified Adult is assessed), and contingency based social assistance payments (where the means of both the main claimant and the Qualified Adult are assessed).
The means assessed include income from employment or self-employment, non-social welfare pensions, and the capital value of savings, investments and property other than the family home. It should be noted that the value of the family home, regardless of who is the legal owner, is never taken into account in this assessment.
For social assistance schemes, the total household income is always assessed as part of the means test, and as such, the issue of whether savings are held solely by one member of a couple or jointly between them does not arise.
When calculating the weekly means from savings or other capital, an assessment formula is used. The first €20,000 of capital is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
For social insurance schemes, where savings, property or other assets are held jointly, the spouse or partner's means is taken to be half of the total amount. In addition, for social insurance schemes such as the State Pension (Contributory), an increase for a Qualified Adult is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the spouse or partner are €100 a week or less, while reduced rates are payable where the means are over €100 and less than €310 per week. No increase is payable where the means of the spouse or partner are in excess of €310 per week.
The current means testing arrangements are based on the actual means of the spouse or partner at any given time.
Any proposals to change the means assessment formula for an Increase for a Qualified Adult would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
If the Deputy wants to supply my Department with details in relation to a particular case, I will ensure that my officials investigate the specific circumstances which apply and respond comprehensively to you.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
591. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans under consideration to move to a competitive tendering process for youth services; if analysis on the way that this would impact on youth services has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38854/22]
View answer601. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm that the current agreed process of issuing a service requirement to each of the existing funded organisations will be maintained as preparations for cycle 2 of the new youth sector funding scheme are underway; if his Department has no intention of moving towards a competitive tendering process for existing funded youth projects and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39137/22]
View answer611. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to change the funding model for regional youth services to a competitive tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 601 and 611 together.
There are no plans to change the funding model for regional youth services to a competitive tender process.
The next cycle for UBU Your Place Your Space is due to start on 1 January 2024. This is to be preceded by an area profiling exercise and application process. UBU Your Place Your Space does allow for changes or improvements, as might be expected in a cyclical scheme. However, as regards the underlying policy, no change to the approach set out in the policy and operating rules has been proposed or agreed.
The function of the service requirement is set out in section 3.2 of the UBU Your Place Your Space Policy and Operating Rules, noting that it enables the ETB to set out priority needs of young people in a geographic area to organisations applying for funding under the scheme. Section 3.4 states that an area profiling exercise as prescribed by the Department is to be completed to produce service requirements in advance of the application process.
My Department is currently engaging with the Education and Training Boards in regard to the preparations for the next cycle of UBU Your Place Your Space.
592. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 July 2022, the 17 actions from the National LGBTI+ Strategy that have been completed to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38868/22]
View answerThe National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy contains 108 actions, This is an all of Government strategy. Relevant Departments have reported that 17 actions have been completed. Work is ongoing on implementation of the remaining actions. The overall implementation of the strategy was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, there were significant obstacles to the achievement of many of the actions under the "Visible and included" and "Healthy" pillars. I extended the lifetime of the strategy until the end of this year and it will be evaluated thereafter. My officials are also reviewing the method of reporting on actions to ensure accuracy and consistency.
List of completed actions as reported by relevant Departments
|
Action number* |
Outcome |
Action |
Department |
Progress made |
|
|
1 |
2.5 |
Irish workplaces are inclusive of LGBT+ people and support them in bringing their ‘authentic selves to work. |
Utilise the Corporate Social Responsibility Stakeholder Forum to advance LGBTI+ workplace inclusion amongst private sector employers, and to raise awareness of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy through the available Corporate Social Responsibility channels. |
Department Enterprise Trade and Employment |
The National Plan on CSR was concluded in 2020 and due to COVID-19 prioritisation there is no capacity on the CSR side to engage on this agenda at this point. |
|
2 |
2.10 |
Irish workplaces are inclusive of LGBT+ people and support them in bringing their ‘authentic selves to work. |
To further build LGBTI+ awareness and inclusive practices amongst SMEs and micro enterprises, develop LGBTI+ information events and/or learning modules for inclusion in LEO and Enterprise Ireland Diversity & Inclusion training programmes. |
Department Enterprise Trade and Employment |
Enterprise Ireland (Jonathan McMillan) presented the EI D&I strategy to the Committee on 20th Oct. 2021, outlining how LGBTI+ awareness and inclusive practices are being promoted. |
|
3 |
6.2 |
Community supports are more widely available to LGBT+ people |
Increase funding for LGBTI+ community services to ensure existing LGBTI+ services are sustainable and that funding is available to develop additional services, based on the gaps identified in the mapping exercise. |
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Call for Funding launched July and has closed for applications. Assessment process is well advanced and successful applicants will be notified shortly. 2022 Funding Call launched on 22 June 2022. |
|
4 |
9.1 |
LGBT+ people are aware of the supports and redress mechanism available to them where discrimination has occurred |
Through an information campaign, raise awareness of the role of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in dealing with complaints of discrimination under the Equal Status Acts and the Employment Equality Acts. |
Department Enterprise Trade and Employment |
WRC engaged with LGBTI+ Advocacy Groups resulting in some of their specifically designed content being shared via social media platforms in December 2021 and March 2022. Further engagement and outreach are also planned. The WRC has also conducted training of call centre staff on issues relative to this action. |
|
5 |
9.2 |
LGBT+ people are aware of the supports and redress mechanism available to them where discrimination has occurred |
Provide tailored legal advice and advocacy to LGBTI+ people via a specialised legal advice clinic |
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
FLAC Legal Advice Clinic Launched in May 2022, Funded by DCEDIY |
|
6 |
11.1 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law. |
Commence Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. |
Department of Health |
Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 were commenced on May 4th, 2020 |
|
7 |
11.2 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law |
Commence Rules of Court to allow a declaration of parentage under section 21 or 22 of the CFR Act Children and Family Relationships Act 201. |
Department of Justice |
The relevant rules that have been signed by the Minister are S.I. 400 of 2020 Circuit Court Rules (Family Law - Donor-Assisted Human Reproduction) 2020 for section 22 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 and S.I. 434 of 2020 District Court Rules (Donor-Assisted Human Reproduction) Rules 2020 for section 21 of the Children and Family Relationships Act. The Circuit Court Rules came into effect on the 9th of October 2020 and the District Court Rules came into effect on the 22nd of October 2020. |
|
8 |
11.3 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law |
Commence outstanding sections of Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 relating to donor-conceived children. |
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Completed 20th March 2020 |
|
9 |
11.4 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law |
Commence outstanding sections of Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. |
Department of Justice |
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 has been fully commenced since 4 May 2020. The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 624 of 2019) commenced the remaining provisions of the Act for which the Minister for Justice is responsible with effect from 4 May 2020, except for section 177. Section 177 of the 2015 Act, which provided for the amendment of the Adoptive Leave Act 1995, was not commenced and was repealed by section 3 of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021, with effect from 1 April 2021. |
|
10 |
11.5 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law |
Develop a targeted information campaign for the LGBTI+ community on the provisions contained in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, and what they mean for same sex parents and those planning parenthood. |
Department of Social Protection |
All the details for re-registering a DAHR birth are here (including link to the application form which has a booklet type intro): How to re-register the birth of a donor-conceived child, www.gov.ie/en/service/64a092-registering-a-birth/#how-to-re-register-the-birth-of-a-donor-conceived-childAdditionally, following discussions LGBT Ireland/FLAC have prepared a booklet, which also contains a section on registrations after 4 May 2020: Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act (CFRA) 2015, lgbt.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020_CFRA_FAQ-1-1.pdf. The General Register Office (GRO) attended 2 information sessions hosted by LGBTI+. The first was held on Thursday 2nd April 2020, from 19.30 to 21.30. It was held in association with FLAC and was online. A GRO representative was on the panel for a further LGBTI+ Family Rights event held on Monday 17th May 2021 from 19.30 to 21.15. The second seminar was geared towards parents in the west of Ireland. |
|
11 |
11.7 |
Same sex parents are treated equally to opposite sex parents before the law |
Bring forward legislative proposals to provide for adoptive leave and benefit for male same sex adoptive couples. |
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Family leave provisions under the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 commenced on 1 April 2021 |
|
12 |
12.1 |
Transgender people are supported and administrative processes are streamlined while maintaining a person’s privacy |
Make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of the findings on the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 and of the conclusions drawn from the findings. |
Department of Social Protection |
Standard 1.1 of the National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services introduced in 2020 provides that that the rights and diversity of each service user are respected and promoted. A key feature of this includes ensuring that service users are treated with dignity and respect, their equality is promoted and the service respects their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status, civil status, race, religious beliefs or as a member of the Traveller Community. |
|
13 |
13.2 |
Supports are provided to those at higher risk of multiple discrimination and double marginalisation including LGBT+ older people, migrants, Travellers, people with disabilities and LGBT+ prisoners. |
Ensure that the rights and diversity of LGBTI+ service users are respected and promoted as part of the National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services. |
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Standard 1.1 of the National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services introduced in 2020 provides that that the rights and diversity of each service user are respected and promoted. A key feature of this includes ensuring that service users are treated with dignity and respect, their equality is promoted and the service respects their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status, civil status, race, religious beliefs or as a member of the Travelling Community. |
|
14 |
17.8 |
The LGBT+ community, particularly the MSM population of Ireland are made aware of the risks of contracting HIV and other STIs and the importance of regular testing. |
Conclude the study of the readiness of public STI clinics to implement pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in line with the Standards for Service Delivery of HIV PrEP to clarify capacity and resource requirements across public STI services in Ireland and inform resource allocation |
Department of Health |
Report published in 2019 www.sexualwellbeing.ie/for-professionals/research/research-reports/ |
|
15 |
21.2 |
Ireland has strong legislation and supports in place to combat hate crime and encourage people to report it. |
Update the Garda Pulse system to include a “Hate Crime” tag and subcategories including sexual orientation and gender identity. |
Department of Justice |
It should be noted that PULSE Release implemented a range of changes to the recording of Motives, including ‘Hate’ related crime / incidents. These changes were based upon the Garda Hate Strategy and were developed in association with Community Relations who are the Business / Process Owners. |
|
16 |
21.3 |
Ireland has strong legislation and supports in place to combat hate crime and encourage people to report it. |
Implement a fully functioning on-line system for reporting Hate-Crime. |
Department of Justice |
Online hate crime reporting tool now available at www.garda.ie/en/reportahatecrime/ |
|
17 |
21.5 |
Ireland has strong legislation and supports in place to combat hate crime and encourage people to report it. |
Commence the publication of statistics for recorded incidents of hate crime. |
Department of Justice |
It should be noted that new measures were introduced as part of PULSE 7.6, deployed in October 2020, which changed the way hate crime figures are recorded. This also introduced the ability to record non-crime hate related incidents. Due to the recording changes, figures from after the PULSE change are not comparable to those recorded previously. A new baseline for hate related incidents is being established in 2021 along with the introduction of training and other measures to improve recording |
*Action number as per National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy
593. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that an equivalent payment is provided for children in foster care given the fact that foster parents are not an eligible category for the back-to-school allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38925/22]
View answerThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is operated by the Department of Social Protection, provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. In 2022, the allowance paid for each eligible child will be €260 in respect of those aged 4-11 or €385 for children aged 12 years and over.
Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance by Tusla. This allowance is provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child’s daily living needs, including the cost of clothing and footwear and school related items. Accordingly, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is not payable in respect of foster children.
The Foster Care Allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments. Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the Fostering Allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised Fostering Allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager.
Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly allowance may be paid in respect of children aged between 0-18 years if they require significant care over and above the needs of other children in foster care. This includes children who have been diagnosed with significant special needs and require a high level of personal care and supervision. The purpose of considering an enhanced allowance in these cases is to support foster carers in providing care to these children who have additional needs.
Tusla has also advised in cases where access visits result in round trips in excess of 150km, an additional financial support payment may be made. Tusla has further advised an additional financial support payment may also be considered where a foster carer must, for reasons set out in child/young person’s care plan, facilitate travel in excess of 300km per week cumulatively.
I would like to acknowledge the fact that foster carers are the backbone of our child care services. It is vital that our foster care system operates as effectively as possible, for the foster carers and for the children in their care.
Tusla have advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of a Strategic Plan on Foster Care. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted their view that the foster care allowance should be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances. When the Strategic Plan on Foster Care is finalised by Tusla, it will then be considered by the Department.
Any decision to review the current allowances shall be informed by the Tusla Plan and the consultations that have preceded it.
594. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department intends to develop an awareness campaign promoting the benefits of employing disabled persons to employers, the wider community and disabled persons themselves; if any such consideration has been given to same; and the associated potential costings of this campaign.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38941/22]
View answerMy Department is advancing an action under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disability (CES) to deliver an employer awareness campaign to support the increased employment of people with disabilities in Ireland. This work was intended to have completed at an earlier stage in the Strategy's implementation, but was paused during the pandemic.
The proposed campaign is intended to promote attitudinal changes by highlighting the ability of persons with disabilities in the workforce, the value of workplace diversity, and by addressing concerns or inhibitions that employers may have which create invisible barriers for people with disabilities who can work and who want to work.
The employer awareness campaign, which we intend to roll out in the second half of 2022, will be focused on supporting the enhanced recruitment of people with disabilities into workplaces across Ireland.
In terms of the communications methods to be utilised as part of the campaign, impact and reach will be the driving factors in determining appropriate strategies. Funding for the campaign was secured under the Dormant Accounts Initiative, and I secured in Budget 2022 to promote awareness around the UNCRPD.
Engagement with stakeholders on the parameters of the campaign, the key messages to be communicated, and the media to be utilised in delivering it, will inform the final cost, and preparatory work is ongoing in this regard.
In terms of action to date my Department already supports an employer outreach programme. My Department has provided funding to the Open Doors Initiative to deliver the ‘Employers for Change’ project since 2020. The project comprises a website with information and a helpline through which information and advice can be sought, along with capacity building programmes delivered to employers and prospective employers of people with disabilities.
Employers for Change provides information to employers directly to address concerns that they may have about the ability of individuals with disabilities to carry out a job or their capacity as employers to support people with disabilities in the workplace. The fear of making mistakes can act as a significant barrier to employers and the Employers for Change project had demonstrated successfully that increased knowledge, awareness and understanding addresses such barriers well.
595. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff who are abated under his Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, in tabular form. [38946/22]
View answerThere are no staff in my Department that are abated in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
596. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of current spend and capital spend for the Access and Inclusion Model in tabular form; the proportion that is current spend; if he will provide a breakdown of the allocation that is capital spend given that the programme is allocated €45.55m in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39019/22]
View answerThe 2022 allocated budget for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is €45.55 million. This funding covers the cost of the seven levels of AIM, which encompass a range of both universal and targeted supports for pre-school settings. AIM Capital spend to date is €266,960.
Under targeted supports, a pre-school provider, in conjunction with a parent, and a health professional working for or on behalf of the HSE, can apply for equipment, appliances and/or a capital grant towards the cost of minor alterations to the pre-school setting where it is deemed necessary and critical to enable the meaningful participation of the child in the ECCE programme. This could include a hoist, hearing aid or wheelchair ramp to name a few examples.
Other AIM supports include funding to either recruit additional assistance or to compensate services for a reduction in the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room. AIM also provides access to therapeutic services where they are critical to enable a child to be enrolled and to meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme, and access to expert early year’s educational advice and support from a team of dedicated Early Years Specialists. AIM supports the continued development of a qualified and confident workforce through the provision of ongoing training courses such as Hanen and SPEL and provision of funding for training under the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) training programme and employment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator (INCO) positions in ECCE sessions.
|
2022 AIM Allocation |
Current spend to date |
2022 Capital Allocation |
Capital spend to date |
|
€45.55 m |
€24,639 m |
€654,000 |
€266,960 |
597. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated costs for one childminding development officer, including PRSI, travel, subsistence and overheads. [39020/22]
View answer598. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of 15 childminding development officers, including PRSI, travel, subsistence and overheads. [39021/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 597 and 598 together.
In 2019 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth put in place a National Childminding Coordinator, who is located within the Department, along with 6 Childminding Development Officers, who are located within City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) around the country and who have a regional remit. As part of the implementation of Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, Budget 2022 enabled the recruitment of an additional 6 Childminding Development Officer posts within the CCCs as well as a national CCC Childminding Lead whose work includes overseeing and coordinating the team of 12 Childminding Development Officers. As the Childminding Development Officers work on a regional basis in collaboration with the CCCs in each region, the team of Childminding Development Officers provides full national coverage.
In line with commitments in the National Action Plan for Childminding, the role of the Childminding Development Officers is to prepare the childminding sector for the move towards wider regulation and support, while also in the immediate term supporting childminders who are subject to the current regulations but are not yet registered with Tusla to meet Tusla registration requirements, thus enabling more childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme and other State supports.
The full-year cost of the 12 Childminding Development Officer posts that are now in place is €843,000 per annum, which includes costs for salaries, PRSI, travel and subsistence and overheads.
The Childminding Development Officers are employed by the City/County Childcare Committees, and the costs of each post vary between counties. On average, 78% of the costs of the posts are accounted for by salary and employment costs, 9% by travel and subsistence, and 13% by overheads. Assuming that the average cost of employing a single Childminding Development Officer, including all related employment costs as well as overheads, is approximately €70,000 per annum, the additional cost of employing 15 full-time Childminding Development Officers would be approximately €1 million per annum.
599. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year and first year cost breakdown of increasing the intake of graduate social workers to 300 through the graduate programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39022/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
600. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities who have been employed within State agencies. [39128/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked the agencies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter.
