Written Answers Nos. 1266-1280
1266. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the provision that has been made for schools participating in the school meals programme; the number of schools participating; the number of children reached; and if she has plans to extend the reach of the scheme for the coming school year. [40983/22]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,800 schools and organisations benefitting 290,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €68.1 million was provided in the Revised Estimates for the scheme in 2022.
Funding under the school meals (local projects) scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, hot meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
In recent years, entry to the school meals programme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified as having levels of concentrated disadvantage that would benefit from access to the programme.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
In Budget 2021, I announced an additional €5.5m to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Invitations for expressions of interest were issued to 705 primary schools (612 DEIS and 93 non-DEIS) in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied for by each local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one school for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
Budget 2022 provided for hot school meals to be extended from January 2022 to the 81 DEIS schools that submitted an expression of interest but were not selected in the extension to 35,000 children as referred to earlier. This has brought the number of children currently benefitting from a hot school meal to 54,266.
In March 2022, the Minister for Education announced an extension of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School to an additional 273 primary and 37 post-primary schools from September 2022.
I have recently announced that the provision of the hot school meal option will be extended to all new DEIS primary schools and the cold lunch option to all new DEIS secondary schools at a full year cost of €26m and benefitting some 60,000 children. However, as 31 of these schools are already in receipt of funding, the additional cost of providing these options is €23.5m in a full year.
I am committed to continuing to grow the School Meals Programme (in particular, hot school meals for DEIS schools) and building further on the significant extension announced. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme to be undertaken in 2022 to inform future policy decisions on the scheme.
Any extension of the school meals programme or the hot school meals beyond 2022 will need to be considered as part of the budgetary process.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the deputy.
1268. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a pick-up in the number of claimants under the exceptional needs’ scheme in the face of the present rise in the cost-of-living; the areas in which increased assistance is being sought; and if she plans any changes in the scope of the scheme. [40985/22]
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. It provides supports and services to help support people on low incomes and facing financial hardship.
The additional needs payment is an overarching term for exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection.
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.
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.
In the period January to end of June 2022, payments totalling €22.7 million have been made in relation to some 37,000 additional needs payments. The main items eligible for assistance include help with fuel, utility bills, repairs to or replacement of household appliances, clothing, child related items such as cots and prams, assistance with funerals or burial costs and travel. Support is also available to assist persons under this scheme towards rent deposits. Some 3,400 customers are currently in receipt of an additional supplement to help with ongoing needs. Assistance provided under these supplements includes heat, travel and other ongoing costs. Payments totalling €1.8 million have been made to date under these supplements.
For comparison, table 1 shows the number by county of ENPs and UNPs awarded in 2021 and to-date in 2022 (to end of June).
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 4th July 2022 and is subject to change.
Under the additional needs payments, which can have a wide range value, the amount paid will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made for large items, such as help provided in setting up a home for the first time and smaller weekly supplements to assist with ongoing costs.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre. 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 by county of ENPs and UNPs awarded in 2021 and to-date in 2022 (end of June)
|
County |
2021 |
2022 (to end of June) |
|
CARLOW |
682 |
530 |
|
CAVAN |
565 |
462 |
|
CLARE |
1,271 |
1,223 |
|
CORK |
4,164 |
3,158 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,397 |
1,508 |
|
DUBLIN |
19,058 |
10,918 |
|
GALWAY |
1,477 |
1,596 |
|
KERRY |
1,497 |
1,209 |
|
KILDARE |
2,365 |
1,192 |
|
KILKENNY |
952 |
573 |
|
LAOIS |
1,585 |
941 |
|
LEITRIM |
710 |
653 |
|
LIMERICK |
2,197 |
1,716 |
|
LONGFORD |
1,080 |
675 |
|
LOUTH |
1,454 |
1,116 |
|
MAYO |
1,044 |
647 |
|
MEATH |
2,327 |
1,367 |
|
MONAGHAN |
558 |
217 |
|
OFFALY |
852 |
771 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
837 |
499 |
|
SLIGO |
1,083 |
824 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,465 |
1,156 |
|
WATERFORD |
1,337 |
1,003 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,701 |
949 |
|
WEXFORD |
761 |
803 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,133 |
1,281 |
|
Total |
55,552 |
36,987 |
Note: These figures in tables 1 are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs at the time that they were approved for payment. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
1269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the monthly recognition payment for persons who are hosting Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) will open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41012/22]
View answerA €400 ‘Accommodation Recognition Payment’ is available to those hosting people who are beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who have fled the conflict in Ukraine.
The payment is a recognition of the generosity of people who have made accommodation available to victims of a humanitarian crisis, and it is linked to a minimum hosting commitment of six months.
Where a host has provided such accommodation, the payment may be back-dated to 4 March 2022 and will be made available until the end of March 2023.
Legislation to enable the payment is contained in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022. The necessary commencement order was signed by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on 25 July 2022 enabling the operation of the scheme to commence from today, 26 July 2022.
Payment of the ‘Accommodation Recognition Payment’ will be administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I am happy to support Minister O’Gorman in recognising the contribution of those who opened their homes and houses to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Following the commencement order which has been signed by Minister O’Gorman, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that it is open to hosts to make their application from today, 26 July 2022, on www.MyWelfare.ie.
I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1270. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if the payment will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41017/22]
View answerThe Department are currently dealing with a high volume of claims from customers working in the Educational Sector. Due to the nature of these claims they are all received in a very short period of time as the first day of unemployment is the same for many of these customers.
The Department have teams of deciding officers dedicated solely to processing these claims and are working hard to process them as quickly as possible to minimise the impact on claimants. However given the volume of Educational Sector Worker claims we receive, and the complexity of the claims, it does take time.
If any customer is in urgent need of financial assistance the Department's Community Welfare Service can provide assistance and ensure that the customer is supported while they wait for their claims to be processed.
The Department has looked into this specific case and a Deciding Officer has reviewed it – however unfortunately the employer of the person concerned has not completed the form correctly and so we cannot process the claim until the correct information is received. The Intreo Centre of the customer concerned has been in touch to advise the customer of this. Once the correct details are received for the customer concerned the Department will ensure that the claim is processed without delay.
1271. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if she have received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41125/22]
View answerI can confirm that I received no gifts from visiting dignitaries.
1272. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41143/22]
View answerI can confirm that I received no gifts while travelling abroad.
1273. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if she or her Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41161/22]
View answerI can confirm that neither I, as Minister for Social Protection, nor my Department have given gifts to visiting dignitaries.
1274. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of the reformed access to rent supplement for persons experiencing domestic violence from August 2020 to date by county in tabular form; the number of current beneficiaries by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41171/22]
View answerThe accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.
Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to rent supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.
The standard rent supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three month period. After three months, a further three month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment.
After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment, a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.
There are 35 victims of domestic violence currently being supported under the Protocol, with 228 cases supported since the Protocol came into operation in August 2020.
Table 1 - The number accessing support by county to date and the current recipients by county.
|
County |
Number of Beneficiaries (August 2020 to date) |
Number of Current Recipients |
|
Carlow |
7 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
4 |
|
Clare |
10 |
2 |
|
Cork |
35 |
4 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
2 |
|
Dublin |
32 |
8 |
|
Galway |
20 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
8 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
1 |
|
Laois |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
0 |
|
Longford |
6 |
0 |
|
Louth |
4 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
12 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
2 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
1 |
|
Total |
228 |
35 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1275. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that illness benefit payments are not provided for self-employed persons with short to medium-term illness; if she is considering any measures to facilitate these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41176/22]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who cannot work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance.
Self-employed people who make PRSI contributions at Class S do not qualify for Illness Benefit. In order to qualify for Illness Benefit, people must have made the required number of contributions under Class A, E, H or P.
There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them. In effect, self-employed contributors, in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors, have access to benefits which comprise over 90% of the value of all benefits available to employed contributors.
Where all qualification criteria are satisfied, Class S PRSI gives access to Adoptive Benefit, Guardian's Payment (Contributory), Invalidity Pension, Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed), Maternity Benefit, Parent's Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension), Paternity Benefit, State Pension (Contributory), Treatment Benefit, and Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
Regarding short- and medium-term illnesses, my Department provides means-tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for illness and disability payments. An Additional Needs Payment is also available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
Although self-employed people are not usually eligible for Illness Benefit, an exception was made in relation to Covid-19 enhanced Illness Benefit, primarily as a public health measure. The purpose of this payment is to encourage people to not attend the workplace due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
Self-employed people may qualify for long-term payments Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension if they satisfy all eligibility criteria.
Disability Allowance is a social assistance payment for people with a disability who are aged 16-66 and are resident in the state. Applicants are subject to medical and means assessments.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability. Eligibility is based on PRSI contribution record, this payment is not means-tested. Applicants are, however, subject to a medical assessment.
My Department keeps its income supports under review in order to make sure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1276. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41189/22]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP from the person concerned on 16 June 2022. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 19 July 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and/or appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a pro-rata State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41316/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 17 March 2022. An application for the State Pension Contributory was received on 6 April 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for a standard contributory pension. 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 460 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for a standard contributory pension.
The person was notified in writing of this decision on 1 June 2022, and they were also informed that their entitlement to a pro-rata pension would be examined, taking the contributions of any other relevant countries into consideration.
A copy of the person’s contribution record and an application on their behalf was forwarded to the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK on 7 June 2022. My Department also requested a copy of their UK record. When this record is received, their entitlement to a pro-rata pension will be examined and they will be notified of the decision in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1278. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the reopening of the Citizens' Information Centre in Wicklow Town; if a decision has been reached by her Department regarding the necessary funding for this vital service to the community; and to provide a proposed timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41356/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB 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 Town are a matter for the Board of the South Leinster CIS.
I am advised that South Leinster CIS made the decision to discontinue services in their Wicklow town office from March 2020 due to health and safety concerns. An alternative outreach office space has recently been identified in Wicklow town and the Citizens Information Board is continuing to engage with South Leinster CIS with a view to progressing its use to meet local needs.
Citizens Information Services continue to be available in County Wicklow in offices in both Arklow and Bray. Arklow CIC is open for drop in callers on Tuesdays and appointments are also available on other days. Bray CIC is open for drop in callers on Mondays and Thursdays and appointments otherwise available. Callers can ring the offices five days a week with queries.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1279. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41377/22]
View answerMy Department and the bodies under its remit are very cognisant of their public sector duty in all activities as provided for by Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
The Department’s mission is to promote active participation and inclusion in society through the provision of income supports, employment and other services. Our Statement of Strategy 2020-2023 outlines our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Department’s services and information are accessible to all service users and are compliant with its public sector human rights and equality duty. This approach is central to the manner in which the Department operates – by putting the client at the centre of our operations.
Clients are informed of their rights and entitlements. We make sure our offices are fully accessible for all. Information is provided in multiple languages and also in braille and the Department provides translation services including a sign language interpretation service. All information booklets and forms are vetted by the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA) to ensure simple and clear language is used. We are constantly reviewing our forms and information on gov.ie with a view to enhancing accessibility and clarity.
In carrying out its Public Sector duty, the Department regularly consults with stakeholders. Some of the key events in the Department's calendar include the Social Inclusion Forum and Pre-Budget and Post-Budget fora. The Migrant Consultative forum is a periodic engagement between the Department and organisations working with migrants and is aimed at improving the experiences of migrants interacting with the system. The extensive engagement with stakeholders allows the Department to take various perspectives into account, thereby increasing the quality of its policies and service delivery.
Regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) addresses obligations in its Strategic Plan and in its Annual Reports.
Equality of access to information, advice and advocacy is a core principle of the CIB and the services it provides and funds. The CIB aims to ensure equality of access by providing services in person, by phone and online, as well as through the Live Advisor service and the Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS). The citizensinformation.ie website has been designed to provide a high level of accessibility.
The Pensions Authority is committed to ensuring it meets its obligations to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of employees, customers and service users as required by the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty. The Authority is an equal opportunities employer.
The Pensions Council is committed to ensuring that it meets its obligations to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of its members as required under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014. In this regard, the Council is compliant with the State Board gender balance target. The Council’s work has also had a strong focus on gender issues as they relate to pensions.
My Department monitors its public sector duty obligations on an ongoing basis, and updates on our activities in this regard are included in our annual reports and all relevant publications. My Department is currently updating our Public Sector Duty Action Plan, and this will be published in due course.
1280. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of State boards under the remit of her Department or its agencies; the total number of members of each board; the numbers on each board broken down according to gender; and the number of persons with a declared disability on each board in tabular form. [41395/22]
View answerThere are four statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department: the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal. The tables below set out the total number of members on each board and its corresponding gender ratio.
Please note that Board members are not required to declare a disability and hence the information requested on the representation of people with disabilities on each board is not available.
Citizens Information Board
|
Total Membership of Board |
Membership Male |
Membership Female |
|
11 |
4 |
7 |
Pensions Authority
|
Total Membership of Board |
Membership (Male) |
Membership Female |
|
3 |
3 |
0 |
Pensions Council
|
Total Membership of Board |
Membership (Male) |
Membership Female |
|
10* |
4 |
6 |
(* There is currently one vacancy on the Board of the Pensions Council, an ex-officio member representing the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.)
Social Welfare Tribunal
|
Total Membership of Board |
Membership (Male) |
Membership Female |
|
5* |
2 |
2 |
(* The position of Chairperson of the Social Welfare Tribunal is currently vacant)
