Written Answers Nos. 352-374
352. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarity on the mandatory retirement age of both school bus drivers and school bus escorts who work on the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45968/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
There is a facility within the Special Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Bus Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such to require the support of an escort.
The employment of a School Bus Escort, where required, is sanctioned by the Department of Education. Once a sanction for employment has been approved, School Transport Section issues grant funding to the school management authority at the end of each school year by way of advance payment for the next school year.
The School Management Authority is the employer of the School Bus Escort, it is their responsibility to keep up to date with and comply with policies and legislation relating to terms and conditions of employment, redundancy and retirement.
354. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that all late applicants who otherwise would be eligible for school transport, will be provided with school transport for the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46002/22]
View answer355. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the steps that she will take to ensure that as many students, who have been receiving concessionary school transport for the past number of years, as possible are provided with school transport for the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46003/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Already 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.
Bus Éireann will continue to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.
Bus Éireann is continuing to work through remaining applications and families will be contacted as further information is available.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by 29 April and registered for a ticket by 29 July.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
It is very important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants. “
356. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education her views regarding no formal response being issued to this Deputy in relation to school transport in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46007/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Already 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.
Given the unprecedented demand for school transport for the upcoming school year there has been an increased volume of correspondence and calls both to Bus Éireann and to School Transport Section of the Department.
A formal response in relation to the matters raised issued to the Deputy on 16 September 2022.
Bus Éireann is continuing to source transport for the area mentioned in the correspondence, families will be contacted as further information is available.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by 29 April and registered for a ticket by 29 July.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
It is very important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants. “
For safety reasons, only students with a valid ticket for school transport will be permitted to travel on school transport services.
357. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if the case of a child (details supplied) who has no school transport will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46009/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Already 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 3.2 kms to or from a pick up/set down point or to have travel and waiting times in excess of 2.5 hours per day. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Bus Éireann has advised the pupil that is referred to by the Deputy is attending their second nearest Post Primary Centre, the application and ticket request was submitted before the closing date. Bus Éireann advises the pupil is assigned to an existing service where the pickup point is approximately 3.6 km from their home address. Bus Éireann are in the process of assessing if an alternative service is available which is closer to the pupil’s home address and will be in contact directly with the family.
358. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if she will re-assess the needs of schools (detail supplied) that are recipients of the original DEIS Band 1 but require more resources; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a need for additional bands to be added for these disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46011/22]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and has benefits for students.
In this regard the DEIS programme targets the highest levels of resources at those schools that have been identified for DEIS Urban Band 1 status. Schools in this band are those that have been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage.
Schools in DEIS Urban band 1 receive a more beneficial staffing schedule allowing for the provision of smaller class sizes. They also receive priority access to the support of the National Educational Psychological Service, as well as access to the School Completion and School Meals programme. As with all urban schools, schools in this band receive home school community liaison support. Schools in Urban Band 1 receive a DEIS grant which reflects their high level of concentrated disadvantage.
It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. I recognise the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders and will consider information provided by schools in correspondence to my Department.
In addition to this, following the National Census 2022 held on 3 April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index when available can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
359. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the materials grant to community employment schemes will be increased in view of the current issue of high inflation which is making the cost of materials prohibitively expensive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45759/22]
View answer379. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the materials grant to community employment schemes will be increased in view of the current issue of high inflation which is making the cost of materials prohibitively expensive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45804/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 379 together.
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons. The programme is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector.
CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from my department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs. The materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project including such items as employers and public liability insurance, tools, stationery, audit fees, bank charges (excluding bank interest), protective clothing and the hiring of equipment.
The Department provided an additional materials allocation of €2 million in Budget 2019. This additional annual provision continues to be allocated to those projects that identify a valid requirement for additional materials funding. The material grant provided to CE sponsor organisations in 2021 was €12.1 million. Decisions in relation to the allocation for 2023 will form part of part of the annual Budget and Estimates process
If a CE sponsor organisation is experiencing difficulty with rising costs and is seeking further funding under the materials grant, they should make an application through my Department's Community Development Officer assigned to their CE scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
360. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45532/22]
View answerI received the Pre-Budget Submission from the National Youth Council of Ireland.
I was very grateful for the time and effort taken by National Youth Council of Ireland in producing this submission and in drawing these suggestions to my attention, as I am with all of the community and voluntary groups representing a wide range of cohorts within Irish society, all of whom advocate their position with clarity and strength.
The views and recommendations of National Youth Council of Ireland's will form part of consideration by Government across a range of policy areas, including social protection measures, to be included as part of Budget 2023, taking account of Government priorities, available resources, and the need to protect the most vulnerable in society.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
361. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the provision of making free travel passes available to persons with epilepsy who are temporarily barred from driving for one year or more due to having a breakthrough seizure; if she will consider uncoupling the free travel pass from other qualifying payments to ensure that there is a direct application process for a free travel pass (details supplied); if she will consider this request as part of her Department’s Budget 2023 proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45560/22]
View answer365. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a proposal from an organisation (details supplied) for improved access to the free-travel scheme for people with epilepsy in Ireland. [45598/22]
View answer366. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection if epilepsy will be considered as a qualifying condition in order to qualify for the free travel scheme; the steps that have been taken to improve access to the free-travel scheme for people with epilepsy in Ireland; the timeline for when the exploratory work by her Department on proposals submitted by a group (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45599/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 361, 365 and 366 together.
The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,043,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who are unable to drive as a result of their condition. I have met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail.
Following the meeting, I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland. This work is still ongoing.
As the proposals by Epilepsy Ireland would fundamentally alter the scheme, including overall scheme policy, it is not yet possible to provide a date for completion of this work.
Therefore, while consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, the proposals by Epilepsy Ireland will have to be considered in the context of priorities for the free travel scheme, the budgetary implications and overall scheme policy.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
362. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis that her Department has carried out into extending the enhanced illness benefit to persons suffering from long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45568/22]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is in general contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work rather than the nature of the illness or disability.
As a result, I do not believe there is a need to research and devise a specific payment for long-Covid as it is covered, like all other conditions, by a range of disability-related payments that are not condition-specific.
In March 2020, the Government introduced an enhanced rate of Illness Benefit for persons who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 or who were a probable source of infection with Covid-19. This temporary measure has been extended a number of times by the Government. The rate of €350 for the enhanced payment is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of illness benefit. The focus of this payment was to enable people to comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected and to limit the spread of the virus.
Where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks of receiving Enhanced Illness Benefit, they can apply for standard Illness Benefit. This is the primary income support provided by this Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by PRSI contributions. It is payable for up to two years.
In case of long-term illness or disability, this department provides social assistance and social insurance payments in the forms of Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension.
Disability Allowance is one of a number of means-tested payments provided by the Department. It is paid to people with a disability aged 16 to 66 years, who are habitually resident in the State.
Invalidity Pension is a long-term payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who are covered by social insurance. A person must also have been incapable of work for at least 12 months; be unlikely to be capable of work for at least another 12 months; or be permanently incapable of work.
My Department keeps the range of 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.
363. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by her Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45587/22]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection and its agencies currently have three motor vehicles: two diesel engine vans and a petrol engine motorcycle.
As the energy usage on these vehicles is relatively low, my Department does not consider that there is an economic or major environmental benefit in changing these vehicles at this time. At the end of their life cycle, consideration will be given to the need to replace them and to the best environmental option at that stage.
364. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45597/22]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of state pension non-contributory since 12 June 2009. A review questionnaire issued to the person on 20 June 2022 for completion and return, to determine if they were receiving their correct weekly pension entitlement. The completed questionnaire was returned on 27 June 2022. Following on from the returned questionnaire, on 29 June 2022, the Deciding Officer sought from the customer the most recent six months financial statement for his financial account. The letter also notified the person that failure to submit the requested statements may result in the suspension of their payment.
The requested statements were not received and as a consequence on 5 September 2022, the State pension non-contributory payment was suspended. An advance notice of the suspension from that date should have been provided to the person but due to an oversight this did not happen. Once we became aware of the oversight, their payment has been immediately re-instated. The Deciding Officer telephoned the person concerned and confirmed that their due payments will be available for collection at their nominated post office on Friday 23 September.
A reminder for the requested information was issued on 13 September 2022 so the Department can conclude its means review. The Department will be in contact with the person concerned over the coming period in this regard. On completion of the review, the person will be notified of the outcome, in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will publish her response to the report of the Pension Commission and put her recommendations on this matter before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45608/22]
View answerThe Pensions Commission’s Report was published on the 7th October 2021. It contained almost 250 pages of analysis, consideration and recommendations. The report established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and it has set out a recommended approach for Government.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, I can assure the Deputy that the Government has been considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials have examined each of the recommendations and I consulted across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare were also considered as part of these deliberations. A recommended response and implementation plan will now be considered by Government for decision.
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
368. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the job initiative scheme payment is €11.56 per hour, the community employment and TUS schemes are €11.56 per hour yet will raise to €13 hourly for the duration of fuel allowance (details supplied). [45623/22]
View answerJob Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004. At the end of August 2022, there were 437 JI participants employed by managing agents nationally. The Budget for 2022 is just over €11.8 million.
Participants on JI are employed full time and paid weekly by a JI managing agent. The Department funds wages for team leaders and participants along with a grant to contribute towards the running costs of the scheme in respect of administration, materials, overheads, training and development.
The JI rate for participants has increased from €420 in 2016 to €461 in 2022. The current rate for JI participants is for 39 hours per week and equates to €11.82 per hour, which is above the current minimum wage of €10.50 per hour and will remain above the minimum age when it increases to €11.30 from January 2023. JI participants can also receive other Social Welfare benefits such as the annual Christmas Bonus.
Community Employment (CE) and Tús are designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. Participation on the scheme is part time - 19.5 hours per week. CE and Tús participants do not receive an hourly rate as these payment rates are related to the underlying value of certain social protection payments plus €22.50 per week. In addition, a participant may be eligible, where appropriate, for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.
Fuel Allowance is a seasonal payment and not part of CE or Tús participant’s weekly rate. The Fuel Allowance season normally runs from late September to April. The current weekly rate is €33. It is paid to long-term social welfare recipients who are unable to provide for their heating needs from their own resources.
As participants on JI are not on long term social welfare payments but are in full time employment, they would not meet the qualifying criteria for a Fuel Allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
369. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that job initiative participants are still not entitled to fuel allowance given that many are now suffering from fuel poverty. [45624/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which is supporting over 370,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.
The Job Initiative Scheme programme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over, who had been unemployed for 5 years or more. Since November 2004, there has been no recruitment to the Scheme. Since January 2004, participants on the Job Initiative Scheme could no longer retain their entitlement to Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. This decision was taken as the minimum rate of payment to participants on the scheme was significantly higher than the rate of qualifying Social Welfare payments.
The minimum rate of payment to a Job Initiative participant is still significantly higher than most Social Welfare primary payments, including payments such as Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit, which are also non-qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance. Participants on the Job Initiative Scheme are also considered to be in full time employment and not in receipt of a Social Welfare support payment.
Any decision to allow Job Initiative Scheme participants to access the Fuel Allowance payment would have to be considered in the context of overall scheme policy and in a budgetary context.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
370. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending child benefit to persons over 18 years of age who remain in full-time secondary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45638/22]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 631,000 families in respect of almost 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2022.
There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of full-time students in second level education who are over 18 years of age. Such an extension would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
- the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
371. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45642/22]
View answerCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 2 August 2022.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 14 September 2022.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) has had their community employment scheme participation terminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45643/22]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market. Participation on CE is on a voluntary basis, and participants are free to resign their positions should they wish to do so.
The person concerned voluntarily resigned his CE position and finished on the 22 July 2022. He has since applied for a Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment. If he wishes to return to his Community Employment position he would need to withdraw that application and contact the Supervisor of the Community Employment scheme regarding same. There are currently vacancies on this scheme and there is no difficulty facilitating a return to CE in this case, once any application for a DSP payment has been withdrawn.
In the meantime officials from the Department will continue to assist the scheme in their efforts to fill their vacancies. I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants in particular given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who is currently on a community employment scheme and who has been invaluable in their position can have their employment extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45661/22]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market. CE placements are intended to be temporary and subject to time limits. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for long-term unemployed candidates. Those who are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months or more may be eligible to participate on CE.
In light of the Covid related challenges faced by CE schemes the Minister, Deputy Humphreys and I announced a number of reforms to CE since the start of 2022. As part of these reforms and to assist schemes with the transition from Covid emergency supports, participants including those with extended contracts, may not be required to leave CE, where a suitable replacement has not yet been referred to the scheme. This is a transitionary provision for supporting schemes to retain services, with the higher-than-normal turnover of participants in 2022. Extensions under this provision must be approved by officials from the Department and consideration will be given to the impact of COVID on the recruitment of participants, the type of service provided by the placement along with recruitment and referral efforts. This does provide schemes with additional flexibility to retain participants, where required to maintain services in communities. The current extension period is six months.
The person concerned was due to complete his eligible time on the Community Employment project on 9/9/2022. We can now confirm that he has been extended under current criteria for a maximum period of six months. The new exit date is 10 March 2023. The sponsor has been informed accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
374. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing measures to improve access to employment opportunities for disabled persons, including programmes like the ability programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45702/22]
View answerThe Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities, managed by my Department. The funding for the programme amounted to around €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer. The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021 and, in line with commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Final Evaluation of the Programme was published.It was agreed that a new employment programme for people with disabilities would be included in the new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. This new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings of the former Ability Programme. It is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country including the 27 former Ability Programme organisations.
I can assure the Deputy that my commitment in relation to improving the employment opportunities for people with disabilities has not been found wanting to date. The Deputy will understand that any further additions or changes to payments or employment supports offered by my department are subject to the overall budgetary and policy context and will be considered in that context over the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
