Written Answers Nos. 312-334
312. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next call for funding applications under his Department’s urban regeneration and development fund is expected to be issued; if public realm improvement projects will be considered for funding under this call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51002/23]
View answerMy Department intends to launch a fourth round of funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) during 2024. It is intended that this further round of funding will provide an opportunity for a number of the ‘pipeline’ projects that have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Calls 1 and 2, to be considered for funding and may include public realm improvement projects.
The URDF programme is improving the liveability of cities and towns, making a real difference to their social and economic sustainability and development. For the first time, local authorities have the opportunity to coordinate the planned regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities with a stream of tailored Exchequer capital investment, ensuring that the most impactful projects can happen where required.
313. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the report from an organisation (details supplied) that has reported that the charity dealt with 12,031 households that were at risk of homelessness; the measures he is taking to ensure that this level of households are not at risk of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51019/23]
View answerSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority, and funding of €215m has been provided this year to support the delivery of homeless services by local authorities and their service delivery partners.
The referred to highlights the important work undertaken to support those at risk of homelessness. Local authorities already oversee a range of homeless prevention and tenancy sustainment measures. Many of these services, including those operated on behalf of local authorities by NGOs, are funded by my Department, including Threshold’s Tenancy Protection Service. This service has been instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and supporting people to remain in their homes.
Increasing housing supply across all tenures is essential in our efforts to eradicate homelessness. My Department continues to prioritise measures which focus on accelerating social and affordable housing supply through a combination of new build, targeted acquisitions and leasing. Record state investment of €4.5bn has being made available this year to support the largest State home building programme ever, including 9,100 new build social homes and 5,500 affordable homes.
The Government has also allocated funding to provide for increased levels of social housing acquisitions, with at least 1,500 social acquisitions to be completed this year. The acquisitions are focused on properties where a social housing tenant has received a notice of termination due to a landlord’s intention to sell the property.
The Government has developed the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ (CRTiS) scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports.
314. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51048/23]
View answerMy Department has no current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
315. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51066/23]
View answerMy Department is not involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
However, to note Ireland (represented by Met Éireann) and Israel (represented by the Israeli Met service) are both members of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
In addition, EUMETNET is a grouping of National Meteorological Services that provides a framework to organise co-operative programmes between its Members in the various fields of basic meteorological activities. Met Éireann is a member of EUMETNET and the Israeli Met Service is a cooperating service in EUMETNET.
Met Éireann is also a member of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Israeli Met service is a co-operating member.
In delegate bodies of EUMETNET, ECMWF and WMO, delegates from Met Éireann attend meetings on occasion where Israeli delegates are also present.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the following table.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
info@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
reps@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
316. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is the procedure of councils to continue to pay the full HAP payment rate to the landlord in circumstances where a tenant in receipt of HAP is overholding, while the tenant continues to pay HAP rent to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51082/23]
View answerUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. The HAP tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022.
Tenants in the HAP scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.
In general, where a tenant continues to pay their rental contribution, a HAP payment will be made to the landlord. If a Notice of Termination has issued and the HAP tenancy has ceased then no further payments will be made to the landlord.
As the local authority is not a party to the HAP tenancy, issues such as overholding are a matter for the tenant and landlord to resolve with recourse if necessary, to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) dispute resolution service. The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
317. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and his Department were represented at each meeting of the senior officials group in respect of the Government’s response to the war in Ukraine; if not, the number of meetings at which his Departmental officials were absent; and the reason for their absence. [51083/23]
View answerThe Humanitarian Senior Officials Group, which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, has met 75 times since it was established in March 2022. My Department has been represented at each meeting, which reflects my commitment to supporting the whole of Government humanitarian response to Ukraine.
319. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the Land Development Agency’s mandate in respect of student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51085/23]
View answer324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency has any remit in respect of providing purpose-built housing for students. [51167/23]
View answer325. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency has any remit in respect of providing purpose-built housing for the medical professions. [51168/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319, 324 and 325 together.
Under Housing for All the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030. The establishment of the Land Development Agency (LDA) as a commercial State Agency represents a crucial lever in the Government’s delivery of affordable homes. The LDA co-ordinates relevant public lands within State control, activating key underutilised sites for housing delivery and maximising the provision of homes to build thriving communities across the State.
The LDA are presently engaged in delivery of a range of developments on strategic state lands as well as progressing towards their target of 5,000 affordable homes through Project Tosaigh, a market-engagement initiative to activate stalled private sites.
My Department is continuing to examine all options in relation to supporting the delivery of affordable homes in line with Housing for All, including those that may meet the specific needs of particular cohorts.
My colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is separately examining the potential for a scheme to meet the specific housing needs of third-level students, as set out in the recently published annual Housing for All Action Plan Update, a copy of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/97015-housing-for-all-action-plan-update-and-q3-2023-progress-report/ .
320. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in completing Action No. 2.1 of Housing for All. [51086/23]
View answerMy Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the private rental sector, which involved significant stakeholder engagement and a public consultation process during 2023.
A draft report is now being finalised detailing the findings of the review and outlining a range of policy options.
In line with Priority Action 21 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update and Q3 2023 Progress Report, a copy of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/97015-housing-for-all-action-plan-update-and-q3-2023-progress-report/, the Review is due for publication in Q4 2023.
321. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is on schedule to introduce the Planning and Development Bill 2023. [51087/23]
View answerA comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023.
The draft Bill subsequently underwent a very extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process over a three month period, undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Taking consideration of the same and further stakeholder engagement, the Bill was further updated and on 3 October the Cabinet approved the Planning and Development Bill 2023.
The Bill, which is the third largest piece of legislation in the history of the State, is currently being prepared for publication. I expect it will be published this week along with a comprehensive Explanatory Memorandum. It will then commence before the Houses of the Oireachtas, subject to its timetable.
322. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on progress to transition homes acquired in 2023 to the standard cost-rental framework and long-term ownership in the cost-rental sector; the contingencies in place for the expiration of the current funding sanction for the cost rental tenant in situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51088/23]
View answerIn April 2023 a Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme was put in place on an administrative basis to respond to cases of tenants who are at risk of homelessness, due to a Notice of Termination, but who are over the income thresholds for social housing supports. The current household net income limit for scheme eligibility is €66,000 for Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. This is in line with the revised income limits for Cost Rental which came into effect from 1 August 2023.
My Department is currently working on a proposed plan to transition the tenants and homes in this scheme to the standard cost rental framework, including those homes acquired in 2023.
323. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any proposals to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 to waive the requirement for a Part 8 of the Act consultation for emergency active travel measures introduced during the Covid emergency. [51095/23]
View answerUnder Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), article 80 specifies the types of development that are required to undergo the local authority “own development” planning approval process specified under section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), which requires public consultation on the proposed development and the subsequent approval of, or modification by, the elected members of the local authority before it can proceed.
Article 80(1)(b) specifies the following form of development as coming within the ambit of the approval process provided for in section 179 of the Act:
“the construction of a new road or the widening or realignment of an existing road, where the length of the new road or of the widened or realigned portion of the existing road, as the case may be, would be—
(i) in the case of a road in an urban area, 100 metres or more, or
(ii) in the case of a road in any other area, 1 kilometre or more.”.
The matter raised concerning consultation on emergency active travel measures during the Covid emergency, such as the demarcation of cycle lanes, is not a matter for planning and falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport. The Roads Traffics Acts and associated Regulations are matters in which I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, have no statutory function.
It should be noted that under article 80(1)(k) of the Regulations, the process under section 179 of the Act is required to be followed for any local authority development where the estimated cost exceeds €126,000, excluding development consisting of the laying of underground of sewers, mains, pipes or other apparatus. As indicated, the planning approval process under section 179 of the Act is a reserved function of the elected members.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned, except in very specific circumstances, which do not apply in this case. This includes any enforcement issue.
326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51182/23]
View answerA significant part of the annual budgetary process is determining the amount of funding required carry out existing functions and Government commitments before any new decisions are taken. This is referred to as the ‘Existing Level of Service’ or ELS. ELS funding provides provision for the maintenance of our existing services and schemes and is a significant part of the additional expenditure funding allocated each year, delivering additional investment in public services, through for example providing existing schemes to a growing number of people, and investment in the public service workforce.
As set out in Chapter 12 of the Budget 2024 Expenditure Report (available at the following link gov.ie - Budget 2024: Expenditure Reports (www.gov.ie), the total Gross allocation for the Housing, Local Government & Heritage Vote Group in 2024 is over €6.9 billion.
The funding provided reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing a wide range of housing needs, as well as delivering on the objectives of the Housing for All, Town Centre First and National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040. Funding will support the key areas of water services, local government, heritage, planning and Met Éireann, as well as Tailte Éireann and An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
In relation to Current expenditure, €3.05 billion in core expenditure has been provided for next year, representing an increase of 6.1% on the 2023 allocation provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services. Of this increase, €165m relates to ELS costs and is reflective of the cumulative transformational measures introduced in recent years to enhance the delivery of services in real terms.
An extra €353 million in capital expenditure over the 2023 NDP ceiling is being allocated to the Vote Group under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2024. This equates to nearly €3.9 billion in Capital expenditure to support the continued delivery of Housing for All targets, transformational change in Water Service provision and other key initiatives.
This funding is particularly important for my Department as the delivery of housing, related infrastructure and associated reform of the planning system continues to be a critical priority for this Government. Indeed, housing, water services, local government, planning and heritage services have been subject to continuous, cumulative and mutually reinforcing transformation initiatives in recent years, which are now accelerating to maturity.
327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50519/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 1 November 2023. The Appeals Officer has been contacted and advised that a decision has been made in relation to this case and the individual concerned will be notified of the outcome later this week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
328. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50520/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on the 27 September 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
329. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether an anomaly exists under the cost-of-living payments (details supplied). [50538/23]
View answerI was pleased that Budget 2024 included a social welfare package worth almost €2.3 billion, the biggest in the history of the State. The package contained a balanced mixture of once-off lump sum measures set to be delivered over the coming weeks along with significant rate increases. The measures are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the increased cost of living and the measures have a particular focus on tackling child poverty. This extensive package includes a number of measures which are of benefit to lone parents.
The Increase for Qualified Child Lump Sum Payment is a once-off bonus payment of €100 which will be paid to anyone in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Child in the relevant payment week. This includes lone parents in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. This is a targeted measure to assist families who have children and who are in receipt of a social welfare payment. There are some circumstances in which an Increase for a Qualified Child is split between two parents and in such cases each will receive the €100 bonus payment where they are in payment in the relevant week.
In addition, I provided for the rate of Increase for a Qualified Child to increase by €4 to €46 per week in respect of a qualified child under age 12 and by €4 to €54 per week in respect of a qualified child aged 12 or over from January. As a result, these rates will have increased by €10 for under 12s and by €14 for over 12s over the last four Budgets.
Like all families with children, lone parents will receive a double month Child Benefit payment in respect of each child before Christmas. In addition, recipients of One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment will be amongst those who receive a Christmas bonus double week payment in December and a cost-of-living double week payment in January.
I have also provided for a €12 increase in the personal rate of working age payments such as One-Parent Family Payment. This will increase the personal rate from €220 to €232, per week from January.
Lone parents in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive a lump sum payment of €300 this month. Approximately half of the payments of the €400 cost of living lump sum payment, which will be made to recipients of the Working Family Payment in November, will be made to lone parents.
This wide array of measures clearly demonstrates the huge focus the Government has placed on assisting people and families with the cost of living, including lone parents.
A preliminary Social Impact Analysis undertaken in relation to the Budget 2024 Social Protection package shows a very progressive impact of the Budget package, with lowest income deciles benefitting most.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
330. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list, by county, of the remaining 900 non-DEIS schools that recently, following an invitation from her Department, expressed an interest in the hot school meals programme. [50571/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting 300,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the programme. In March, school meal rates were increased at a full year cost of €18 million and an additional €14.5 million was approved to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023 giving a total budget of €126.9 million. Budget 2024 has increased the funding by an extra €42.5 million giving a total of €146.4 million.
Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the Hot School Meal option from 37 to 1,100. I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. In this regard, the roll out of the Hot School Meals to all remaining DEIS primary and Special schools began in September 2023, benefiting more than 60,000 children.
As part of significant plans to extend the Hot School Meals programme, all remaining primary schools were contacted and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interest forms were received from over 900 non-DEIS schools in respect of 150,000 children.
It should be noted that while my Department provides the funding to schools for the School Meals Programme, it is the responsibility of schools to choose their supplier in a open, fair and transparent manner in accordance with national legislation and EU directives on procurement.
Details of the schools involved will be announced in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
331. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite and approve an application for a disability allowance now under appeal (details supplied). [50629/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 23 May 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 14 August 2023 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. To date, no request for a review or an appeal has been received.
It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
332. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any consideration is being given to broadening the eligibility for the State maternity benefit in order to ensure that Ph.D candidates can receive the benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50664/23]
View answerMaternity Benefit is a statutory payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. The fundamental qualification criteria for Maternity Benefit are that the person must be in insurable employment and entitled to statutory maternity leave or be in insurable self-employment.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy and legal responsibility for Maternity Leave. Any extension to current maternity leave provisions to include PhD candidates are a matter for his Department to consider in the first instance.
Any proposal to change the qualifying criteria for the associated Maternity Benefit would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context. There are no such plans at present.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
333. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50672/23]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent/foster parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.
This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living, in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding/diet, communication, speech/language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs. However, eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the disability/diagnosis but rather on the impact of the disability, in terms of the associated level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of the same age without their disability/diagnosis.
All applications for DCA are referred to a departmental Medical Assessor (MA) for their professional opinion. The departmental MA, based on the information provided in the application process, including any supporting (medical) evidence if provided, considers the severity of the child's disability/diagnosis, the expected duration and the associated care needs and provides their professional opinion in relation to the child's eligibility for DCA. In making a decision on the application, the Deciding Officer has regard to the MA opinion in the decision process.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 28 September 2023.
A Deciding Officer disallowed the applicant's application as per decision letter dated 9 November 2023. Based on the information provided, the child concerned was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination also considered all supporting documentary (medical) evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental MA in the decision process and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information, along with the decision notification.
As advised in the decision notification of 9 November 2023, it is open to the person concerned to request a review(s) of the Deciding Officer's decision and this right is not time limited. If requesting a review of a Deciding Officer's decision, the person concerned may forward any further new or additional information or documentary evidence, such as a diagnostic assessment report(s), that was not previously available to the Deciding Officer, for consideration.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision directly to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
334. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status to an entire school (details supplied), given the extenuating circumstances facing pupils currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50719/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme funds the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting some 300,000 children. The objective of the Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to enable them to take full advantage of the education provided to them.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
Ennistymon Vocational School, which was a DEIS secondary school, amalgamated with two non-DEIS secondary schools – Meanscoil na mBráithre and Scoil Mhuire – to form Ennistymon Community School at the end of August 2023.
In line with Department of Education policy, the pupils from the former DEIS school holds its DEIS supports, including school meals funding, for a period of 6 years until the pupils from the former DEIS school have transitioned out of the school. In other words, the students who had been in the DEIS school before the amalgamation can retain their entitlement to school meals until they have completed secondary school.
I have instructed my officials to continue funding for school meals for all students at the amalgamated school until the end of the school year. This will allow time for officials from my department and the Department of Education to engage with the Principal and the Board of Management of Ennistymon Community School on these matters.
I trust this clarifiers the matter for the Deputy.
