Kathleen Funchion
Question:423. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial supports that are in place for those who suffer from long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6551/24]
View answerCovid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (423)
Written answers
My Department provides a suite of income supports to those who cannot work due to illness or disability, including COVID-19 and long COVID. Eligibility for these payments is generally not dependent on the type of illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Illness benefit is the primary income support provided by this Department to those who cannot work in the short term due to illness of any kind and is funded by the Social Insurance Fund through the payment of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class and only contributions made under classes A, E, H or P count toward this payment. Illness benefit is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions. Additional payments may be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
The two main long-term disability income support payments are invalidity pension and disability allowance.
Invalidity pension is a social insurance scheme paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Eligibility is based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work.
Disability allowance 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 residence conditions.
People who are ill but do not qualify for other illness or disability schemes may apply for means tested supports through the additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall 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.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (424)
Niamh Smyth
Question:424. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review correspondence (details supplied) and have the case reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6038/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Jobseekers Allowance Claim for the Person Concerned has been reviewed. The new weekly rate is €68.70 payable from 18/01/2024 and can be collected from the nominated post office.
Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 06/02/2024 with details of the revised payment.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (425)
Brendan Griffin
Question:425. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6080/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 30th January 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (426)
Brendan Griffin
Question:426. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal on behalf of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6081/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, and following a phone oral hearing, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 31st January 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (427)
Colm Burke
Question:427. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be received, as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6085/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 Deputy will be aware from my response to a previous question on this matter on 24 January 2024 that the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received on the 6th 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.
These papers were received on 9th November 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 15th November 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (428)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:428. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 889 of 17 January 2024, if her Department has taken steps to engage with all stakeholders including the Citizens Information Board (CIS), the employer and staff CIS representatives and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform in relation to the WRC pay claim recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6097/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which funds and supports the eight regional companies of the Citizens Information Service (CIS).
As stated in Parliamentary Question No. 889, I have to reiterate that I deeply value the important work carried out by employees of the CIS in ensuring that people have access to quality and independent information, advice and advocacy services across the country.
As also stated, my Department allocates annual Exchequer funding to CIB to deliver its services and the services of its Service Delivery Companies, including the CIS companies. However, it is important to point out that employees of the CIS are not employees of my Department nor are they public servants. They are employees of independent companies that provide important services to CIB, which are delivered under a Service Level Agreement between each company and CIB.
As you will be aware, in July 2023, as part of the Estimates process, a funding request for 2024 was submitted to my Department, which included additional funding for an 11% pay increase for employees of the CIS. My Department understands that this followed a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process that directly involved both SIPTU and the CIS Employers Group. There was no involvement of CIB in the WRC process. Neither was my Department aware of this pay request in advance.
As stated previously, it is important that any pay request, which impacts important services, are carefully considered well in advance and have the involvement of all relevant stakeholders from early in the process. My Department has relayed this to CIB and encouraged further engagement on this issue by CIB, the CIS Employers Group and CIS staff representatives.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (429)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:429. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare recipients that received the January 2024 bonus double payment, by county, in tabular form. [6135/24]
View answerWritten answers
The number of individuals that received the January 2024 bonus double payment by county is shown in the table below. This table is a count of distinct individuals. The figures do not include Domiciliary Care Allowance recipients, who will receive their double payment on 20th February 2024.
Table 1: January double payment recipients, by county
|
County |
Recipients |
|
Carlow |
17,083 |
|
Cavan |
19,451 |
|
Clare |
32,483 |
|
Cork |
133,311 |
|
Donegal |
47,654 |
|
Dublin |
295,475 |
|
Galway |
62,118 |
|
Kerry |
43,795 |
|
Kildare |
46,983 |
|
Kilkenny |
24,390 |
|
Laois |
20,268 |
|
Leitrim |
10,394 |
|
Limerick |
53,854 |
|
Longford |
12,486 |
|
Louth |
34,919 |
|
Mayo |
39,284 |
|
Meath |
41,570 |
|
Monaghan |
16,028 |
|
Offaly |
21,134 |
|
Roscommon |
18,726 |
|
Sligo |
19,230 |
|
Tipperary |
46,308 |
|
Waterford |
33,527 |
|
Westmeath |
24,221 |
|
Wexford |
44,427 |
|
Wicklow |
35,650 |
|
Unknown |
12,860 |
|
Total |
1,207,629 |
Employment Support Services
Questions (430)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:430. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the new model of local area employment service has been effective (details supplied); whether the method of referral from the Department, meaning the service cannot work with walk-in clients, has been effective; the duration of employment for the service to obtain funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6149/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Services is a contracted employment service which provides support to long-term unemployed people and those furthest from the labour market.
The service is provided for long-term (greater than 24 months) unemployed jobseekers for a period of 52 weeks and then for a further period of in-employment support for 17 weeks if the client obtains employment.
Fees paid to the Contractor by my Department in respect of the Services provided include a Service Start Fee at the beginning of the client's engagement period, a Personal Progression Plan (PPP) Fee on completion of the initial PPP in respect of each client and a Performance Fee on the completion of seventeen weeks of full-time employment or self-employment.
Walk-in clients may present at a LAES or Intreo office seeking to avail of employment services. If the client presents at a LAES office, LAES will send the client's contact details to the relevant Intreo office and the referral will be reviewed by a DSP who will then determine if the LAES service is the most suitable intervention for the client. Where a client wishes to avail of an employment service but not the 12-month LAES service, this can be provided by an Employment Personal Advisors at their local Intreo centre.
The new Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service commenced on a national basis in late 2022. My officials are in regular contact with all service providers to ensure that the new model is operating effectively. The operation of the contract is kept under ongoing review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Staff
Questions (431)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:431. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE accountants working in her Department in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [6154/24]
View answerWritten answers
In my Department’s accounts branch, the following number of officials hold a professional accounting qualification.
|
2021 |
8 |
|
2022 |
8 |
|
2023 |
7 |
|
2024 to-date |
8 |
Furthermore, there are a number of additional officials with accountancy qualifications working across the Department in internal audit, policy and operational areas , including those with budgetary responsibilities.
My Department also supports officials undertaking 3rd level education to achieve accounting qualifications by way of refund of fees. Through refund of fees my Department is currently supporting 3 officials through their qualifications’ and one has recently graduated. Funding is also budgeted to ensure professional accounting memberships are maintained.
I trust this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
Departmental Data
Questions (432)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received by the social welfare appeals office, per month in 2023, in tabular form. [6155/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 below table shows a weekly breakdown of appeals received in the year 2023.
|
Appeals Received per Month in 2023 |
|
|
Month |
Appeals Received |
|
January |
1,405 |
|
February |
2,054 |
|
March |
2,504 |
|
April |
2,002 |
|
May |
1,909 |
|
June |
1,918 |
|
July |
2,043 |
|
August |
2,658 |
|
September |
2,512 |
|
October |
1,839 |
|
November |
1,757 |
|
December |
1,403 |
|
Total |
24,004 |
I trust this clarifies matters the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (433, 434, 435)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:433. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of schools and students enrolled in the free hot school lunches primary schools programme, broken down by county; anticipated additional schools and students to be added with the expansion of the scheme in April 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6172/24]
View answerMarc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:434. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection whether there is an evaluation of the packaging and food waste impacts of the free hot school lunches programme; the percentage of packaging that can be and is recycled; the percentage of full lunches left over each day; if there is a Departmental plan to reduce the amount of waste generated as the scheme expands to provide packaged meals for more students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6173/24]
View answerMarc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:435. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection whether delivery miles and transport emissions involved in distribution of the free hot school lunches programme is being assessed and evaluated; if there is a Departmental plan to address this for the long-term implementation of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6174/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 to 435, inclusive, together.
The objective of the School Meals 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. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
I am committed to continuing to expand the Hot School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024. There will be an opportunity for the other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally during this year.
The current number of schools and students enrolled in the Hot School meals Programme, broken down by county and anticipated additional schools and students to be added with the expansion of the scheme in April 2024, is contained in the attached tabular statement.
My Department provides the funding for the Hot School Meals Programme directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each individual school to administer the programme in their school. All schools who wish to avail of hot meals for their pupils are responsible for choosing their own school meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with Public Procurement rules.
Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit (www.spu.ie), the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively addresses environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. My Department does not keep statistics on food waste or packaging.
The method and logistics of supplying the meals is decided by the school. Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit (www.spu.ie), the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices and that the supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Number of Schools by County currently availing of the Hot School Meals by County
|
County |
Number of Schools |
Number of Pupils |
|
Carlow |
16 |
3,726 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
3,030 |
|
Clare |
23 |
2,541 |
|
Dublin |
113 |
24,151 |
|
Cork |
37 |
8,064 |
|
Donegal |
96 |
9,118 |
|
Galway |
37 |
3,730 |
|
Kerry |
32 |
3,787 |
|
Kildare |
17 |
4,194 |
|
Kilkenny |
14 |
1,798 |
|
Laois |
12 |
1,863 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
1,241 |
|
Limerick |
31 |
5,281 |
|
Longford |
13 |
2,891 |
|
Louth |
12 |
2,852 |
|
Mayo |
59 |
4,302 |
|
Meath |
13 |
3,384 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
1,728 |
|
Offaly |
22 |
3,551 |
|
Roscommon |
23 |
1,714 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
1,785 |
|
Tipperary |
46 |
6,116 |
|
Waterford |
20 |
4,783 |
|
Westmeath |
17 |
2,927 |
|
Wexford |
32 |
7,633 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
2,891 |
|
Grand Total |
756 |
119,081 |
Number of Schools by County included in the Hot School Meals Expansion April 2024
|
County |
Number of Schools |
Number of Pupils |
|
Carlow |
13 |
1,764 |
|
Cavan |
36 |
4,750 |
|
Clare |
33 |
4,296 |
|
Cork |
109 |
20,705 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
3,077 |
|
Dublin |
75 |
25,496 |
|
Galway |
62 |
9,179 |
|
Kerry |
43 |
6,065 |
|
Kildare |
28 |
6,739 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
4,952 |
|
Laois |
28 |
4,382 |
|
Leitrim |
11 |
955 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
7,448 |
|
Longford |
12 |
1,294 |
|
Louth |
21 |
4,014 |
|
Mayo |
34 |
2,879 |
|
Meath |
43 |
7,906 |
|
Monaghan |
27 |
2,372 |
|
Offaly |
18 |
2,575 |
|
Roscommon |
27 |
2,828 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
374 |
|
Tipperary |
63 |
7,649 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
1,925 |
|
Westmeath |
34 |
4,614 |
|
Wexford |
42 |
7,322 |
|
Wicklow |
28 |
5,293 |
|
Grand Total |
909 |
150,853 |
Question No. 434 answered with Question No. 433.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 433.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (436)
Seán Haughey
Question:436. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if drawdowns from approved retirement funds can be excluded as means when determining eligibility for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6182/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Fuel Allowance operates as part of an overall system of social protection supports which provides assistance payments based on a system of means testing. The means test ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most. By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital.
The treatment of Approved Retirement Funds for Fuel Allowance purposes is aligned with the treatment of Approved Retirement Funds for other Departmental means tested schemes. Approved Retirement Funds are similar to funds in a bank account in terms of accessibility. Therefore, the current value of the Approved Retirement Funds is treated as capital for means assessment purposes.
The assessment of capital reflects an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital, or to realise the value of the property, to support themselves without having to rely solely on a means-tested welfare payment. While savings are assessed in the means test, most social protection schemes have a general capital disregard, meaning that the full amount of the capital is not assessed.
The standard formula for assessing the value of capital for those aged over 70 for Fuel Allowance purposes is as follows: the first €50,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The capital assessment formula is not designed to reflect interest or annuity rates available to investors and no account is taken of drawdowns from the fund in the means assessment.
While consideration is always given to any suggested improvements to Department schemes, any decision to amend the Fuel Allowance means test in relation to the treatment of Approved Retirement Funds would have budgetary and scheme consequences and can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (437)
Sorca Clarke
Question:437. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if the fuel allowance was increased by a further two weeks. [6214/24]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated full year cost of extending the Fuel Allowance by two weeks is €27.3 million.
This cost is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2024 and the current weekly rate of €33 and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of these estimates.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (438)
Sorca Clarke
Question:438. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the maximum rate of disability allowance and State pension contribution by €14 per week from 1 September 2024. [6215/24]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated cost in 2024 of increasing Disability Allowance and the State Pension (Contributory) by €14 per week, from September 1st 2024, is €42.9 million and €134.3 million respectively.
The estimated full year cost of increasing Disability Allowance and the State Pension (Contributory) by €14 per week, is €123.6 million and €388.1 million respectively. It should be noted that recipient number trends on State Pension (Contributory) are increasing based on demographic changes, so this estimated cost would likely rise further in future years.
These costs include a proportionate increase for Qualified Adults.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Pension Provisions
Questions (439)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:439. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible for an Irish citizen and resident, who previously lived in Australia and obtained Australian citizenship, to receive an Australian state pension; whether the procedure for applying to receive this must also involve her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6241/24]
View answerWritten answers
The question of whether an Irish resident or citizen is entitled to an Australian state pension is a matter the individual should take up with the relevant Australian agency. Enquiries on Australian social security contributions can be directed to their Centrelink International Services at;
Services AustraliaInternational ServicesPO Box 7809CANBERRA BC ACT 2610Australia
However, if the individual is seeking to combine social security contributions paid into the Australian pension system with full-rate social security contributions paid into the Irish pension system, as part of an Irish pension application, the application will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Irish pension scheme and, the conditions provided for in the existing bilateral agreement between Ireland and Australia. Enquiries on Irish state pensions can be directed to Social Welfare Services at;
Department of Social Protection
College Road
SligoCo. SligoF91 T384
Ireland
Email: state.con@welfare.ie
Phone number: 071-9157100 / 0818-200400
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (440)
Cormac Devlin
Question:440. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the means review process; the number of people selected, by gender and county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6249/24]
View answerWritten answers
In order to respond Department Officials have contacted the Deputy's office seeking clarification on the question. When the information is received from the Deputy the Department will be more than happy to provide a response.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (441)
Cormac Devlin
Question:441. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of an issue in relation to a payment to a person (details supplied); if she will ask her officials to review the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6252/24]
View answerWritten answers
Disability 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.
This individual was in receipt of Illness Benefit for one year from 6 July 2022 and this ceased payment in July 2023. I confirm that my Department originally received an application for DA from the person concerned on 6 October 2022.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their application for DA was disallowed as their means were in excess of the statutory limit allowed for receipt of DA. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 16 July 2022 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
On 30 December 2022, further evidence was received and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 25 January 2023 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the SWAO.
On 27 February 2023, further evidence was received and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 14 March 2023 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the SWAO.
The person concerned appealed that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 26 April 2023. Having examined this case, the Appeals Officer upheld the Department’s decision and the person concerned was notified of the outcome in writing on16 August 2023
An Appeal Officer’s decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence. The person concerned subsequently submitted a Section 317 review request to the Appeals Office decision on 14 September 2023. The SWAO will notify the person concerned directly regarding the outcome of their Section 317 review. In the meantime, the person concerned can apply to the Community Welfare Officer for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of financial assistance, while awaiting the outcome of their application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (442)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:442. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school (details supplied) will be assessed for a late application and included in the hot school meals programme in April which would rectify an administrative error due to extenuating circumstances. [6267/24]
View answerWritten answers
The objective of the School Meals 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. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
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. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024.
There will be an opportunity for this school and the other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally later this year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (443)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:443. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6289/24]
View answerWritten answers
As announced in Budget 2024, a January Bonus Payment of 100% of the appropriate weekly amount is to be paid to all recipients of long-term Social Welfare Payment. Persons who have been in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance for 312 days or more will receive the January Bonus.
The January Bonus for Long Term Job Seekers Allowance recipients was paid on week commencing 29/01/2024.
Any person who does not qualify for the January Bonus Payment and who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for assistance via the Community Welfare Service”