Written Answers Nos. 390-410
390. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection what action has been taken to monitor and reduce food waste and packaging waste in the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18277/24]
View answerThe 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 8th April 2024. The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. My Department will contact them by email shortly to notify them of the Expression of Interest process.
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, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively addresses environmental considerations such as waste and packaging and 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.
391. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the action taken on each of the 18 recommendations contained within her Department's evaluation of the school meals programme undertaken in 2022, per recommendation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18278/24]
View answerIn March 2023, I published an independent evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing.
The key finding was an overwhelming consensus among all participants in the evaluation that the Programme is effective. Most parents suggested that their child had an improved attitude towards food, highlighting the benefits of the Programme in encouraging healthy eating. Students were asked how they felt about the Programme and their responses were overall positive, and they praised the taste and nutritional quality of the food. Data from Principals showed that their views of the nutritional values, the quality, and the portion size of the meals provided were favourable. Changing children’s attitudes towards healthier eating was also a common theme across Principals’ responses. Most Principals indicated that the Programme improved physical health, attendance and performance.
Taking account of the remaining recommendations of the evaluation, my Department is working to ensure that the Programme can operate and grow in a way that ensures standards are maintained, governance is robust, and that best use is being made of resources. This is being led by my Department in consultation with other stakeholders such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and other relevant agencies, for example the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Recommendations |
Actions |
|
1: Consider an interim increase in the funding rates for all meal options |
Completed - An increase in funding rates for all School Meal types was increased effective from 1st January 2023. |
|
2: Consider how the programme funding allocated to schools could more accurately reflect current pupil populations |
Ongoing |
|
3: Extend the provision of the Hot Meals Option to all DEIS primary schools for the academic year 2023/2024 |
Completed - Hot Meals have been extended to all DEIS primary schools for the 2023/24 academic year and have also been extended to non-DEIS primary schools from 8th April 2024. The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. |
|
4: Issue an annual payment to all participating schools to cover non-food expenses from September 2023 |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
|
5: Encourage a co-productive approach to the development of the School Meals Programme by engaging schools in future decision-making processes |
Ongoing |
|
6: Commit to support future research into the impact of the School Meals Programme by funding the collection and collation of longitudinal data on academic and health outcomes and other impact indicators in a comprehensive and consistent manner |
Ongoing |
|
7: Appoint a cross-departmental Strategic Working Group to map out the expansion of the School Meals Programme to universal provision by 2030 |
Ongoing |
|
8: Invest in the School Meals Programme Team at the Department of Social Protection |
Completed - There has been a continual increase in staff resources |
|
9: Request the Department of Education undertake a review of the Capital Expenditure Programme so that spaces for eating are incorporated into schools |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
|
10: Extend a modified version of the School Meals Programme to beyond term time to address holiday hunger |
Under the Food Poverty Working Group |
|
11: Review the position for any school or other provider in the School Meals Programme with capped funding to bring them in line with current rates |
Completed |
|
12: Replace cold lunches with a hot meal in all DEIS secondary schools |
Concentrating on Primary schools at present |
|
13: Develop an online system to support the monitoring and reporting requirements that schools are required to undertake for the School Meals Programme |
Under consideration |
|
14: Devise new waste management guidelines specifically for schools and suppliers |
Under consideration |
|
15: Create an online repository of best practice examples for schools |
Under consideration |
|
16: Ensure there is greater independent assurance with regard to both the financial and operational controls within the School Meals Programme |
Audits carried out by DSP staff |
|
17: Implement a new system of procurement for the provision of school meals which is based on a multi-party framework approach |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
|
18: Integrate healthy food and healthy eating into the core school curriculum |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
392. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a rent supplement application (details supplied) by a person who had to leave the family home will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17347/24]
View answerThe RS scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has the primary responsibility. The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
According to Departmental records, the person concerned applied for RS on 14/03/2024. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the person is residing in an area designated for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and does not meet the qualifying criteria for RS. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome was issued on 10/04/2024.
If the person is at risk of homelessness, it is recommended that they contact the homeless HAP section in their local council in the first instance who will be able to offer advice in relation to their supports.
It is open to the person concerned to request an appeal of this decision in writing, including any facts/evidence/documentation in support of their case, to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street , Dublin , D02 XY3. The Social Welfare Appeals office operates independently of this Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
393. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list, by county, of all primary schools now providing hot school meals following this week's expansion, in tabular form; if she will include the address, location and roll number of each school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17362/24]
View answerThe 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 8th April 2024. The Programme has grown significantly in recent years and over 2,000 Primary Schools are now eligible to receive a Hot Meal. My Department is still receiving applications from eligible schools seeking to join the Hot School Meals Programme.
The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. My Department will contact them by email shortly to notify them of the Expression of Interest process.
The schools currently signed up to hot school meals for 2023/2024 are listed in the tabular statement below as requested.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
394. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the National Community Welfare Contact Centre as of 15 April 2024. [17415/24]
View answerWhile local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the Community Welfare Service (CWS), any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an enquiry, make an appointment or to speak directly to a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).
This freephone number for CWS calls operates as part of the National Intreo Contact Centre and depending on the nature of the call, some callers can be facilitated with access to a CWO who are available to provide support to this telephone service.
In-person access to Community Welfare Officers remains available locally across the Country and continues to be an important part of the Community Welfare Service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
395. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension that were refused by her Department in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17416/24]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The table below shows the number of invalidity pension claims refused in the period requested.
|
Invalidity Pension claims received in 2023 |
11,498 |
|
Invalidity Pension claims refused in 2023 |
5,202 |
|
Invalidity Pension claims received to 16 April 2024 |
3,054 |
|
Invalidity Pension claims refused to 16 April 2024 |
1,873 |
An application may be refused as the applicant is not considered permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and/or they may not satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions for the scheme. It is open to the person to appeal a decision to refuse IP to the Social Welfare Appeals Office where their application will be considered by an Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all assistant secretaries and principal officers in her Department, with their current responsibilities. [17417/24]
View answerThe senior management of my Department are listed along with their areas of responsibility under the organisation information section of the Gov.ie website.
The hyperlink to this webpage was provided to your office on the 17th April 2024 by email.
397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of the review for DCA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17430/24]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child 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 the child's 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.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability.
An application for DCA in respect of their child was received by my Department from the person concerned in January 2024. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per a decision letter dated 23 February 2024. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination also considered the supporting documentary evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in the decision process and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
The applicant requested a review of the above decision.
Following a review of their application, including all information and evidence available at the time of the original decision and all further information / evidence that was provided in support of their review request, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above decision as per review decision dated 07 March 2024.
The person concerned submitted further additional information / medical evidence for consideration. This further information / medical evidence has been referred for a further opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor (MA). On receipt of the MA opinion, a further review of eligibility for DCA in this case will be completed by a Deciding Officer and the person concerned will be notified directly of the review decision in writing as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
398. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a change to the eye examination fee for contractors is now under consideration after Department officials met with stakeholders in March to discuss a change to the (optical) treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17465/24]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The Department has been in contact with Optometry Ireland as the representative body for optical practitioners in Ireland and have discussed a provisional date for a meeting to review the scheme.
The Department will meet with Optometry Ireland in the near future and engagement with other stakeholders will also form part of the process. The examination fee may be considered as part of the review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
399. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of claimants who are availing of the exemption from the means test of the renting of a room with revenue up to €14,000. [17480/24]
View answerIn July 2022 I signed legislation, which introduced a disregard of up to €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home. This disregard means that a social welfare customer are able to rent out a room in their home for up to €14,000 per annum and this income will not see their means-tested primary social welfare payment impacted.
As of 12th March 2024, there were 224 awarded claims availing of this exemption from the means test of rental income from property.
400. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the provenance of meat, vegetables and other ingredients for the hot school meals programme; if the ingredients are sourced in Ireland; and the procurement process for same. [17495/24]
View answerThe 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.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian or vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural dietary requirements. The food provided for those with allergies must comply with the Standards. Guidance on allergies such as coeliac disease and gluten intolerance is available from Safefood.net
My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school, including handling the procurement process. 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, the successful service provider is to provide fresh, seasonal nutritious produce. The menu is to include a range of locally sourced items along with a greater use of sustainable food.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer’s allowance will be urgently restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17523/24]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that the person concerned has been in receipt of CA since 17 September 2015.
Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.
A review of means for the person concerned commenced on 8 January 2024.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim.
The person concerned failed to provide the information that was required to determine their continued entitlement to CA. Although the person concerned supplied some of the information requested, they did not supply all of the requested information.
A Deciding Officer (DO) decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA from 03 April 2024. They were advised that their last payment would issue on 28 March 2024. They were notified of this decision on 7 March 2024 and they were also notified of their right of review / appeal.
The claim was re-examined on 16 April 2024 following receipt of some of the requested information on 2 April 2024. It was decided that the person continues to have no entitlement to CA. The customer was notified of this decision on 16 April 2024 and they were also notified of their right of review / appeal.
A request to provide additional information issued to the person concerned on 16 April 2024.
Following receipt of information, the case was re-examined and the payment of CA was reinstated and arrears were paid to the nominated bank account of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of this on 18 April 2024.
However, as the person concerned has still failed to provide all of the requested information, the review of their CA entitlement continues. The person concerned is required to submit all requested information to enable the DO determine if all conditions for continuing receipt of CA are satisfied.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal (details supplied); when a final determination is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17529/24]
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 a Carer's Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 August 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 returned to the Appeals Office on 19 October 2023 and the appeal was referred on 01 November 2023 to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer requested additional information on certain issues from the appellant on 08 March 2024. This information has not been provided so the Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence available or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
403. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection when the schools (details supplied) announced for the hot school meals programme can expect the meals to be rolled out; and what options are available for those with allergies. [17536/24]
View answerThe 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.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian or vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural dietary requirements. The food provided for those with allergies must comply with the Standards. Guidance on allergies such as coeliac disease and gluten intolerance is available from Safefood.net
Schools 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, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, from lactose-free to vegetarian to gluten-free for example. In addition, the supplier is to check with the school upon award of the contract, the details of such to accommodate those potential customers and the supplier must provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
The Department provides the funding directly to the schools, who are then required to procure the provision of the food in compliance with Government procurement rules and with relevant Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, Food Safety regulations and the Nutritional Standards for School Meals. It is the responsibility of the school to source a supplier that can meet the dietary requirements of all of their pupils.
My officials advise me that the school referred to by the Deputy expressed an interest in response to the initial call, under which 900 schools are now being included in the Programme. The school subsequently submitted their application for Hot School Meals and was awarded its funding in March.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
404. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school (details supplied) will be included in the hot school meals programme for the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17538/24]
View answerThe 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 8th April 2024.
My officials advise me that the school referred to by the Deputy did not express an interest at the time in response to the initial call, under which 900 schools are now being included in the Programme. The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. My Department will contact them by email shortly to notify them of the Expression of Interest process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
405. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if the scheduled increases in PRSI between 2024 and 2028 are factored into table 2 (showing cashflow projections with respect to SIF in selected years) of the actuarial review of the social insurance fund as at 31 December which was completed by her Department in December 2023; and if she will provide an updated equivalent table providing cashflow projections with respect to SIF for those selected years which take account of the aforementioned PRSI increases. [17553/24]
View answerThe scheduled increases in PRSI rates between 2024 and 2028, agreed by Government, were not factored into table 2 of the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund as at 31 December 2021, published in January 2024. The table below provides an updated equivalent table providing cashflow projections with respect to the Social Insurance Fund for those selected years which take account of the scheduled PRSI increases from 2024 to 2028.
It should be noted that, similar to the projections from the Actuarial Review, the figures are in 2021 prices, do not include the income from the National Training Fund and the expenditure cashflows do not include the impact of State pension reform, in particular the phasing out of the yearly average method of calculating the State pension (contributory).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Year |
Receipts |
Expenditure |
Surplus / Shortfall |
Net as a % of GDP |
Net as a % of GNI* |
|
2021 |
11.8 |
14.9 |
-3.0 |
-0.7% |
-1.3% |
|
2022 |
13.0 |
11.1 |
1.9 |
0.4% |
0.7% |
|
2023 |
13.4 |
10.7 |
2.7 |
0.5% |
1.0% |
|
2024 |
14.2 |
11.4 |
2.7 |
0.5% |
0.9% |
|
2025 |
15.1 |
12.2 |
2.9 |
0.5% |
1.0% |
|
2026 |
16.1 |
13.2 |
2.9 |
0.5% |
0.9% |
|
2027 |
17.3 |
14.0 |
3.3 |
0.6% |
1.0% |
|
2028 |
18.5 |
14.9 |
3.6 |
0.6% |
1.1% |
|
2029 |
19.6 |
15.8 |
3.8 |
0.6% |
1.1% |
|
2030 |
20.2 |
16.7 |
3.5 |
0.5% |
1.0% |
|
2035 |
22.5 |
20.7 |
1.7 |
0.2% |
0.4% |
|
2040 |
24.6 |
25.8 |
-1.2 |
-0.1% |
-0.3% |
|
2045 |
26.6 |
31.8 |
-5.2 |
-0.6% |
-1.1% |
|
2050 |
28.5 |
38.3 |
-9.8 |
-1.1% |
-1.9% |
|
2060 |
32.3 |
49.1 |
-16.8 |
-1.6% |
-2.9% |
|
2070 |
35.4 |
58.0 |
-22.6 |
-1.9% |
-3.5% |
|
2077 |
37.3 |
65.9 |
-28.6 |
-2.3% |
-4.2% |
406. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to expand the training support grant to cover longer-term courses and those above QQI Level 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17563/24]
View answerMy Department provides a range of training and educational supports to assist people to develop their skills to regain employment. The Training Support Grant provides quick access to short-term training to support jobseekers access work opportunities. The grant is used to meet a skills gap or training need where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time, and in cases where an intervention is needed to access a work opportunity. Courses up to and including QQI Level 6 can be covered by the scheme.
During 2023, some 6,200 jobseekers completed training with the support of the Training Support Grant. The Government has provided €2.7 million for the scheme in 2024.
Supports are already in place where a jobseeker is interested in returning to education to take a full-time course above Level 6 on the QQI. They may be eligible for support through the Back to Education Allowance scheme subject to meeting the conditions of the scheme.
Under the Back to Education Allowance, jobseekers can be supported to take undergraduate courses up to honours degree level. At the postgraduate level, Back to Education Allowance may be approved to undertake studies leading to a Higher Diploma in any discipline and the Professional Masters in Education. The Back to Education Allowance scheme also supports students who participate on courses provided through the Government’s Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative.
Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre. The Employment Services team provides help and advice on employment, training and personal development opportunities, with a focus on individual customer needs to help them enter the workforce.
I trust this clarifies the position.
407. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to someone returning to education part-time and continuing to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17564/24]
View answerMy Department provides a range of supports to assist recipients of income support payments to develop their skills to regain employment.
The Part-Time Education Option enables jobseekers to retain their Jobseeker's payment while undertaking a part-time course of study, provided that they continue to satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking full time employment on an on-going basis.
Any person in receipt of a jobseeker's payment seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has policy responsibility for the further and higher education sectors and the development of supports for both full-time and part-time students.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
408. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, on a county-by-county basis, a breakdown of the 150,000 children that will benefit from the expansion of the hot meals scheme announced on 15 April 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17606/24]
View answerThe 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 8th April 2024. The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. My Department will contact them by email shortly to notify them of the Expression of Interest process.
The breakdown requested can be seen in the tabular statement below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Breakdown of 150,000 pupils by County
|
County: |
Pupils |
|
Carlow |
1,764 |
|
Cavan |
4,750 |
|
Clare |
4,296 |
|
Cork |
20,705 |
|
Donegal |
3,077 |
|
Dublin |
25,496 |
|
Galway |
9,179 |
|
Kerry |
6,065 |
|
Kildare |
6,739 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,952 |
|
Laois |
4,382 |
|
Leitrim |
955 |
|
Limerick |
7,448 |
|
Longford |
1,294 |
|
Louth |
4,014 |
|
Mayo |
2,879 |
|
Meath |
7,906 |
|
Monaghan |
2,372 |
|
Offaly |
2,575 |
|
Roscommon |
2,828 |
|
Sligo |
374 |
|
Tipperary |
7,649 |
|
Waterford |
1,925 |
|
Westmeath |
4,614 |
|
Wexford |
7,322 |
|
Wicklow |
5,293 |
409. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons prosecuted for social welfare fraud in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17626/24]
View answerThe majority of people in receipt of a payment from my Department receive what they are entitled to. Nevertheless, my Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system is an on-going reality and must be tackled proactively. The Department’s anti-fraud and control measures are designed to prevent and detect fraud, ensure effective oversight of schemes, pursue the prosecution of offenders where appropriate and recover any overpaid entitlements identified.
Where we find suspected fraudulent activity, each individual case is examined and the Department then decides on a relevant course of action, up to and including prosecution, if so warranted.
Criminal cases are in the main referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) for summary prosecution under Social Welfare legislation. Cases may also be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution under Criminal Justice legislation. The investigation, consideration and referral of these cases continues throughout the year on an ongoing basis and for that reason, as well as the legal process, cases are unlikely to be finalised within the same calendar year.
Table 1 sets out the number of criminal cases referred to the CSSO and DPP for prosecution and the number of prosecutions finalised before the Court in 2023 & 2024.
Table 1:
|
Year |
Number referred to CSSO |
Number referred to DPP |
Number of Prosecutions finalised in Court |
|
2023 |
91 |
31 |
80 |
|
2024* |
23 |
11 |
17 |
*to end March
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer to increase child benefit by €10 per child in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17627/24]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of increasing child benefit by €10 a month is €149.5 million.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2024, and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
