Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:136. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [42193/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Meals Programme
Ceisteanna (136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:137. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of post-primary schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [42194/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:138. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [42195/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:139. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that provide hot school meals by count, in tabular form. [42196/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:140. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that provide hot school meals by county in tabular form. [42197/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:141. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of primary schools that provide hot school meals. [42198/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:142. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of post-primary schools that provide hot school meals. [42199/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:143. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of special schools that provide hot school meals. [42200/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:144. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that provide hot meals. [42201/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 to 144, inclusive, together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,557 schools and organisations benefitting 227,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Funding is based on a rate of payment per meal, per child, per day. Up until 2019, a hot meal was only provided through a dinner club which was primarily offered in schools with onsite cooking facilities.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
Budget 2020 provided an additional €4 million in funding to extend the hot meals for children currently receiving the cold lunch option, which would allow my department to extend the hot meals to an additional 35,000 children. A decision was made to delay the extension of the hot meals to January 2021 because of the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 Pandemic from 13 March 2020. In budget 2021, I have provided an additional €5.5m for this extension from January 2021 to 35,000 primary school children currently receiving the cold lunch option. Officials from my department are currently engaging with schools in relation to this measure.
A breakdown of the number of primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools, alternative education settings and schools by county is contained in table 1 in the attached tabular statement. These figures include schools that provided a dinner club and those that operated the Hot Meals Pilot in 2019/2020.
A breakdown of the percentage of primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools, and alternative education settings is contained in table 2 in the attached tabular statement. These figures include schools that provided a dinner club and those that operated the hot school meals pilot in 2019/2020.
Table 1 – Number providing Hot Dinners and Hot School Meals
|
County |
Primary Schools |
Post-Primary Schools |
Special schools |
Alternative Education Settings |
Total Hot Dinners and Hot Meals |
|
Carlow |
3 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
Clare |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
Cork |
4 |
7 |
0 |
9 |
20 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
21 |
|
Dublin |
17 |
24 |
4 |
43 |
88 |
|
Galway |
3 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
15 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
Laois |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
|
Longford |
1 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
|
Louth |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
13 |
|
Meath |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
5 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total: |
75 |
104 |
30 |
102 |
311 |
Table 2 – Percentage providing Hot Dinner or Hot School Meal
|
|
Total Number |
Number providing School Meals |
% Providing School Meals |
|
Primary Schools |
3105 |
75 |
2.42% |
|
Post-Primary Schools |
722 |
104 |
14.4% |
|
Special Schools |
134 |
30 |
22.39% |
|
Alternative Educations Settings |
Not available* |
102 |
Not Available |
* The total number of these types of organisations is not held.
Community Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (145)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42296/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
A number of new conditions were introduced to the CE Scheme in July 2017 to further support progression to employment, broaden CE access to a wider range of people and to standardise the conditions relating to the length of time a CE participant can remain on a CE scheme.
In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to two years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification.
In either scenario, a maximum of three consecutive year's participation on CE is permissible. A person may re-qualify for CE after a twelve month break once they satisfy the qualifying conditions. An overall lifetime limit of six years applies to all CE participants (seven years for those on a disability payment).
The person concerned completed three years on CE in April 2020. During his time on CE he studied for a QQI Major award. He will be supported on cessation of CE by the Activation Service in my Department to complete the one remaining module to attain this qualification.
His CE employment was extended due my Departments response to the pandemic. It was further extended during the recent Level 5 restrictions. Funding for this participant will cease on 15/1/2021. .
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these work programmes will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
I am fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve CE for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities.
Social Insurance
Ceisteanna (146)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if an issue in relation to voluntary contributions (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42218/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The voluntary contributions scheme is intended to facilitate former employees or former self-employed persons who are no longer subject to compulsory social insurance, to pay contributions directly to my Department on a voluntary basis, in order to protect their State pension (contributory), widows, widower’s or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension and guardian’s payment (contributory) entitlements. The voluntary contributions scheme is not intended to cover short-term benefits such as illness or jobseeker's benefits nor are voluntary contributions reckonable for eligibility for invalidity pension.
To reflect the limited coverage afforded by the voluntary contributions scheme, the associated contribution charges are significantly lower than those applicable to compulsory social insurance which provides cover for short-term benefits such as jobseeker's benefit. For example, a combined employee/employer contribution of up to 15.05% of an employee's reckonable earnings is paid in respect of an employee which covers the employee for the full range of social insurance benefits. In contrast, the voluntary contribution charge is 6.6% of the preceding year's income of a former compulsory insured employee, subject to a minimum annual charge of €500.
The significant charge variance reflects the difference in the social insurance benefits covered by compulsory social insurance and voluntary social insurance. Any extension in the benefits covered by the voluntary contributions scheme would be a substantial change to the nature and scope of the scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations. Any such development would also necessitate consideration of a commensurate increase in the contribution charge.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance
Ceisteanna (147)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42219/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer'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 can confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 5 October 2020.
The evidence submitted by the person concerned was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that, although the person concerned was providing a certain amount of care, the level involved did not amount to full-time care.
In addition, the person concerned was taking part in a Community Employment (CE) Scheme. Section 247 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended, prohibits a person engaged in a CE Scheme from claiming CA or Carer’s Benefit (CARB).
Therefore, on 17 October 2020 the application was disallowed.
On 27 October 2020 additional evidence was submitted, this included a letter of cessation from the CE Scheme provider.
This evidence was examined and resulted in CA being awarded to the person concerned.
The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 10 December 2020. Arrears of allowance due from 29 October 2020 to 09 December 2020 will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 4 December 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Ceisteanna (148)
Joe Flaherty
Ceist:148. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to amending the pandemic unemployment payment scheme by way of a compensatory payment for publicans nationwide over 66 years of age (details supplied). [42236/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a statutory support payable to people between the ages of 18 and 66 which is consistent with other social protection schemes payable to people of working age who have lost their employment.
People aged 66 years and over are provided for through the contributory State pension or the non-contributory State means tested pension.
A person aged over 66 who is in employment may retain their State pension and employment income.
If a person does not have the required number of contributions to receive the maximum rate of State pension contributory they may qualify for an increased rate of State non-contributory pension, depending on their circumstances. People receiving the non-contributory State pension who also have employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose their employment income due to the pandemic or if their employment income is reduced.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance. The fuel allowance and living alone allowance were both increased in Budget 2021 to €28.00 and €19.00 per week respectively
A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments.
My colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has provided for a range of supports for businesses affected by Covid-19, including pubs, bars and nightclubs. Further information is available at the website at www.dbei.ie
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Ceisteanna (149)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) aged over 66 who has had their employment impacted by Covid-19, had been making PRSI contributions while in employment and was also in receipt of a contributory widow’s pension is excluded from being eligible to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42319/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme payable to people aged between 18 and 66 years of age. This is consistent with other social protection schemes payable to people of working age who have lost their employment. It also reflects the fact that people aged 66 or over do not pay any social insurance contributions.
It would appear that the person concerned has paid PRSI contributions while over the age of 66. These are refundable. To apply for a refund, a person can apply online at:
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/statements-and-refunds/prsi-refund/
This person’s employer should also adjust their returns to reflect this.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance.
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may also access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobPath Programme
Ceisteanna (150)
Joan Collins
Ceist:150. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers who returned to work on 27 November 2020 after having received the pandemic unemployment payment for the past 17 weeks will be entitled to the Christmas bonus (details supplied). [42392/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This year, the Christmas Bonus will be paid to over 1.6 million eligible customers in the week beginning 7th December 2020 at an estimated cost of €389 million. The respective figures in 2019 were 1.2 million customers and €279 million.
On an exceptional basis this year, the Christmas Bonus will also be paid to recipients of the PUP provided they have been in receipt of the payment - continuously or otherwise - for at least 4 months (17 weeks) since March. Any person in receipt of the PUP for any one day of the period Friday 27th November to Thursday 3rd December will receive the Christmas Bonus payment provided they also meet the 17 week requirement.
It is estimated that approximately 284,000 people or 82% of those receiving payment of the PUP this week will receive the Christmas Bonus, totalling almost €84 million. In addition, the Bonus payment will also be made to recipients of Jobseeker’s Benefit/Allowance who have been in receipt of a jobseeker payment for at least 4 months and are in payment on the day the Christmas Bonus is paid. In previous years, recipients of jobseeker payments for less than 15 months did not qualify for a Christmas Bonus. Nearly 55,000 individuals will benefit from this decision at an estimated cost of almost €12 million.
I was very pleased to obtain the approval of Government for these payments. There are many individuals and families who have lost their job or business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and have been out of work for several months now. The Bonus will help to ease the financial burden on them at this very difficult time.
For administrative and legal reasons, the Bonus payment has always been paid by reference to a specific week, and this is the standard practice across all social welfare schemes. Any change to that practice would have to be considered in the overall policy, administrative and budgetary context.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobPath Programme
Ceisteanna (151)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:151. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid to Turas Nua and Seetec for the operation of the JobPath scheme in each year for the period 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42393/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
JobPath service providers are paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee, payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment. The overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs.
The Department does not publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive. The total paid to the JobPath providers from 2015 to date is €247.9m.
The annual total expenditure on JobPath is as follows:
2015 - €1.2m;
2016 - €25.2m;
2017 - €57.4m;
2018 - €71.7m
2019 - €58.6m
2020 - €33.8m (to date)
Total - €247.9m
JobPath Programme
Ceisteanna (152)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:152. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual staff turnover rate within Turas Nua and Seetec from 2015 to date; if she will address concerns that the annual turnover rate in both companies is exceptionally high; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42394/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are a number of key features which enable my Department to monitor all aspects of the JobPath providers’ performance and ensure contract compliance. To date no concerns have been raised in regard to exceptionally high staff turnover rates.
Inspections are a key component of how my Department monitors compliance with the service level agreement and the contract generally, including staffing levels. The inspections will be conducted for the duration of the JobPath contract. The terms and conditions of employment and staff recruitment and retention policies remain the responsibility of the contractors.
Findings from inspections have on occasion identified staff changes in particular offices in both Turas Nua and Seetec. This would have been noted in particular in 2019 at a time of historically high employment levels with the consequence that the skills of personal advisers were in high demand in the Irish labour market.
Any issues noted in inspection reports, including staffing matters are brought to the attention of the contractor who must submit a response setting out the corrective actions taken to the satisfaction of the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.