Written Answers Nos. 196-214
196. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a policy review under way in respect of the short-time working week; the purpose of the review; if a circular has been provided to local Intreo centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department keeps all aspects of jobseekers policy including Short-Time Work Support under continual review. Individual Short-Time Work Support claims are reviewed regularly to ensure that the temporary systematic working arrangements introduced by an employer continue to apply in each case.
Short-Time Work Support is available to assist employees in cases where their working days are reduced by their employer on a temporary basis. This provision is availableunder Jobseeker’s Benefit and is non-taxable. To qualify for Short -Time Work Support a person must meet all of the qualifying conditions for Jobseeker's Benefit including the PRSI contribution conditions.
Short-Time work means the number of days systematically worked in a working week is less than the number of days which is normal in a working week in the employment concerned. There must be a clear repetitive pattern of work each week. The days worked each week do not have to be the exact same days, but the work pattern must remain consistent. If systematic pattern of working arrangements no longer apply to a person, such cases are re-classified as a part-time or casual worker.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
197. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing the claim for short-time working week for a person (details supplied); when the claim will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraShort-Time Work Support (STWS) is a form of Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) and is an income support payment for people who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week by their employer. This payment is made in respect of the days of work that have been lost. STWS must be systematic and show a clear repetitive pattern of employment. Employees must also work at least 1 day each week that they would normally have worked.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded STWS with effect from 02/09/2020 and his claim has been in payment since it's commencement date without interruption.
From 19/10/2020 the working pattern of the person concerned altered from the systematic pattern previously worked and continued to vary for a number of weeks up to 23/12/2020. The STWS claim was therefore re-categorised to a casual JB payment by a deciding officer. The person concerned subsequently requested clarification regarding his claim reclassification and a review of his claim was undertaken by an officer in Parnell Street Intreo Centre.
A letter issued on 15/02/2021 advising the person concerned of the outcome of his claim review. It was clarified that a claim categorised as STWS can be changed to casual/part-time if the conditions for STWS are no longer satisfied, i.e. if the working pattern changes.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
198. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for reviewing the six-year rule on participation on rural social schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this rule is restricting the potential of the rural social scheme programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative which commenced in 2004 to provide part-time employment opportunities for farmers or fisherpersons who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.
The work undertaken is primarily to support local service provision via community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, provided that this does not displace existing service provision or employment. Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fisherpersons and the RSS participants have the opportunity to improve and develop new or existing skills, while working in their local communities.
During 2017 and 2018 the number of places funded on RSS was increased by 750, bringing the total number of places provided for up to 3,350. As at end of January 2021, there were 3,110 participants availing of RSS.
In addition to the introduction of additional places, a maximum duration limit of six years on RSS was also introduced new RSS participants who commenced on the scheme from 1st February 2017. The earliest that any RSS participant will be affected by the six year maximum duration limit will be 2023. RSS participants who commenced on the scheme prior to 1st February 2017 will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme.
My Department continues to review all aspects of its income and employment support programmes to ensure their most effective delivery and the best outcomes for both participants and communities. I trust that this clarifies the situation.
199. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the contact details for the sections that deals with all ongoing and established grant funding in her Department and in each agency under the remit of her Department in tabular form. [9136/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in the process of collating the information requested which will be provided to the Deputy directly, when available.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will become eligible for a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9141/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPension entitlement is determined on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches pension age. The Deputy will be aware that a Commission on Pensions has been established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June this year on options including the qualifying age, contribution rates, total contributions and eligibility requirements. The age at which a pension is payable will remain at 66 years pending this report. The person concerned was born in 1957.
Individual pension entitlement depends on factors such as a person’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce and their countries of employment. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life.
The person concerned should apply for State pension (contributory) approximately 6 months before reaching pension age. Their entitlement to pension will then be determined on the basis of the eligibility conditions in force and they will be notified in writing of the decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
201. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the listed certifying professional organisations beyond a union (details supplied) in order to allow musicians represented by organisations to ensure that access to the social welfare scheme for professional artists on jobseeker schemes is not restricted to the union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9175/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Professional Artist scheme under jobseekers allowance is an initiative of the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme, introduced while I had Ministerial responsibility for the Arts. The scheme was initially introduced as a pilot scheme and was available to professional writers and visual artists.
In September 2019 the Professional Artist Scheme was introduced as a permanent scheme in its own right, and has been extended to other professional art forms following a review carried out in consultation with the then Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The independent and objective validation process of professional certification was developed as part of the review process in consultation with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Arts Council and representative bodies.
My Department will continue to work with the Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and relevant bodies in relation to the development of this scheme, including any proposal to extend the professional certification process.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
202. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability benefit in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [9232/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 5 January 2021 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
Following the submission of a request for a review by the person concerned, their case has been reviewed and they have been awarded DA with effect from 25 November 2020. The first payment will be made on 24 February 2021. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
203. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the Civil Registration Act 2019 to provide full access to birth certificates for adopted persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9250/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended, provides for public access to birth registrations and the issue of birth certificates where a person has the necessary information to identify an entry in the birth register. I do not consider that any amendments are needed to the Act to enable the fullest access to information in the registers maintained by the General Register Office.
The problem faced by adopted persons is that they do not always have the necessary information to identify the entry in the birth register that relates to their birth and the names of their biological parent(s). In such circumstances, assistance can be provided to a person seeking information on their birth parent(s) by contacting the Adoption Authority of Ireland; Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; or one of the authorised adoption tracing services. Where information becomes available enabling the identification of the relevant birth record, the General Register Office/Civil Registration Service will be able to provide the required certificate.
The Government’s Action Plan in response to the Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Home’s Report identified the importance of providing access to birth register records and early life information for adoptees. The General Register Office, which operates under the aegis of my Department, is in a position to assist and offer advice to any person seeking access to birth registration records.
I hope this clarifies the position.
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if long-term recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment will be become eligible for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an activation and employment support initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for employment opportunities. CE schemes can play an important role in breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment for some people and improve their chances of employment. The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. The focus of CE is on the cohort of long-term unemployed people on the Live Register. Therefore in order to qualify for CE, a number of conditions, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, must be met.
Time spent on PUP by current or former recipients can be used towards the CE requirement of having to be unemployed for 12 months or more to be eligible for CE. However, the remaining CE qualifying criteria must also be satisfied, including the need for a candidate to be in receipt of an existing eligible social welfare payment at the time of referral to a CE scheme.
While many persons currently in receipt of PUP will return to their previous employment once current Covid -19 restrictions ease, Government are very conscious of the need to provide activation and other supports for those currently in receipt of PUP whose jobs will not return, post COVID. The Government's July Job Stimulus sets out a range of supports including increasing the number of places of state employment programmes such as CE and Tus by 3,000. It is important that these measures are targeted at those at most remove from the labour market, who have been unemployed for over a year.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the long term unemployed CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a bereavement exceptional needs payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) has not recently been submitted by the person concerned.
To facilitate the person concerned, my officials issued an ENP pack by post on 16/02/2021. Upon receipt of the completed application form and supporting documentation, the claim will be assessed and a decision will issue to the person concerned
I trust this clarifies the matter.
206. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of funding granted to each organisation under the national integration fund 2020, in tabular form (details supplied); the rationale for granting funds to public bodies such as third-level institutions and county councils while rejecting the applications of certain migrant groups active on the ground serving migrant communities with scarce resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9082/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Integration Fund (NIF) is a key element of the Migrant Integration Strategy and was developed to help facilitate the effective integration of migrants, or persons of migrant origin, into communities all over Ireland on an equal basis with those of Irish heritage. Its primary objective is to ensure that barriers to full participation in Irish society are identified and addressed and it provides funding to national organisations and larger-scale initiatives to empower new members of Irish society to play an active role in their communities.
Approximately €750,000 in funding was made available in 2020 through the NIF, with almost €2.3m in total funding being committed to this programme over a three-year period. The Department received a tremendous response to the NIF 2020 Call for Proposals with 116 applications received by the closing date of 22 September 2020, representing a total funding request of €21.7m. The demand far exceeded expectations, amounting to just under 10 times the available amount within the allocated budget. As a result, a large number of very strong proposals did not receive support.
Both public and private bodies were eligible to apply for the NIF 2020 Call for Proposals, as these bodies have extensive networks within the community and thus have the ability to make lasting and meaningful change in terms of migrant integration. All applications were examined against strict assessment criteria: Strength of Proposal; Strategic Fit & Achieving Goals of the Scheme; Financial Management & Value for Money. The evaluation process followed was the standard process used for applications to Calls for Proposals, which has been praised by EU Auditors as being an exemplar of best practice. All applications from eligible applicants were scored and moderated in the same manner, with the exception that applications from public bodies were reviewed to ensure that the proposed activities were in addition to their normal activities.
The table below sets out the funding granted to each successful project under NIF 2020:
Name of organisation
Funding Granted
|
€ |
|
|
An Cumann Peile Boiteimeac, Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta (The Bohemian Football Club Company Limited By Guarantee) |
€67,500.00 |
|
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland |
€67,232.70 |
|
Focus Ireland |
€173,196.00 |
|
Bridgeways Family Resource Centre |
€54,000.00 |
|
Nasc, the Migrant and Refuge Rights Centre |
€74,876.40 |
|
Serve the City Ireland |
€120,000.00 |
|
SPORT AGAINST RACISM IRELAND (SARI) |
€153,000.00 |
|
Dublin City Community Co-operative ('the Co-op') |
€206,758.20 |
|
Fingal Migrant Integration Forum |
€22,500.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
€132,480.00 |
|
Galway City Partnership |
€30,996.00 |
|
South Dublin County Partnership |
€148,773.60 |
|
Dublin City University (DCU) |
€164,955.57 |
|
EQUAL Ireland Education Research & Related Services Co. Ltd |
€165,204.00 |
|
Localise Youth Volunteering |
€288,000.00 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
€233,017.78 |
|
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland |
€147,374.40 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€40,500.00 |
|
Total |
€2,290,364.65 |
207. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the forthcoming scheme for playgrounds will include accessible equipment for playgrounds on school properties. [9121/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery year since 2013 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided Local Authorities with the opportunity to apply for funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.
One of the consistent criteria under this scheme is that the playground must be accessible and inclusive to all children including those with additional needs.
In 2019, the focus of this scheme was the Refurbishment of existing Play and Recreation facilities and / or incorporating natural play elements. In 2020, €450,811 was awarded to Local Authorities across Ireland for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds.
My Department continues to work closely with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network to agree priorities and criteria for funding allocations. My Department is currently planning to consult with key stakeholders in Local Authorities to identify priorities for 2021. Following this discussion, a Scheme will be announced in due course.
208. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which survivors of Protestant homes can access their personal records following the closure of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9047/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Here2Help closed its operations on 30 June 2020 and proposes to transfer its adoption related files to the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
The Authority and Here2Help are currently in the process of finalising the suite of files to be transferred. Once this transfer of files happens, the Authority will need to integrate relevant records and consider how best it can provide an information and tracing service for persons whose records were held by Here2Help.
209. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the funding challenges facing an organisation (details supplied) which have put its counselling service in extreme jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the receipt of representations on this issue, I asked Tusla for an update on services provided by the organisation named by the Deputy. Tusla has advised me that there is ongoing engagement between Tusla and the organisation named by the Deputy about service and funding arrangements for 2021. All organisations in the sector have also been invited to submit proposals to address waiting list or service demand pressures to which additional funding will be allocated by Tusla over the coming months.
Tusla is obliged to comply with National Financial Regulations in issuing funding to organisations under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. As part of its commissioning process, Tusla signs a Service Level Agreement, or SLA, with all funded bodies. Section 20 of the contract of this SLA deals with dispute resolution, where differences may arise between Tusla and funded organisations.
Tusla has advised me that it acknowledges there are matters of difference between the Agency and the organisation to which the Deputy refers, with respect to the level of baseline funding. This matter can be addressed within the context of dispute resolution mechanisms covered by the SLA with that organisation. This mechanism involves a series of stages, up to and including an independent review, where differences between parties may occur. This is the most appropriate route to addressing substantive differences of this kind.
The Agency has assured me that it will continue to work with the organisation to which the Deputy refers to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contact details for the sections that deal with all ongoing and established grant funding in his Department and in each agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [9123/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that contact details for the various grant funding schemes provided by my Department and the National Disability Authority are set out in the below table.
The question has also been referred to Tusla and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for those bodies' direct reply to the Deputy. My Department's other agencies do not operate grand funding schemes.
211. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status and nature of the examination by his Department of a joint labour committee process and its relevance to the early learning and care and school age childcare sector; the next steps to support improvements in wages and working conditions in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9206/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to “support the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee in the childcare sector and the drawing up of an Employment Regulation Order, which would determine minimum rates of pay for childcare workers, as well as terms and conditions of employment”.
To progress this commitment, in December 2020, working in partnership with SIPTU and CSI/IBEC, I began a short process in which interested parties were invited to discuss how best to address issues of pay and conditions in the sector and how a Joint Labour Committee might support this.
The process, chaired by Dr Kevin Duffy on examining pay and conditions in the early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector, concluded in the last few days. I am awaiting the report from Dr Duffy outlining the issues and possible solutions raised in the process, and making a recommendation on next steps. I am hopeful that implementation of his recommendation will support progress in addressing pay and conditions in the sector.
I am very conscious need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in ELC and SAC services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy. It also contributes to challenges of recruitment and retention of staff, which are key to the consistency of care provided to children. The most recent published data indicates that the average hourly wage in the sector was €12.55 in mid-2019.
As the State is not the employer, my Department does not set wage levels nor determine working conditions for staff working in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions. Work is also underway to develop a new funding model for early ELC and SAC. Among the priorities for the Expert Group developing the new funding model is the identification of mechanisms to address pay and conditions.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 461, 462, 463, 464 and 465 of 3 February 2021, if he will request Tusla to address the questions given more than ten days have elapsed since he referred the questions to the Child and Family Agency for a response. [9224/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention, and wish to apologise for the inconvenience.
I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, seeking clarification on why the requested response has not issued, and instructing that a reply issue to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
213. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to amend the Adoption Act 2010 to provide full access to birth certificates for adopted persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9251/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI know the absolute importance of access to birth certs and early life information for adoptees. Addressing this issue is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan in response to the Commission’s Report. It is a priority for myself, the Attorney and the Taoiseach.
My Department and I are engaging intensively with the Attorney General to find a solution to the issue of release of birth information and any amendments to the Adoption Acts will be considered in that context. Through this engagement with the Attorney, I am hopeful that we will have Heads of Bill by end March/ early April.
214. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the provisions that the full archive held by Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation is transferred into his possession by the end of February 2021; the way in which he plans to ensure that those affected have full access to both personal information and the archive of administrative files; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation will stand dissolved in law on 28th February 2021 and is due to submit its archive of records to my Department by that date. Former residents of Mother and Baby Homes will be able to make a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the Department under the GDPR for access to their record.
My Department is working intensively to ensure that it is properly resourced to handle subject access requests from people who were resident in mother and baby homes when the Commission's database and records are transferred. In this regard, my Department has established a new Unit to look after this hugely important and significant volume of work.
Everyone has the right to make a request to access their own personal data and can make a subject access request to my Department in respect of their own personal information. In the context each individual access request, consideration must be given to the overarching principle that the release of personal data to a requestor must not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others. It is important to acknowledge that subject access requests may not necessarily provide all of the information that the requester believes is on the record. My Department is engaging with the Data Protection Commission and it intends to publish its policies and procedures as soon as possible.
