Written Answers Nos. 430-450
430. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will issue a response to a person (details supplied) regarding concerns in relation to the application to the freedom of information process in a PRSI deduction appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33568/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a disputed deduction of PRSI from post-employment RSU payments made to the person which were calculated at the rate of PRSI in the year of payment rather than at the rate of taxation at the year of cessation of employment as is calculated by the office of the Revenue Commissioners; the basis for the discrepancy with reference to legislation, case law, regulations custom and practice or any other documentary evidence; the way in which for the purposes of the Revenue Commissioners the employment is regarded as having been ceased at the date of termination of employment but seems to be treated by her Department as continuing after cessation when RSU payments are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33569/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.
I am informed by my officials that the correspondent is dissatisfied with the conclusion that was reached by my Department on the proper application of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it pertains to the refund of PRSI contributions. I am aware that correspondence has been ongoing between my officials and the person concerned for a number of years. However, I am also informed that it remains the view of the Department that the decision, and the reason for it, is both sound and has been clearly communicated on a number of occasions.
In essence, payments received from the vesting of (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units are treated as reckonable earnings under Section 13 of the Act of 2005. Under Section 2 of the Act reckonable earnings are "earnings derived from insurable employment or insurable (occupational injuries) employment". While the value of RSUs are realised when they vest, the Department found that their value is derived from the insurable employment. PRSI is, therefore, due on the value realised when the RSUs vest.
My officials have considered this case in depth, including at the most senior level. My understanding is that there would appear to be little more that can be done at the official level to resolve this difference of opinion on the application of the relevant legislation.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
432. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of workers employed by her Department and in each office or agency under the aegis of her Department that earn less than the living wage of €12.30 per hour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33597/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll workers employed in my Department are on Civil Service pay scales.
The first point of the Services Officer pay scale is €11.97 per hour (on the basis of a 37 hour working week). There are currently 9 officers at this point of the scale. These officers will progress to the second point of the scale, subject to satisfactory performance, on the one-year anniversary of their start date in my Department. The second point of the scale is €12.69 per hour.
There are two agencies under the aegis of my Department; the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority. Neither of these agencies employ any staff earning less than the rate of €12.30 an hour.
433. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if carer’s leave can be amended in order that there is an option to take it sporadically instead of one block given that this would be very helpful for parents who have to take their children to various doctors' appointments throughout the year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32834/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra436. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider allowing carer’s leave be taken in shorter periods than is currently allowed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33171/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 436 together.
There are a range of family leave options available to working parents, many of which have been extended in the recent past.
The Parental Leave Act 1998 entitles parents to unpaid leave to look after their children. This leave is available to a relevant parent, who is defined as a parent, adoptive parent or person acting in loco parentis.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.
In addition, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. The definition of relevant parent under the Act includes a parent of the child and the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent of the child.
Following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 on 1 April 2021, an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave has been granted to each relevant parent, and the period in which the leave can be taken has been extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care.
Carer's Leave is unpaid but an employee may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, the payment of which is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
There are no plans to amend any of the family leave provisions at present but they are kept under review.
434. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of workers in section 56 and 59 agencies that are earning below the living wage; and the estimated annual cost of bring their wages in line with the living wage. [32873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold the information sought by the Deputy.
Tusla commissions organisations under sections 56 & 59 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 for the provision of services in line with the Agency's statutory responsibilities and corporate objectives . These organisations operate independently of Tusla. The organisations are responsible for the recruitment of their employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed
Section 56(14) of the Act stipulates that ‘an arrangement under this section shall not give rise to an employment relationship between a service provider, its employees or agents on the one hand and the Agency on the other.’ My Department is not the employer of the staff of such organisations and the remuneration of these staff is a matter for their own employers.
435. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding allocation in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for county childcare committees by county; and the amount of this allocation that was spent in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [32992/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. This table outlines the funding allocated annually to each CCC for 2019, 2020 and 2021. It also shows the expenditure for 2020. The expenditure for 2021 is not as yet available.
In addition to core funding, the allocations include funding for Access Inclusion Model / Equality Diversity and Inclusion training (AIM/EDI), funding in respect of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in 2019, funding for the support of the National Action Plan for Childminding in 2020 and 2021 and once off funding in 2020 for capital expenditure.
437. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average staff turnover rate for full day services based on the data collected in the Pobal Early Years Sector Profile 2019-2020. [33273/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaff data is captured annually through the Early Years Sector Profile, administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. In 2019/2020, 65% ELC and SAC services completed the sector profile. These services recorded 85% staff as working directly with children (extrapolated figure for all services is 26,294), with with the remaining 15% ancillary staff (extrapolated figure for all services is 4,589).
Turnover is calculated using four data types:
- number of staff working in the service
- number of staff who left in the past twelve months
- number of staff working in the facility who had worked there for less than twelve months
- number of staff vacancies at the time of completing the survey.
The national annual staff turnover rate for 2019-2020 was 18%. This is down five percentage points on last year’s figure of 23%. Data at a local authority level indicates the highest rate of turnover in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (38%), and the lowest in Roscommon (11%). The majority of services (64%) retained all their staff during the 12 months up to the completion of the survey. The proportion of services retaining all staff increased by 5 percentage points on the previous year. This indicates an overall a lower turnover than in previous years.
These figures should be interpreted in the context of COVID-19, during which time services were in receipt of substantial funding supports which may have contributed to these lower turnover rates for staff.
My Department is committed to policy development and reform to support the ELC and SAC workforce. This policy reform will be realised through increased investment as commitmented to in First 5, the whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028). A Workforce Development Plan will aim to raise the profile of careers in ELC and SAC, establish a career framework and leadership development opportunities and will work towards building a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce. It is expected that the final Workforce Development Plan will be published by the end of 2021.
The development of a new funding model is also underway. Led by an Expert Group, the draft Guiding Principles refer to the recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications; ongoing staff training and development; fair pay and working conditions; and a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children. It is expected that a report on the Expert Group’s recommendations on the new Funding Model will be submitted in November 2021.
438. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged interest for savings on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to provide the following information to the Deputy regarding the interest charged for savings on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced.
|
Agency |
Interest Charged for Savings on Deposit in Irish Banks |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) |
Nil |
|
Gaisce - The President's Award |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
National Disability Authority (NDA) |
Nil |
|
Children Detention School(Oberstown) |
Nil |
|
Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) |
€3,204.78 |
Please note, Gaisce - The President's Award, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) will all respond directly to the Deputy.
439. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make funds available to ensure the preservation of Ireland’s last Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in order that it may be a site of conscience and truth-telling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33556/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sean McDermott Street site is in the ownership of Dublin City Council (DCC) and while it had a proposal for development at the site and had advanced a planning application this application was refused and therefore DCC had to rethink the proposal.
I am informed that DCC are still working to find a suitable tenant for the site and are in negotiations with the National College of Ireland with regard to them having a key part of the property as an Educational Facility.
DCC are committed to providing a suitable area within any development to host a memorial. The Government is committed to providing funding for a memorial at this site.
Action 7 of the Government Action Plan in response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes states that “The Government will work to establish, on a formal, national basis, a national memorial and records centre related to institutional trauma during the 20th century."
This point also states “It will be developed at a suitable site and operated in accordance with the highest international standards. It will be designed in cooperation with professional archivists and historians, as well as with victims, survivors and their advocates”. The Department will provide an update on progress under this Action as part of a memo the Minister shall bring to Cabinet in forthcoming weeks, outlining progress on each of the 22 points set out in the Action Plan.
440. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of workers employed by his Department and in each office or agency under the aegis of his Department that earn less than the living wage of €12.30 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33585/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, any adjustments to the salaries of civil and public servants are set out in BUILDING MOMENTUM - A new public service agreement, 2021-2022.
DPER Circular 12/2020 sets out the adjustments to the pay of certain civil servants on 1 October 2020 as provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 and is available on gov.ie/circulars. All adjustments to Civil/Public Service salary scales comply with the national minimum wage.
As the information requested is not readily available in respect of the agencies under my Department's remit, I have asked them to furnish this information directly to the Deputy.
441. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive an apprentice incentive scheme payment for two trainees they have employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) was introduced in July 2020 to support employers during the COVID-19 period. It provides an employer grant totalling €3,000 per new apprentice registered. This comprises an initial €2,000 payment on registration followed by a further €1,000 payment after the first year's employment where that apprentice is retained.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to whether an organisation in County Kerry will receive an apprentice incentive scheme payment for two trainees they have employed is currently being collated by SOLAS and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Based on the information provided it would appear the company has not submitted an application for the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme. If they are a registered employer of apprentices their SOLAS employer registration number for apprenticeship would be required to validate the status. There is a also a reference to trainees, clarification is required as to whether this means apprentices registered on a national apprenticeship programme.
442. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated annual savings to the Exchequer from reducing the salaries of public service third-level institutions senior administrator grade I by 2%, 5% and 10% in tabular form. [32865/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Universities Act, 1997, third-level institutions have autonomy in relation to human resource policies, subject to compliance with Government policy in respect of employment numbers and pay policy. Employers in the higher education sector are required to operate in accordance with the provisions of national industrial relations agreements, including national pay agreements for public servants.
The new Building Momentum public service pay agreement was negotiated between the representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and reform, and sets out the context for determining the pay of public servants to December 2022.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e9d23-building-momentum-a-new-public-service-agreement-2021-2022/
Data with regard to the pay of individual cohorts of staff is not held centrally in the Department due to the autonomy of third level institutions however, the salary scales for higher education employees are either published on the Department of Public Expenditure website or in the case of Universities, on their organisational websites
443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an issue (details supplied) will be examined in relation to a request for fees from students for trips that did not occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have engaged with Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) regarding this matter.
CETB has informed to my officials that refunds related to elements of the courses referred to in the question are currently being dealt with under the CETB refund policy, and that learners will be refunded for any fees that were paid for untaken trips. Learners who have paid in full are due a refund for the fees for untaken trips. Learners who have fees outstanding will have this fee element waivied from their balance.
444. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Student Grants Appeals Board has no memorandum of association or formally agreed operating procedures; and if he will work with the current board to put one in place before the change of board in September 2021. [32933/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet the current Student Grants Appeals Board before September 2021 to discuss its work and to ensure it will continue to operate with a similar ethos as the current board. [32934/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra446. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will allow the Student Grant Appeals Board as an independent entity to source its own legal opinion and provide the funds to do so rather than relying upon his Department to provide legal advice. [32935/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra447. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no call has been published to appoint new Student Grant Appeals Board members and that there is serious concern on behalf of some board members that further delay will make transfer to a new board in time for the September 2021 hand-over challenging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32936/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra448. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the frequency with which there has been engagement between the Student Grant Appeals Board and the responsible Minister, Secretary General or Assistant Secretary General in the past five years. [32937/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 444, 445, 446, 447 and 448 together.
The Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) was established under Section 25 of the Student Support Act 2011 and under Section 21(4)(a) is independent in the performance of its functions. The current Board comprises of a Chairperson and 10 ordinary members.
Under Section 25(14) of the Act, administrative support may be furnished to the Board as necessary, this includes access to legal advice.
Updated Terms of Reference for the Student Grant Appeals Board were finalised by my Department in March 2019 and presented to the Board.
The term of office of the Appeals Board is for 5 years and the current Board is due to be replaced in September 2021. The Public Appointments Service is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service. The Public Appointments Service also aims to provide an open, efficient and effective gateway and process to identify top quality people for consideration by Ministers for appointment to State Boards. Vacancies to the Board will be informed to the public through the website www.stateboards.ie prior to end of June 2021.
Since my appointment in June 2020, I have not met with the Board, however the Board have been requested to submit a report of its activities for 2020 for review, as set out under Section 27 of the Act.
449. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the grants or other financial supports available to PhD students undertaking research; the options open to students who have been unsuccessful in their application to the Irish Research Council for funding; the options open to a student who requires urgent funding at a critical stage of their PhD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Research Council (IRC) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship provides outstanding students with the opportunity to direct their own research at the early-career stage, working with a supervisor, in their chosen area of interest. The Programme is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. All applications received under the IRC programmes are assessed by independent international reviewers, and on a competitive basis. Awards under the IRC Programme are intended to support suitably qualified research master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research in any discipline. Unsuccessful applicants are permitted to apply twice to each of the Irish Research Council’s postgraduate programmes.
An applicant who is a new entrant to the postgraduate degree for which they are seeking funding is entitled to apply for funding for the full duration of the degree. For applicants who have already completed part of the postgraduate degree for which they are seeking funding, the duration of funding to be awarded, if successful, is dependent on the type of degree being pursued and the date of first registration.
Other support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. The Student Grant Scheme supports eligible postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education. Budget 2021 provided for enhanced postgraduate supports from the 2021/22 academic year including the fee grant amount rising from €2,000 to €3,500 and the income threshold for eligibility for these grants increasing from €31,500, now €54,240. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and give greater certainty for students in terms of supports.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Office in the third level institution attended, and is administered on a confidential discretionary basis.
The postgraduate office within the higher education institution would also be able to advise on funding supports.
450. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the target number for the Springboard+ course in 2021-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32963/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpringboard+ 2021 was launched on 14th June 2021, providing 10,158 places on 294 courses. As a result of multi-annual funding of graduate conversion courses, this leads to a combined total of 13,128 places in 399 courses available in the 2021/22 academic year under Springboard+ 2021 and HCI Pillar 1.
Springboard+ 2021 courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered by public and private higher education providers around the country. All courses provide job-readiness training and most offer the opportunity for work placement, project-based learning or industry site visits where appropriate. All courses approved for funding under Springboard+ 2021 were selected by an independent panel with experts from industry and education following a competitive tendering process. In particular, courses in areas of new and emerging technologies and areas which have come to the fore as result of Covid-19 were recommended for funding.
The majority of courses approved under Springboard+ 2021 and HCI Pillar 1 will start later in 2021 and in early 2022. Full details on Springboard+ and HCI courses, the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the website: www.springboardcourses.ie.
