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Wednesday, 23 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 162-181

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (162)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will commence sections 3 to 13, 14(1)(b), 14(1)(d), 14(1)(e), 14(1)(f), 15 to 18, 38 and 39 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33959/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 have been commenced. The commenced provisions include those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs.

The following sections of the EPSEN Act were commenced in 2005.

Section 1 – Interpretation

Section 2 - providing for the inclusive education of children with Special Educational Needs

Section 14 – placing certain duties on schools

Sections 19 to 37 - placing the Council on a statutory footing.

Section 39 - placing certain duties on Health Boards

Sections 40 to 53 - amending the Education Act

Schedule 1 – providing for meetings and membership of the Council

Schedule 2 providing for the Chief Executive Officer of the Council.

The remaining sections of the Act have yet to be commenced.  The Sections of the EPSEN Act which have not been implemented are those which would have conferred a statutory entitlement to –

- an educational assessment for all children with special educational needs.

- consequent development of a statutory individual educational plan (IEP).

- the delivery of detailed educational services on foot of this plan.

- an independent appeals process.

The NCSE estimated, in its Plan for the Implementation of the EPSEN Act Report, which was published in 2006, that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act.

The view of my Department, at the time, was that the level of investment required could be significantly greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. Legal advice also indicated that the EPSEN Act, as it is currently constituted, may not be implemented on a phased, or age cohort, basis.

Revised estimates of the amount of additional expenditure required to fully implement the remaining sections of the EPSEN Act have not recently been conducted. The estimated level of additional expenditure required, to implement the outstanding sections of the Act, would have to take into account annual demographic growth and service developments in the area of special educational needs, pricing adjustments and salary cost differentials on an ongoing basis. Estimates would also have to be made as to the number of pupils who may now currently qualify for the statutory service provisions envisaged by the EPSEN Act.

The Government is committed to helping every child, particularly those with special educational needs, to fulfil their potential.

In 2021 the Department of Education and Skills will invest approximately €2 Billion in the area of special educational needs support.

The Government has committed to consulting with stakeholders on how best to progress aspects of the EPSEN Act on a non-statutory basis.  

A range of consultations with Education Partners and Stakeholders took place in relation to the development of a new model for allocating special education teachers over the course of 2017. The new model was introduced for all schools from September 2017.

Further consultations took place with education partners and stakeholders in the context of the undertaking of a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme and will continue in relation to the implementation of recommendations contained in this report. 

Additional powers have also been provided to the National Council for Special Educational to designate a school place for a person with special educational needs, which is now provided for in the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. 

While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has also published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.

It should also be noted, however, that since EPSEN was enacted, the Department’s policy on supporting children with special educational needs has changed and evolved on foot of evidence based policy advice from the NCSE which takes account of international perspectives.

Significantly, the focus of special needs education provision has changed from a model that is diagnosis led to one which is driven by the needs of the child.  This is a substantially different view to the one underlying the EPSEN Act.  The levels of investment by Government in special education has increased to facilitate the underlying reforms required to implement and embed the needs based approach. 

This Government will continue to prioritise investment in the area of special education support. Ongoing investment and reform will continue to see improvements made in this area.

I have also indicated that one of my priorities as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion is: “Updating our Laws: Reviewing and updating the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act.”

Any review of the Act will take into account the extent of additional investment which has been made in special educational services since 2004, with some €2 Billion per year now being spent of special educational supports. 

It will also take into account the range of reforms which have taken place in recent years including the development of new allocation models which are not based primarily on a response to assessment as policy advice has indicated that requirement of diagnosis can create a risk of children being diagnosed as having a special educational need for resource allocation purposes, rather than for health reasons. Also, that as there is a spectrum of ability and disability within every special education disability category, account must be taken of need, as well as diagnosis.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (163)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

163. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the reason for not providing guidance counsellors to special schools; the estimated cost of providing one guidance counsellor to each special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33961/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At present, special schools do not have guidance counsellor teacher allocations.

The matter of guidance counselling in special schools was considered as part of the Indecon Review of Career Guidance, which report was  published in April 2019.  The report includes four recommendations relating specifically to guidance counselling to promote inclusion. 

The recommendations in this report were considered by an internal taskforce to examine each of the recommendations and develop an implementation response to each.  The first task was to consider options for the establishment of the support organisation to oversee technology facilitated guidance services. 

Progress in this matter has been impacted by both COVID-19.  Arrangements are now in place with the  Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) on the implementation of the recommendations and this work will be overseen by an inter-departmental steering group. 

The Department of Education will now lead on the actions to promote inclusion in special schools and I understand that this work will commence shortly.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (164)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

164. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make the enterprise support grant available to taxi drivers who have maintenance bills accruing while still in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and earning the €960 over two months as allowed. [33740/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is available to eligible self-employed recipients who close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and re-start their business. The closure of PUP is a precondition of the grant and provides a financial support towards the re-opening of a business. I have no plans to change this condition. 

I have recently extended the grant to make it available to those who claimed the grant in 2020 but who found themselves back on the PUP in 2021. The opportunity of a second grant, worth up to €1,000, applies to all eligible self-employed recipients who close their PUP on or after 1 June 2021, including taxi drivers when they are in a position to exit the scheme.

Almost 9,200 ESG applications have been approved since the introduction of this grant, with approximately €8.5m paid to small businesses.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (165, 166)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person can retain the rent supplement and disability allowance while also availing of the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33849/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

166. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person can avail of the back to education allowance for a master’s degree if they already have a master’s degree in another field; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33850/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

The back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) provides people with a second chance education that will improve their prospects of securing employment.  It enables eligible people to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions. 

Disability Allowance is one of the qualifying payments; the student will be required to transfer to the BTEA for the duration of their study should they apply. Students may continue to receive any secondary benefits, including rent supplement subject to a means assessment, if they would otherwise have an entitlement under the provisions of their qualifying payment.

The BTEA is not intended to provide a basis for a long-duration participation in extended education and is not typically available to study a Masters. In limited cases post-graduate courses can be supported under this scheme. BTEA can be approved where the applicant intends to undertake studies leading to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip) in any discipline or the Professional Masters in Education. Additionally BTEA support may be awarded for a Master’s degree based solely on life experience where the applicant holds no other third level qualification. 

The scheme conditions also include progressing in the level of education held by an applicant.  An applicant will only be supported to pursue a level of education beyond their current level.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (167)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review of the case of a person (details supplied) can be undertaken with a view to reimbursing a carer’s allowance that was due from 2018 to February 2020, but was not adequately paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33608/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the carer's allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 30 June 2020. The question under appeal was whether the person concerned was providing full-time care and attention to the caree, as required under the provisions of the carer's allowance scheme. Under social welfare legislation a decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts.

A Section 317 review was subsequently carried out by the Appeals Officer on 25 August 2020 and the outcome was that the decision was not revised.

I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer is currently considering the matter, again under Section 317 of the Act. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome of the review in the near future.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (168)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

168. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of fuel allowance recipients with children under 18 years of age in the household. [33636/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Fuel Allowance is a payment which helps households with heating costs. It is available to recipients of a large number of social protection schemes, including State Pensions (Contributory and non-Contributory), Invalidity Pension, One Parent Family Payment, and long term Jobseeker Allowance recipients.

The Fuel Allowance payment is typically added to the usual weekly social welfare payment as an additional payment component. This means that the fuel allowance is different to other social welfare payments in that it is operated across a variety of the Department’s payment systems, rather than one centralised system. Accordingly, it is not always possible to extract the detail requested by the Deputy in relation to fuel allowance across all of the schemes eligible for payment under the scheme. However my Department can confirm that of the 375,269 recipients in receipt of Fuel Allowance in December 2020, 57,276 of these were receiving Child Benefit payments at that time.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (169)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

169. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households receiving welfare payments that enable them to qualify for the warmer homes scheme that have children by payment. [33640/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Better Energy Warmer Home Scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people with low incomes. A person in receipt of Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment, Domiciliary Care allowance, or the One Parent Family Payment may qualify for the payment if they own their own home. Further, a person in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for 6 months or more where there is a child under 7 in the home, or a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance who lives with the person they provide care to, may qualify if they own their own home. 

My Department does not hold data on home ownership; accordingly, while the data provided in the table below details the number of persons availing of a number of the qualifying schemes, it is not possible to determine what proportion of these people could qualify for the Better Energy Warmer Home scheme. 

It is also not possible to provide the number of persons receiving Carer's Allowance who reside with the person they are providing care to, or the number on Jobseekers payment for longer than 6 months with a child under age 7.   As stated above, the link between receipt of these payments and  home ownership is not known to the Department.

Recipients of Selected Schemes

Scheme

Recipients

Fuel Allowance*

375,269 

Jobseeker's Allowance for 6 months or more, with a child aged under 7

N/A

Working Family Payment

45,816 

One Parent Family Payment

39,171 

Domiciliary Care Allowance

44,887 

*  Fuel Allowance numbers refer to December 2020; all other data refers to May 2021

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Rates

Ceisteanna (170)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

170. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of including carer's allowance as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. [33648/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Fuel Allowance is a household based payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year), paid from October to April, to 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021.  The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs.  The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.  It is not intended to meet those costs in full.  Only one allowance is paid per household.

My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €195 million in 2021.  This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year. 

Taking account of the fact that the fuel allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on receipt of a qualifying payment but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of including carer's allowance as a qualifying payment for the allowance.

The Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department.  In addition to the Carer’s Benefit and Carer's Allowance schemes, carers receive further support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual Carer's Support Grant in respect of each person for whom they care.  In Budget 2021 I was delighted to announce an increase to the Carer's Support Grant by €150 to €1,850.  This will benefit over 130,000 carers.  Carers in receipt of an increase for a qualified child on their claim also benefit from the Budget 2021 increase to the qualified child rate, by €5 in the case of a child aged 12 or over and by €2 for a child aged up to 12.

Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment, and a Carer will very often live with and be caring for a person in receipt of a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance.  Income from full rate Carer's Allowance is disregarded from the fuel means test if the carer is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant, his/her qualified spouse / civil partner or cohabitant or qualified child(ren).

If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, s/he can keep his/her main social protection payment in addition to receiving the half-rate Carer's Allowance.  S/he can also receive an extra half-rate Carer’s Allowance if s/he cares for more than one person.  It should also be noted that the payment of half-rate Carer’s Allowance does not preclude a person from qualifying for Fuel Allowance.  If a person is in receipt of a non-contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, then s/he is deemed to have satisfied the means test and Fuel Allowance is payable, subject to all remaining criteria being satisfied.  If a person is in receipt of a contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance then s/he will have to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for Fuel Allowance.

The maximum rates of Carer's Allowance for those aged under 66, at €219 (€257 for carers aged 66 or over) where one person is being cared for, and €328.50 (€385.50 for carers aged 66 or over) where there are two or more carees, is significantly higher than that for most schemes administered by my Department. 

The means test for Carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse’s earnings.  At present the means test for Carer’s Allowance allows for an income disregard of €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 for a couple.  In the case of a single carer, that person may retain a full-rate payment of €219.00 while having an annual income of just under €19,000, or retain a payment of €109.00 per week (just under half rate) while having an annual income of €25,400, or retain the minimum payment of €4 per week while having an annual income of €31,100.

Carers can also engage in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for not more than 18.5 hours a week.

Any proposal to amend the criteria for receiving Fuel Allowance, to include Carer’s Allowance as a qualifying payment, would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (171, 172)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

171. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment can be availed of to purchase a skip to help with the build-up of rubbish for an applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33658/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

172. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments granted to those applying and indicating that they were using the payment for the purchase of a skip or to clean up their home following the build-up of rubbish over the past three years by area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33659/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  There is no automatic entitlement to a payment under this scheme.  Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. 

Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the ENP scheme, but it is not possible to identify payments made for the purchase of a skip or to clean up a home.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment should contact my Department's Community Welfare Service.  My Department has established an Income Support Line - 1890 800 024 – which can be used by customers at this time to contact the Department. Staff can advise them on how to make an application for assistance from the Department.  

If the Deputy has concerns about a particular case, I would ask him to bring it to the attention of my Department.   

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (173)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

173. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each weekly social welfare scheme by €1 per week in tabular form. [33663/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The estimated cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment by €1 is shown in the table below.

Payment

Personal €m

Qualified Adult €m

Total €m

Social Insurance Schemes

 

 

 

State Pension (Contributory)

 €     22.0

 €       3.0

 €     25.0

Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension

 €       6.2

 

 €       6.2

Deserted Wife's Benefit

 €       0.3

 

 €       0.3

Invalidity Pension                                      

 €       3.1

 €       0.2

 €       3.3

Partial Capacity Benefit

 €       0.1

 €       0.0

 €       0.1

Guardian's Payment (Contributory)

 €       0.1

 

 €       0.1

Disablement Pension

 €       0.2

 

 €       0.2

Illness Benefit

 €       2.5

 €       0.1

 €       2.6

Jobseeker's Benefit

 €       6.6

 €       0.4

 €       7.0

Jobseeker's Benefit (Self Employed)

 €       0.2

 €       0.0

 €       0.2

Carer's Benefit

 €       0.2

 

 €       0.2

Maternity & Adoptive Benefit 

 €       1.0

 

 €       1.0

Paternity & Parent's Benefit 

 €       0.1

 

 €       0.1

 

 

 

 

Social Assistance Schemes

 

 

 

State Pension (Non Con)

 €       5.0

 €       0.1

 €       5.1

Blind Person's Pension                            

 €       0.1

 €       0.0

 €       0.1

Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension                    

 €       0.1

 

 €       0.1

One-Parent Family Payment                     

 €       2.1

 

 €       2.1

Carer's Allowance                                     

 €       2.6

 

 €       2.6

Half Rate Carer's Allowance 

 €       1.1

 

 €       1.1

Jobseeker's Allowance Max Rate

 €       6.4

 €       1.1

 €       7.5

JA age 18 to 24

 €       0.7

 €       0.0

 €       0.7

Disability Allowance

 €       8.0

 €       0.6

 €       8.6

Farm Assist

 €       0.3

 €       0.1

 €       0.4

Employment  Support Schemes  (BTWA & BTEA)

 €       0.7

 €       0.1

 €       0.8

Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.)

 €       1.7

 €       0.3

 €       2.0

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

 €       0.7

 €       0.1

 €       0.8

TOTAL*

 €      72.1

 €       6.1

 €     78.2

*Rounding may affect totals.

The costs shown above are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021.  This costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (174)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

174. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of reintroducing the State pension transition scheme for 65 year olds. [33664/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

When the State Pension (Transition) existed, it was a scheme which allowed those who were retired to get a transitionary payment between the ages of 65 and 66 years.  The maximum personal rate was equivalent to the then maximum rate for the State Pension (Contributory).  Eligibility was based on PRSI contributions and credits. 

It is important to note that the conditions and eligibility requirements for State Pension (Transition) were different to those for the State Pension (Contributory).  For example, a person had to have a minimum average of 24 contributions per annum to be eligible for the previous model of State Pension (Transition) whereas an average of 10 contributions per annum is required for State Pension (Contributory) eligibility.  In addition, recipients of the previous model of State Pension (Transition) were not eligible for Free Travel, the Household Benefits Package (electricity, gas, TV licence) or Living Alone Allowance.

My Department’s best current estimate for the gross cost of reintroducing State Pension (Transition), on the same basis as it previously operated, is €293 million for a full year.  It is expected that these costs would be offset by savings of some €166 million on Working Age Schemes, arising from recipients transferring from these schemes to State Pension (Transition), giving a net cost of €127 million each year.  These figures are based on current payment rates and are likely to increase over time in line with demographic changes.

In February of this year, I introduced the new Benefit Payment for 65 year olds in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work.  This new payment is designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self employment at 65 but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66..

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (175)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33825/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned reached pension age on 22 June 2015. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 28 May 2021. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 493 paid full-rate Irish social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory) based solely on their Irish social insurance record. They were notified in writing of this decision on 17 June 2021 and were also advised that their entitlement to a pro-rata pension under EU Regulations has still to be examined.

Under European Union regulations, the insurance records of EU, EEA and UK can be combined to satisfy the 520 contributions condition and give entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. The greater the number of Irish contributions paid by a person, the higher their weekly rate of this pension entitlement.

The claimant's UK social insurance record has been requested and they will be notified in writing of the outcome on receipt of the UK record.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (176, 177, 178)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

176. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding allocated in 2020 and 2021 to the temporary wage subsidy childcare scheme; and the amount drawn down in tabular form. [33690/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

177. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding allocated in 2020 and 2021 to the temporary wage subsidy childcare scheme for NCS pay; and the amount of this allocation drawn down in tabular form. [33731/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

178. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding allocated in 2020 and 2021 to the temporary wage subsidy childcare scheme for ECCE pay; and the amount of this allocation drawn down in tabular form. [33732/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together.

In order to support the sustainability of the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Sector (ELC and SAC) the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) as a supplement to the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).

The TWSCS provided funding towards a portion of childcare services staff wages and overhead costs. Financial support under the TWSCS was allocated to childcare providers taking into account the number of staff employed in their service irrespective of whether staff were deployed by the employer to work on the ECCE or NCS programmes.

The TWSCS operated from the 6th April 2020 for a period of 12 weeks and over the course of this period financial support was allocated to 3,900 childcare services that signed up to and submitted applications to the TWSCS. 

€77m was initially estimated and made available through the TWSCS. Following an application process, financial Support of approximately €53m has been provided to childcare services for the 2020 scheme. The scheme did not run in 2021 as the same conditions and associated need did not arise; that is full closure of services. This was allocated as follows:

Employee salary top up

€30.4m

Overhead payments

€23.6m

Total

€53m

 It is not possible to disaggregate by scheme as it is a matter for the provider to manage and deploy staff according to their own business need and regulatory requirements.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (179)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

179. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to help promote the availability of easy to read and accessible menus in restaurants for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tourism and hospitality are not areas under my remit as Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth.

However, I am aware that the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, which is an agency under the remit of my Department, worked with the National Standards Authority of Ireland to produce the ‘Design Standard For All’ (I.S. EN 17161:2019). The standard is a guide for businesses on Universal Design.

The Standard sets out the requirements on an organisation to ensure it meets its statutory and regulatory requirements in terms of accessibility to its products, goods and services and advises on how products, and services can be accessed, understood and used by a wide range of people, including older persons and persons with disabilities.

In addition, the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design has also produced a "Universal Design for Customer Engagement Toolkit" which provides comprehensive best practice guidance on achieving better customer communication in tourism services.

Child and Family Agency

Ceisteanna (180)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

180. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to employ an additional 50 social workers. [33948/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.

Child and Family Agency

Ceisteanna (181)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

181. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to employ an additional ten administrative support staff for social workers. [33949/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.

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