Written Answers Nos. 352-371
352. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed by her Department; the number of whole-time equivalent posts available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34987/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the planning and cordination of education provision for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNA posts.
Budget 2021 provided for an additional 990 additional Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) posts for allocation to schools, bringing the total numbers to 18,000 by the end of December 2021. This allocation of SNAs is to meet the care needs of pupils in 2021 and will enable the establishment of new special classes, creation of new places in special schools, support children in mainstream classes and the transition to the new allocation model for the 2021/22 school year.
The Budget 2021 increase to 18,000 SNAs posts represents an increase of increase of 70% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.
The NCSE has published statistical information regarding SNA allocations for all schools which can be accessed on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie or by using the following link http://ncse.ie/statistics.
My Department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools whose Boards of Managementare the direct employers of the SNAs in those schools. SNAs in the Education and Training Board sector are employed and paid by the ETBs.
353. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the aviation workers are coming to the end of their eligibility for short-time work support and many of whom will not qualify for other forms of jobseeker's allowances or payments; and if the short-term support can be extended. [34905/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many aviation workers are nearing the end of their entitlement to short-term working support and may not qualify for other supports; if she will consider extending eligibility for the scheme until the resumption of aviation travel under normal or near normal conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 371 together.
The Department’s main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the social insurance contribution- based Jobseeker's Benefit and means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. Both schemes provide support to individuals, including workers in the aviation sector, so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment.
Jobseeker's Benefit is paid for up to 9 months (or 234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for up to 6 months (or 156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.
It is a fundamental feature of a range of the Department's benefit payments, including Jobseeker's Benefit, that the payment is time-limited. Time limits apply across a range of PRSI related schemes such as maternity benefit and illness benefit.
Where a person exhausts their entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit, they may be eligible for support under the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. The Department contacts the Jobseeker's Benefit recipient in advance of the expiry date of their claim to advise them that their entitlement is due to expire and that they can make an application for Jobseeker's Allowance, which is also included in the correspondence.
Jobseeker's Allowance has unlimited duration as long as a person meets the qualifying scheme conditions including the means test.
The wide ranging nature of the assistance available to those impacted by Covid-19, including the Employment Wage Subsidy scheme for employers, constitutes a comprehensive suite of supports and I do not intend to extend the duration of Jobseeker's Benefit at this time.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
354. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the enterprise support grant is available to sole traders who did not make a claim in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34248/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make the 2021 enterprise support grant available to sole traders who returned to work in May 2021 when restrictions were lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34262/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is available to eligible self-employed individuals who close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and re-start their business. Almost 9,200 ESG applications have been approved since the introduction of this grant, with approximately €8.5m paid to small businesses.
The grant, of up to €1,000, is payable to self-employed individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million, are not liable for commercial rates and are not eligible for support from similar business reopening grants, such as the COVID19 Restrictions Support Scheme, from other Departments.
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. The grant remains available to all first time eligible self-employed individuals upon the closure of their PUP claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
356. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the appeal by a person (details supplied). [34269/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has given notice of Appeal regarding disallowance of Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds. The Appeal is pending, awaiting an outcome.
The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseekers Benefit scheme, has been introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.
This new benefit payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66. Recipients of the payment are not required to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work which is normally the case for recipients of a Jobseeker’s payment.
To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme including the PRSI social insurance contribution requirement.
A person must have paid 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at class A, H or P or paid 156 class S contributions if they are self-employed. The second contribution condition requires that a person must also have 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY). The GCY for 2021 is 2019. At least 13 of these contributions must be paid. Where a person does not have 13 paid contributions in the GCY they can be from 2 years before the GCY, the last complete tax year or the current tax year. Alternatively, a person could qualify if they have at least 26 reckonable contributions paid in both the GCY and the year immediately preceding the GCY.
In accordance to the records of the Department the last paid PRSI contribution for the person concerned was in 2015.
357. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who is a single parent working 15 hours a week during the school term is entitled to the full carer’s allowance to care for their child who has autism after nine years on half carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34284/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner's payment, a half-rate carer's allowance can be paid too as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The person concerned is in receipt of one parent family payment. As a result, CA is being paid to her at half-rate.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
358. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment beyond 7 September 2021 for third-level students who previously worked in the live music sector but cannot do so at the present time due to Covid-19 given the nature of their employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34292/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency measure in March 2020 for people who lost employment due to Covid 19. To date expenditure on the scheme is over €8 billion.
Under normal circumstances students are not eligible to receive unemployment payments. However, the pandemic unemployment payment was made available as an emergency response to the unprecedented number of people, including students, who lost their employment as a result of the pandemic.
On 22 June 2021 there were some 26,900 students in receipt of the payment which is a decrease of over 20,000 on the 47,000 who were supported by the pandemic unemployment payment in recent weeks. As restrictions are gradually lifted I expect to see many students closing their Pandemic Unemployment Payment claims to return to their jobs as they did last year after the restrictions were eased.
Claims for all full time students will close on 7th September with the start of the 2021/2022 academic year reflecting the fact that as colleges and universities re-open, students will no longer be available to take-up full-time work, irrespective of the sector that they had previously worked in.
The main financial support available to eligible students attending full-time further and higher education courses is the student universal support Ireland (SUSI) grant under the Department of Education and Skills.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
359. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be arranged immediately for a person (details supplied). [34305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 25 March 2020.
Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal decision on foot of this additional evidence. The outcome of this review will be issued to the person concerned very shortly.
Appeals Officers make summary decisions on appeals based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. An oral hearing will not be held if the Appeals Officer finds that there is no prospect that additional evidence could be provided via the hearing that would affect the outcome of the appeal.
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.
360. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the increase in the training support grant from €500 to €1,000 is not available for JobPath participants despite INTREO confirming that the increase should be paid to JobPath participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath providers have their own discretionary funds available to pay for training or other interventions; the decision to approve or reject any request for funding is solely at the discretion of the JobPath provider.
They will take into account the duration, cost and relevance to the customer’s job goal preferences. The prevalence of employment opportunities in the sector will also be considered along with the likelihood that the customer secures full-time employment upon completion of the course.
Several courses are provided in-house while others are provided by specialist training providers including the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). There are no barriers to any participants pursuing training, including further education and training courses, providing they are relevant to the agreed personal progression plan.
While engaging with the JobPath service, participants are provided with a range of supports based on an assessment of individual needs. The JobPath providers will arrange and pay for specific skills training if required by a jobseeker for particular types of work.
For the same reason, the Training Support Grant (TSG) provided by the Department is designed to fund quick access to short-term training where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time or where an intervention is identified that can support individual jobseekers to access work opportunities.
While participants of JobPath do not have access to the Training Support Grant (TSG) provided by the Department, the JobPath companies will on a case by case basis provide similar funding.
361. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff employed in the management of the public services card phone line service; the number of calls that have been received by month since January 2020; the number of cards that have been processed; if she will consider extending the service online to improve efficiency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34432/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides telephone and in-person service to customers enquiring about the Public Services Card (PSC) through its nationwide network of Intreo offices. In addition, my Department also provides a centralised phone service for PSC-related queries from its Client Identity Services (CIS) office in Carrick-on-Shannon.
In that office, there are normally 21 staff assigned to deal with telephone calls from customers, with additional resources assigned to help meet spikes in demand, when required. The number of calls to this centralised phone service has increased recently.
The number of phone calls dealt by the centralised phone service along with the number of PSCs issued per month since January 2020 is provided in the tabular statement provided. This information is in relation to that centralised phone service only; data on the number of enquiries dealt with by Intreo Centres is not recorded.
I would also like to point out that the Department has introduced a new online service which allows customers to renew their PSC through the Department’s MyWelfare.ie service. A verified MyGovID account is required to use this service, and a passport quality photograph must be uploaded with the renewal application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Service Cards issued and calls dealt with by CIS per month January 2020 to May 2021
|
Month |
PSC issued |
Calls dealt with |
|
Jan-2020 |
51,524 |
8,301 |
|
Feb-2020 |
49,392 |
7,245 |
|
Mar-2020 |
39,394 |
10,102 |
|
Apr-2020 |
17,400 |
19,849 |
|
May-2020 |
16,327 |
13,400 |
|
Jun-2020 |
15,864 |
18,353 |
|
Jul-2020 |
19,179 |
17,342 |
|
Aug-2020 |
20,937 |
9,623 |
|
Sep-2020 |
28,978 |
21,075 |
|
Oct-2020 |
26,838 |
23,049 |
|
Nov-2020 |
22,174 |
30,072 |
|
Dec-2020 |
22,129 |
24,004 |
|
Jan-2021 |
21,519 |
29,577 |
|
Feb-2021 |
21,336 |
32,606 |
|
Mar-2021 |
23,055 |
28,132 |
|
Apr-2021 |
21,791 |
25,456 |
|
May-2021 |
32,980 |
28,791 |
362. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a birth registration application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34531/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Register Office is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the system of civil registration. The HSE is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of registration services which includes registration of births. The recent cyber-attack on the Health Service Executive has impacted the registration of all births, deaths and marriages.
I have been informed that the birth registration of the child referred to by the Deputy was completed on the 23th June 2021 and the parents informed.
I trust this clarifies the position
363. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans to provide pension provision as per a 2008 Labour Court recommendation for community employment supervisors; the engagement underway; the timeframe for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34559/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and others with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities. The contract agreement between the Department and the CE sponsoring authorities establishes their role as independent contractors. CE sponsoring authorities are the legal employers of CE supervisors, CE assistant supervisors and CE participants.
The CE sponsoring authorities receive state funding to cover the salary costs of supervisors, assistant supervisors and participant remuneration, training and material costs from the Department. CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors are not public servants or employees of the Department or the state.
As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE schemes.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has to have regard to any potential Exchequer exposure associated with the specific issue relating solely to CE supervisors arising from the Labour Court recommendation.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this issue over the past number of months, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Officials from my Department also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
The current status is that an agreement was reached between my colleagues, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. Details of these proposals were forwarded to the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. My Department officials are engaging with the unions on the basis of this proposal. Given the nature of discussions with unions and the complex issues involved, it is not possible to give a date for when these discussions will conclude. However, my officials are progressing this matter with the relevant unions as a priority and I would hope that these discussions can reach a conclusion in the near future.
364. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the provision of domestic violence emergency rent supplement beyond the end of 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34571/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLead responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
In August 2020, I agreed a protocol with Tusla on a pilot basis to make Rent Supplement more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence on a pilot basis. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties. The arrangements in this protocol are additional and complementary to, and not a substitution for, the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.
There are currently 62 victims of domestic violence being supported with rent supplement under these arrangements.
Under the protocol, after six months period of support, it is expected that the customer will, if eligible, be able to migrate to HAP or other social housing supports supported by their local authority.
In line with the National Economic Recovery Plan, these special arrangements for victims of domestic abuse will remain in place at least until the end of the year. A review of the pilot will be undertaken at that stage, involving key stakeholders, to determine whether the provision of rent supplement to victims of domestic violence should be extended and to take on board any lessons learned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
365. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of pension recipients who had attained over 40 years of pension contributions, over 41 years, over 42 years and so on up to a maximum in other words, someone who might have worked since 16 years of age to retirement age the number of those there are in Ireland in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [34579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department applies a number of tests in respect of each claim to State Pension Contributory in order to provide the highest level of pension possible to the customer, based on their contribution record. However, once a record is found that qualifies the person to receive the maximum rate of pension, the process completes and a decision is issued to them.
This means that the Department does not compile a listing of people who have worked 40 years, or in excess of 40 years and has no way of attributing the information sought to the pension claims awarded or in payment for the years outlined in the question.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer’s allowance review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34722/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 31 March 2021.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.
The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 28 May 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application.
Following this review, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 22 June 2021, with effect from 1 April 2021. The first payment will issue to his nominated post office on 8 July 2021.
Arrears for the period 1 April 2021 to 7 July 2021 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 22 June 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and/or appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider changing the regulations to allow the blind pension to be paid concurrently with the invalidity pension given that it is means-tested (details supplied). [34737/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit (IB) is a payment made to people who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. The maximum payment duration for IB is two years. Persons on IB may apply for Invalidity Pension (IP) if they are permanently incapable of work or have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and are likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months.
It is important to note that it is not a requirement that a person needs to be in receipt of IB in order to apply for IP.
IP is a long-term payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions - it is not means tested. To be eligible a person must have not less than 260 weeks contributions paid and not less than 48 weeks contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete tax year.
Persons in receipt of IP are also eligible for the Free Travel Scheme (free travel pass). They may also qualify for other secondary benefits such as the fuel allowance, living alone increase and the household benefits package.
Blind Pension is one of two means-tested disability related payments provided by the Department. As at the end of April 2021 there were almost 155,000 persons in receipt of these payments, comprising 153,805 in receipt of the Disability Allowance and 1,069 in receipt of the Blind Pension.
The Blind Pension is paid, subject to the means test, to blind people and certain people with low vision, aged between 18 and 66, who are habitually resident in the State.
The assessment of means reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves, so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.
It is important to note that the two scheme types - the social insurance benefits (Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension) and the social assistance payments (Disability Allowance and Blind pension) are fundamentally different: the former are payments based on PRSI contributions made, while the latter are means tested payments. It would not be appropriate to provide automatic access from one to the other.
It should be noted that for those in financial difficulty, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance, including Urgent Needs Payments or Exceptional Needs Payments, are available through my department's Intreo centres. This is a means-tested payment administered by this Department’s Community Welfare Service.
My Department will continue to keep the range of supports available under review. The Deputy will be aware that any proposed change would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
368. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit fulfil their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34863/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the bodies under its remit have regard to our public sector duty in all activities as provided for by Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
The Department’s mission is to promote active participation and inclusion in society through the provision of income supports, employment and other services. Our Statement of Strategy 2020-2023 outlines our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Department’s services and information are accessible to all service users and are compliant with its public sector human rights and equality duty. This approach is central to the manner in which the Department operates – by putting the client at the centre of our operations.
Clients are informed of their rights and entitlements. We make sure our offices are fully accessible for all. Information is provided in multiple languages and also in braille and the Department provides translation services including a sign language interpretation service. All information booklets and forms are vetted by the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA) to ensure simple and clear language is used. We are constantly reviewing our forms and information on gov.ie with a view to enhancing accessibility and clarity.
In carrying out its Public Sector Duty, the Department regularly consults with stakeholders. Some of the key events in the Department's calendar include the Social Inclusion Forum and Pre-Budget and Post-Budget fora. The Migrant Consultative forum is a periodic engagement between the Department and organisations working with migrants and is aimed at improving the experiences of migrants interacting with the system. The extensive engagement with stakeholders allows the Department to take various perspectives into account, thereby increasing the quality of its policies and service delivery.
The Department also supports initiatives to promote awareness on human rights and equality, such as thematic events/days for staff and service users, e.g. International Epilepsy Day, Mental Health Week, Irish Sign Language Awareness Week, and Pride.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) addresses obligations in its Strategic Plan 2019 - 2021 and in its Annual Reports.
Equality of access to information, advice and advocacy is a core principle of the CIB and the services it provides and funds. CIB aims to ensure equality of access by providing services in person, by phone and online, as well as through the Live Advisor service and the Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS). The citizensinformation.ie website has been designed to provide a high level of accessibility.
The Pensions Authority is committed to ensuring it meets its obligations to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of employees, customers and service users as required by the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty. The Authority is an equal opportunities employer.
The Pensions Council is committed to ensuring that it meets its obligations to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of its members as required under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014. In this regard, the Council is compliant with the State Board gender balance target.
The Council seeks to represent and protect the consumer interest in the course of its work in order to help to ensure that the pension system has a stronger consumer focus. The Council’s work has also had a strong focus on gender issues as they relate to pensions.
369. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Impact Assessment is the process used for carrying out disability proofing. It involves a comprehensive examination of how any proposed policy, legislation, programme or service impacts on people with disabilities. The Cabinet Handbook requires that all substantive Memoranda should indicate the impact of the proposal(s) on people with disabilities.
When my Department brings proposals to Government, any impact of the proposals on persons with disabilities - positive or negative - is contained in the Memorandum.
In addition, my Department and the bodies under its remit have regard to our public sector duty in all activities as provided for by Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
Our Statement of Strategy 2020-2023 outlines our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Department’s services and information are accessible to all service users and are compliant with its public sector human rights and equality duty. This approach is central to the manner in which the Department operates – by putting the client at the centre of our operations.
We make sure our offices are fully accessible for all. Information is provided in multiple languages and also in braille and the Department provides translation services including a sign language interpretation service. All information booklets and forms are vetted by the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA) to ensure simple and clear language is used. We are constantly reviewing our forms and information on gov.ie with a view to enhancing accessibility and clarity.
The Department regularly consults with stakeholders including organisations representing people with disabilities. Some of the key events in the Department's calendar include the Disability Consultative Forum, the Social Inclusion Forum and Pre-Budget and Post-Budget fora. The extensive engagement with stakeholders allows the Department to take various perspectives into account, thereby increasing the quality of its policies and service delivery.
The Department also supports initiatives to promote awareness on human rights and equality relevant to people with disablities, such as thematic events/days for staff and service users, e.g. International Epilepsy Day, Mental Health Week, and Irish Sign Language Awareness Week.
370. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make the back to school clothing and footwear allowance form available online for download; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34902/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
Similar to previous years, the majority of payments under the BSCFA scheme will be paid with no application form required. These customers have been notified in writing of their entitlement.
Customers who have not received notification of an automated payment will need to apply for BSCFA online on www.mywelfare.ie. Customers who are experiencing issues applying online for the BSCFA should phone the BSCFA contact centre on 071 9193318 or 0818 11 11 13 or email bscfa@welfare.ie and an officer will help the customer apply online or, if necessary, will issue an application form directly to the customer.
There are no plans to make the BSCFA application form available online for download. We are encouraging customers to apply for the BSCFA online on www.mywelfare.ie. Last year, 85% of BSCFA applications received were from customers who applied for their BSCFA online.
The closing date to apply for this year’s BSCFA is 30 September 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
