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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 13 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 425-444

Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal

Ceisteanna (425)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

425. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé a thug an bhreith pointí bónais don Lár-Oifig Iontrála a thabhairt do dhaltaí a dhéanann an mhatamaitic ag Ard-Leibhéal don Ardteistiméireacht; cén chomhairle nó taighde ar bunaíodh an bhreith sin, agus ar thug an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta comhairle i leith na breithe sin; agus cén taighde atá déanta ar na himpleachtaí a bhí ag an mbreith sin. [37980/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Chinn na hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal go léir le chéile scéim pointí bónais a oibriú don mhatamaitic ardleibhéil Ardteistiméireachta ar feadh tréimhse thrialach ceithre bliana ó 2012 go 2015. Rinneadh é seo de bhun iarratais ón Aire Oideachais ag an am mar chuid d’athbhreithnithe a rinneadh ar an tsonraíocht curaclaim Matamaitice Ardteistiméireachta, ar a dtugtar Tionscadal Mata, sa tréimhse sin. Tá pointí bónais don Mhatamaitic á mbronnadh ó shin.

Ba chóir a thabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil ollscoileanna agus institiúidí teicneolaíochta uathrialach agus go gcinneann siad a ngnásanna iontrála féin. Próiseálann an CAO iarratais ar chúrsaí fochéime, agus roinnt cúrsaí iarchéime, thar a gceann. Is iad na hinstitiúidí ardoideachais a dhéanann cinntí maidir le hiontrálacha agus a thugann treoir don CAO tairiscintí a dhéanamh d’iarrthóirí rathúla.

Ba é aidhm na bpointí bónais scoláirí a spreagadh le Matamaitic Ardleibhéil a roghnú. In 2011, rinne 15.84% de na scoláirí a rinne Scrúdú Ardteistiméireachta sa mhatamaitic an páipéar ardleibhéil agus rinne 72.14% díobh an páipéar gnáthleibhéil. In 2019, rinne 32.95% de na scoláirí a rinne Scrúdú Ardteistiméireachta sa mhatamaitic an páipéar ardleibhéil agus rinne 57.13% díobh an páipéar gnáthleibhéil. Ba é an spriocráta rannpháirtíochta, mar atá leagtha amach i straitéis litearthachta agus uimhearthachta na Roinne, go roghnódh 30% de mhic léinn an t-ardleibhéal a dhéanamh  faoi 2020.

Rinne Grúpa Tacaíochta um Chur i bhFeidhm an Tionscadail Mata maoirseacht ar Thionscadal Mata, a chuir comhpháirtíocht ar fáil idir lucht tionscail, lucht ardoideachais agus lucht an oideachais dara leibhéal chun tacú le cuspóirí Thionscadal Mata. Bhí an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnaithe ina mbaill den Ghrúpa Tacaíochta um Chur i bhFeidhm Thionscadal Mata.

Tá mo Roinn ina mbaill freisin den Ghrúpa Athchóirithe ar Aistrithe a bhfuil mo Roinn agus an Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta ina gcomhchathaoirligh air.  Cuimsíonn an Grúpa um Athchóiriú Aistrithe geallsealbhóirí ón dá Roinn, Cumann Ollscoileanna na hÉireann (IUA), an tÚdarás um Ardoideachas (HEA), an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (NCCA), Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit (CSS) agus an Cumann Ardoideachais Teicneolaíochta (THEA ). Cuid mhór d’obair an Ghrúpa um Athchóiriú Aistrithe is ea athchóiriú ar Ghrádú na hArdteistiméireachta agus scála na bPointí Coiteanna le haghaidh iontrála chuig ardoideachas, a d’fhág gur leanadh de phointí bónais CAO a úsáid don Mhatamaitic ardleibhéil.

Tar éis an córas nua Grádaithe Ardteistiméireachta a thabhairt isteach, choimisiúnaigh an NCCA an ESRI chun taighde a dhéanamh ar thionchair an chórais grádaithe athcheartaithe. Foilsíodh an tuarascáil, Tionchar Luath Scéime Grádaithe Athcheartaithe na hArdteistiméireachta ar Bhraistintí agus ar Iompar Scoláirí, i mí Eanáir 2019 agus tá léargas ann ar thionchar na bpointí bónais don mhatamaitic.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (426)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

426. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the status of the new school building project at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; when work on the new school will commence; when it will be completed; if playing pitches will be included in the design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37982/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).

I can confirm that a Design Team to deliver this project was appointed by the NDFA in April 2021. The Design Team is now preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design).

While at this early stage it is not possible to provide details or a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (427)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

427. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education her plans to examine the current July provision programme to examine whether it is fit for purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37985/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In May 2021 the Government announced a package of supports to allow primary and post primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021.

The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer programmes in 2020.  The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.

The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, help to ensure that they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

The programmes on offer this summer include a new 2-3 week summer programme available to all primary schools and an expansion of the existing programmes in special schools and classes and in DEIS schools.  

Similar to last year children with complex needs entering primary school next September are also eligible to participate in summer programmes.

A home-based programme continues to be available for pupils with complex needs where there is no school-based programme available for them. 

This range of programmes on offer builds on the success of the expanded programmes that ran last year and incorporates feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2021.

Following extensive consultation with education stakeholders and advocacy groups representing families of children with disabilities, steps were taken to encourage more schools to participate including the following: the provision of paid planning and preparation time for schools, a reduction in the administrative burden for schools, arrangements to pay staff sooner, greater guidance and support for schools, greater flexibility in the timing of the programme. 

In line with policy advice received from the NCSE, a review of the July Provision programme was commenced in 2019. This review process was paused due to the impact of COVID, during which the summer education programme was significantly enhanced and expanded to take account of the effect of school closures.  The review of the programme will recommence at the earliest possible stage.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (428)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

428. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost in a full year if the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 was fully commenced. [38031/21]

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. 

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.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (429)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

429. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the progress made towards action 36 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38036/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Action 36 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NDIS) provides that schools will be required to link SNA support to individualised planning for each pupil.  As referenced in the Mid-Term Review of the Strategy, published in January 2020 and available at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Midterm-Review-of-the-National-Disability-Inclusion-Strategy-2017-2021[1].pdf/Files/Midterm-Review-of-the-National-Disability-Inclusion-Strategy-2017-2021[1].pdf) this action is now complete 

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (430)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

430. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the progress made towards action 40 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy (2017-2021). [38037/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Action 40 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy provides that my Department will amend its Technical Guidance Documents for school and educational buildings to ensure universal design principles and guidelines are fully considered in all designs for new building and, where possible, in the retrofit of existing buildings.

The Department is committed to developing inclusive school settings based on principles of universal design. This is embedded in all technical guidance documents. TGD 020 – General Design Guidelines for Schools, 1st edition 2007, revised 2017, includes guidance on the principles of Universal Access as part of a whole school design approach. Most recently updated technical guidance includes SDG-02-03 Post Primary School Design Guide, SDG-02-04 Specialist Accommodation for Pupils with Special Educational Needs  and  SDG-02-06 Sanitary Facilities all of which were published in April 2021.

The Department of Education (DoE) has an ongoing policy of research and review of its suite of Technical Guidance Documents and School Design Guides (TGDs / SDGs). Updates are based on amendments to national Building Regulations, lessons learnt from new school building projects, post occupancy feedback from schools and design teams, international best practice and continual research and design.

Projects that provide for new accommodation in school buildings must comply with this guidance and receive a statutory application for a Disability Access Certificate (DAC) from the relevant Building Control Authority. School authorities can also apply to the Department for funding for capital improvement works in their schools. These include works related to the provision of facilities for pupils with Special Educational Needs, such as classrooms, resource rooms, multi-sensory areas, universal toileting, external play etc. These funding streams have been in operation for a number of years.

My Department will ensure school building designs continue to consider the provisions of Universal Design and accessibility generally through its implementation of the Technical Guidance Documents as part of its ongoing annual capital building programme for both new and existing school buildings. 

School Transport

Ceisteanna (431)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to address the shortage of school transport places across County Cork. [38038/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. 

 All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.  Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.

My Department recently commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme.  Following commencement of this review in February 2021 and a detailed analysis and report conducted by the Technical Working Group in the interim period, the Steering Group recently presented me with its initial interim report, a report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. 

Following consideration of this report, I have approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures which allow for students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.  This will result in transport being provided for an estimated additional 1,800 post-primary pupils in the 2021/2022 school year, who otherwise would not be accommodated under the scheme.  This arrangement will be in place for the coming school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.  

 Wider considerations relating to the objectives of the scheme and the criteria for eligibility will take place in the next phase of the review which is now underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Ceisteanna (432)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

432. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the current average class size in Irish primary schools; the estimated number of additional teachers that would be required to reduce that number by one in the next year; the estimated cost of hiring these additional teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38056/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.

For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. Lower thresholds are in place for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.  In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021.  These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.

The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2019/20 school year.  Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 24.1 in the same period. The recent improvement in the staffing schedule will continue the positive trend of improvement in the pupil teacher ratio and class sizes.

Each one point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule would require approximately 300 teachers at an apprximate annual cost of €14.5m. 

Any further improvement in the staffing schedule will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.   

Disadvantaged Status

Ceisteanna (433)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

433. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of ensuring that all DEIS school students have access to a laptop or tablet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38057/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provided €100m in grant funding to recognised primary, special and post-primary schools to address their ICT needs during 2020, the final issue of funding under the €210m investment programme underpinning the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools. This included €50m in respect of the 2020-2021 school year brought forward and issued in December 2020. Schools were advised that they could use this funding to support the continuity of teaching and learning during the pandemic. Funding is paid to DEIS schools at a higher rate than non DEIS. The funding is intended to enable schools to implement their Digital Learning Plan through provision of appropriate infrastructure. This includes Desktop PCs, laptops, tablets or hybrid devices, projectors/flat screens, cloud-based tools and software applications, and learning platforms. 

Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school, as schools are best placed to determine the most appropriate solution to adopt in terms of supporting the learning needs of their students based on school's own context and circumstances, and in accordance with their Digital Learning Plan.

Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is important for schools, in conjunction with parents, to retain local autonomy for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.  

The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.

The Department spends just over €150 million annually to provide a suite of supports to schools in the DEIS programme, of which €16.2 million, in the form of a DEIS grant was allocated to schools ahead of schedule for the 2020/21 school year. This is an annual grant to support learning in the context of DEIS for the academic year. In recognition of the difficulties faced by some students to engage with remote learning, at the time the grant issued last year all DEIS schools were informed by letter that they could consider using some of their DEIS funding to support pupils’ learning, for example to arrange access to additional materials of supports for students during the move to remote teaching and learning caused by Covid-19. It is a matter for each individual school to determine how best to use this funding, but it is intended to support the objectives of the DEIS programme.

The development of a new Digital Strategy is underway and an extensive consultation process has commenced with an open call for submissions. Further strands of the consultation will include questionnaires to key stakeholder and engagement through focus groups. A Consultative Advisory Group has been established comprising key stakeholders representing parents, teachers, students and industry. Future funding measures to support schools in embedding the use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment will be considered as part of that process. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (434)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

434. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the issue of family carers who are in receipt of the lowest level of the pandemic unemployment payment who will cease to receive the payment from 7 September 2021 and will be unable to apply for jobseeker's allowance despite not having returned to their part-time work yet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37161/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The PUP was introduced as an exceptional measure for employees and the self- employed who lost employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19. 

This week just over 211,000 people received the PUP, representing a drop of over 270,000 from a peak of 482,000 recipients in February this year. As more and more people return to work every week due to the gradual lifting of restrictions and continued progress on the roll out of vaccines, the requirement for emergency measures is diminishing. As the economy re-opens, it is important to transition from emergency pandemic supports to standard social welfare supports.

To allow as much time as possible for the economy to recover and employments to reopen, there will be no change to the PUP rate until 7th September when it will be gradually reduced on a tapered basis, over a 6 month period until February 2022, back to jobseekers terms.

As PUP recipients go on to the €203 rate during this period they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms with the normal eligibility criteria for jobseekers applied.  In the case of those in receipt of another weekly social welfare payment, including carers, they will be contacted by the Department in September and, where they do not return to employment, will transition from PUP. 

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.  

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (435)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

435. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if taxi drivers are to be allowed stay on the pandemic unemployment payment until February 2022; the way this will work in practice; if there will be a reduction in payments or some transition to a jobseeker’s payment; the way this will work given the fact that taxi drivers are self-employed and not seeking a job; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37169/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The PUP was introduced as an exceptional measure for employees and the self- employed who lost employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19.  To allow as much time as possible for the economy to recover and employments to re-open, there will be no change to the PUP rate until 7th September when it will be gradually reduced on a tapered basis, over a 6 month period until February 2022, back to Jobseekers terms.

From September the current PUP rates will begin to be gradually reduced on a phased basis in increments of €50 per week.  Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th of February 2022.

As PUP recipients go on to the €203 rate in each phase, which is aligned with the maximum personal weekly rate of jobseekers, they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms commencing from this September. This applies to all PUP recipients including taxi drivers. As public health restrictions are lifted and the economy gradually returns to normal it is important to transition from emergency pandemic supports to standard jobseekers supports.

Where a person is due to transition to a jobseeker’s payment the Department will contact them in advance and the individual will be given the opportunity to claim a standard jobseeker payment and have their claim assessed before their transition from the PUP.

A self-employed person may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance depending on their earnings from their business or if they are fully unemployed they may have an entitlement to the social insurance based Jobseeker's Benefit for the self-employed.

Self-employed PUP recipients who continue to be eligible for PUP, including taxi drivers, may take up some limited self-employment.  A person can earn up to €960 over an eight week period and maintain their full PUP; this figure is net of expenses.  Furthermore, if a self-employed person takes up limited self-employment of up to 24 hours per week they can retain income support under the Part Time Job Incentive and a single person will be paid €128.60 per week.  There is no income limit applied in these cases. The extension of the Part Time Job Incentive to self employed people will continue until the end of the current year.

The €1,000 Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant to assist self -employed people to restart their business will continue to be available to self-employed people closing PUP claims until the end of 2021. I recently announced that self-employed people closing their PUP claim since 1 June 2021 to reopen their business will be able to avail of this grant even if they have previously claimed it as part of a reopening in 2020.

The income supports provided by my Department are available to all those unemployed and are not provided on a sectoral basis. On 9th June 2021 the Minister for Transport, Eamonn Ryan TD announced a €6.5 million support package for the Small Public Service Vehicle Industry (SPSV). 

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.  

Birth Certificates

Ceisteanna (436)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

436. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a birth certificate application by a person (details supplied); and if the certificate will be issued urgently to enable the person to apply for a passport for the purposes of travel. [37204/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE has advised the a certificate has issued in this case.  The Deputy will be aware that the HSE is responsible for registering births and issuing certificates once registration has been completed.  Orders for certificates can be placed with any office of the HSE, its online certificate service or with the General Register Office (which operates under the aegis of my Department).

The recent cyber-attack on HSE computer systems had a significant impact on the delivery of civil registration services with registration of births suspended for 4 weeks from the 14th May 2021.

I can confirm for the Deputy that birth registrations have resumed and the HSE has advised that they are working to clear the backlog any backlogs that have resulted from the suspension of its services.

The Registrar General has informed me that urgent cases, if brought to the attention of the relevant HSE superintendent registrar, will be expedited.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ceisteanna (437)

John Lahart

Ceist:

437. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements that are available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37272/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.  Permanently incapable of work is defined as an incapacity for work of such a nature that the likelihood is that the claimant will be incapable of work for life or an incapacity which has existed for 12 months prior to the date of claim and where the Deciding Officer or Appeals Officer is satisfied that the claimant is likely to be unable to work for 1 year from the date of the claim

The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 05 March 2021.  The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.  The person concerned was notified on 16 April 2021 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review and lodged an appeal of the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and submitted further medical evidence in support of his claim. Following a review of all the information available it was decided that there was no change to the original decision.  Notification of the outcome of the review issued to the person concerned on 24 June 2021.  

Upon receipt of further medical evidence, received on 30 June 2021, his claim was further reviewed by the Department's Deputy Chief Medical Assessor (DCMA).  On receipt of the further medical evidence, the DCMA wanted to speak with the person's GP and made contact by telephone on 07 July 2021.  On the basis of the further medical evidence of 30 June 2021 and the telephone conversation with the GP, the DCMA has reviewed the claim and provided his medical opinion to the Deciding Officer.  Following a review of all available evidence and with due regard to the DCMA opinion, an Invalidity Pensions Deciding Officer has awarded the claim with effect from 25 February 2021, the date from when the Customer's Illness Benefit payment ceased.  Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 15 July 2021.  Any arrears due from 25 February 2021 to 14 July 2021(less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course.  The person in question was notified of this decision on 07 July 2021. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (438)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

438. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [37278/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

I am advised that there is no current application registered for the person concerned for CA.  If the person in question wishes to make an application, he should complete and return an application form (CR1) to CA section in the social welfare services office, Longford, as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (439)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

439. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the social impact assessments carried out by her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit since 1 January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37300/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department undertakes social impact assessments using the tax/welfare microsimulation model, SWITCH, developed by the Economic and Social Research Institute. Social impact assessment is an evidence-based methodology which estimates the likely distributive effects of policy proposals on household incomes, families, poverty and access to employment. It is a widely used tool at European level. It builds on poverty impact assessment and is similar in concept to ‘equality budgeting’.

My Department has published an integrated social impact assessment of the main welfare and direct tax measures in annual budgets, since Budget 2013.  Its purpose is to inform public understanding on the cumulative effect of budgetary policies on income distribution and social equality.

Since January 2016, my Department has published social impact assessments of Budgets 2018, 2019 and 2020, with the social impact assessment of Budget 2021 due to be published shortly. This will be available online on gov.ie. My Department also contributes social impact assessment material to the Tax Strategy Group, whose deliberations are published by the Department of Finance each year.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (440)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

440. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care allowance in each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by county. [37333/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The numbers of applications received for Domiciliary Care Allowance since 2017 are detailed in the table below.  A breakdown of these figures on a county basis is not available as this information is not routinely collated by the Department.  

Year

Number of DCA Applications received

2017

8,197

2018

8,609

2019

8,719

2020

7,289

2021 (to end of June)

4,798 

I hope this clarifies the  matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (441)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

441. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of refusals for domiciliary care allowance in each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by county. [37334/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of Domiciliary Care Allowance claims refused at initial application are detailed in the table below.  A breakdown of these figures on a county basis is not available as this information is not routinely collated by the Department.  

Year

Number of DCA Applications refused

2017

2,187

2018

2,225 

2019

2,875

2020

2,639

2021 (to end of June)

1,241 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (442)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

442. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of refusals for domiciliary care allowance for children with autistic spectrum disorder in each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by county. [37335/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a payment in recognition of the substantial additional care needs of children with a disability as evidenced in the application and supporting documentation. Decisions to award or refuse claims are not based on the diagnosis alone, but on the extent and complexity of the care needs of the child. Each application is assessed by a deciding officer on its merits having had the benefit of the opinion of by one of the Department's Medical Assessors.

While statistics on overall awards and refusals are available, information on awards or refusals in relation to particular medical conditions is not routinely collated.  It should also be noted that children can have multiple diagnoses.  

The scheme is administered centrally for the whole country and medical and other information is not collated on a county basis. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (443)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

443. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applications refused on first application in each year since 2017, by county. [37336/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The numbers of Domiciliary Care Allowance claims refused following initial application are detailed in the table below. A breakdown of these figures on a county basis is not available as this information is not routinely collated by the Department.    

Year

Number of DCA Applications refused

2017

2,187

2018

2,225 

2019

2,875

2020

2,639

2021 (to end of June)

1,241 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (444)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applicants who were successful in their applications when their initial refusal was reviewed in each of the years since 2017, by county. [37337/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is administered centrally for the entire country, and as a result statistics for applications and reviews processed are not collated on a county by county basis. The available figures, which are from 2018, for successful reviews carried out by DCA section are outlined in the table below.

Year

Found eligible on review by a Deciding Officer

2018

765

2019

769

2020

724

2021 (to end of June)

333

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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