Tuesday, 13 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 465-484

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (465)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

465. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that will be made available to those working on short and freelance contracts in the arts and entertainment sector who cannot receive the pandemic unemployment payment as a result of being considered an employee and who cannot earn a sufficient income whilst their sector is so heavily affected by ongoing public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37831/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency payment for employees and self employed people who lost employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19. To date expenditure on the scheme is over €8.2 billion.

To be eligible for the payment, a person must satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the statutory scheme which includes that they cannot be in receipt of employment income from their employer

Where a person does not qualify for PUP, they may be eligible for support under the Jobseeker schemes.  A person may work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced Jobseeker payment subject to satisfying the conditions of the scheme.  Jobseeker's Benefit is a social insurance contribution-based support which is normally paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.

Where a person does not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit or has exhausted their entitlement to the payment, they may apply for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. The maximum weekly personal rate for Jobseeker's Allowance rate is aligned to the rate for Jobseeker's Benefit which is €203 and increased allowances may be paid for qualifying adult and child dependents.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, which is means tested, is provided by the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo Centre, for any person who is in need of financial assistance. Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments are included in the supports available under the scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.

 

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (466)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

466. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [37843/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that two appeals by the person concerned were registered in that office on 19 April 2021.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.  Those papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 May 2021 and the cases were referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 June 2021.

The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeals based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone. Due to the current level of Covid-19 restrictions in-person oral appeal hearings have been suspended.

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.

Cybersecurity Policy

Ceisteanna (467)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

467. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the password length for the MyGov ID is so short, that is, not longer than 16 characters (details supplied); if there is a plan to alter this length in order to improve user and systems’ safety particularly in the context of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37848/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

MyGovID is an online account which provides citizens with a safe, secure online identity for accessing public services. It is built on the Public Services Card and an individual’s PPSN, and links a ‘real world’ identity to an online identity.

MyGovID has been built with personal privacy and security in mind and users must set up strong passwords that comply with a number of security features. This allows customers to set up strong passwords that they can remember, helping them avail of a growing range of online services, while keeping their online identity and personal data safe.  

MyGovID accounts use two factor authentication. This means a user's password is the first layer of security and a one-time PIN, sent to their verified mobile phone each time they log in to MyGovID, is the second layer of security. 

My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security.  The Department's technical staff operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure best practice is followed in respect of all cybersecurity matters.

My Department continues to enhance security features on MyGovID and across all its systems. For operational and security reasons, and as advised by the NCSC, my Department does not disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts.

Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (468)

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

468. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37857/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Child benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years.  The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability.  Child benefit is currently paid, as of end-May 2021, to over 637,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2 billion in 2020.

Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including: 

- Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments; 

- the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and

- the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.

As part of Budget 2021, I increased the rates for a qualified child aged under 12 by €2 to €38 per week, and for a qualified child aged 12 or older by €5 to €45 per week.  These increases came into effect in January.

Extending Child Benefit in respect of full time students in second level education who are over 18 years of age would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (469)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

469. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address a matter (details supplied) regarding carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37876/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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. The full-time care and attention requirement and the 18.5 hour limitation on employment are contained in the legislative provisions of the CA scheme.

Any Carer engaged in employment (training and education) must show that the person they are caring for has adequate care while they are working.  Where a carer has commenced employment or increased the hours they are working, the onus is on them to notify the Department of the change in their circumstances.

Currently a weekly disregard of €332.50 for a single/legally separated person and €665 for a carer who is married, in a civil partnership or co-habiting is available to carers.  This disregard applies to any means that a carer may have i.e. earnings, savings, property, etc.  Any change to disregards can only be considered in a budgetary context.

In the individual case, the person concerned has been in receipt of CA in respect of her care recipient and since 17 January 2019.  Her income was below the disregard and therefore no means were assessed. when the CA claim was awarded.  She contacted the Department on 1 October 2020 to notify that she had commenced employment and a review of her claim was initiated.   The outcome of this review was that her entitlement to CA remains unchanged and she has been notified in writing of this decision. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ceisteanna (470)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

470. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that child benefit for children over the age of 16 will not be available to some persons from July until September 2021 and that there was no prior warning given about this to parents and guardians; the steps she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37976/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Child benefit is a monthly payment, payable to age 16 years and is subsequently payable to age 18 where the child remains in full time education. 

Where a child turns 16, the parent/guardian needs to get confirmation from the school that their child is still attending. Each month, the Department issues a notification to parents for all children who are due to turn 16, requesting this information.

Last year this requirement was deferred owing to the fact that schools were closed due to the Covid pandemic and it was accepted that having the forms completed by schools could present difficulty for parents.

As schools have been open in 2021, the normal process has applied this year and all parents should have received notification in the normal way. The Department has been contacted by a number of parents who have not received payment in July and is now aware that an issue has arisen in respect of a number of children who had been certified by the Department last year to the end of the 2021 academic year and where the relevant certification form for continuation of payment has not issued in time.

The Department has immediately addressed this issue and the child benefit payments in question in respect of July are being made on the 13th July for those paid by EFT and on the 14th July for those collecting their payment at a post office.  In addition eligibility for these children has been extended to the end of September 2021.  A "continuing in education" certificate will issue in August in respect of these children, and once completed by the school and returned, their eligibility can be further extended, either to the end of the education cycle or their 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (471)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to instances of delays in paying a social protection support (details supplied); the number of persons impacted by same; and her plans to resolve the situation as a matter of priority. [38030/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Child benefit is a monthly payment, payable to age 16 years and is subsequently payable to age 18 where the child remains in full time education. 

Where a child turns 16, the parent/guardian needs to get confirmation from the school that their child is still attending.  Each month, the Department issues a notification to parents for all children who are due to turn 16, requesting this information.

Last year this requirement was deferred owing to the fact that schools were closed due to the Covid pandemic and it was accepted that having the forms completed by schools could present difficulty for parents.

As schools have been open in 2021, the normal process has applied this year and all parents should have received notification in the normal way. The department has been contacted by a number of parents who have not received payment in July and is now aware that an issue has arisen in respect of around 26,500 children who had been certified as in continued education by the department last year to the end of the 2021 academic year and where the relevant certification form for continuation of payment has not issued in time.

The Department has immediately addressed this issue and the child benefit payments in question in respect of July are being made on the 13th July for those paid by EFT and on the 14th July for those collecting their payment at a post office. .  In addition, eligibility for these children has been extended to the end of September 2021.  A "continuing in education" certificate will issue in August in respect of these children, once completed by the school and returned, their eligibility can be further extended, either to the end of the education cycle or their 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Rates

Ceisteanna (472)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

472. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 1 July 2021, the expected spend in 2020 on the wage subsidy scheme for persons with disabilities; and the additional funding needed in 2022 if the subsidy was raised to 55%, 60% and 65% of the national minimum wage, respectively. [38032/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Wage Subsidy Scheme is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 subsidised hours per week under a contract of employment. The basic rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per annum based on a 39-hour week. 

It is important to reiterate that the range of subsidy rates available are not linked to the statutory minimum wage. They are a contribution paid directly to the employer, subject to certain conditions, against the cost incurred where a productivity shortfall arises from a disability. Rates of payment increase depending on the number of employees employed under the scheme. Incremental top up payments to the basic rate apply, starting at a 10% increase where there are 3 or more employees up to a 50% top up where 23 or more are employed, increasing the basic payment rate to €7.95 per hour.  Employers with 25 or more workers with a disability on the Wage Subsidy Scheme may also be eligible for a grant of up to €30,000 per year towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer to support these employees.

Expenditure on the Wage Subsidy Scheme in 2020 was €18.36 million – this was lower than the estimated expenditure for last year of €24.55 million following a reduction in activity due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Estimated expenditure on the Wage Subsidy Scheme in 2021 is expected to be almost €26 million. 

The additional cost in a full year to link the current rate of the Wage Subsidy at 55%, 60% and 65% of the national minimum wage, as proposed, are set out in tabular form below.

Please note that the figures provided in the table are estimated and based on the following:

- The current number of 1,602 private sector employers availing of the subsidy in respect of some 2,539 participant employees. The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a demand-led scheme so the figures below take no account of behavioural impact e.g. where a new employer might apply for the subsidy on account of an increased rate of subsidy.

- The subsidy is available from between 21 and 39 hours per week and therefore employees’ hours vary. The costs provided are based on employees' current average hours across the subsidised range of 21-39.

- The costs include Strand II and Strand III associated increases. 

- The increase is calculated from a baseline of €23,142,129 based on current numbers.

%of National Minimum Wage (NMW)	Hourly Rate in €	Additional Scheme Cost
55% of NMW	€5.61	€1,334,294
60% of NMW	€6.12	€3,529,424
65% of NMW	€6.63	€5,724,553

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Ceisteanna (473)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

473. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yield from increasing employers' PRSI on the balance of incomes over €100,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38048/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The higher rate of employer social insurance contribution is currently 11.05% of employee earnings and  includes a National Training Fund levy of 1%.

I understand that the Deputy’s office has clarified that the question relates to a 1% increase in the higher rate of the employer social insurance contribution.

Based on the data available in respect of 2019, the estimated additional annual revenue that could be raised by increasing the higher rate of the employer social insurance contribution by 1%, from 11.05% to 12.05%, on earnings in excess of €100,000 per annum would be approximately €58.3 million.

However, this estimate does not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from increasing the social insurance rate in this manner.  Nor does it take into consideration any of the impacts arising from the measures being taken to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (474, 475)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

474. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance payment period by one week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38049/21]

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

475. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of an additional €1 in the weekly fuel allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38050/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.

The estimated full year cost of increasing the Fuel Allowance by €1 is €10.5 million. The estimated cost of extending the fuel season by 1 week is also €10.5 million.

This costing is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021, and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

Question No. 475 answered with Question No. 474.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (476, 477)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

476. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the qualified child increase for the over 12s by €1 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38051/21]

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

477. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the qualified child increase for the under 12s by €1 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38052/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.

The estimated full year cost of a €1 increase to the Increase for a Qualified Child payment is €6.7 million for children aged 12 and over, and €10.6 million for children aged under 12.  

This costing is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021, and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

Question No. 477 answered with Question No. 476.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (478)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

478. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of one additional week of paternity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38053/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.  It is paid for two weeks and is available in respect of any child born or adopted on or after 1 September 2016.  Paternity Benefit is paid at €245 per week, the same rate as Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.

Any decision to extend the period of paternity leave for employees would be a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy and legislative responsibility for this area.

The estimated cost of extending Paternity Benefit by 1 week is approximately €6.8 million. This estimate is based on a full year basis and on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients. 

This estimate does not reflect any additional costs which may be incurred by employers who provide substitution or salary top-ups which would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (479)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

479. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of one additional week of parent’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38054/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.  Following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021, an additional three weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to each parent.  The period in which the leave can be taken has also been extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.

Any decision to extend the duration of parent's leave for employees would be a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy responsibility for this area. 

Parent’s Benefit is paid at €245 per week - the same rate as Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive Benefits.  Parent's Benefit is available to provide care for the child and can be taken in individual periods of a week over a period of 24 months.  This allows working parents to spend more time with their children during these important and formative years.

The estimated annual cost of increasing Parent’s Benefit to six weeks based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021 is €7.3 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (480)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

480. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider publishing an interim report compiled from a smaller portion of the replies from the full cost of disability report by a company (details supplied) in order to assist with making part of the research available prior to budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38061/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, the Government will use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy.

The Cost of Disability report has been recently received and my Department is considering it in detail. As part of this consideration it is intended to brief and seek the views of relevant Government departments who have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and supports. Once this process is complete, I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration. 

The report does not lend itself to publication in the format suggested by the Deputy for a number of reasons, as follows:-

- It is not possible to give a portion of the replies. The questionnaires were completed on the basis that they were strictly confidential. The survey was done independently by Indecon Research Economists and completed responses were sent directly to Indecon and on the basis that responses would not be shared with the Department or anyone else. Indecon committed to treating all the information provided with the highest standards of security and confidentiality and in line with Irish and European Data Protection legislation.

- The researchers were asked to provide quantitative estimates involving a mixed-method approach. This approach involved using:-

- An income survey “top-down” approach, for example, the Standard of Living (SoL) approach using econometric analysis of data from household income or expenditure survey data.

- A ‘bottom-up’ direct measurement approach, this method is be based on data from the experience of people with disabilities, i.e. the survey.

- It is the combination of the findings of the empirical analysis of the various datasets and the Indecon survey of people with disabilities and econometric modelling, combined with a review of international research which provide a range of authoritative estimates for the overall costs of disability in Ireland. It is therefore no appropriate to try to isolate one element from the wider context of the analysis.

Finally, I would like to reassure the Deputy that a decision regarding the appropriate date of the publication of the report in its entirety will be made once Government has had an opportunity to consider the report fully.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (481)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

481. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available for a person residing in direct provision who is suffering with mental health difficulties that make living in close proximity with other residents difficult for the person and to the other residents; and if more suitable accommodation can be secured in such cases. [37193/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I can assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) is of the highest priority to my Department.  

Where a protection applicant chooses to accept an offer of accommodation from my Department, they will, in normal circumstances, be first brought to the National Reception Centre in Balseskin, Dublin.  At Balseskin, they will be offered a health assessment by the on-site HSE team, which is a multi-disciplinary team comprising of a nurse, nurse specialist, area medical officer, general practitioners, social worker and psychologist. This ensures that applicants can be assessed for any special reception needs before they are designated an accommodation centre. The IPAS works closely with the HSE screening team to ensure that International Protection applicants are moved, in so far as possible, to locations where their medical needs can be met.

Additionally, a Vulnerability Assessment process is currently being piloted by IPAS of my Department. The pilot commenced in December 2020 and was extended to all new applicants for international protection from the beginning of February. The pilot will continue until end 2021, at which point it will be evaluated, and this will be used to inform the long term implementation of vulnerability assessments.

The purpose of these assessments is to determine if, by virtue of a particular category of vulnerability, an applicant is deemed to have special reception needs, what those needs are and what actions are required to address those needs. 

IPAS offers a vulnerability assessment to everyone who makes an application for international protection to the International Protection Office (IPO). Where an application includes children of an applicant, IPAS, with parental consent, also assess their vulnerability in an appropriate manner.

The Vulnerability Assessment begins with an initial interview after the applicant first applies for international protection.  If this initial assessment indicates that the applicant is a vulnerable person, within the meaning of the relevant EU Directive, further assessments may be carried out while the applicant is living in the IPAS Reception Centre, or subsequently when they have moved to longer term accommodation.

Taken together, these assessments are used to determine whether the applicant has special reception needs arising from any vulnerabilities identified. IPAS will endeavour to accommodate these needs in so far as possible.

It is important to note that services for all International Protection applicants (including health services) are mainstreamed. Protection applicants are linked with primary care services (GPs). They are entitled to a medical card while residing in International Protection accommodation and have a waiver of prescription charges.  Applicants access health services through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens including referral to disability and mental health services. Every effort is made to ensure that residents' specific needs are met.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (482, 484)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

482. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 104 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38043/21]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

484. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 104 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38097/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 484 together.

Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that ‘we will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.’

Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to this Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth is now the lead on this action, supported by the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 104 a Transport Working Group was established. The Group’s membership is made up of relevant Government Departments and state agencies including the National Disability Authority and the National Transport Authority. The group met in March 2020 during which draft Terms of Reference and a work plan, including consultation process were discussed for future decision. However, following the emergence of COVID-19 the work of the group was paused to allow officials to focus on responding to the pandemic.

My Department is currently working to re-convene the Transport Working Group in the coming weeks. My Department is also in contact with the Department of Finance with a view to incorporating work planned by that Department in regard to reviewing transport supports for people with disabilities into the work of the NDIS Transport Working Group. 

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (483)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

483. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 53 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38083/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Action 53 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that ‘We will develop proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. We will develop plans to implement the most viable proposals’.

Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to this Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth is now the lead on this action, supported by the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 53 an Assistive Technology Working Group was established. An initial meeting took place in February 2020 in which Terms of Reference and expanded membership of the group was discussed. However, following the emergence of COVID-19 ,the work of the group was paused.

The group re-convened in June 2021. It is coordinated by my Department and includes membership from a number of Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and independent experts who bring both lived and professional expertise to the group. The group has agreed to finalise Terms of Reference and to begin a planned course of work that will conclude with the provision of a report and practical and implementable recommendations to the NDIS Steering Group which is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D.

Question No. 484 answered with Question No. 482.