Written Answers Nos. 242-252
242. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care allowance applications that have been made for phenylketonuria; and the number of applications that have been rejected in each of the past five years. [44284/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the medical condition/decision status of individual domiciliary care allowance (DCA) applications are not routinely collated by my Department on a year by year basis.
i am advised that he medical condition referred to by the Deputy, Phenylketonuria, with an ICD10 code of E70/E70.0 was listed as a medical condition in some 90 DCA applications received since 2009, when the Department first began administering the scheme. 39 of these applications were found to be eligible on either initial decision or on appeal.
It should be noted that a child may have more than one medical condition/diagnosis and, depending on how such conditions are listed on the application form, all may not therefore be recorded. Accordingly, more applicants with Phenylketonuria may have applied for DCA than the numbers given above.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the decision to reduce or phase out the pandemic unemployment payment over the coming months with recipients moving to a more traditional social welfare payment, is causing significant anxiety particularly among low income families who are fearful of a marked decrease in income coming up to Christmas; if she will give compassionate consideration in view of the very difficult past 18 months to delaying the reductions in the pandemic unemployment payment and transition to other payments until after the holiday period in order that families can enjoy Christmas without additional financial stress during this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44292/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an exceptional measure in response to the unprecedented impact on employment and earnings as a result of Government mandated public health measures. To date expenditure on the scheme is almost €8.7 billion.
The number of customers in receipt of PUP is continuing to fall at a pace from a peak of over 602,000 to just over 114,600 this week as a result of the gradual lifting of restrictions and the success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The requirement for special arrangements is diminishing and it is important in the interests of equity and sustainability to restore standard social welfare terms.
To allow as much time as possible for the economy to re-open and for employments to recover, the Government agreed to taper the payment of PUP over time between September 2021 and February 2022 to align it with the standard jobseekers terms.
From this week, the 14th of September, the maximum rate of PUP of €350 has reduced to €300, the current rate of €300 reduced to €250 and the rate of €250 has changed to €203. Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th February 2022.
The Government also agreed that PUP customers who were paid the €203 rate of payment before 14th September would transition to standard Jobseeker terms commencing this month.
This process was due to begin in early September. However, I have deferred this process until after all sectors have started to re-open in line with the publication of the Government's Roadmap "Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting". This approach will support individuals working in those sectors of the economy that are re-opening more slowly than others. This means that all affected customers, those who were currently in receipt of the PUP €203 rate, will not see any changes to their PUP payments until after 26th October. Work on the transition process will commence at the end of September when the Department will write to all affected customers to outline the changes. There are also a wide range of employment supports available for PUP recipients as part of Pathways to Work strategy.
The means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme also remains available through the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo Centre for any person who is experiencing financial hardship. Supports provided under the scheme include Supplements and Urgent and Exceptional Needs Payments.
I hope that this clarifies the position at this time for the Deputy.
244. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit or family benefit application dating back to 2014 which is now under appeal with a request for an oral hearing will be expedited and approved for a person (details supplied). [44316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded child benefit effective from 1st September 2018. This application is being further considered under EU Regulation 883/2004 for the period 2014 to August 2018; additional information has been requested from the person concerned regarding the regularisation of their Social Insurance contributions in the relevant member state.
A decision will be made promptly on receipt of the requested information.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
245. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review will be undertaken of the social insurance record of a person (details supplied) with a view to awarding a higher rate of pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44331/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded State pension (contributory) at 85% of the maximum rate from their 66th birthday, based on their contribution record as held by my Department.
Their case has been referred to my Department's Central Records Section for review of their contribution record for the social insurance years 1971/72 to 1976/77. Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 11 February 2021. Their reply was received on 16 April 2021 and the case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation.
When this investigation is complete, the person's contribution record will be reviewed. If their record is updated, a review of their State pension (contributory) entitlement can then be carried out and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if with the partial but incomplete opening of the performing arts sector and the uncertainty in relation to the sector she intends temporarily increasing the earnings cap for persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment from the performing arts industry until the sector is totally reopened, particularly in view of the importance of the industry for mental health reasons and the number of planned but constrained autumn festivals that are also planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe PUP was introduced as an exceptional measure for employees and the self- employed who lost employment as a direct consequence of Government mandated public health measures. To date expenditure on the scheme is almost 8.7 billion.
Since the gradual lifting of restrictions and the continuing progress on Covid-19 vaccinations, the need for exceptional measures has diminished as more and more employees close their PUP claims to return to work.
To allow as much time as possible for the economy to re-open and for employments to recover, the Government agreed to taper the payment over time between September 2021 and February 2022 to align it with the standard jobseeker payments.
This week, rate reductions have been introduced for those in receipt of the higher rates of PUP. Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th February 2022.
The Government also agreed that PUP customers who were in receipt of the €203 rate prior to 14th September would transition to standard Jobseeker terms commencing in September. However, I have taken on board that some sectors, including the performing arts sector, will be slower to reopen and I have deferred the commencement of the transition process until after all sectors have started to reopen. This is in line with the publication of the Government's Roadmap "Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting". This means that those affected customers will not see any changes to their PUP payments until after 26th October.
The deferral of the transition process also means that self- employed PUP customers in receipt of the €203 rate will be able to continue to earn up €960 from self -employment net of expenses, over 8 weeks without it affecting their PUP payment. Where they exceed this earnings cap and they are working as self -employed for up to 24 hours per week they may apply for the Part Time Job Incentive Scheme which was extended to the self- employed until the end of the current year. Participants on the scheme receive a weekly payment of €128.60 and no income limit applies.
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 this year. A self-employed person closing their PUP claim 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.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons with enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19 that were transferred over to disability allowance after the ten week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks; the number of such claims that were rejected or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the 767 people who had Enhanced Illness Benefit claim durations of 10 weeks or more, 460 transferred to Illness Benefit payments. 39 people submitted applications for Disability Allowance; 28 people were awarded Disability Allowance and put into payment, 8 people applied for but were not awarded Disability Allowance, and a final 3 are awaiting decision.
I trust clarifies the position for the Deputy.
248. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all staff in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44381/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn our public offices, my Department has installed Perspex on our public counters and in interview rooms to protect both staff and customers. Our staff on the public floor have been provided with masks and masks are also available for customers who do not have them.
All staff have been encouraged to wear a face covering when moving about in communal areas or when engaging with a colleague in a situation where 2m social distance cannot be achieved. Through organisational means, particularly facilitating staff to work remotely, my Department has made it possible for social distance to be generally observed.
The grade of mask referenced by the Deputy is recommended for medical or surgical settings and is not required for our offices.
The Government has agreed that the transition to the future state of managing COVID-19 should make a final significant shift in approach in October. This is set out in the document, “Reframing the challenge - Continuing our recovery and reconnecting”. Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated, and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, it is expected that the Government will remove further statutory restrictions in respect of events and activities from 22nd of October, including the requirement for social distancing and the use of face coverings apart from healthcare settings, indoor retail and on public transport.
249. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a transfer between direct provision centres will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [44254/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by IPAS officials that every transfer request, including that to which the Deputy refers, and which is currently under consideration, is looked at on its own merits in the context of both the suitability of the current accommodation offering, and the availability of similarly suitable accommodation at the desired location.
However, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not always possible to facilitate every resident's individual preference, especially in cases where demand for particular locations is high and availability of appropriate accommodation is limited. All residents are made aware of this when they attend orientation services following their arrival in the State.
IPAS officials further advise that at present, the availability of accommodation for protection applicants, particularly single persons, is coming under considerable pressure due to the increase in applicants arriving in the State. This has further diminished the ability of IPAS to meet the specifics of every transfer request.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which it is expected to provide extra funding for early years education to include all the required facilities including teachers, buildings and adequate staff payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for me as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
Historically, there have been low levels of investment in ELC in Ireland. Over the past five years however, investment has increased by some 141% and currently stands at €638 million per year. This increase has funded a second year of the universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme, along with the introduction of the Access and Inclusion Model, and enabled the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Funding delivered under the ELC Annual Capital Programme has also enabled a 60% increase in the number of places available nationally.
First 5: A Whole-of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, published in 2018, commits to at least doubling investment in ELC by 2028.
A key vehicle to ensure that such significant investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model. An Expert Group is leading on this work, which will include the development of appropriate mechanisms to fund services in order to improve affordability, quality and sustainability, and address issues such as staff pay and controls on fees paid by parents.
The Expert Group has undertaken extensive research and consultation to date, and I expect to receive a report of their recommendations in November 2021.
Separately, work is being progressed to develop a capital investment plan to deliver large scale capital investment under the National Development Plan with the aim of ensuring demand for high-quality ELC meets supply.
251. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has read a recent report (details supplied) on working conditions and staffing in the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July I met with some of those involved in writing the report, and I welcome the report's findings and proposals.
On working conditions and staffing, the report highlights the low wages of those who work in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services. I firmly believe that their level of pay does not reflect the value of the work practitioners do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy. It also contributes to challenges of recruitment and retention of staff, which are key to the consistency of care provided to children, as the report notes.
The State cannot determine wages in the sector as it is not the employer. However, I am committed to doing what is in my power to improve wages and working conditions. That is why last December I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and Minister English has now accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations. The Establishment Order came into effect at the beginning of July. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine wages and working conditions for ELC and SAC.
The report also highlights issues of affordability and of the level of public investment in the sector. First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, commits to at least doubling investment in ELC and SAC in the decade to 2028. A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model. The new funding model will be the framework for additional investment in services in return for clear evidence of quality and affordability to ensure effective use of public funding.
An Expert Group has been leading the work on developing this new funding model since 2019. The Group is independently chaired and includes national and international experts in ELC and SAC systems, funding, quality, economics, and relevant policy experts from the Government Departments who will be involved in implementing the new funding model. They have met eighteen times to date and it is expected that their report will be submitted in November 2021. It is anticipated that the Expert Group’s work will inform the Budget 2022 process and my officials are already engaged in this.
ELC and SAC services are private businesses and are free to set their own policies regarding the charging of fees and contract conditions. First 5 sets out, as part of the reform of the funding model, the development of an appropriate mechanism to control fees charged to parents in return for increased State investment in affordability, quality and sustainability. As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Expert Group, an essential and top priority for this Group will be to make recommendations for a mechanism to control fee rates for different types of provision for ELC/SAC. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the approach of other European countries to set a cap on parental fees, irrespective of income.
The research partner for the funding model project, Frontier Economics, has produced eight working papers, with three that directly address affordability issues including international comparisons of fees and public investment, approaches to funding the ELC sector, and mechanisms to control fees charged to parents. Further information on the work of the Expert Group and documentation related to the process is available at www.first5fundingmodel.ie.
252. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44368/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe standard to which the Deputy refers, EN 14683, is a medical mask or surgical mask under the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC – class I (for non-sterile medical masks) / Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 - class I (for non-sterile medical masks).
My Department currently makes disposable masks which conform to the standard E14683 available to DCEDIY staff members.
Each agency under my Department's remit has its own policy for the distribution of masks to their staff.
