Holly Cairns
Ceist:409. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to increase the number of ASD units in primary schools in south-western County Cork. [48139/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (409)
Freagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
The level of investment in special education, at almost €2 billion, is at an all-time high.
An additional 269 additional special classes have been opened this school-year. This brings the total number of special classes nationally to 2,118. The new classes provide 1,600 additional places, spread right throughout the country.
Two new special schools are also opening this year, one in Dublin and one in Cork.
Despite this unprecedented increase, I am very aware of the need for further specialist education places in a small number of areas, mainly concentrated in Dublin.
Currently, there are 38 special classes for students with autism attached to mainstream primary schools in South - Western Cork, five of which were newly established for the 2021/2022 school year. This also includes 4 Early Intervention classes, providing placements for students in the area. In Cork City and County as a whole, there are 228 primary school special classes providing placements for students with autism.
I acknowledge that any delay in securing a suitable school placement can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
Delays can happen for a variety of reasons including, for example, assessment reports for children becoming available over the summer period while schools were closed. In other cases, parents may change their preference for a class placement and request that their child move from a mainstream class to a special class.
My Department and the NCSE have therefore put in place new planning structures and procedures to ensure sufficient places become available to meet local need. As new need emerges, there is a cohesive response available to ensure places become available in a timely and targeted way.
I am aware that the NCSE is currently engaging with four primary schools in the area referenced by the Deputy regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond.
The willingness of school communities to open special classes is central to ensuring that every child can obtain a suitable placement. My Department and the NCSE can provide the necessary funding, teaching and SNA resources, professional supports and training so that the required special class places can be provided as soon as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs.
Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (410)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:410. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the breakdown, section by section, including a precise timeline for the commencement and the reason for the delay in commencement of the remaining sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48151/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 sets out the vision for the education of children with disabilities in this country.
The Act requires that a child with special educational needs should be educated in an inclusive environment alongside their peers unless the nature and extent of those needs would not be in the best interest of the child concerned or the other children with whom the child is to be educated.
For this purpose, my Department funds a continuum of education provision which covers the full spectrum of need ranging from placement in a mainstream class with supports or a placement in a more specialist setting, a special class or special school. My Department currently spends in excess of €2b in supporting this continuum annually.
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 Government has committed to consulting with stakeholders on how best to progress the EPSEN Act.
It should 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.
I have also indicated that one of my priorities as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion is to carry out a review of the EPSEN Act.
This review will take into account the range of reforms and increased investment in supports which have taken place in recent years including the development of new allocation models which are not based primarily on the outcome of an assessment. The requirement for a 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 so account must be taken of need, as well as diagnosis.
Policy advice has been requested from the NCSE on the implications of the UNCRPD and this is expected in the coming months.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (411)
Michael Ring
Ceist:411. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when the position of a person (details supplied) in a school in County Mayo will receive its correct recognition and associated remuneration, terms and conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48160/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ensuring that every child receives an education is a priority for my Department. The provision of the necessary supports for children with special educational needs including children who are deaf or hard of hearing is a necessary consideration in this regard.
There is a continuum of education provision in place for these children ranging from placement in a mainstream class with some supports through to placement in a special class and a special schools depending upon the level of complexity.
In situations where a child who is deaf or hard of hearing needs additional specialist support to access the curriculum, my Department approves the appointment by a school of a person with the appropriate proficiency in ISL. This person is appointed on the same terms and conditions as a special needs assistant. The recruitment is a matter for the school.
Terms and conditions for SNAs are negotiated centrally and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has submitted advice to my Department on the implementation of the ISL Act and this is under consideration.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (412)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:412. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to secure the wooded lands owned by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48161/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department will arrange to visit the land in question. On foot of this visit my Department will take any remedial works where appropriate.
Public Sector Pensions
Ceisteanna (413)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:413. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a pension application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48193/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to the application for a spouse's pension, in respect of the deceased member of the Primary School Teachers Pension Scheme.
Following consultation with the relevant officials, I can confirm that the application for spouse's pension has been processed by the Pension Unit. It is expected that the payment will commence in the next pay issue from the Department's Retired Teachers Payroll.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (414)
Frank Feighan
Ceist:414. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if student retention numbers can be lowered to allow minority ethos schools such as a school (details supplied) keep a minimum of two teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and support small schools.
As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils needed to retain a teacher. For the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule is on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils.
The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher. Any further improvement will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.
A staffing appeals process is available to primary schools, including a particular appeal aimed at small schools such as the one referred to by the Deputy. There is no change to the staffing of the school this year. Staffing arrangements for the 2022/23 school year will be published early in 2022.
Public Sector Pay
Ceisteanna (415)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:415. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of restoring the Gaeltacht and island allowances paid to school teachers; if proposals exist to address the pay disparity for those who commenced employment since January 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48225/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which means that many allowances, including this one, were no longer payable to “new entrant” Teachers.
Circular 0008/2013 outlines the effect of this review on teachers. In common with a number of job-role based allowances, sanction for payment to new beneficiaries of the Gaeltacht allowance was withdrawn from 1st February 2012 under the terms of the Circular. Furthermore, if a teacher was eligible for receipt of the allowance prior to 1st February 2012 and subsequently left that job role on or after 1st February 2012 on a voluntary basis, their entitlement to the allowance ceases from the date of the move and they cannot re-gain entitlement.
Additional amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions. Over the course of recent collective agreements amendments have been agreed including that “new entrant” teachers had the equivalent of an honours primary degree allowance integrated into their salary scale.
Any further amendments to alter the allowances paid to teachers, whether “new entrant” or not, give rise to significant cost issues and should, as mentioned, be part of engagement and collective agreements between Unions and Government. Any review of the eligibility criteria for qualification allowances can occur only under that process and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the Department should the relevant unions seek to engage on this.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (416)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:416. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if clarification will be provided on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The allocations made to schools under the CLASS programme are additional allocations of teaching hours for each school and are provided on a graduated and proportionate basis based on school size, as set out in DES Circular 45/2021.
All allocations are based on the enrolment data drawn from 2020/21 school enrolments as published on the Primary and Post Primary Online Databases.
Schools do not need to apply for the hours as they are allocated automatically based on school size. As there is no application process, there is not a requirement for a review or appeal mechanism.
Special schools and schools which are in the Department’s Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School (DEIS) scheme received enhanced allocations.
Whereas there is not a specific enhanced CLASS allocation for schools, on the basis of the school having a special class, or classes, it should be noted that children attending the special classes are counted as part of the overall school enrolments for the allocation of CLASS hours.
Pupils in special classes are counted as part of the overall school enrolments for the allocation of mainstream school teachers, for the allocation of special education teachers, while special classes also receive enhanced pupil/teacher staffing and SNA staffing allocations.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (417)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:417. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) is still waiting on a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48261/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition, all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
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.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending their second closest school. However Bus Éireann has confirmed that an application for transport was first received for this pupil on 20/08/2021 for the 2021/22 school and was therefore a late application year and that no payment for transport has been received to date for this pupil.
The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (418)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:418. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 28 September 2021, if a copy of a masterplan (details supplied) will be provided to this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48287/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The masterplan document to which the Deputy refers does not belong to my Department and it is not therefore within our remit to release it. Enquiries are being made with the owner of the masterplan as to whether it is available for public release or how a copy might be obtained. I will keep the Deputy informed.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (419)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:419. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if the prefabs in a school (details supplied) are leased or owned by her Department; if they are leased, if they will be replaced by the provider given their condition; if they are owned by her Department, if they will be replaced for the same reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48319/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department was in contact with the Patron of the school in question in relation to an application for Emergency Works to address issues with prefabs at the school. This application was recently submitted to the Department and was approved. The prefabs in question are owned by the patron.
Budget 2022
Ceisteanna (420)
Kieran O'Donnell
Ceist:420. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if she is considering proposals (details supplied) regarding schools funding as part of Budget 2022; her assessment of measures she may take in Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48331/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools.
As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils needed to retain a teacher. For the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule is on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 23.3 in the same period. The most recent budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes.
The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.
As part of the supports provided under The Roadmap for the Full Return to School in 2020, specific funding was provided to support Principals who undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding provided each teaching principal with a minimum of one release day per week. Schools have been advised that, in the context of COVID-19, the additional allocation of Principal Release Days outlined in Circular 45/2020, "COVID-19 Operational Supports for the Full Return to School" will remain in place for the 2021/22 school year and each school with a teaching principal will have 37 Principal Release Days.
In total 1700 additional leadership posts have been invested in our primary schools since the lifting of the moratorium on posts of responsibility in 2017, which has led to 1 in 3 teachers now holding promoted positions. The Department has committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which ensures that the current level of Posts of Responsibility are maintained in the school system. The most recent update for the current school year is available on the Department's website (Circular 0025/2021). This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
The Substitute Teacher Supply Panel was expanded last year, from a pilot scheme consisting of 6 base schools to 132 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 380 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to over 2,500 schools across the country. Primary schools have been informed that the Supply Panel Scheme will continue for the 2021/22 school year.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that Budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in Budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (421, 422)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:421. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the status of progress of a Gaelcholáiste (details supplied); the efforts made by her Department to provide an adequate and permanent school premise to accommodate the needs of both current and future pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGerald Nash
Ceist:422. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her views on the failure to provide a suitable and permanent school building for the parents, guardians and students of a Gaelscoileanna (details supplied) in view of the commitment in the Programme for Government to implement the 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and Action Plan; her views on whether this failure contravenes the commitment within the stated strategy to ensure a high standard of all-Irish education will be provided to school students whose parents and guardians so wish and that Gaelscoileanna will continue to be supported at primary level and all-Irish provision at post-primary level will be developed to meet follow-on demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48338/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.
The provision of Irish-medium education is a priority for my Department and this Government, and we share a strong commitment to increasing the number of Irish-medium places available and providing suitable accommodation in this regard.
As the Deputy may be aware, I approved a proposal for a new satellite model of Irish-medium post-primary provision to be piloted in Dundalk. The model involves a satellite/Dundalk-based campus of An Foras Pátrúnachta’s Balbriggan Gaelcholáiste – Coláiste Ghlór na Mara.
This pilot offers parents in Dundalk a new choice for Irish-medium provision, in addition to existing provision provided by schools in the area. The learning from the pilot may assist in the potential development of an enduring policy/approach for the application of this model elsewhere, subject to successful review.
The patron of Coláiste Ghlór na Mara decided to defer the opening of the Dundalk campus to September 2022 and is progressing arrangements, including putting in place the necessary accommodation arrangements, in this regard.
Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 421.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (423)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:423. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of full-time quantity surveyor and civil and structural engineers employed by her Department as of 30 September 2019, 30 September 2020 and 28 September 2021, in tabular form. [48367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the deputy on the number of quantity surveyors and civil and structural engineers employed by my Department is set out in the following table.
My Department is also in the process of recruiting additional engineering and QS staff in order to maintain access to the necessary expertise required to implement its extensive capital programme.
Quantity surveyors and engineers, Department of Education
|
Grade |
30th Sept 2019 |
30th Sept 2020 |
28th Sept 2021 |
|
Senior Quantity Surveyor |
5 |
5 |
4* |
|
Engineers (civil) |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Engineers (structural) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*1 Senior Quantity Surveyor was seconded to the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science following the establishment of that Department.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (424)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:424. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools that are currently operating within temporary accommodation; the names and locations of these schools, the length of time each school has been in temporary accommodation in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48390/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that details of all primary schools currently renting temporary prefabricated accommodation are currently being compiled and will be forwarded in the coming days. While the Department is aware that some schools are operating some classes in purchased prefabs around the country (funded by the Department and/or by the school authority), accurate information in respect of purchased prefabs is not readily available across the entire school estate and these are, therefore, excluded from this response.
While it is the policy of my Department to ensure a high standard of permanent accommodation for all schools, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population over the last decade or more it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation to meet the accommodation needs of schools. Furthermore, it may also be necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation when an immediate or short term need arises. For example, a school may require a temporary building in circumstances where a major school construction project is planned. Such temporary accommodation is removed when the major project concerned is completed. The length of time it is necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation will vary from project to project.
I can, however, confirm that my Department is taking an integrated approach to prefab replacement through the replacement of prefabs as part of all large-scale projects. In addition, since mid-2018 all schools approved for additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme are having their necessary prefabs replaced as part of their additional accommodation project. This integrated approach helps to streamline the delivery of projects for schools
There are approximately 1,200 school building projects within the current pipeline across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction - most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2021 to 2025. The progression and completion of these projects will make further inroads on the replacement of temporary prefabricated accommodation with knock-on savings on the rental budget.
Furthermore, my Department is currently undertaking a case by case assessment of the long-term accommodation requirements of all schools that have rented prefabricated accommodation, informed by my Department’s most recent national demographic analysis. Many of these schools are already part of the pipeline of projects under the school building programme and their prefab accommodation will be addressed as part of these projects. Maximising the opportunities to achieve value for money involves matching, as best as possible, the accommodation requirement with the appropriate accommodation solution. This is relevant for all accommodation projects progressed by the Department.
The changing landscape in relation to enrolments means that accommodation requirements can vary regionally and between short, medium and long-term and this is a relevant factor considered by the Department in determining the type of accommodation solution to be put in place.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (425)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:425. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the possibility of increasing the income limit for pensioners when considering the fuel allowance in the context of increasing energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48374/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to over 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the household benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €195 million in 2021.
The criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. All recipients of non-contributory payments are accepted as satisfying the means-test for fuel. People who are in receipt of a qualifying contributory payment must also satisfy a means test.
The €100 a week means limit is significantly higher that the weekly fuel allowance rate of €28.00 and also the combined weekly total of household benefits and fuel allowance added together (€39.15). It should be remembered that more than half of those over 66 years of age are solely dependent upon the State pension, and so a person with additional pension income above €100, is not amongst the cohort of more disadvantaged people that Fuel Allowance is targeted towards.
Any extension of the fuel allowance qualifying criteria, such as increasing the allowable means for fuel allowance purposes, can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Ceisteanna (426, 432)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:426. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that artists and arts workers are supported through the pandemic unemployment payment until mass gatherings are permitted again and cultural events can take place at full capacity; if the pandemic unemployment payment will be restored to €350 for the arts and events sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47787/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Bruton
Ceist:432. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms on which the pandemic unemployment payment is being gradually withdrawn from those eligible as workers and for those eligible as self-employed; and if it is intended to review these terms as the progress of reopening and recovery evolves. [47535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 432 together.
I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for the arts sector. However, the position is that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an economy wide support. The objective of EWSS is to support all employment and to maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The scheme is open to all businesses, provided the business meets the requisite conditions of the scheme. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.
The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €4.9 billion and PRSI credit of almost €784 million have been granted to 51,500 employers in respect of over 664,700 workers.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputy will be aware from announcements made in June, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of December 2021. For Q3 2021, the Government has decided to broadly maintain the status quo for EWSS, including the enhanced rates of support, with a modification to widen eligibility, and maintaining the reduced rate of Employers’ PRSI of 0.5%.
Further, as announced Tuesday 28th September, the Government has agreed that there will be no change to the EWSS for the month of October 2021, which means that the scheme will continue to operate in its current form as per the arrangements for Q3 2021. Issues around the configuration of the EWSS beyond October are currently being considered and full details will be announced on Budget Day, 12 October 2021.
I would also note that the Government have put in place a range of measures to support people and businesses most affected by the financial shock of the pandemic, including the arts and cultural sector. The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) and Tourism Business Continuity scheme have also been established in order to support those businesses most at risk. Other schemes which have been established include the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS), both of which are targeted at supporting the commercial live performance sector. Details of the supports are available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website at the following link - enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (427)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:427. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for jobs initiative scheme participants be included in the winter fuel scheme (details supplied.) [47466/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to over 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for fuel a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.
The Job Initiative Scheme programme provided full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over, who had been unemployed for 5 years or more. Since November 2004, there has been no recruitment to the Scheme. Since January 2004 participants on the Job Initiative Scheme could no longer retain their entitlement to Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. This decision was taken as the minimum rate of payment to participants on the scheme was significantly higher than the rate of qualifying Social Welfare payments.
The minimum rate of payment to a Job Initiative participant is still significantly higher than most Social Welfare primary payments, including payments such as Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit, which are also non qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance. Participants on the Job Initiative Scheme are also considered to be in full time employment and not in receipt of a Social Welfare support payment.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (428)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:428. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if long-Covid myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome will be added to the list of prescribed diseases for the occupational injuries benefit scheme; if long-Covid will be recognised as a disability for the purpose of disability allowance and the invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47482/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. My Department spent a total of €4.7 billion on illness, disability and caring payments in 2020.
My Department operates the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme which is a group of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. There are a number of benefits available and there are different conditions attached to each benefit. The benefits include: Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and the Medical Care Scheme.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children. It is payable for up to two years, based on the person’s continued eligibility. An enhanced Illness Benefit is payable for up to ten weeks for people diagnosed with Covid-19, subject to ongoing medical certification. In a case where a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond ten weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical condition and is not means tested.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means-tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for other schemes. The Department may also make an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
The Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. As set out above, a comprehensive set of income support payments is in place for those experiencing illness and disability, based on a person’s medical condition and either their social insurance contributions or means testing. It is generally the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work rather than the nature of the illness or disability that is taken into account when eligibility is being assessed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (429)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:429. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that self-employed fishers who crew fishing vessels but who do not meet the current criteria can access the rural social scheme. [47505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On clarification with the Deputy's office, the question refers to whether people that are employed as crew members on a fishing vessel, but who do not themselves hold the fishing licence for that vessel, can access the rural social scheme (RSS).
RSS is an income support initiative providing part-time employment opportunities for farmers or fishermen and fisherwomen in receipt of certain means-tested social welfare payments, and underemployed in their primary occupation.
To be eligible participate on RSS, a person must be aged 25 or over, in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment satisfying the means test for receipt of Farm/Fish Assist, and meet the criteria for either a self-employed farmer or a fisherman/fisherwoman.
A person who is a self-employed fisherperson on a fishing boat, which has been entered in the Register of Fishing Boats, can be considered eligible to participate on RSS, provided that they meet all other eligibility criteria. Crew members on fishing vessels are not eligible to participate on RSS.
There are no plans to extend eligibility criteria at present, however the Department continually monitors all of its employment support programmes and intends to complete a review of RSS in 2022.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (430)
Niall Collins
Ceist:430. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to retraining and upskilling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47514/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker's Benefit payment with effect from 4/2/2021. She submitted an application for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) dated 1/9/21 to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability. There are a number of qualifying criteria for receipt of BTEA for Third Level Option including that a person be in receipt of a qualifying payment and have been paid for a minimum of 9 months (234) days. Fully unemployed persons are not paid for a Sunday and a weekly payment constitutes 6 days from Monday to Saturday. Unfortunately the person concerned was not in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment for 234 days immediately prior to the start date of her chosen course on 13/9/2021. The person concerned has currently received 204 days Jobseeker's Benefit up to 29/9/2021.
Jobseekers awarded Statutory Redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 - 2012 have access to the BTEA Scheme immediately on being made redundant or within one year of the award of Statutory Redundancy. The Jobseeker must establish an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment immediately prior to the commencement of an approved course of study. A Jobseeker who opts for voluntary/mandatory redundancy cannot be approved for BTEA under this provision. As the person concerned was not awarded Statutory Redundancy, she does not qualify for BTEA under this option.
The person concerned appealed the decision of the deciding officer. Following a review of her circumstances by a reviewing officer the decision remains unchanged.
It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation service in Ballymun to discuss alternative educational opportunities available. The Activation service can be contacted at ActivationBallymun@welfare.ie
It is regretted that the person concerned found the BTEA information and guidelines available from my Department's website and from Ballymun Activation service unclear.
Student Universal Support Ireland is Ireland's national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. Should the person concerned wish to pursue her course of study she can contact www.susi.ie for further information.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (431)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:431. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms on which the €1,000 grant for short courses is being made available; and if there is a restriction on the type of courses, full-time or part- time to which it can be applied. [47531/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Training Support Grant (TSG), available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. Short-term training is regarded as being for a period of less than one year. Support for longer duration training or courses of study provided by Solas, Education Training Boards or other agencies should be applied for under the Back to Education or Part-Time Education Option schemes.
The TSG can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. The grant can be used for training up to level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications or training such as safe pass, driving licenses, HACCP or security industry permits as appropriate.
Under the 2020 July Stimulus, funding available through this grant was doubled from €500 to €1,000 and there is a provision of €11.3m for this support for 2021. This ensures that greater funding is available for individuals to assist with their short term training costs.
If the Deputy has a query in respect of an individual case, he should provide the details of the case to my Department for review.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 432 answered with Question No. 426.