Written Answers Nos. 123-137
123. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the fuel allowance for a pensioner (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53521/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons.
Disablement Benefit is not currently a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance and when a person in a household is in receipt of Disablement Benefit, the household is not entitled to Fuel Allowance. The only exception is where the person on Disablement Benefit is also in receipt of Incapacity Supplement.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is in receipt of State pension (Contributory) and Disablement Benefit.
Therefore, the person concerned does not satisfy the eligibility conditions for fuel allowance. There is no scope for discretion to be applied where a claimant fails to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the scheme.
However, under my Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. This is payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the legislative requirements and all the relevant circumstances of the case. Applications for a Heating Supplement may be made to the person’s local Intreo Office administering Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Also, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet essential, once-off costs which applicants are unable to meet out of their own resources – this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
124. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a respite care grant application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53534/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for the Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) from the person concerned on 26 August, 2021.
In order to qualify for CSG, a person must have provided, or be likely to provide, full-time care and attention to a person (or a combination of both) for a period of 6 months, with this period including the date on which CSG is payable. It is also a condition that a carer cannot receive Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, or sign on for credited contributions during this period.
The person concerned was awarded Jobseekers Benefit Credits for the period from 17 August, 2018 to 15 September, 2021.
Having considered the information available, the application for CSG for the years 2020 and 2021 was disallowed by a deciding officer. A letter issued to the person concerned on 21 October 2021, informing her of the decision and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reintroduce the diet supplement to help with the cost of a special diet prescribed by a general practitioner or hospital consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition. There are currently just over 1,500 people in receipt of diet supplement at a cost of almost €0.9m in 2020.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by my department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all of the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the SWA rate, which was then paid at €186 per week (and is currently paid at €201 per week). I am advised that the diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014 on the basis of this evidence.
Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
In cases of particular hardship, officials continue to have the legislative power to award a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment in cases of exceptional need.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if Ireland plans to use InvestEU funds to support investment in social housing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53612/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides income support and makes payments to people who require help with their rent via the rent supplement scheme and has no role in relation to investment in social housing.
This is an area which falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage.
i hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has adopted the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Conduct on the Right to Disconnect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53819/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting its staff to work in a safe and healthy environment. The Department has traditionally offered its employees a range of flexible working and family-friendly arrangements and throughout the pandemic has been operating temporary blended working arrangements in accordance with Covid-19 public health guidance. A new Wellbeing Unit was established to provide advice and supports for staff in the areas of overall health including work-life balance.
The Code on the Right to Disconnect (April, 2021) complements existing legislation which support employers’ and employees’ rights and obligations under the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 – 2014. These rights and obligations are managed and implemented by the Department's Human Resources and Facilities Management support areas.
The Department is collaborating with the Department of Public Expenditure and Expenditure to design and develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service to support individual government departments in their introduction of long term blended working arrangements. The Right to Disconnect will be reflected in the Department's policy which will be published in early 2022 and will ensure the aims of the Code are reflected including to support 'both employers and employees to maximise the benefit from this changed working environment'.
In accordance with the Code, the blended policy will also provide for employee and employer obligations that work is carried out safely, ensure that employees’ rights are preserved and that employers and employees adhere to a balanced working environment.
128. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the projects that can be funded under the new Disability Promotion and Awareness Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53557/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, launched a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) on 18 October this year.
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to carry out projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000.
This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects and initiatives should promote the rights of people with disabilities by removing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in their local communities, raising awareness of the UNCRPD, and increasing accessibility.
Local authorities can use this fund directly, or in partnership with local organisations, in order to carry out actions that will remove barriers to, and improve the accessibility of community life or community activities, for people with disabilities; provide funding to networks and clubs at local level to expand the involvement and participation of people with disabilities in their activities; promote awareness, understanding, and implementation of the UNCRPD; support disability capacity building within local authorities.
129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if research by a PhD student can be funded under the new Disability Promotion and Awareness Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53558/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, launched a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) on 18 October this year.
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects and initiatives should promote the rights of people with disabilities by removing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in their local communities, raising awareness of the UNCRPD, and increasing accessibility.
Local authorities can use this fund directly, or in partnership with local organisations, in order to carry out actions that will remove barriers to, and improve the accessibility of community life or community activities, for people with disabilities; provide funding to networks and clubs at local level to expand the involvement and participation of people with disabilities in their activities; promote awareness, understanding, and implementation of the UNCRPD; support disability capacity building within local authorities.
A research project could be considered for funding, provided that it clearly met the goals and objectives of the Fund, that it was being pursued in partnership with a local authority, that appropriate governance and payment structures were in place, and that the project was of a sufficiently high standard to be awarded funding, having regard to the overall number and quality of applications received.
130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children taken into care using voluntary care agreements for each of Tusla’s 17 service areas; the duration of these agreements; and the number of children taken into care under these agreements that have been returned to their birthmothers in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [53462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
131. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the legislative position in relation to reunification plans; the number of children taken into care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas that currently have a reunification plan; and the number of children who do not. [53463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Care Act 1991 provides for the care and protection of children and for related matters, including the arrangements which apply when a child comes into the care of the State.
Section 42 of the Act deals with the review of cases of children in care, and provides that the Minister shall make regulations requiring the case of each child in the care of Tusla to be reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the regulations. The section goes on to specify that such regulations may make provision requiring the board to consider whether it would be in the best interests of the child to be given into the custody of his parent.
Under this section, regulations are in place governing foster care, placement of children with relatives, and residential care. These regulations place obligations on Tusla in relation to putting in place and reviewing a care plan for the child, and also require that in reviewing the plan, Tusla must consider whether the circumstances of the parents of the child have changed, and whether it would be in the best interest of the child to be given into the custody of his or her parents.
Tusla inform me that data on reunification reports is not available or gathered by them. However, as outlined above, the consideration of reunification is a requirement in all cases and is required to be evidenced before the courts when care orders are applied for. Reunification is also an aim under the national model of practice in Tusla and is considered in every case. Research by Cavanan and Furey 2019 in NUIG commissioned by Tusla and available on the Tusla Website compares rates of reunification across a number of countries as set out below.
% of Children returned to parents upon discharge from care (Canavan & Furey, 2019)
|
Ireland |
N. Ireland |
England |
Wales |
Scotland |
USA |
|
|
% Children returned home to parents |
55 |
50 |
32 |
37 |
61 |
51 |
This shows that internationally Tusla has a high rate of return home second only to Scotland.
132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason Tusla does not collate data on new-born babies under two weeks old who have been taken into State care; if he will introduce mandatory measures for the collation of this data; and his views on the removal of new-borns from their birthmothers, even when they are being breastfed. [53465/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the collation of data is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy. I would like to mention however, that officials from my Department and Tusla have regular engagements regarding the service performance and activity data that is regularly published by Tusla and, when required, there are processes in place for the Department to request new performance indicators.
Under Section 3 of the Child Care Act 1991 Tusla has a statutory function to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. This applies to all children, regardless of their age.
When a referral about a child welfare or protection concern is made, Tusla social workers must assess the circumstances of the child or children involved. Appropriate action to ensure the safety and protection of that child or children must be taken. These actions can include applying to the District Court for an order under Section 13, 17 or 18 of the Child Care Act if the child or children are considered to be at immediate and serious risk.
Section 17 Orders are Interim Care Orders, and it is possible that an application for such an order would be made in the case of a newborn especially if a pre-birth case conference has taken place and the court judged that the child will be at serious risk if they do not come into care. Breastfeeding is very important for babies, however the risks to the child must be weighed against mitigating factors and a decision made in the best interests of the child.
133. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 7 October 2021, the reason Tusla service areas in south central areas of Dublin and counties Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Galway and Roscommon had above average numbers taken into State care according to data released by Tusla; and the reason the Galway, Roscommon service area increased the number of children going into State care from 2016 to 2020. [53466/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
134. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige an bhfuil i gceist aige scéim cistíochta faoi léith ar chur ar fáil mar thacaíocht d’ionaid cúram leanaí ar na hoileáin, ag cur san áireamh na gcostas breise a bhaineann leis na seirbhísí seo a chur ar fáil ar oileáin agus na n-uimhreacha beaga a bhíonn i gceist i ngach cás; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [53582/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDéanann mo Roinn maoirseacht ar phróiseas Bainistíocht Cáis trína n-oibríonn CCCanna áitiúla agus Pobal le chéile chun measúnú a dhéanamh agus tacaíocht a sholáthar do sheirbhísí fhoghlaim agus chúram na luathóige a bhfuil deacrachtaí acu. Is féidir cabhair chun léirthuiscint a fháil ar anailís ar chóimheasa foirne, táillí a shocrú agus sreabhadh airgid, anuas ar chomhairle agus tacaíocht níos sainiúla a bhaineann le cúinsí aonair a bheith i gceist leis seo.
Is féidir teacht ar thacaíochtaí airgeadais tríd an bpróiseas Bainistíocht Cáis chomh maith, atá ar fáil do sheirbhísí pobail a thagann i láthair agus saincheisteanna inbhuanaitheachta acu agus i ndiaidh go ndearna Pobal measúnú airgeadais orthu. San áireamh leo seo, tá snáithe cistithe dírithe ar sheirbhísí pobail i gceantair thuaithe agus iargúlta cosúil leis na hoileáin, áit go bhféadfaidh an t-éileamh ar chúram leanaí athrú ó bhliain go bliain de bharr méid an daonra áitiúil.
Déanann Pobal an próiseas bainistíocht cáis ar an iomlán a chomhordú agus déanann an CCC cúnamh tosaigh agus leanúnach maidir le bainistíocht cáis a riar. Sa chás gur cuí, leanfaidh an CCC ar aghaidh le fógra foirmiúil a thabhairt do Pobal. Cuirfidh Pobal tacaíocht níos comhdhlúite ar fáil, agus déanfaidh siad riachtanas na seirbhíse i dtaobh idirghabháil airgeadais a fhíordheimhniú ag an am céanna. Ba cheart do gach seirbhís a dteastaíonn tacaíocht uathu teagmháil a dhéanamh lena CCC sa chéad ásc.
135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans in consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to carry out an audit to ascertain the likely requirement for graduates with an ability to do their daily work through Irish in the future in order that the State will be able to comply with its legal obligations and in view of the imminent enactment of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 and its implication for the demand for well- educated graduates with an ability to do their daily work through the medium of Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53420/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans carrying out an audit of the present Irish language provision at third-level education, in both output and financial terms in view of the imminent enactment of the Official Language (Amendment) Bill 2019 and the demands this will create for third-level education in Irish and through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53421/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide additional ring-fenced funding and a suitable delivery model for the Irish language sector in view of the likely increase in demand for third-level education in Irish and through Irish following the enactment of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53422/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 to 137, inclusive, together.
The Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act and provision of Irish-language services, and the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 is of high importance to Ireland and the life of the language in this country. It will ensure that Irish speakers can interact with the Government and access public services through a high standard of Irish. Further information on this bill can be found in the following link www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a8eef-official-languages-bill-amendment-2019-before-the-dail/.
There is already a broad range of courses available in Irish in higher education institutions that will meet future demand.
The objective of the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative, funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is to ensure the availability of qualified persons with Irish language skills to meet recruitment needs in Ireland and the EU. Under this scheme the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht provides funding for a range of specialised third level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation and law. Further information on this Initiative can be found in the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c05c-third-level-education/.
Under the Advanced Irish Language Strategic Initiative there are 8 courses available in 5 different institutions. There were 73 students enrolled in these courses in 2019/2020 and 84 students enrolled in 2020/2021.
As of 2020/21, there were 67 courses in Higher Education delivering Irish language tuition or delivered through the medium of Irish, a total of 1,674 students (6,283 since 2016/17). This includes courses in Teacher Training colleges, but excludes courses in Irish Studies, Irish history, folklore, music/dance and the likes. A further 1,021 students are recorded as taking Irish language as a subject as part of a further 37 courses (5,618 students since 2016/17).
The Department distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for disbursement directly to the HEA's designated higher education institutions. The HEA distributes this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, payment of this funding, including any expenditure on Irish-language education initiatives, falls to the individual institution.
In addition, specific support is provided for the development of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in NUIG. The Department has agreed to provide an allocation of €900,000 for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years.
The Acadamh is a research and educational institution which is intended to promote and develop Irish-medium education. It is headquartered in NUIG’s main Galway City campus, but also has campuses in the Ceathrú Rua and Carna in Connemara, and in the Doirí Beaga in Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal.
Ultimately, however, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) are autonomous, and determine themselves which Irish-language courses will be offered. While my Department will continue to be committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act, it is not within my remit to direct a HEI as to the courses they offer.
