Written Answers Nos. 444-464
444. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of the increase in funding for the DEIS programme following budget 2022; when it is likely the additional allocation of €18 million will enable an expansion of the programme to further schools; the eligibility criteria or application processes that are being put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54557/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 of the programme to further schools.
This package follows an extensive body of work which has been under taken by the DEIS technical group in relation to the development of a model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. The refined model is an objective, statistics based process, based on school enrolment data and data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index. It is important to note that there is no application process for inclusion in the DEIS programme and all schools will be considered for inclusion.
This work involved an initial process of consultation by my Department with the education partners on the technical aspects of the model. Over the coming weeks, there will be further consultation with relevant stakeholders to outline the components of the model. The purpose is to ensure that, as far as possible, the refined DEIS identification model can provide an objective and independent means of identifying schools serving high concentrations of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage and also to ensure there is a full understanding of the refined model and its potential application.
445. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to proposals (details supplied) regarding an option and-or alternate leaving certificate 2022 examination in the event the examinations cannot take place in their usual format; and if she has provisions in place for persons with specific conditions that may not be in a position to sit in person exams. [54558/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
446. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if a predicted grades system will be used in place of sitting the exams in the case of a medical emergency, family bereavement or an event in which a student is not in a position to sit the exams on the day meaning that the student does not have to repeat the whole year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54580/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
447. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the number of defibrillators which are currently physically on site in primary and post-primary schools nationwide; if figures are not available, if she will commission a report urgently to identify schools which do not have defibrillators on site in order to address any shortfall; if there is a requirement on all registered teachers to have undertaken basic first aid and defibrillator training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54625/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.
The decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school.
The wider question of the need for defibrillators to be made available is primarily a public health matter and would therefore be a matter for the Department of Health.
The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
448. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to facilitate an additional class of first year students at a school (details supplied) for the academic year beginning in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54667/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a major building project to construct permanent accommodation for the school in question is included in the Department’s school building programme. When constructed, the new school will provide accommodation for 1,000 pupils and will also include a special education needs base. The building project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural planning process (tender action).
My Department has engaged with the Patron of the school in relation to the first year pupil intake for the 2022/2023 academic year and the school has confirmed that the first year intake for 2022/2023 will be 96 pupils.
My Department is satisfied that this intake, together with the capacity in the existing post primary schools in the school planning area (SPA), will be sufficient to cater for first year pupil demand in the SPA.
449. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the policy of her Department in relation to classroom size in primary schools; the minimum size of class that is allowed under the rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54672/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
At primary level, the annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. The current allocation is on an average ratio of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. Budget 2022 has implemented a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
This Budget measure has brought the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the lowest ever seen at primary level. This is the second successive Budget which has seen an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil teacher ratio which is 1:15. In the same period the staffing schedule improved from 28:1 to 25:1 for this 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 for this school year, and statistics on this will be published later in the year.
450. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the policy of her Department in relation to having en-suite toilets in classrooms in primary schools; if there is a policy to ensure all primary school classrooms will have such a facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54673/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has in place detailed design guidelines for Primary & Post Primary School Accommodation. These guidelines, are available on my Department's web-site at www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e515-technical-guidance-documents. The guidelines provide for the inclusion of both WCs and storage facilities in all new classrooms in primary schools in so far as possible and bearing in mind the overriding importance of ensuring all pupils are provided with a school place.
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This modernisation programme will include ancillary accommodation.
Schools can also avail of funding in respect of their accommodation under the Annual Minor Works Grant or the Summer Works Scheme.
The annual Minor Works Grant at primary level enables schools to prioritise and address issues in their schools and this grant is paid annually in either December or January. Category 6 of the most recent multiannual Summer Works Scheme related to toilet refurbishment and all non-fee-paying schools had an opportunity to apply for this funding.
451. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the minimum standard of accommodation laid down for special education teacher and multi-purpose rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54674/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has in place detailed design guidelines for Primary & Post Primary School Specialist Accommodation for Pupils with Special Educational Needs. These guidelines, are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e515-technical-guidance-documents.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure an existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works.
452. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the safeguarding measures that are currently implemented in schools in relation to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective.
Each school was provided with an updated COVID-19 Response Plan in advance of the return to school. Significant additional resources of €639m were put into schools in the last academic year to keep schools safe.
Further funding of €57.6 million has been paid by way of Covid-19 capitation to school this school year for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures this term. This funding will cater for school costs related to hand hygiene measures, PPE requirements, enhanced cleaning supports and supervision.
At primary level, additional management resources for principal release days were provided for Principals and Deputy Principals. Principals have one day per week away from teaching duties to concentrate on leading teaching and learning and administration duties. Teacher Supply panels were also expanded to cover the majority of primary schools nationwide.
At post primary level over 1000 teaching posts were provided to support social distancing within classrooms, to provide for enhanced supervision arrangements in order to manage and prevent congregation of large groups of students and ensure the careful movement in a socially distant manner to classes for specialist subjects where it is neither practical nor possible to remain in the classroom. This funding also included additional posts for guidance provision.
All of these measures are remaining in place for this school year. My Department has also provided updated guidance about good ventilation practices and arrangements have been put in place to provide CO2 monitors to assist schools with managing ventilation.
The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools. The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
453. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who will be excluded by the clause which prevents former community employment supervisors from getting the proposed once-off gratuity payment if they had already received a statutory redundancy pay out; the number who will receive the proposed once-off gratuity payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54687/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra454. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider withdrawing the clause which prevents former community employment supervisors from getting the proposed once-off gratuity payment if they had already received a statutory redundancy payout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54689/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarity on payments to community employment supervisors whose schemes have now closed and if they will be included in the negotiations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54152/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 453, 454 and 464 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors.
This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the supervisors.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
At the start of April this year, agreement was reached between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals included a financial package.
Since that time, discussions on these proposals took place between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors, in consultation with other relevant Government Departments; the Department of Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance.
Department officials wrote to both SIPTU and Forsa recently setting out the terms of a full and final settlement. The total value of the financial element package now on the table is in excess of €24 million.
The final settlement has the potential to benefit up to 2,200 existing and former CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors subject to certain qualifying criteria.
As the proposal is currently under consideration by the representative unions, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the discussions at this time.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
455. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance will be offered to a person (details supplied) to issue a new PPS number in order that compliance with the LPT can be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53964/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has allocated a new Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the person referred to by the Deputy.
A letter issued on 3rd November, providing her with her new PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
456. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to address the difficulty persons in County Wicklow are experiencing in accessing walk-in appointments for birth registrations and birth certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53968/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has responsibility for the delivery of civil registration services under the Civil Registration Act 2004. I am aware of and concerned about the waiting times to register births and other life events and the impact this has on families seeking to access social welfare payments.
Resourcing and performance of the civil registration services, as with other matters relating to the HSE, are matters for the Minister for Health and the Board of the HSE.
Once a child's birth has been registered, the Department of Social Protection will allocate a PPSN within 48 hours and notify the parents. Applications to or adjustment to child benefit payments are automatically triggered following allocation of the PPSN. Arrears are paid quickly in all cases where they arise.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
457. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department proposes to recover the alleged amount of overpayment of State pension (non-contributory) from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the options available to them in repaying the overpayment. [54005/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn overpayment of non-contributory pension was assessed in this case as the claimant did not declare means from a British Retirement Pension.
The Department’s policy is to ensure that every effort is made to prevent overpayments but, if they occur, they are regarded as a debt to the Exchequer and every effort must be made to recover the amounts due. Legislation provides for the deduction of 15% of the personal rate of a person’s social welfare payment, without their consent, for the recoupment of outstanding debts. However, consideration is given to customers who contact us in relation to recovery of overpayments, always with a view to coming to a mutually agreeable arrangement, both prior to any deductions being made from customers’ payments and at any stage thereafter if people make contact to say that they are experiencing difficulties in making repayments. The Department does not apply interest or penalties on amounts owing.
In this case, following a means assessment, the person concerned is in receipt of a reduced State Pension Non-Contributory from this Department. Debts may be paid by a once off payment, by payment of lump sums followed by deductions from a person’s social welfare payments, by direct debit or standing order. A letter has issued to the person concerned asking that they contact the Debt Recovery Unit with a proposal for repayment.
458. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the State pension (contributory) who were born before 1 September 1946; the estimated annual cost of extending the total contributions system which was applied to pensioners after this date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54007/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeople who apply for the State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) after 1 September 2012 and who do not qualify for the maximum rate of pension under the Yearly Average approach can be assessed under the interim Total Contributions Approach, and can use the new Home Caring Periods Scheme to help them qualify for a higher rate of pension.
People whose pensions were decided under the 2000-2012 rate bands (i.e. those born before 1 September 1946) were subject to a significantly more generous payment regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a possible maximum of 52) could attract a 98% pension. If pre-2012 pensioners were also allowed to avail of the interim Total Contributions Approach, including HomeCaring Credits, their arrangements, as a group, would continue to be significantly more generous than those of post-2012 pensioners. There would also be a very significant cost to the Social Insurance Fund. This in turn could significantly impact funds available for future pensioners with consequential potential implications for pensioner poverty.
As at 31 October 2021, there were over 193,000 pensioners in receipt of the State Pension (Contributory) who were awarded it prior to 1 September 2012. Their rates of payment were calculated using the Yearly Average approach only. Of those, over 110,000 receive less than maximum rate. Any retrospective application of the interim Total Contributions Approach would have to be extended to this whole cohort, so my Department would have to review the pension rate for each pensioner, as well as for Qualified Adult Allowance and other pension claims where there is an underlying entitlement to SPC.
Retrospectively reviewing the SPC entitlements of those who retired on or after 1st September 2012 and whose original SPC rate was below the maximum resulted in an average pension rate increase of €7.90 per week. If the average uplift for SPC recipients who retired before 1st September 2012 was similar, this would result in additional annual expenditure of c.€46.5 million.
My Department’s Actuary estimates that the full cost of implementing such a policy change, including backdating of increases to the date of retirement and increased payments in the future, would be over €1 billion. Even if the backdating of increases was restricted to the years after 2012, the cost would still be over €700 million.
For those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State pension (contributory), they may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum personal rate for which is €237 (over 95% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension). This rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance. Alternatively, if their spouse is a State pensioner and they have significant household means, their most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on their personal means, and amounting up to 90% of a full contributory pension.
The Deputy may also wish to note the following:
- Recipient figures were taken as at 31st December 2020 (other than the total figure provided of 193,863).
- A record is taken to mean the aggregate of paid contributions, credited contributions and Home Caring periods.
- Those not achieving the maximum rate of SPC include pensioners with “Mixed” insurance records and EU/Bilateral pensions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
459. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the community schemes or job initiatives available to persons with a disability or mental health issue such as schizophrenia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54024/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn addition to income supports, the Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of employment supports and services to assist jobseekers/existing employees with disabilities, and also employers seeking to hire a jobseeker (or support an existing employee) with a disability. The Department’s employment supports and services have been designed to focus on supporting the individual jobseeker, rather than being focused on their disability, to best assist them to obtain and maintain employment. The supports and services available include the following:
Employment Services
The Department manages the State’s Public Employment Service (PES) through its nationwide network of Intreo centres and contractors delivering services on its behalf, for example, Local Employment (LES) and Employability.
The Department's Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Jobseekers, including jobseekers with disabilities, who seek support from their local Intreo Centre, work with a case officer with a view to agreeing a suitable personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available. Intreo also delivers a recruitment and job matching service for employers.
Jobseekers work with a LES Mediator to develop a personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available. Providers also deliver a recruitment and job matching service for employers.
To address the additional challenges some jobseekers with disabilities may experience in securing and maintaining employment, the Department contracts with 24 companies for the delivery of EmployAbility services in 31 locations.
Access to these service providers is through referral: a jobseeker, with a disability, who is working with their Intreo Case Officer or LES Mediator may be referred to an EmployAbility service provider if it is agreed between the two that the jobseeker would benefit from the type of services and support provided. Providers deliver a supported employment model of services for jobseekers with disabilities. Jobseekers work with a job coach who provides both pre-employment and in-employment support and assistance. Providers also deliver a recruitment and job matching service for employers.
The Department also provides specific support for graduate jobseekers with disabilities through AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability), a contracted service provider. This provider delivers the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) and ‘Get Ahead’ Programmes on behalf of the Department. These programmes provide paid work experience and other supports for graduates with disabilities seeking to enter or re-enter employment.
The Rural Social Scheme
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support scheme providing part-time employment opportunities for farmers and fishermen or women who are in receipt of certain means-tested social welfare payments, and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.
To be eligible to participate in RSS, a person must be aged 25 or over, must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment (e.g. Disability Allowance), must satisfy the means test for receipt of Farm/Fish Assist, and meet the criteria of being a self-employed farmer or a fisherman/fisherwoman.
The scheme offers participants the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their communities, and participants are contracted to work 19 and a half hours, and are paid the equivalent of their existing social welfare payment, plus an increase of €22.50 per week, subject to a minimum payment of €225.50 per week.
The RSS is delivered by a network of 36 local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta, collectively known as implementing bodies (IBs). Applications should be submitted directly to the local IB who delivers the scheme.
Community Employment (CE)
CE is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment.
Persons aged 18 or over who are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit may qualify for CE if they fulfil the associated eligibility criteria.
In general, all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. However, CE participants, working towards a major educational award, can seek to extend participation by up to two years.
CE placements are intended to be temporary. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for a broad range of long-term unemployed candidates. Those who are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months or more may be eligible to participate on CE.
Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS)
WSS has been designed for private sector employers and is aimed at encouraging the employment of people with disabilities through the provision of financial incentives for such employers. There are three Strands of the WSS that an employer can avail of:
- Strand I is a general subsidy to compensate an employer if there is a productivity shortfall resulting from the person having a disability. An employee must work for a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 subsidised hours per week. The rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour.
- Strand II subsidy is payable when an employer employs three or more people with a disability who are supported by a WSS Strand I payment, to cover any additional work-based costs relating to these employees. This top-up payment is a percentage payment based on the number of employees (strand I) employed.
- Strand III subsidy enables employers who employ 25 or more employees (Stand I) with a disability to be eligible for a grant of up to €30,000 per year towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer to support these employees.
Reasonable Accommodation Fund Grants
Intreo's Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants assist both jobseekers/employees with disabilities and employers seeking to support a new recruit with a disability or an existing employee who has or acquires a disability. The four grants available under these Funds are:
- Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant (WEAG): Available to employees, employers and the self-employed towards the cost of adapting work premises of equipment.
- Job Interview Interpreter Grant (JIIG): Available to jobseekers who are deaf or have a hearing impairment or speech impediment. The grant provides funding towards the cost of having a sign language interpreter or other interpreters to attend interviews with the person or to have an interpreter present to assist the person during their induction when they commence employment with a private sector employer.
- Personal Reader Grant (PRG): Available to persons employed in the private sector who are (or are becoming) blind or visually impaired, and who need assistance with job-related reading.
- Employee Retention Grant(ERG): Available to employers to help retaining employees with disabilities through accommodating their needs or re-training them to take up another role in the company.
(Resulting from a measure introduced in Budget 2022, the JIIG, WEAG and PRG will be available directly to jobseekers through EmployAbility service providers in 2022).
For further information on how the Department's income supports can assist persons with disabilities to enter or return to employment (be that self-employment or insurable employment) and the range of employment supports and services available, jobseekers or a person seeking to return to employment should make contact with their local Intreo office.
460. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection if a retired garda can apply for carer’s benefit; if such a person would qualify for the half-rate carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54041/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit is a PRSI based payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
Before a decision can be made on entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, evidence must be provided in respect of the care recipient’s care requirement, the level of care the carer provides, the carer’s hours of employment and their PRSI record.
Under the provisions of the legislation a person claiming Carer's Benefit must be in remunerative full time employment (for a minimum of 16 hours in the week or 32 hours in the fortnight) for eight weeks out of the previous 26 week period immediately prior to the first day on which a claim is made.
PRSI conditions paid in classes A, B, C, D, E and H are counted towards Carer's Benefit. Contributions paid at class S (self-employed contributions) do not count.
To qualify the carer must have the following:
- 39 reckonable contributions in the relevant tax year (2019 for a claim made in 2021) or
- 39 reckonable contributions paid in the 12-month period before the start of Carer's Benefit or
- 26 reckonable contributions paid in the Relevant Tax Year and 26 contributions paid in the year before that.
Carer’s Benefit is payable for a maximum period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. It can be taken in one block or in separate periods as long as the combined total does not exceed 104 weeks. The current weekly rate is €220.00 (increasing to €225 in January 2022). Where a person is caring for two or more care recipients, the rate of payment is increased by 50%.
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. Half-rate Carer’s Allowance may be paid alongside certain other social welfare payments if the applicant is providing full time care and attention to another person while also meeting all the other conditions for Carer’s Allowance, including the means test. However, half-rate Carer’s Allowance is not payable with Carer’s Benefit.
It is open to anyone to complete and return an application form (CARB1) for Carer’s Benefit and (CR1) for Carer’s Allowance to the Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford, to have a formal decision made on any entitlement they may have.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
461. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the wage subsidy scheme for persons with disabilities will be extended to national schools to allow a participant to work as a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54068/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) is to encourage private sector employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities obtaining and sustaining employment in the open labour market.
The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire new staff with a disability for between 21 and 39 subsidised hours per week under a contract of employment. The contract of employment offered must be for a minimum of 6 months and the employee should be subject to and have the same rights as per the conditions of employment as any of the other employees. Included in these conditions is the requirement that the employee must be paid the going rate for the job which must be at least the statutory minimum wage. The basic rate of subsidy is currently €5.30 per hour (increasing to €6.30 from January 2022) giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per annum based on a 39-hour week. The subsidy is paid directly to the employer.
The WSS is not available to Public Service Employers or any employers or schemes where salaries are funded by the State. I have no plans to extend the scheme to national schools or any other such bodies where significant State funding is already in place.
The Government has committed to increasing the target of people with disabilities employed in the public sector to 6% by 2024, and public sector employers are expected to show leadership in recruitment in this area, without the need for subsidies.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
462. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to increase the savings exemption limit of €5,000 for persons with a disability in receipt of rent allowance in line with the cost of living increase since it was last raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54093/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe system of social assistance supports, and the means tests associated with these schemes, are used to determine a verifiable income need and ensure that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
As part of the means assessment for Rent Supplement, the value of capital is used in the calculation of means. Capital includes savings, investments and property, excluding the family home. Capital is assessed for rent supplement as follows:
Disregard first €5,000 of capital.
Assess next €10,000 @ €1 per €1,000.
Assess next €25,000 @ €2 per €1,000.
Assess remaining capital over €40,000 @ €4 per €1,000.
Rent Supplement, a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs, and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
The capital assessment rules reflect Supplementary Welfare Allowance’s role for support as a ‘last resort’. Rent Supplement’s capital assessment rules ensures that those who need assistance with their rent are met and those with additional resources provide a larger contribution.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. HAP is available in all local authority areas.
The Department also continues to implement a targeted case-by-case flexible payment policy approach – the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework - which allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. Included within this Framework is the additional assistance required by persons with disabilities who require specially modified accommodation.
Any changes to the capital means test would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
463. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the working family payment is not considered a qualifying social welfare payment for the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54142/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to support customers into employment. Government has provided €96.5 million for BTEA in 2021.
A person pursuing a course of study under the BTEA scheme commits to full-time college attendance for the complete academic year.
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment that supports employees with children on low income. Recipients of this scheme are already in employment.
The requirements for WFP and the BTEA are not compatible.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
