Written Answers Nos. 417-438
417. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools in County Kerry that lost mainstream teachers for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62914/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September.
For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools have been provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale was introduced for September 2021. These measures helped to ensure that fewer pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.
In the 2021/22 school year, fewer than 5 primary schools in Co. Kerry had their mainstream staffing reduced by 1 teaching post as a result of falling enrolments.
418. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she has a contingency plan for the return of schools in January 2022 in the event of continued high Covid-19 rates amongst those under 18 years of age; if so, the details of such plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. 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.
As a contingency measure, the Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to facilitate the continuity of learning should a school be required to close due to public health advice. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool. This documentation has been complemented by Circular 0074/2020 (Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform) which requires all schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that they are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice.
419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the number of air filtration units being provided to schools for January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the estimated percentage of the overall number of classrooms nationwide her Department will provide with air filtration units in January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62917/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the estimated percentage of the overall number of classrooms in County Kerry her Department will provide with air filtration units by January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62918/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 421, inclusive, together.
To provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools, was recently announced.
Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.
Managing ventilation is one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe.
The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels including in relation to the role of air cleaners in helping to deal with poorly ventilated areas. The practical steps and stepwise approach set out in the guidance are sufficient to ensure good ventilation practices in school while at the same time ensuring an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort. www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
HEPA air cleaning devices are not a substitute for good ventilation but can be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available pending the completion of structural interventions to address a poorly ventilated area. This is line with the Expert Group recommendations.
It is important to note that Air cleaners do not remove Carbon dioxide (CO2). The best way to reduce CO2 levels in a room is to dilute it with fresh air.
There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. If a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought.
The Minor Works Grant announced can be used to address any small-scale ventilation improvement. In the event the school's engineer/ architect recommends a HEPA air cleaner to address a poorly ventilated area, relevant technical guidance can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c6578-room-air-cleaner-guidance-for-schools/
Should a school require larger scale ventilation work you may also apply for emergency works grant assistance in the normal way.
422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62919/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question for major capital works comprising of a new school building.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings.
Currently my Department has a significant existing pipeline of projects to be delivered over the coming years to meet capacity needs managed under the Large-Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The LSCP application from the school in question will be considered in due course.
Should the school authority consider that it does not have sufficient capacity, in terms of mainstream teaching accommodation, it is open to them to apply for accommodation under the ASA scheme, details of which are available on my Department's website www.education.ie. The purpose of the 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.
423. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62920/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that a building project for the school to which he refers, is being devolved for delivery to the Joint Managerial Body (JMB).
The brief for this project includes the extension, refurbishment and re-purposing of existing accommodation to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment (LTPE) figure of 750 pupils and also includes a 3-Class SEN Base.
The execution of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between my Department and the JMB is currently being arranged and will be the next and final step in finalising this brief. Once the SLA is in place, the JMB will procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
As the project has not yet commenced architectural planning, it is too early in the process to provide a timeline for completion of the works.
424. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn the forthcoming closure of a service (details supplied) and that no service provider has been to date identified to take over that work leaving many of these persons in jobs without the support base they and their employers previously relied on or the others that were due to be placed in employment which is now suspended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62440/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason clients of a service (details supplied) have not been informed of a new or alternative disability service which will take over their supports when the service closes its doors on 31 December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62437/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra435. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that have been taken to ensure that an appropriate service provider will take over the large client base of a disability service provider (details supplied) that mentored persons with a disability who were starting or returning to the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62438/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 424, 434 and 435 together.
My Department contracts with 24 contractors for the provision of an Employability service across the State. The decision of the Board of Employability West to cease operations and not to accept the Department’s offer of a contact for the provision of services in 2022 was disappointing but entirely a decision of the Board.
Officials in my Department have actively sought a transfer of Employability West caseload to other neighbouring contractors. However, regrettably the neighbouring contractors have declined the offer of expanding their services into the area of operations of the Employability West and taking on the existing caseload.
My Department has a range of provisions for Jobseekers in place in the Dublin West area delivered through my Department’s Intreo service, which will continue to be in position to provide dedicated assistance in seeking and gaining sustained employment for all jobseekers.
In addition, my Department provides specific support for graduate jobseekers with disabilities through AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability), a contracted service provider. They deliver the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) and ‘Get Ahead’ Programmes on behalf of the Department that provides paid work experience and other supports for graduates with disabilities who want to enter or re-enter the job market.
Schemes and supports that are available through local Intreo Centres that jobseekers/employees with disabilities or their employers may be eligible to participate in or avail of include the Rural Social Scheme, the Community Employment Scheme and the Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities and the Reasonable Accommodation Fund Grants.
My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that it continues to meet its objectives. A comprehensive set of income and employment supports 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.
Officials in my Department will shortly be writing to persons currently in receipt of services from Employability West to offer support and a review of the services available to them through their local Intreo Centre.
425. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS primary school students in receipt of hot school meals under the school meals programme. [62661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS secondary school students in receipt of hot school meals under the school meals programme. [62662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS primary school students in receipt of cold school meals under the school meals programme. [62663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS secondary school students in receipt of cold school meals under the school meals programme. [62664/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS primary school students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme. [62665/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of DEIS secondary school students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme. [62666/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 425 to 430, inclusive, together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €65.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2021.
The programme provides funding towards food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes: The urban school meals scheme and the school meals (local projects) scheme. The Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated and administered by local authorities and is part-financed by my department. The school meals (local projects) scheme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations.
Funding under the school meals (local projects) scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, hot meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided e.g. €1.40 per child per day where a cold lunch club is being provided, €1.90 per child per day where a dinner club is being provided and €2.90 per child per day where a Hot Meal club is being provided. Dinner clubs provide a hot meal, but are different from the Hot Meals clubs, in that they tend to be provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities whereas food for Hot Meals clubs is cooked offsite and either delivered hot or reheated in the school.
Participation in the scheme is entirely voluntary with the onus being on the individual eligible schools to make an application and to administer the programme in accordance to the guidelines.
In recent years entry to the School Meals Scheme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified as having levels of concentrated disadvantage that would benefit from access to the School Meals Programme.
Prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005, all schools and organisations that were part of one of a number of Department of Education and Skills’ initiatives for disadvantaged schools were eligible to participate in the programme, which included Breaking the Cycle, Giving Children an Even Break, the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, Home School Community Liaison and the School Completion Programme. These schools and organisations have continued to remain in the scheme since the introduction of DEIS in 2005 but their level of funding has been capped at the same rate year on year to allow for the concentration of the scheme on DEIS schools.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
Budget 2021 provided an additional €5.5m to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Invitations for expressions of interest were issued to 705 primary schools (612 DEIS and 93 non-DEIS) in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied by local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one School for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
Budget 2022 is providing for the hot school meals to be extended from January 2022 to the 81 DEIS schools that submitted an expression of interest but were not selected in the extension to 35,000.
The DEIS programme serves over 105,000 pupils at primary level and over 75,000 at post primary level.
The number of DEIS primary students in receipt of hot school meals is contained in table 1 of the attached tabular statement. This includes children from the additional 35,000 announced in Budget 2021, where the school was in a position to commence provision of hot school meals prior to the end of the 2020/2021 academic year. There are no secondary school students in receipt of hot school meals as it is aimed at primary schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
The number of DEIS primary and secondary students in receipt of cold school meals (cold lunch) is contained in table 2 of the attached tabular statement.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Number of DEIS primary and secondary students in receipt of hot school meals for academic year 2020/2021
|
Primary Students |
17,236 |
|
Secondary Students |
0 |
Table 2 – Number of DEIS primary and secondary students in receipt of cold school meals (lunch) for academic year 2020/2021
|
Primary Students |
87,827 |
|
Secondary Students |
30,344 |
431. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools participating in the school meals programme that do not have a canteen. [62688/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra441. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary school students in receipt of hot school meals under the school meals programme. [62638/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra442. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of secondary school students in receipt of hot school meals under the school meals programme. [62639/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra443. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of students attending special schools in receipt of hot school meals under the school meals programme. [62640/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary school students in receipt of cold school meals under the school meals programme. [62641/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of secondary school students in receipt of cold school meals under the school meals programme. [62642/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra446. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of students attending special schools in receipt of cold school meals under the school meals programme. [62643/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra447. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of primary school students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme. [62644/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra448. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of secondary school students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme. [62645/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra449. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of students attending special schools not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme. [62646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 441 to 449, inclusive, together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €65.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2021.
The programme provides funding towards food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes: The urban school meals scheme and the school meals (local projects) scheme. The Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated and administered by local authorities and is part-financed by my department. The school meals (local projects) scheme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations.
Funding under the school meals (local projects) scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, hot meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided e.g. €1.40 per child per day where a cold lunch club is being provided, €1.90 per child per day where a dinner club is being provided and €2.90 per child per day where a Hot Meal club is being provided. Dinner clubs provide a hot meal, but are different from the Hot Meals clubs, in that they tend to be provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities whereas food for Hot Meals clubs is cooked offsite and either delivered hot or reheated in the school.
Participation in the scheme is entirely voluntary with the onus being on the individual eligible schools to make an application and to administer the programme in accordance to the guidelines. No information is collated in relation to the onsite canteen facilities in each school.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
Budget 2021 provided an additional €5.5m to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Invitations for expressions of interest were issued to 705 primary schools (612 DEIS and 93 non-DEIS) in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied by local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one School for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
Budget 2022 is providing for the hot school meals to be extended from January 2022 to the 81 DEIS schools that submitted an expression of interest but were not selected in the extension to 35,000.
The number of primary and special needs students in receipt of hot school meals is contained in table 1 of the attached tabular statement. This includes children from the additional 35,000 announced in Budget 2021, where the school was in a position to commence the provision of hot school meals prior to the end of the 2020/2021 academic year. There are no secondary school students in receipt of hot school meals as it is aimed at primary schools with no onsite cooking facilities.
The number of primary, secondary and special needs students in receipt of cold school meals (cold lunch) is contained in table 2 of the attached tabular statement.
The number of primary, secondary and special needs students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme is contained in table 3 of the attached tabular statement.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Number of primary and special needs students in receipt of the hot school meals for academic year 2020/2021
|
Primary Students |
22,537 |
|
Special Needs Students |
369 |
Table 2 – Number of primary, secondary and special needs students in receipt of cold school lunch for academic year 2020/2021
|
Primary Students |
106,255 |
|
Secondary Students |
37,793 |
|
Special Needs Students |
2,384 |
Table 3 – Number of primary, secondary and special needs students not in receipt of school meals under the school meals programme for academic year 2020/2021
|
Primary Students |
447,914 |
|
Secondary Students |
328,216 |
|
Special Needs Students |
4,246 |
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date position regarding the provision of pensions or other beneficial payments for current and former community employment supervisors; if her attention has been drawn to the upset caused by the recent offer made by her Department; if the amount offered will be revised upwards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62922/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, SIPTU and Fórsa, 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 CE 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.
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 Fórsa recently setting out the terms of a full and final settlement which will involve a once off ex-gratia payment to CE supervisors and assistant supervisors on reaching pension age. The total value of the financial package now on the table is in excess of €24 million.
The scheme will apply to CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who have retired since 2008, subject to qualifying criteria, and has the potential to benefit up to 2,200 existing and former CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
As this proposal is currently under consideration by the representative unions, CE supervisors and assistant supervisors should raise concerns or issues that may arise, with their union. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
433. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing the not discharged and overdue payments in the case of a person (details supplied); and if these payments will be processed and awarded without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62426/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned received a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) during the periods 27/03/2020 to 23/04/2020 and 15/10/2020 to 02/09/2021. When confirming his eligibility for a PUP in July 2021 the person concerned stated that he would be returning to full-time education in September 2021. As a full-time student, the person concerned was not eligible for a PUP and so his payment ceased on 02/09/2021.
The person concerned subsequently reapplied for a PUP on 07/12/2021 & 09/12/2021 stating he was engaged in self-employment and had not worked since 26/11/2021. The person concerned will need to provide further information to support the downturn in his self-employment.
Students who lose their employment on or after 07/12/2021 as a result of the introduction of COVID-19 related public health restrictions are eligible for PUP provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.
The person concerned is currently on bail. Part of the person’s bail conditions is that he is only permitted to communicate with my Department by post, addressed only to a certain official in the Bishop’s Square Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
436. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if all relevant arrangements have been made in the case of the employees of a service (details supplied) who are being made redundant on 31 December 2021 to ensure that the former employees will not be left waiting for their money. [62439/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended, provides for the making of payments by employers to employees in respect of redundancy. It is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy payments to all eligible employees.
In the event that an employer is unable to pay due to financial difficulties, an application for payment from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) may be submitted to this Department.
Applications for the redundancy payments scheme are made through the Department's online application platform www.welfarepartners.ie. In order to satisfy the Department that an employer is unable to make this payment, a statement of affairs showing the company’s assets and liabilities is required at the time of application.
Once applications are submitted with all the required information, the application is reviewed by a statutorily appointed Deciding Officer within my Department to validate entitlement and approve the payment to the former employee. While it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual applications for statutory redundancy payments from the SIF, I can assure the Deputy, that currently there are no delays in processing fully completed applications. Payments are generally issued to redundant workers, within 6 to 8 weeks of receipt of completed applications.
I trust this clarifies this matters for the Deputy.
437. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a contract which indemnifies her Department against claims for loss or injury by staff or clients of a company (details supplied); if her Department approved the payment of circa €11,400 to a staff member of the company; and if she will supply the budget head under which the payment was made. [62462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department contracts with a range of providers for the provision of employment services, including Employability. Each contract is separately negotiated and the terms and conditions of the contract are confidential. The particulars of contract values and specific payments are also confidential and commercially sensitive. It would be inappropriate therefore to provide the detail sought by the Deputy regarding a specific provision in a contract or individual payments.
438. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the sum of €90,843 in PRSI contributions was paid by her Department to a company (details supplied); if her Department made additional payments to the company under the PRSI heading which were in fact not PRSI payments; and if she will itemise these payments and provide details in tabular form. [62463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department contracts with a range of providers for the provision of employment services, including Employability. Each contract is separately negotiated and the terms and conditions of the contract are confidential. The particulars of contract values and specific payments are also confidential and commercially sensitive. It would be inappropriate therefore to provide the detail sought by the Deputy regarding a specific provision in a contract or individual payments.
