Written Answers Nos. 396-413
396. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education her Department’s total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [3496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware access to sexual and health education is extremely important for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in the post-primary junior cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to senior cycle. The current SPHE/RSE curriculum at both primary and post primary facilitates teaching and learning about consent.
At primary level, the Stay Safe Programme has been introduced and is a mandatory part of the SPHE programme. The primary SPHE programme as a whole is also due to be updated by the NCCA as part of the work resulting from the NCCA’s review of RSE provision in schools.
At post primary level, two programmes are in place which come under the heading of Personal Safety. One of these programmes is for junior cycle which addresses personal safety in relationships and explores topics such as healthy and unhealthy relationships, consent and domestic gender-based and sexual violence. The other programme, which is for senior cycle, addresses topics such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, dating violence and rape. Both of these programmes were designed by the Professional Development Support Service and are intended to be taught as part of the wider SPHE/RSE curriculum. Professional development support is available to teachers, directly linked to these resources.
Preparation for redeveloping and updating the SPHE/RSE curriculum has begun. Updated curricula will be developed for Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. It is expected that an updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification will be completed in 2022, following a period of public consultation. Revised specifications at Senior Cycle and Primary will follow immediately.
In redeveloping the SPHE/RSE curriculum, the NCCA will be making explicit the importance of consent education and naming consent within the learning outcomes for RSE, across all levels, based on the principle that consent is a core dimension of all healthy interpersonal relationships.
Also in the context of the development and implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic and Gender Based Violence, my Department will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to assist those affected by Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence to achieve their potential.
397. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will address an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3516/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
An application has been processed for this child and a sanction letter has issued to the school on 19th January 2022.
398. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education when schools will be informed whether they have been included in the expanded DEIS programme; when they will see the programme commence in their schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3556/22]
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 to additional 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 DEIS ID 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 the DEIS programme and all schools will be considered under the refined DEIS model when it is applied.
In advance of the implementation of the refined DEIS identification model, there will be further engagement with relevant stakeholders. 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.
399. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of civilian and Garda Ministerial drivers in her current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil, as published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. The Minister of State in my Department also has two civilian drivers.
The drivers are in receipt of a salary in line with the relevant pay scale. In line with the Ethics Acts, a copy of the contracts of employment of the drivers have been laid before the Oireachtas and can be viewed by the Deputy. Neither the Minister of State nor I have the services of Garda ministerial drivers.
Maintenance and the cost of fuel associated with our use of our cars are met by us as the registered owners and we are entitled to claim travel expenses in accordance with travel and subsistence regulations as set by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.
As we did not have Garda ministerial drivers in 2020 and 2021 no costs associated with such positions were incurred in these years.
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will expedite arrangements to meet with the organisation as requested. [3357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is procuring a new Local Area Employment Service over two distinct phases. There has been extensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders including both SIPTU and Forsa in relation to my Department's legal requirement to competitively procure contracted employment services.
Phase one of the process for procuring new employment services involved seven counties in the Midlands and North West currently without a Local Employment Service, contracts were signed last month and services are in the process of being mobilised.
Phase two of the process has now commenced, with the publication in December of a request for tender for seventeen lots covering 19 counties. Services for this phase will begin in July 2022.
I note the joint correspondence from SIPTU and Forsa to An Taoiseach on this matter, while reiterating that firstly, there was a legal imperative to competitively procure employment services and secondly, to state that I and my officials must constrain our public statements and stakeholder engagements during a live procurement process. I welcome the acknowledgement from the trade unions of the significant improvements made in the RFT for the phase 2 procurement. The WRC is a forum for resolving employment issues that arise between an employer and its staff. However, my Department is not a party to any related industrial disputes with any of its contractors or their respective staff. Furthermore, I understand that the new provider of Local Area Employment Services in the Laois/Offaly area has requested a copy of the collective bargaining agreement for the sector from the trade unions and will consider it in due course once it has been received.
401. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the legislation governing the invalidity pension means test for claiming an increase for a spouse, civil partner or co-habitant to assess income net of USC, PRSI and PAYE, instead of the gross income of the latter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension recipients can claim an increase in their payment in respect of a Qualified Adult, subject to a means assessment. A Qualified Adult is the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the pensioner who is being wholly or mainly maintained by that recipient.
The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves, so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.
It should be noted that the means test applies to the IQA element of the payment only and not to the personal rate, which is dependent on the claimant meeting the medical and social insurance criteria of the scheme.
The nature of means-tested schemes and payments is that above a certain income or means threshold, a claimant loses their entitlement to a payment. However, the tapered nature of the IQA payment for Invalidity Pension aims to avoid a "cliff edge", as reduced rates are payable depending on the level of means a person has.
An increase is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the spouse or partner are €100 a week or less, while reduced rates are payable where the means are over €100 and less than €310 per week. No increase is payable where the means of the spouse or partner are in excess of €310 per week.
In assessing the means of the qualified adult, gross earnings are used, and no deductions are allowed for PAYE, USC or PRSI.
People pay varying amounts of PAYE, USC and PRSI depending on their level of earnings and personal circumstances. Allowing taxation as a deduction in the means test could mean that the social welfare system, in effect, refunds a person's tax liability.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
402. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit applications made to her Department from County Carlow from 1 January 2018 to date by month; the number of applications that were refused over the same period; the number of appeals to those refusals; the number overturned in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHistoric information on the number of applications received on a county basis by month is not available. The following table provides a breakdown by year of applications from Co. Carlow between 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2021, based on the customer’s current address.
Carer’s Allowance
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Applications Received |
320 |
316 |
295 |
312 |
|
Applications Cleared |
403 |
372 |
426 |
374 |
|
Applications Refused |
148 |
145 |
161 |
150 |
Carer’s Benefit
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Applications Received |
37 |
48 |
50 |
22 |
|
Applications Cleared |
37 |
48 |
50 |
40 |
|
Applications Refused |
8 |
14 |
22 |
15 |
In many cases, more than one decision may be made where a Customer provides further information and/or seeks a review of a decision. It is important that anyone applying for carers should provide as much information as possible when initially submitting their claim.
A breakdown of appeals on a county basis is not available from the Appeal’s Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
403. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of appeals that are won on payments such as pension payments, carer’s allowance and disability and invalidity pensions; the average time for these appeals to be decided upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2922/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant consist of appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and, in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights via an oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with Appeals Officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards. Furthermore, a number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months to replace staff leaving on retirement and for other reasons. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times continue to be a priority for her office.
The statistics required by the Deputy in relation to the percentage of appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant in respect of state pension (contributory), state pension (non-contributory), carer's allowance, disability allowance and invalidity pension and the average processing times for these appeals are set out in the attached tables which cover the period January - December 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Outcomes 2021
|
Allowed by AO |
Part Allowed by AO |
Revised decision by DO |
Disallowed by AO |
Withdrawn |
Finalised |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
886 (27.1%) |
95 (2.9%) |
519 (15.9%) |
1,743 (53.4%) |
24 (0.7%) |
3,267 |
|
Disability Allowance |
2,611 (46.8%) |
101 (1.8%) |
643 (11.5%) |
2,178 (39.1%) |
42 (0.8%) |
5,575 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
869 (43.3%) |
5 (0.2%) |
439 (21.9%) |
675 (33.6%) |
19 (0.9%) |
2,007 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
29 (8.4%) |
7 (2.0%) |
58 (16.9%) |
241 (70.1%) |
9 (2.6%) |
344 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
51 (16.0%) |
31 (9.7%) |
56 (17.6%) |
168 (52.8%) |
12 (3.8%) |
318 |
Appeal Processing Times 2021 (Weeks)
|
Oral Hearing |
Summary Decision |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
19.9 |
12.1 |
|
Disability Allowance |
20.2 |
12.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
19.4 |
14.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
27.8 |
16.8 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
50.9 |
22.1 |
404. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the fuel allowance by main social welfare payment in County Carlow; her plans to extend eligibility for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2923/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2022 I was pleased to announce that we are supporting those most vulnerable who are facing higher energy costs by:
- Increasing the fuel allowance rate of payment by €5 per week with effect from Budget week;
- Increasing the means threshold by €20 to enable more households to qualify for fuel allowance; and
- Reducing the period required to qualify for jobseekers and people on supplementary welfare allowance from 15 months to 12 months.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of County Carlow is detailed in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Persons |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
10 |
|
Blind Persons Pension |
11 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
34 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,349 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
384 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
805 |
|
Occupational Injuries Pension |
10 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
557 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
1,313 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
735 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
27 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
646 |
|
Widows Non Contributory Pension |
6 |
405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of social welfare payments by payment type and county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetailed information on scheme recipients, including recipients by county, are published each year by my Department in the Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services, which is available at gov.ie/dsp/statistics. The Annual Statistical Report on Social Welfare Services in respect of 2021 is expected to be published in quarter 2 of this year.
The archive on gov.ie contains reports from 1998 through to the latest available report, which is 2020. Quarterly data by county, covering Q1 2014 through to Q3 2021, is also available, and is published on a quarterly basis through the national open data portal, data.gov.ie.
The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below and refers to recipients in December 2021. The Deputy should note that Jobseeker's Allowance figures are inclusive of Jobseeker's Transitional Payment figures.
|
Scheme |
Carlow |
Cavan |
Clare |
Cork |
Donegal |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
1,245 |
2,182 |
3,119 |
9,642 |
7,131 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
5,319 |
6,293 |
11,180 |
49,820 |
12,786 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension |
1,584 |
1,780 |
2,999 |
13,814 |
3,628 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2,310 |
2,226 |
2,888 |
9,602 |
6,262 |
|
JA - Jobseeker's Transition* |
261 |
222 |
291 |
1,542 |
480 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
654 |
453 |
705 |
3,762 |
1,169 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
205 |
87 |
109 |
919 |
230 |
|
Farm Assist |
37 |
178 |
215 |
346 |
907 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
435 |
413 |
915 |
3,030 |
1,029 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
4 |
0 to 3 |
21 |
36 |
13 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
256 |
328 |
522 |
2,562 |
632 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
4 |
0 to 3 |
12 |
58 |
9 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
339 |
314 |
392 |
1,658 |
1,043 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
24 |
91 |
135 |
172 |
292 |
|
TUS - Community Work Placement |
97 |
103 |
115 |
435 |
334 |
|
Job Initiative |
8 |
13 |
21 |
23 |
19 |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
29 |
55 |
81 |
158 |
156 |
|
Back To Education Allowance |
136 |
85 |
115 |
490 |
243 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme |
0 to 3 |
0 to 3 |
6 |
14 |
9 |
|
Part Time JISE |
19 |
15 |
43 |
142 |
56 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
47 |
46 |
85 |
466 |
106 |
|
Disability Allowance |
2,542 |
2,248 |
3,689 |
18,810 |
6,148 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
1,589 |
1,486 |
2,210 |
10,023 |
4,327 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1,002 |
976 |
1,196 |
7,230 |
2,004 |
|
Injury Benefit |
18 |
24 |
27 |
137 |
32 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,050 |
840 |
1,269 |
7,685 |
1,627 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
246 |
216 |
361 |
2,044 |
417 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
13 |
13 |
20 |
98 |
31 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
29 |
60 |
81 |
440 |
144 |
|
Domicilliary Care Allowance |
727 |
686 |
1,015 |
6,399 |
1,382 |
|
Working Family Payment |
781 |
984 |
929 |
4,574 |
2,378 |
|
Child Benefit Families |
8,711 |
10,214 |
14,342 |
70,258 |
19,835 |
|
Child Benefit Children |
16,479 |
20,453 |
28,008 |
134,408 |
39,566 |
|
Scheme |
Dublin |
Galway |
Kerry |
Kildare |
Kilkenny |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
15,288 |
7,054 |
4,720 |
2,402 |
1,949 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
115,081 |
21,107 |
14,317 |
17,360 |
8,584 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension |
30,499 |
5,825 |
3,955 |
4,796 |
2,253 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
31,803 |
5,998 |
4,835 |
4,359 |
1,863 |
|
JA - Jobseeker's Transition* |
5,597 |
615 |
511 |
725 |
220 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
13,787 |
1,346 |
1,097 |
1,504 |
506 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
3,935 |
226 |
249 |
345 |
271 |
|
Farm Assist |
16 |
457 |
422 |
17 |
53 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
8,303 |
1,494 |
2,073 |
1,347 |
458 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
90 |
12 |
8 |
21 |
6 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6,056 |
1,197 |
600 |
1,140 |
405 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
93 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
6 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
3,903 |
1,187 |
961 |
686 |
414 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
0 to 3 |
379 |
248 |
26 |
19 |
|
TUS - Community Work Placement |
872 |
339 |
95 |
143 |
103 |
|
Job Initiative |
240 |
19 |
0 to 3 |
7 |
0 to 3 |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
391 |
95 |
110 |
43 |
95 |
|
Back To Education Allowance |
1,229 |
325 |
200 |
160 |
103 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme |
51 |
60 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
|
Part Time JISE |
396 |
58 |
55 |
52 |
21 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
707 |
166 |
115 |
150 |
58 |
|
Disability Allowance |
36,859 |
8,501 |
5,778 |
5,773 |
2,944 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
19,279 |
4,734 |
3,286 |
3,368 |
1,703 |
|
Illness Benefit |
14,522 |
3,004 |
1,586 |
2,736 |
1,065 |
|
Injury Benefit |
272 |
58 |
29 |
65 |
32 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
12,942 |
2,270 |
1,699 |
2,567 |
1,050 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
3,037 |
683 |
438 |
576 |
268 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
151 |
50 |
25 |
32 |
12 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
606 |
223 |
134 |
148 |
64 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
11,388 |
2,123 |
1,395 |
2,128 |
816 |
|
Working Family Payment |
11,033 |
2,097 |
1,310 |
1,999 |
740 |
|
Child Benefit Families |
169,116 |
32,324 |
17,541 |
33,531 |
11,491 |
|
Child Benefit Children |
307,712 |
63,337 |
33,480 |
63,037 |
22,439 |
|
Scheme |
Laois |
Leitrim |
Limerick |
Longford |
Louth |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
1,505 |
1,121 |
3,934 |
1,260 |
2,551 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
5,697 |
3,284 |
18,888 |
3,829 |
11,731 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension |
1,745 |
1,022 |
5,243 |
1,081 |
3,166 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2,397 |
1,083 |
5,081 |
1,775 |
5,597 |
|
JA - Jobseeker's Transition* |
277 |
103 |
622 |
152 |
758 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
740 |
150 |
1,940 |
471 |
1,801 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
101 |
51 |
343 |
94 |
404 |
|
Farm Assist |
41 |
201 |
89 |
103 |
48 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
528 |
221 |
1,286 |
243 |
1,086 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
10 |
0 to 3 |
18 |
0 to 3 |
10 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
393 |
159 |
788 |
191 |
616 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
4 |
0 to 3 |
14 |
0 to 3 |
11 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
272 |
189 |
1,088 |
290 |
666 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
21 |
118 |
87 |
57 |
12 |
|
TUS - Community Work Placement |
100 |
78 |
122 |
98 |
166 |
|
Job Initiative |
0 to 3 |
4 |
46 |
0 to 3 |
28 |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
50 |
35 |
36 |
52 |
94 |
|
Back To Education Allowance |
50 |
36 |
288 |
39 |
264 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme |
4 |
0 to 3 |
0 to 3 |
0 to 3 |
5 |
|
Part Time JISE |
12 |
13 |
51 |
6 |
40 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
64 |
25 |
149 |
42 |
96 |
|
Disability Allowance |
2,818 |
1,166 |
8,180 |
1,870 |
4,533 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
1,744 |
771 |
5,007 |
1,196 |
2,848 |
|
Illness Benefit |
972 |
400 |
2,759 |
496 |
2,215 |
|
Injury Benefit |
27 |
5 |
45 |
8 |
39 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
982 |
491 |
3,417 |
623 |
1,797 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
231 |
142 |
1,025 |
173 |
510 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
15 |
5 |
46 |
10 |
23 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
69 |
40 |
157 |
23 |
118 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
1,006 |
265 |
2,448 |
448 |
1,372 |
|
Working Family Payment |
890 |
301 |
2,004 |
670 |
1,859 |
|
Child Benefit Families |
11,347 |
4,085 |
25,383 |
5,790 |
19,540 |
|
Child Benefit Children |
22,239 |
8,225 |
48,528 |
11,525 |
36,917 |
|
Scheme |
Mayo |
Meath |
Monaghan |
Offaly |
Roscommon |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
5,260 |
2,684 |
1,767 |
1,539 |
2,002 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
12,697 |
14,991 |
5,362 |
6,575 |
6,121 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension |
3,668 |
4,166 |
1,561 |
1,982 |
1,747 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
4,174 |
2,801 |
1,574 |
2,367 |
1,365 |
|
JA - Jobseeker's Transition* |
441 |
360 |
188 |
259 |
110 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
838 |
869 |
420 |
677 |
265 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
134 |
441 |
110 |
193 |
161 |
|
Farm Assist |
799 |
36 |
239 |
47 |
169 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
845 |
742 |
395 |
574 |
304 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
6 |
4 |
0 to 3 |
0 to 3 |
0 to 3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
543 |
1,012 |
350 |
331 |
248 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
5 |
20 |
7 |
0 to 3 |
5 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
634 |
408 |
364 |
414 |
264 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
607 |
24 |
64 |
53 |
163 |
|
TUS - Community Work Placement |
303 |
273 |
89 |
102 |
104 |
|
Job Initiative |
7 |
0 to 3 |
15 |
9 |
0 to 3 |
|
Back To Work Enterprise Allowance |
115 |
84 |
34 |
53 |
59 |
|
Back To Education Allowance |
136 |
90 |
63 |
90 |
47 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme |
10 |
0 to 3 |
5 |
7 |
0 to 3 |
|
Part Time JISE |
44 |
26 |
7 |
27 |
17 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
104 |
155 |
37 |
52 |
58 |
|
Disability Allowance |
4,468 |
4,415 |
1,726 |
3,086 |
2,238 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
2,976 |
2,747 |
1,133 |
2,187 |
1,517 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1,605 |
2,472 |
652 |
1,129 |
683 |
|
Injury Benefit |
22 |
41 |
12 |
21 |
15 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,389 |
1,969 |
619 |
1,186 |
843 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
380 |
610 |
168 |
281 |
278 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
30 |
32 |
6 |
21 |
10 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
127 |
132 |
34 |
58 |
80 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
1,008 |
1,908 |
500 |
1,024 |
626 |
|
Working Family Payment |
1,250 |
1,747 |
875 |
820 |
627 |
|
Child Benefit Families |
15,612 |
29,677 |
8,060 |
10,189 |
7,827 |
|
Child Benefit Children |
31,001 |
56,908 |
16,582 |
19,709 |
15,756 |
|
Scheme |
Sligo |
Tipperary |
Waterford |
Westmeath |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
1,739 |
4,147 |
2,598 |
1,715 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
6,696 |
15,781 |
11,552 |
8,029 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension |
1,859 |
4,622 |
3,276 |
2,367 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
1,736 |
4,828 |
4,538 |
2,890 |
|
JA - Jobseeker's Transition* |
191 |
608 |
548 |
336 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
464 |
1,480 |
1,349 |
406. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment in County Carlow who have transitioned to jobseeker’s payments; the number transitioning from the pandemic unemployment payment to various jobseeker’s terms by week since the payment was first introduced and by either jobseeker’s allowance or jobseeker’s benefit, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 October 2021, those who earned less than €200 per week began the process of moving to standard Jobseeker terms. From 09 November 2021, those who earned between €200 and €299.99 per week began this process. Accordingly, the table below details the movements of those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on 26 October 2021 and 09 November 2021 to Jobseeker Payments in subsequent weeks. The weeks in the table below refers to the week in which the Jobseeker claim was registered with the Department. The transition process is being carried out in a phased, gradual manner and where a person makes an application for a Jobseeker's payment, they are not transitioned from PUP until such time as there is a decision on their Jobseekers' application. The Deputy should note that the data refers to persons in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit in county Carlow in the week ending January 16th 2021.
|
Week Ending |
Jobseeker's Allowance |
Jobseeker's Benefit |
|
24/10/2021 |
17 |
15 |
|
31/10/2021 |
10 |
1 |
|
07/11/2021 |
7 |
26 |
|
14/11/2021 |
3 |
5 |
|
21/11/2021 |
2 |
0 |
|
28/11/2021 |
0 |
3 |
|
05/12/2021 |
2 |
2 |
|
12/12/2021 |
1 |
2 |
|
19/12/2021 |
0 |
1 |
|
26/12/2021 |
0 |
2 |
|
02/01/2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
09/01/2022 |
1 |
2 |
|
16/01/2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
55 |
60 |
407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are supports available to a person (details supplied). [2949/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to in the Deputy’s question made an application to my Department for Jobseeker's Benefit on September 13th, 2021, but this application was disallowed by a Deciding Officer as the customer had indicated in the application that they were not available for full-time work, were not looking for full-time work and would not accept any other type of work as they were in full-time education. Written confirmation of this decision was sent to the applicant in a letter dated the 20th September 2021 and this letter also informed the applicant of their right to appeal this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. The decision was appealed on September 27th last.
From the documentation and information supplied it would appear that the person referred to in the Deputy’s question left employment to undertake a course of education.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is responsible for policy and funding of Higher and Further Education in Ireland. If attending a course approved by that Department and if a person meets the relevant criteria, they may qualify for assistance with fees and maintenance while undertaking their studies. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the single awarding authority for all higher and further education grants.
My Department offers support for those in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are seeking to undertake educational courses through the Back to Education Allowance scheme (BTEA). This is an educational opportunities scheme for those wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education. The objective of the scheme is to raise educational and skills levels to enable successful applicants to improve labour market opportunities by providing them with income support while they study.
In order to qualify for BTEA the applicant must meet the qualifying criteria for this scheme. These criteria include that an applicant, if over 21 years and in receipt of a Jobseekers payment from my Department, must have been in receipt of this payment for 9 months (234 days).
To date, no BTEA application has been received by my Department from the person referred to in the Deputy’s question.
408. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that computer equipment being used by a group (details supplied) which is due to close shortly can be repurposed within the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2971/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Deputy's proposal is laudable, but she will be aware that my Department handles huge volumes of personal data and that the protection of this data is paramount. When a contract with a Job Club comes to an end all assets must be returned to the Department and this may include IT equipment such as PC desktops, laptops, etc. which have been used to provide the service. In line with contract requirements and Data Protection Laws, my Department must ensure that all client data is deleted and erased from these devices.
My Department’s Data Protection responsibilities requires the destruction of hard drives from all PCs and laptops that are decommissioned. All software on the Department's PCs and laptops are licensed under contract and cannot be transferred.
The returned IT equipment, which may include obsolete PC desktops and laptops, are of little value once the hard drive and the software operating system, is removed as all that remains is a stripped out shell. It would therefore be cost prohibitive for any organisation to try to return these shells to an operational state.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
409. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when invalidity pension arrears will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to was awarded an invalidity pension (IP) with effect from 04 November 2021 and she received her first IP payment on 16 December 2021. This payment included payment for week 09 December 2021 and the Christmas bonus (1 weeks IP payment) and payment for the 16 December 2021.
The person referred to was in receipt of Disability Allowance (DA) up to the awarding of her IP claim and continued to receive DA payments up to and including 21 December 2021 including the payment of the Christmas bonus on 08 December 2021 on her DA claim. The concurrent payment of IP and DA to the person in question for period from 09 December 2021 to 21 December 2021 has resulted in an overpayment to her which exceeds the amount of arrears due from 04 November 2021, and therefore there are no arrears due to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
410. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of the carer’s allowance. [2980/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra411. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of disability allowance; and the number under 25 years of age in receipt of the allowance for 12 months or more in tabular form. [2981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra412. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of the one-parent family payment; and the number under 25 years of age in receipt of the payment for 12 months or more in tabular form. [2982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 410, 411 and 412 together.
Detailed statistics on recipients of various social welfare schemes by age group, county, sex, and nationality are published by my Department on a quarterly basis through the national data portal, data.gov.ie. Data in respect of Q4 2021 is expected to be published in February 2022. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Under 25 - less than 12 months |
Under 25 - 12 months or more |
|
Carer's Allowance |
329 |
696 |
|
Disability Allowance |
3,800 |
18,659 |
|
One Parent Family |
1,395 |
4,145 |
413. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions taken to date to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government to improve jobseeker supports for persons aged under 24 years of age over the lifetime of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its Social Contract under the Programme for Government, published in October 2020, the Government committed to improve Jobseeker supports for people under 24 over the lifetime of the Government.
There are just over 13,160 jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 years who are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance of whom just under 9,000 are paid an age related rate. Age related rates for young Jobseekers Allowance recipients were introduced on a phased basis from 2009 to tackle high youth unemployment and avoid long term welfare dependency. Where a young jobseeker participates in approved full-time education or training they will receive the maximum rate of payment.
Age related Jobseeker's Allowance rates do not apply those with qualifying child dependents, who were in care of the Tusla immediately before they turned 18 or who are living independently of the family home and are in receipt of qualifying state housing supports. The age related rates do not apply to the Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme which is a short term social insurance income support subject to an individual’s PRSI record.
Prior to Covid-19, the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate for 2019 averaged approximately 12.5 percent. Following the onset of the pandemic, the CSO’s "COVID-19 adjusted" monthly youth unemployment rate, which includes all those in receipt of the PUP, increased dramatically, peaking at almost 70 percent in May 2020. According to the latest data from the CSO, the "COVID-19 adjusted" youth unemployment rate for December 2021 was 11.4 percent while the standard youth unemployment rate for December 2021 was 9 percent.
There has been a slight increase in jobseeker numbers since the announcement of new health restrictions on December 7th, to limit the spread of the omicron variant. As of January 14th under 25s account for 14 percent of PUP recipients and 10 percent of Live Register recipients.
The Government’s national employment strategy, Pathways to Work, launched last July, includes targeted measures aimed at young unemployed people who have been disproportionately impacted by Covid 19. It also contains education, training and other supports for those who lost employment pre pandemic and those young people seeking their first job.
A key initiative of the strategy is the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) which is available on a voluntary basis and provides qualify work experience for people, including young people, who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. Participants on the WPEP receive €311 per week.
The Pathways to Work strategy contains provision for 50,000 additional further education and training places and the allocation of at least 1,000 out of the 3,000 new Community Employment and Tús places for young people. Additional places have also been provided on the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy, with the subsidy being available, on an earlier basis than normal, to employers when they recruit young people.
Using these measures, Pathways to Work 2021-2025 aims to reduce the youth unemployment rate back to or below the 2019 average of 12.5% by 2023.
In addition, under Budget 2022, I increased all core social welfare payments by €5 per week including the age related rate which increased from €112.70 to €117.70. Where recipients engage in approved education or training they will be entitled to the maximum rate which has increased from €203 to €208.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
