Written Answers Nos. 282-301
282. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if the five-day rule for payment of student teachers has been lifted in order to accommodate student teachers in receiving full pay if they are covering absences in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs recently announced, the Teaching Council is now working to put processes and procedures in place to support the registration and vetting of 3rd and 4th year student teachers. In addition, pending the development of those processes and procedures by the Teaching Council, the Department of Education is examining how the '5 day rule' is impacting 3rd and 4th year student teachers.
283. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of primary and secondary secular non-denominational school places in the Balgriffin area of Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, utilising data from a range of sources including child benefit data, departmental pupil databases, CSO statistics and information on recent and planned housing developments to forecast school place requirements at primary and post primary level.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
Following such analysis in 2018, four new schools (two primary and two post primary) were announced to be established to serve the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area, within which Balgriffin is located.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
The new Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education.
Three of the new schools in Donaghmede_Howth_D13 have been established and have had their patronage determined through a patronage process:
1. Stapolin Educate Together NS (primary)
2. Belmayne Educate Together SS (post primary)
3. Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol (primary) (under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta)
All three schools are multi-denominational in ethos.
Additionally, there are projects planned and in train at Grange Community College and Gaelcholáiste Reachrainn, both under the patronage of Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB, which are providing additional multi-denominational post primary school places in the area.
Further to this, the Schools Recon?guration for Diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local families, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools across the country.
This Reconfiguration process involves the transfer of existing schools as opposed to the amalgamation and/or closure model of the patronage divesting process. The Department has been engaging with representatives of the Irish Episcopal Conference (Catholic bishops) as the majority patron of schools nationwide with a view to developing an agreed approach to the next phase of the process. School communities who wish to explore the potential to transfer patronage should contact their school patron in the first instance.
284. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if a standardisation model was used in the leaving certificate 2019; and if so, the detail of the process of standardisation used by the State Examinations Commission prior to subsequent calculated grades and accredited grade models of standardisation. [4207/22]
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.
285. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of early school leavers in each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form; and the latest data available for 2022, by county. [4209/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstimates of Early School Leavers (ESL) are arrived at by subtracting the number of students who sat the Leaving Certificate in 2019 or received a calculated grade in 2020 from the number of pupils who entered first year in the 2014-15 school year. The entry cohort is adjusted for recorded emigration, deceased students and students who repeat based on six years of academic year data.
The ESL for 2021 will be calculated as part of the 2015 Retention Report, using the 2015-16 entry cohort and students who sat the LC or received a calculated grade in 2020 or 2021, and will be published in the third quarter of 2022.
286. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that schools are being forced to choose between HEPA filters and oil for heating under the minor works scheme. [4210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo 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 issued in December 2021. The minor works funding is a capital grant and provides good flexibility to address issues at local school level. The works that can be undertaken under the primary minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and the purchase of IT related equipment.
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. Specialist advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect is an important source of support for schools. This will help ensure that appropriate solutions are being put in place to address ventilation issues including advice on whether a HEPA Air Cleaner Unit is required to deal with a poorly ventilated room. Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.
My Department also provides capitation funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme. The main grant is the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating costs.
My Department has ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie.
As you are aware the Department has also issued additional funding to schools to support the implementation of infection prevention and control measures required to help minimise the risk of Covid-19. Funding has recently issued to cover the new term.
287. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if there is additional funding for heating available to schools. [4211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides capitation funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme.
The main grant is the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating costs.
My Department has ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie.
As you are aware the Department has issued additional funding to schools to support the implementation of infection prevention and control measures required to help minimise the risk of Covid-19. Funding has recently issued to cover the new term.
The public health guidance for schools operating during Covid-19 includes some important general recommendations about ventilation practices in schools. Ventilation guidance for schools was published by the Department in May 2021.
Schools are urged to:
- Consider if room ventilation especially in classrooms, break rooms and canteens can be improved without causing discomfort.
- Ensure that, wherever possible, doors and windows are open to increase natural ventilation.
- Increase air flow and ventilation weather permitting
The over-arching approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use. It is worth noting that windows do not need to be open as wide in windy/colder weather in order to achieve the same level of airflow into the classroom. This will assist in managing comfort levels and also heating costs during periods of colder weather.
You will also be aware that the Enhanced Minor Works for Primary Schools Grant Funding issued recently and this is intended to support the operation of schools generally and particularly within a Covid-19 environment, with a specific focus on providing additional support to schools for the implementation of the ventilation guidance published by the Department.
288. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if the use of HEPA filters negates the need to have windows open in schools. [4212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManaging ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre November 2021.
The Expert Group note in its own report that very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools.
They also note that it must be emphasised that ventilation should be delivered as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Along with these preventative actions, ventilation further reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission 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.
Air cleaning devices are not a substitute for good ventilation but can be considered pending the completion of interventions/works where poor ventilation persists. This is line with the Expert Group recommendations. Air filtration does not negate the need for natural ventilation and opening windows as required. Furthermore Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme has advised that schools not rely solely on air filters.
Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.
289. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to amend the eligibility criteria for the free fuel allowance scheme in a case in which the income of a person slightly exceeds the allowed threshold and the person has no savings. [3975/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 over a full fuel season) from October to April, to 375,000 low-income households, at an estimated cost of €323 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In Budget 2022 the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the fuel allowance scheme by €20 to €120 above the appropriate rate of contributory State pension representing a 20% increase in the threshold which enables more people to qualify for this support. The €120 allowable means limit is significantly more than the €33 weekly rate of fuel allowance.
Further changes to the fuel allowance scheme in Budget 2022 included increasing the weekly rate of fuel allowance by €5 to €33 per week, with immediate effect and with effect from September 2022 the reduction of the qualifying period for Jobseeker’s and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients from 15 to 12 months.
The Government has, therefore, implemented significant improvements through Budget 2022. Any proposal to further increase the allowable means for fuel allowance purposes or any further changes to the eligibility criteria would have to be considered in this context and in the context of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
290. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will seek an increase in the single parent carers credit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf the Deputy is referring to the Single Person Child Carer Credit (SPCCC) this credit does not fall under the remit of my Department. It is a tax credit administered by the Revenue Commissioners and under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The key role of the Department of Social Protection is that of income support. The main income supports to carers provided by my Department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. Spending on these payments in 2022 is expected to be in excess of €1.5 billion. In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including carers, which came into effect this month (January).
- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000 from next June.
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner, also from June.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (formerly 3 months). Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months. This came into effect this month (January).
I trust that the Deputy will find this information useful.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application was received for CA from the person concerned on 28 September 2021.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim.
Additional information was requested on 1 October 2021 and on 4 November 2021 by a deciding officer, regarding the person’s application, financial information, and hours of employment.
The person concerned did not provide documents that were requested. Therefore, her application for CA was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 9 December 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
On foot of this parliamentary question, the file has been sent for review. If the person concerned has further evidence to support her request for a review, it should be submitted now.
Once the review is complete, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
292. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of her Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if she will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4051/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not commissioned any polling of the general public for the period in question.
As part of our ongoing commitment to customer service and quality assurance, a number of customer satisfaction surveys were conducted during this period and for these an external agency was engaged. The details of the surveys carried out for the period 1 January 2021 to date are as follows:
- Between November 2021 and January 2022 my Department commissioned a customer survey targeted at customers of Jobseekers and JobPath. This was a telephone survey and the cost of this survey was €72,324.
- During 2021 my Department carried out 3 surveys targeted at employers. These were telephone surveys on employer services awareness and usage. The cost of each of these surveys was €14,231.10, with a total cost for the three surveys of €42,693.30.
293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appropriate illness payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4055/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on the 15th October 2021. She stated on her application that she wished to make a claim from the 4th March 2021. My Department has not received medical certificates from this date and as such her claim was withdrawn. In order to make an application for Illness Benefit, a person must submit medical certificates from the start of their claim.
While my Department has subsequently received more recent electronic medical certificates from the GP of the person concerned, she has not submitted medical certificates for the period of the 4th March 2021, which is the start date of her claim, to the 1st October 2021. My Department requires medical certificates to be submitted for the full period of her absence from work in order to make a decision on her entitlement to Illness Benefit. If this certification for that period is provided, the Department will consider the application.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
294. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for applications for jobseeker’s allowance; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 24th January 2022, there are 3,286 applicants awaiting a decision for Jobseeker's Allowance, with an average waiting time of 13 days. According to our latest data, around 98% of applicants for Jobseeker's Allowance are awarded payment within 6 weeks or less of their claim being registered.
295. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for applications for jobseeker’s benefit; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 24th January 2022, there are 2,476 applicants awaiting a decision for Jobseeker's Benefit, with an average waiting time of 12 days. According to our latest data, around 96% of applicants for Jobseeker's Benefit are awarded payment within three weeks or less of their claim being registered.
296. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for applications for carer’s allowance; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
The average number of weeks to award new CA applications was 5 weeks at the end of December 2021. There were 1,459 applications awaiting decision at that date.
My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. There are currently no delays in processing claims once all the necessary information is provided.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
297. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to significant difficulties in contacting the Intreo office in Newbridge, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4075/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any difficulties with customers contacting Newbridge Intreo Centre. The current opening hours in the Intreo Centre are 09:15 to 13:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with a later opening time of 10:30 on a Thursday to allow for staff training. Scheduled appointments are available for customers from 13:00 to 17:00 each day.
Customers can contact Newbridge Intreo Centre in the following ways:
- in person or by post at Moorefield Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare, W12 T257,
- by phone at (045) 491500, or
- by email at Newbridge@welfare.ie.
On-line services are also available through the easy to use online portal www.mywelfare.ie to customers who wish to apply for income supports and / or obtain information on the services provided by my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
299. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that all third-level libraries are equipped with devices (details supplied) that read text aloud to assist those with dyslexia or those with sight loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4025/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal funding source for students with disabilities including dyslexia or those with sight loss in further and higher education is the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers.
The FSD supports HEIs in providing supports to students with disabilities, including assistive technology i.e. “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customised/custom-built, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”. C Pen readers would be an example of this type of technology available through the FSD. As part of a student’s needs assessment, students can consult with the disability support service in their HEI in relation to the availability and suitability of such supports.
300. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4045/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no direct polls undertaken by the Department from 1 January 2021 to date.
Three public consultations were conducted by, or for, my Department in this time period:
- A public consultation was carried out in February 2021 on the reform of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971. A consultation paper was prepared and published on 19 February, 2021 seeking the up to date views of stakeholders. Forty five responses were received to this consultation process and the responses received were considered as part of the further development of the Higher Education Authority legislation. There were no costs incurred.
- A public consultation and online survey of students were carried out in Q2, 2021 to support the review of the National Student Grant Scheme as set out under the current Programme for Government and announced as part of Budget 2021. The costs of this survey are not available as this element of the wider review was not costed separately.
- A public consultation was held in June and July 2021 for the National Research and Innovation Strategy. There were no costs incurred.
301. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his discussions to date to secure the continued operation of the Science Gallery at Trinity College, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince it opened in 2008, the Science Gallery has been a popular visitor attraction and strengthened the appreciation of science especially among young people. My Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media remain in contact with the Provost and management at Trinity College Dublin since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery.
TCD has made clear that the current model for the Science Gallery is financially unsustainable due to changes in the philanthropic funding environment, which if left unaddressed, would have left the College exposed to significant ongoing financial liabilities.
Public funding continues to be available to support a sustainable model for TCD’s public promotion of science. I understand that TCD intends to consult on how their commitment to the public promotion of science might be re-imagined in the future. The Government has indicated that it is willing to engage with Trinity including in relation to funding on the basis of any proposals it brings forward.
