James Lawless
Ceist:481. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and advice issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (481)
Freagraí scríofa
The person concerned applied for Back to Education Allowance on 03 December 2021. This application was refused on 21 December 2021 on the grounds that it was a late application as the submission date was significantly beyond the requirement that it be no more than 30 days following the commencement of the course.
The person concerned was not happy with this decision and requested a review. This decision was reviewed and he was notified on 24 January 2022 that the original decision was upheld.
Based on the information that has now come to hand, a further review will be undertaken. An officer will be in touch with the person concerned shortly to progress this review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 482 answered with Question No. 457.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (483)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:483. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table below provides the information requested for the period under reference.
This Department provides training in-house by dedicated and trained trainers and also through external training providers, other government agencies and charities with relevant remits and expertise.
In line with the commitments identified in the People Strategy of the Civil Service 2017/2020 and the DSP HR People Strategy 2020 - 2023, a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) functional unit has been established in HR Division, incorporating the existing role of the Disability Liaison Officer. The remit of the ED&I Unit includes educating staff and increasing awareness equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
Also, the Department, in partnership with National College of Ireland, provides seven accredited training programmes to staff in frontline roles. All of the Department’s accredited courses include study of Diversity and Inclusion. This theme is threaded through all content in subjects such as Customer Focus, Equality Status Act, Habitual Residency Condition and the wider discussion of providing an inclusive service which complies with our customer charter and overall goals of customer focus and total professionalism. A specific module on Ethics, Equality and Diversity is delivered by the National College of Ireland tutors on all programmes.
Diversity & Inclusion Training Costs - 2018 - 2022 to date
|
Year |
Provider - Name |
Costs Associated |
|
2018 |
Public Policy Exchange Ltd. |
€316.00 |
|
2018 |
PheonixRize Consulting |
€200.00 |
|
2018 |
Disability Consultancy |
€1,400.00 |
|
2018 |
Institute of Public Administration |
€195.00 |
|
2019 |
Immigrant Council of Ireland |
€2,500.00 |
|
2021 |
Independent Colleges T/A Public Affairs Ireland |
€175.00 |
|
2021 |
Ability Focus Ltd |
€95.00 |
|
2021 |
Keynote PCO/NDIC 2021 |
€156.45 |
|
2021 |
Legal Island Ltd |
€195.00 |
|
2021 |
Insight Matters |
€500.00 |
|
2021 |
Deirdre Swain |
€70.00 |
|
2021 |
Under the Rainbow |
€1,535.00 |
|
2021 |
As I am |
€550.00 |
|
Total 2018 - 2022 to date |
€7,887.45 |
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (484, 485)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:484. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of application claims for illness benefit nationally; the length of time for processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeadar Tóibín
Ceist:485. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of application claims for illness benefit in County Meath; the length of time for processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
The Illness Benefit scheme is designed to provide support to those who cannot attend work in the short term due to illness.
To qualify for a payment under the terms of the Illness Benefit scheme a person must be under pensionable age, satisfy prescribed PRSI conditions and be certified by a doctor as being incapable of attending work due to illness.
Details of the number of Illness Benefit claims for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 are shown in the table below. The numbers shown for Co. Meath are those where claimants included Co. Meath as part of their address when completing their application forms. The manner in which the data is maintained does not facilitate a breakdown by county in relation to claim performance.
|
Year |
IB Claims Received |
Claims performance - % processed within 7 days |
IB Claims received - Co. Meath |
|
2019 |
206,026 |
80.52% |
8,793 |
|
2020 |
282,182 |
83.68% |
11,427 |
|
2021 |
441,148 |
73.73% |
18,283 |
Applications that require officer review to ensure eligibility for payment can take longer to process. My officials consistently work to clear all claims as quickly as possible.
Question No. 485 answered with Question No. 484.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (486)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:486. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending social welfare eligibility to stamp 1 visa holders, particularly in cases of serious illness or emergency access to schemes such as the supplementary welfare allowance considering the recent focus on migration and need to ensure supports for refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Matters regarding the right to reside and conditions attached to the stamps provided to visa holders are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice.
The Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) was introduced for certain social assistance schemes and for Child Benefit, with effect from 1 May 2004. The term 'habitually resident' conveys a degree of permanence and implies a close association between the applicant and the country from which payment is claimed.
Before a decision can be made regarding a person's habitual residence, it must be established whether the person has a legal right to reside in the State. After that is established, five factors are then examined to determine whether a person satisfies the HRC. These 5 factors are -
a) the length and continuity of residence in Ireland,
b) the length and reasons for any absence from Ireland,
c) the nature and pattern of the person's employment,
d) the person's main centre of interest and
e) the future intentions of the person applying.
Each case is dealt with on its own merits and a decision is based on the application of the legislation and guidelines to the particular circumstances of the case.
In relation to people from Ukraine accessing Social Welfare Assistance, on 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive, due to the mass influx of persons fleeing Ukraine as a consequence of the war. This means that people arriving from Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (487)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:487. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons on community employment schemes are required to meet the qualifying period of 390 days in receipt of the jobseeker’s allowance in order to qualify for the fuel allowance before they enter community employment given that those referred to community employment by her Department are obliged to engage as per the conditions of the jobseekers allowance and therefore, through no fault of their own fail to meet the qualifying period for the fuel allowance previously; if she will examine the matter and consider removing this stipulation for those engaged on schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16425/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, which is supporting up to an estimated 400,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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.
The Fuel Allowance payment is targeted towards those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
If a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they can continue to receive the Fuel Allowance payment while participating on the scheme once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
If the CE participant was not in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment prior to going on the CE scheme they may still apply for and qualify for Fuel Allowance in the following circumstances.
- If the CE scheme participant was in receipt of a long-term qualifying payment prior to going on the CE scheme this will allow them to satisfy the qualifying payment element. However, all other qualifying conditions of Fuel Allowance must also be satisfied.
- Where the CE scheme participant has an established underlying entitlement to Fuel Allowance but is not in receipt of the allowance because another member of the household was receiving the payment, it is open to the CE scheme participant to apply for fuel allowance if these circumstances change, e.g., where the fuel allowance recipient leaves the address.
A CE Scheme helps people to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities. Participants can take up other part-time work during their CE placement. A participant's jobseekers payment ceases and payment is made by way of a wage. It is for this reason participants on a CE scheme cannot accrue entitlement to Fuel Allowance.
In Budget 2022 I announced that from September 2022 the period a person must be in receipt of Jobseeker's allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) to access the Fuel Allowance scheme is reduced to 12 months. This will, of course, also benefit people on CE schemes who previously have been in receipt of the above payments for greater than 312 days but did not meet the 390-day requirement.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance for other people participating on a CE scheme would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
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.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (488)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:488. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing exemptions for specific types of savings within means testing for carer’s allowance such as cases (details supplied) and in consideration of forthcoming changes to capital thresholds later in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department operates a range of means-tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares, and other investments.
The assessment of capital reflects an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital, or to realise the value of the property, to support themselves without having to rely solely on a means-tested welfare payment.
Savings held for a specific purpose are not, as such, specifically disregarded. However, most social assistance schemes, such as Carer's Allowance, have a general capital disregard meaning the full amount of capital is not assessed.
The standard formula for assessing the value of capital for social welfare payments (except Disability Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance) is as follows: the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
As part of Budget 2022, I was pleased to announce that, from June this year, the capital disregard for Carer’s Allowance will increase to €50,000, bringing it into line with the capital disregard for Disability Allowance. The new formula will be as follows: the first €50,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The weekly income threshold for Carer’s Allowance will also increase to €350 for a single person and to €750 for a couple. The combination of these measures means that a couple can have earnings of €750 per week, as well as savings of €100,000, and still receive the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance.
Any further changes to the means assessment for Carer’s Allowance would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
Employment Schemes
Ceisteanna (489)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:489. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 25, 28 and 86 of 22 March 2022, if she will clarify any meetings that she or her Department officials had with interested parties or companies in relation to the provision of these services and specifically any lobbying on the policy decision to tender out these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of employment services. In particular, specialised employment services for those farthest from the labour market - currently available in just twelve counties - will soon be available State-wide for the first time.
In the first phase of this procurement, contracts for Intreo Partners - Local Area Employment Services (LAES) were agreed in late 2021 across four lots in seven counties in the Midlands and North-East. These new services are now operational and accepting referrals.
Phase two of the Intreo Partners - LAES procurement commenced with the publication of the request for tender on 21 December last. My Department recently extended the deadline for tenders to 19 April to ensure all interested parties have sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver a quality service.
My officials had several meetings prior to the publication of the phase 2 request for tender with the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), the trade unions SIPTU and Fórsa, primarily in September, October and November 2021. During these meetings, the ILDN provided feedback on the phase 1 procurement process.
I meet with the ILDN on a regular basis in my role both as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development. One such meeting occurred on 2 December, where the procurement of employment services was discussed.
External contracting has been a feature of the Department's employment services since it became responsible for these services over a decade ago. Prior to that, external service provision had been a feature of the FÁS employment service offering since the mid 1990s. I can confirm that neither I nor my officials have been lobbied by any party in relation to expanding the tendering of employment service provision. However, as stated above, I have been lobbied both in meetings and in correspondence from the ILDN and by trade unions regarding the legal requirement to competitively procure these external services.
Prior to the formal commencement of the current live procurement process, my officials met a broad range of organisations at their request. These organisations included those currently providing employment services in the Irish market, including the bodies referenced above, and other organisations who were considering entering the Irish market. With the exception of the meetings and correspondence with the ILDN and trade unions, none of these meetings could be described as seeking to influence a policy decision or as lobbying and were in the main introductory meetings.
Question No. 490 answered with Question No. 457.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (491)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:491. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the proactive actions that have been taken to inform recipients of payments made by bank transfer that due to the closure of a bank (details supplied) alternative bank details will need to be provided to ensure that there is no interruption to payments. [16666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been working with Ulster Bank in order to assist customers with the smooth transitioning from Ulster Bank to another financial institution. My officials are also actively liaising with the Banking Payments Federation of Ireland to assist in the transitioning.
Internally, my Department has established a task team to manage the process. It is intended that all of the Department's Ulster Bank customers will be provided with information in order to assist them in the transition from Ulster Bank to another financial institution.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that all payment change requests are being monitored carefully to ensure they are being processed as quickly as possible. As the processing times may vary, it is important that customers impacted do not close their Ulster bank account until they receive their Department of Social Protection payment into their new bank account.
The fastest way for a customer to advise my Department of their new payment details is through the on-line portal on www.MyWelfare.ie. Many customers are advising the Department of their new payment details through this service and I would encourage the continued use this option.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (492)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:492. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time that it takes to change bank account details on the mywelfare app given the imminent need for welfare recipients to provide alternative bank details due to the closure of a bank (details supplied). [16667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The fastest way for a customer to advise my Department of their new payment details is through the change of payment service on www.MyWelfare.ie. This service allows customers with a verified MyGovID account to advise the Department of their Change of Payment Method details quickly, and without the need to obtain a paper form, and this request is then sent to the relevant scheme area.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that all payment change requests are being monitored carefully to ensure they are being processed as quickly as possible due to the pending closure of Ulster Bank.
As the processing times for payments vary, it is important that customers impacted do not close their Ulster Bank account until they receive their Department of Social Protection payment into their newly nominated bank account.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind and wishes to forward the details, I will ensure that it followed up by my Department.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (493)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:493. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the eligibility for social welfare on the binary basis of days worked and consider a cumulative hours worked basis which could encourage many workers in the home care sector to accept additional hours without being penalised. [16672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The main social welfare schemes for people who are unable to find full time employment are the social insurance contribution based Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit Self-Employed and the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. The schemes require that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking work as well as satisfy the other qualifying statutory conditions. The current annual estimated expenditure on the jobseeker schemes is approximately €2.17 billion.
The jobseeker schemes allow a person to work up to 3 days per week, but they must be fully unemployed for at least four in any seven consecutive days to be eligible for a payment.
The current days based system can provide significant support to jobseekers who are casually employed or working part time; for instance, an individual can earn just over €21,000 per year and still retain a small Jobseeker's Allowance payment, while the equivalent threshold for an individual with a qualified adult is just over €36,100 if they are both working. These figures are based on the current maximum weekly personal rate of €208 and qualified adult rate of €138.
It is recognised that a changing labour market has resulted in a move away from the more traditional work patterns, resulting in an increase in the number of people employed for less than a full week. However, any changes to the current criteria, such as moving to an hours-based system, could result in significant numbers of additional individuals becoming eligible for a jobseeker’s payment with the substantial corresponding costs for the Exchequer.
The Deputy should also be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to consider increasing all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund to help pay for a range of measures including a pay related benefit scheme. Furthermore, the Government’s national employment strategy 2021-2025 commits to using the experience from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to inform the design of a pay-related payment that may be developed, by Q3 2023.
In addition to the Jobseeker schemes, the Working Family Payment (WFP) is a tax free in-work support available from my Department which provides an income top-up for low-earning employees with children. Once awarded, WFP is generally payable for a minimum period of 52 weeks as long as the recipient continues to be engaged in paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight with the same employer.
The Back To Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) scheme allows those who had been in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment (including Jobseeker’s Transition payment) and recipients of the One-Parent Family Payment, to retain their full increase for a qualified child payment for the first year of employment, tapering to 50 per cent in the second year.
Where a person has been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 390 days and is offered employment of more than 3 days but less than 24 hours a week, they may be eligible to apply for the Part Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI). Those who qualify receive a payment of either €131.80 or €214.90 if they are receiving an increase for a qualified adult. Participants on the scheme are expected to continue to seek full time employment and there is no limit on the employment income that they can earn under the scheme.
The combination of the Jobseekers schemes, WFP, BTWFD and the PTJI schemes provide considerable income support for individuals who have part time employment by allowing them retain access to a social welfare payment.
The means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme is also available through the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo Centre for any person who is experiencing financial hardship. Supports provided under the scheme include Supplements and Urgent and Exceptional Needs Payments.
Any changes to the Jobseeker schemes would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (494)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:494. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made towards action 104 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [16344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is one of two national policy frameworks through which the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland are progressively realised. The Transport Working Group established under Action 104 of the NDIS met at the end of January this year at a meeting which I chaired. The Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to drive Action 104 of the Strategy but its work was paused to prioritise initial responses to the pandemic, while the work of the main NDIS Steering Group continued.
The Group’s membership is made up of relevant Government Departments and state agencies including the National Disability Authority and the National Transport Authority.
At the meeting I chaired in January it was agreed that a "stock take" exercise would be conducted, to assess the range of transport supports and to help identify gaps.
Following engagement with my colleague Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. last year, it was decided to use the Transport Working Group to assist in the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (495, 504, 509)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:495. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the International Protection Accommodation Services have established a presence at Cork Airport. [16421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:504. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the accommodation that will be provided for Ukrainian refugees in Cork; if details will be provided of the hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation providers in the area excluding private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Sherlock
Ceist:509. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the International Protection Accommodation Services have established a presence at Cork Airport. [16423/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 504 and 509 together.
My Department is providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. A dedicated Ukraine Unit is being established to manage the provision of accommodation and related services to Ukrainian refugees.
We have established a dedicated team at Dublin airport that meet new arrivals from Ukraine, with teams from several Departments – Social Protection, Health, Justice and my own. Alongside this, we are participating in hubs in Cork and Limerick cities, led by the Department of Social Protection to support new arrivals. Wexford County Council is supporting my Department in terms of a presence at Rosslare Port. We have specifically prepared reception areas and they include designated spaces for children and adults and quiet spaces.
Deputy, please see below figures detailing total arrivals to Ireland (Ukrainians and 3rd country nationals) as of 25 March:
|
Entry point |
Dublin Airport |
Dublin Port |
Cork Airport |
Rosslare Port |
Shannon Airport |
Other Ports/ Airports |
TOTAL |
|
Arrivals |
10,112 |
126 |
237 |
1,044 |
509 |
29 |
12,057 |
Over the past month, we have been contracting hotel accommodation, including in Cork. We will shortly begin the process of moving people into pledged accommodation, including in Cork. At this time, county-by-county data is not available.
My Department has engaged with the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland, B&B Ireland, the Defence Forces, the Health Services Executive (HSE) and higher education institutions to identify additional sources of accommodation supply and buildings that could potentially be repurposed for use to accommodate refugees.
Local Authorities have completed a survey for the Department of Housing of buildings in their local areas that could be repurposed for this purpose. My Department is working actively with the Department of Housing and the City and County Management Association (CCMA) to extend the supply of buildings with the potential to accommodate refugees.
The CCMA has also worked with local authorities to prepare emergency accommodation for use if there are sudden spikes in the numbers arriving. Refugees have been moved into this emergency accommodation particularly at weekends when the number of arrivals is particularly high.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (496)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:496. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding provided by his Department to an organisation (details supplied); if his attention or that of his predecessor and that of officials has been drawn to instances in which the organisation failed to file accounts on time in the past; and the action they initiated on foot of same. [15792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This organisation has been awarded €106,226 by my department since November 2018. I attach a table which provides a breakdown of the funding awarded during this period. The allocations were provided through the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
Organisations or projects awarded funding by my department must comply with the conditions applicable to the grant as set out in the relevant grant agreement.
|
Capacity Grant 2018 |
TENI |
€6,000 |
Nov-18 |
|
Capacity Grant Phase 1 2019 |
TENI |
€15,675.00 |
Nov-19 |
|
Capacity Grant Phase 2 2020 |
TENI |
€14,437 |
Jun-20 |
|
2020 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call |
TENI |
€70,114 |
Jan-21 |
|
€106,226 |
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (497)
John Brady
Ceist:497. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to carry out a review of the foster care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulates that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister.
The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments.
Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the fostering allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised fostering allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager. Each application for an additional payment will be accompanied by supporting documentation evidencing the need.
Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly allowance may be paid in respect of children aged between 0-18 years if they require significant care over and above the needs of other children in foster care. This includes children who have been diagnosed with significant special needs and require a high level of personal care and supervision. The purpose of considering an enhanced allowance in these cases is to support foster carers in providing care to these children who have additional needs.
The foster care allowance is in respect of and for the benefit of the foster child and therefore must be used to meet the day to day costs associated with looking after the foster child. In considering any enhanced allowance the assessing social worker is required to evidence that the standard fostering allowance does not adequately provide for the cost of caring for the child.
A request for enhanced supports must certified by the Principal Social Worker and approved by the Area Manager following submission of an assessment of the child’s needs and supporting documentation. A review arrangement for the enhanced allowance must be part of the submission for approval.
In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan.
Pre-assessment and ongoing training are compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. Recognising the specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care, Tusla addresses the training needs of relatives who are foster carers separately. In addition, Tusla provides funding for the Irish Foster Care Association which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a telephone advice service.
The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs.
Tusla have advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted the need for the foster care allowance to be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances. Tusla is currently preparing a paper on this matter.
The rate of the foster care allowance is kept under review by officials within the Department and at present there are no plans to change the rate. However, the Department is undertaking an extensive review of the Child Care Act 1991 and will examine foster care arrangements as part of this review.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (498)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:498. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children deemed at risk who have not been allocated a social worker in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15846/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.
Recruitment of social workers remains a priority for Tusla. Tusla has been engaging with social work graduates to conduct interviews prior to graduation, improving the pool of potential recruits. Tusla has also conducted a conversion of agency staff to Tusla staff which will improve continuity of service. My Department has established a Social Work Education Group looking to expand the throughput of suitably qualified Social Work graduates.
Tusla, reports monthly and quarterly on performance across its seventeen areas. Meath comes under the area of Louth Meath within the Dublin North East Region.
The Deputy is seeking information on the number of children in one particular county without an allocated social worker. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (499)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:499. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children deemed at risk who have not been allocated a social worker in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.
Recruitment of social workers remains a priority for Tusla. Tusla has been engaging with social work graduates to conduct interviews prior to graduation, improving the pool of potential recruits. Tusla has also conducted a conversion of agency staff to Tusla staff which will improve continuity of service. My Department has established a Social Work Education Group looking to expand the throughput of suitably qualified Social Work graduates.
Tusla, reports monthly and quarterly on performance across its seventeen areas. Westmeath comes under the Midlands area which also covers the counties of Laois, Longford and Offaly.
The Deputy is seeking information on the number of children in one particular county without an allocated social worker. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (500)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:500. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that children who are under the care of Tusla and that are placed under private family arrangement are placed only in homes that have been adequately vetted and regulated by Tusla; and if he will provide details of the vetting that takes place. [15864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When a child enters the formal care system, formal vetting requirements as set out in statue and the relevant Regulations are adhered to. This vetting is conducted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau and Tusla provides a support service to carers to complete the vetting process.
There is no formal definition of a ‘private family arrangement’ and current legislation places no requirement on Tusla to complete vetting in such cases. Where Tusla supports families to make appropriate arrangements for their children within their own resources and where Tusla’s engagement is required to ensure the safety of the child, Tusla will seek Garda vetting as a part of that process.
Section 23 of the Child Care Act, 1991, as amended defines what is termed ‘private foster care’. Private foster care refers to any arrangement or undertaking whereby a child is for more than 14 days in the full-time care, for reward or otherwise, of a person other than his or her parent or guardian, a person cohabiting with a parent or guardian or a relative, with certain exemptions outlined in the Act. In respect of such scenarios, there is no statutory requirement for vetting. However Tusla has advised that it is beginning to adopt a safeguarding approach to such arrangements and will be seeking the relevant data subjects to be vetted.