Written Answers Nos. 64-83
66. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts Ireland is undertaking to address rising hunger levels in east African countries reliant on Ukraine and Russia for wheat imports; the way Irish Aid is working to mitigate disruptions in supply chain in this area contributing to rising food costs and rising rates of hunger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Irish Aid programme, my Department has already provided at least €20 million in humanitarian aid to those individuals immediately affected by the crisis resulting from the invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to responding to the needs of those directly affected by the conflict, I am concerned about its wider impact, including on food security. Ukraine and Russia are leading exporters of cereals, with Russia also a significant fertilizer exporter; Ukraine grain exports in February were much reduced. The global food price index reached an all-time high last month.
The most immediate impacts are being felt in the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus. In some cases anticipated shortages coincide with existing political challenges, and may increase internal tensions. While sub-Saharan African countries are less dependent on imports from Ukraine and Russia, pre-existing food insecurity will be magnified in part because of limited abilities to address increases in food prices, with climate change and the pandemic also impacting on both food production and fiscal space. The outcome of 2022 harvests will be critical to food availability in the second half of the year and food prices into next year.
Our missions in the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa are closely monitoring the food security situation, and the associated risk of political instability.
I am particularly conscious that the World Food Programme is reliant on grain stocks from Ukraine. It is concerned about its ability to respond to food needs globally, at a time when 44 million people are acutely food insecure. Irish Aid, through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has a €75 million three year strategic partnership with the WFP.
In addition, we continue to work with Irish NGOs, the UN, and the International Food Policy Research Institute to address food security, building on Ireland’s work on food systems and using Ireland’s board membership of the International Fund for Agricultural Development to ensure that long term solutions are put in place. In the short term, and in addition to humanitarian funding, the Irish Aid programme is supporting social protection programmes in certain partner countries to help vulnerable food consumers deal with price spikes. Embassies, particularly in east Africa, are working to encourage regional trade and the diversification of food supplies.
Longer-term Irish Aid investment in low-input and conservation agriculture methods is paying dividends, reducing dependency on fertiliser while maintaining yields and building resilience to climate extremes.
67. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Defence if there is an available 4x4 vehicle and van to aid in the transportation of equipment which would be in a position to be donated to Tipperary search and rescue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16752/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence regularly receives requests for donation of vehicles from various voluntary organisations. The Department maintains a policy in relation to disposal of both Civil Defence and Military vehicles.
Civil Defence vehicles are kept under the control of the relevant local authority. Based on public procurement and asset control guidelines the Department of Defence policy is that Civil Defence vehicles can only exit service through a Registered Motor Trader via part exchange or by way of a certificate of end of life destruction. Alternatively, they may exit service through a public auction process.
Military vehicles undergo regular maintenance and overhauls to ensure they are roadworthy. When, having regard to age, condition and mileage, vehicles are considered by military transport personnel to have reached the end of their economic life, the vehicle is withdrawn from operational service and proposed for disposal. Military vehicles are normally disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the ‘End of Life’ Vehicle Regulations. It would not be appropriate to transfer ownership of a military vehicle which is not deemed to be roadworthy to an organisation for the purpose of being driven on public roads.
I am aware that Tipperary Civil Defence, which is funded by both the Department of Defence and Tipperary County Council, has for many years provided a volunteer based search and rescue service in Tipperary. As well as a team of trained volunteers Tipperary Civil Defence has a wide range of equipment for use in assisting the Principal Response Agencies during search and rescue operations. This includes 4x4 vehicles, Command and Control vehicles, boats, drones and search dogs.
Unfortunately it is not possible to accede to your request.
68. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when the transfer of school secretaries to public service clerical officer grades will be implemented; the date from which holiday entitlements will be applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16744/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool secretaries are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
On the 24th February, following a series of engagements at the WRC, a package to settle a claim on terms and conditions for grant-funded school secretaries was proposed, which Fórsa agreed to recommend to its members. A ballot was undertaken and the result was 95% agreement in favour of the deal. I am very pleased to hear of this overwhelmingly positive result on what has been a long running issue, the resolution of which has been a priority for me since my appointment.
It is important to recognise that the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for these staff under grant schemes, and that where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school. On that basis, there has been extensive engagement between my Department and school management bodies to work towards a resolution. I would also like to acknowledge the willingness of Fórsa and in particular the school secretary representatives for their constructive engagement in this process, and to recognise the support of Minister McGrath and his officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at all stages of the negotiations.
The main elements of the package offered include, in recognition of the invaluable work carried out by school secretaries, moving their pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern. This process will provide for pay increases (backdated to 1 September 2021) to school secretaries who choose to move to the new terms. It also provides for lower-paid but longer serving secretaries to be placed higher up the salary scale. Secretaries may also choose to receive additional pay to ensure they no longer need to apply to the Department of Social Protection for payment of benefits for periods when they are not working due to school holidays. The final element of the package will introduce standardised arrangements in respect of annual leave, maternity benefit and sick pay.
The work to implement this agreement will include a complex process of assimilating each individual secretary to the new terms and conditions which will vary depending on individual circumstances. The Department will expedite this process and will communicate further as the work progresses.
69. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the appeal mechanisms that are in place for those schools not allocated DEIS status in her recent announcement. [16750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education when her Department expects Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to make a decision on the planning permission for the school building at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16758/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
An application for Planning Permission for the school was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021. A Request for Further Information (RFI) was received on 28th July 2021. This information has been submitted to the local authority by my Department’s Project Manager and a decision on the planning application is due on 11 April 2022.
71. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider relocating a school (details supplied) to a location in Dún Laoghaire until its permanent home is ready; and the reason this was not considered as a temporary location originally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers opened in its current interim location in 2021. My Department will not consider relocation of the school for September 2022 as there is sufficient accommodation in their current location to meet the schools requirements.
The other school building in the location referred to by the Deputy was not considered as a temporary location originally as it had been occupied.
72. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will fund a placement at Middletown autism centre for a person (details supplied); the protocol for such placements; the role of the National Educational Psychological Service in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16761/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Middletown Centre for Autism project is a jointly funded initiative between the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and the Department of Education aimed at supporting the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.
At the request of my Department, and, as approved by the North South Ministerial Council, Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) commenced provision, on a limited basis in the Republic of Ireland of an intensive educational assessment and learning support service to children and young people on an outreach basis (MCA Pilot). This is a second-tier service which complements existing provision for children and young people with autism. Therefore, where autistic children and young people experience significant difficulties, the first course of action is engagement with first tier services provided by the Department of Education, (including NEPS), National Council for Special Education and Health Services Executive and (HSE)/HSE funded services.
The MCA Pilot is a second-tier service and works with a defined number of referrals. The nomination and referral process is initiated by parents and professionals at school level via the Principal following a multi-disciplinary school based review involving the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the local Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO) and other relevant professionals. Nominations cannot be made directly to Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA), the Department of Education or the NCSE.
Nominations for MCA Referral are only considered for children and young people where such a review concludes despite comprehensive autism specific support and consistent engagement from school and home with first-tier services, the child or young person continues to present with significant and enduring behavioural and emotional concerns which impact their engagement and participation in education. MCA’s Learning Support & Assessment team builds on the work of first tier services and works alongside them to ensure their involvement in the process. They aim to create a strong base for building family and professional capacity to support the child when the referral concludes (normally after 10 months).
The Centre provides a comprehensive nationwide training service for parents and educational professionals. Parents can view the range of courses which the Centre has available through the website www.middletownautism.com.
73. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a request by the parents of a person (details supplied) who needs a special educational school placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class or school placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
As the Deputy’s query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
74. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the way that a fourth year student avails of the temporary amendment to regulation 7 of the Education Act 1998 (Unregistered Persons) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 32 of 2014) that permits payment for periods of more than five consecutive school days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education Circular 0016/2022 sets out the details of a temporary amendment to Regulation 7 of the Education Act 1998 (Unregistered Persons) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 32 of 2014) which permits payment for periods of more than 5 consecutive school days to 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers. These 3rd and 4th year student teachers must satisfy the criteria to be eligible to apply to the Teaching Council for registration, pursuant to Route 5 of the Schedule to the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016 (S. I. No. 444 of 2016) (amended by the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 745 of 2021)).
The '5 day rule' is temporarily suspended from 15th of February 2022 until 30th of June 2022, to allow the employment of 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers beyond 5 days during this period.
The Boards of Management of schools are the direct employers of teachers paid by Department payrolls. ETBs are the employers of teachers paid by the ETB payrolls. There is no change to how Department or ETB schools apply for payment for students who fall into the category of 3rd and 4th year students training to be a teacher.
75. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if an update will be provided on the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and the timeline for completion of same. [16909/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced in December 2021, I have sought a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 17 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with special needs in that time. The purpose of the review is to ensure that legislation on education for students with additional needs is up-to-date, fully operational, and reflective of the lived experiences of students and families. Initial steps have been taken by my Department in relation to this important review of legislation. Establishment of a Steering Group and Working Group to oversee the process have both commenced and invitations have been issued to potential Advisory Group members. An initial meeting of the Steering Group took place last week. Open collaboration and consultation will be at the heart of the review and all stakeholders will be invited to engage with the process. There will be a formal consultation process as early as possible in this review and input at all stages from the Advisory Group, which will include representatives of key stakeholders, including parent and advocacy groups. Details shall be communicated as soon as possible in relation to these various stages of consultation and how submissions can be raised. It is envisaged that the full review will be completed by early 2023.
76. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if information on the appeals process for schools that did not receive DEIS status in the recent announcement will be provided. [16911/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
77. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the additional supports that are in place to assist school principals to deal with the current wave of Covid-19 in circumstances in which there are absent staff, both teaching and SNA supports staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of additional measures have been put in place to enhance substitute cover.
At primary level additional posts have been allocated to primary substitute teacher supply panels in areas where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue, bringing the total to 680 posts on 142 panels, covering approximately 2,700 schools.
The supply panels’ work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers, such as Sub Seeker, the national substitution portal service operated by the Irish Primary Principals' Network and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) providing professional master of education (PME) programmes have ensured flexibility in programme delivery to enhance the availability of PME students for substitute work. PME students have been advised to register with the Teaching Council and with Sub Seeker.
In addition, HEIs providing undergraduate programmes of primary and post-primary initial teacher education have agreed to facilitate the release of 3rd and 4th year student teachers to support schools.
To support this measure the Teaching Council has recently made regulations for the registration of 3rd and 4th years student teachers and is currently developing a system for their registration. Pending registration with the Council, these students are still classified as unregistered persons and are restricted to working for 5 consecutive days at any one time as provided for under S.I. 32 of 2014 subject and relevant Department circulars known as the 5-day rule. Pending the development of the system to facilitate their registration and in order to provide for them to substitute without this restriction I recently made amending regulations exempting 3rd and 4th year students from the ‘5 day rule’ restriction. This amendment is strictly time limited from 15th February 2022 and to 30th June 2022. The ‘5 day rule’ remains in place for the employment of all other unregistered persons.
At post-primary level a measure was put in place to allow teachers, if available, to provide up to a maximum of 35 additional teaching hours between 29th November 2021 and 28th February 2022. In order to continue to support schools to source substitution cover. This provision has been extended for a further period, allowing up to a maximum of a further 35 additional teaching hours between 1st March 2022 and 31st May 2022.
These measures are in addition to changes made in the career break scheme, to permit teachers on career break to do unlimited substitution , and changes to the job sharing scheme, to permit job sharing teachers carry out substitute work on the days they are rostered off.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
The allocation of an additional 1,165 SNAs announced in Budget 2022 is to meet the care needs of pupils in 2022 and will enable the establishment of new special classes, creation of new places in special schools, support children in mainstream classes for the 2022/23 school year.
Where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools.
Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.
78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education further to the responsibility for registering teachers being devolved to An Chomhairle Muinteoireachta, the steps she or her Department are taking to ensure that An Chomhairle is providing an efficient service; the methods by which this is ensured by her Department; her views on whether it is acceptable that letters and emails sent to An Chomhairle are not being replied to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17006/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 An Chomhairle Muinteoireachta is the professional standards body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
An Chomhairle Muinteoireachta registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
An Chomhairle Muinteoireachta has provided officials in my Department with the following information in relation to this query.
There are 113,000 teachers on the Register making it the single biggest professional register in the State. An Chomhairle Muinteoireachta is acutely aware of the importance of providing an efficient and effective service to teachers. An Chomhairle introduced a new registration database and enhanced self-service portal in October 2021 which allows teachers to apply for Garda vetting, pay renewal fees, submit documentation and update their details online. In late 2021, the post received by an Chomhairle fell from a total of 2,430 items for Q3 to 450 in Q4 coinciding with the introduction of the enhanced online self-service facilities.
In the 2020/2021 reporting year, an Chomhairle actioned 111,000 emails which were received into the main inboxes. Actioned emails include responses and clarifications being issued in addition to registration documentation being updated. These numbers do not include emails issued directly from staff email accounts. An Chomhairle also answered in excess of 35,600 phone calls across ten phone lines.
Between 28 February 2022 and 16 March 2022, than Chomhairle received 5,100 emails into the main inboxes, of which 4,750 were actioned. A total of 42 items were listed on the post-log and all were actioned by either return post or registration/vetting updates. During this period a further 4,050 phone calls were answered. These figures give a daily average of 3 post items, 365 emails actioned, and 311 phone calls answered across the 13 working day period.
It is worth noting that March is traditionally one of the busiest periods for an Chomhairle. Approximately 37,000 teachers have a registration renewal date in March including 12,500 teachers who are required to complete re-vetting in advance of renewing their registrations. In order to afford the teachers time to complete one or both processes well in advance of their renewal date, regular communications regarding the re-vetting process commenced in November 2021 and renewal reminders began in February 2022. However, despite the early notifications, an Chomhairle is currently experiencing a high level of emails and phone calls in relation to these processes and has put in place additional phone support, developed a ‘Step- by -Step Guide’ and updated the Frequently Asked Questions. Videos to guide teachers through the 2-4 minute renewal process are also currently being developed.
79. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected to implement the return of mask wearing in schools due to the increase of the virus in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17094/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. On 17 February 2022, NPHET reviewed the remaining public health measures including the infection prevention control measures and restrictions in school settings.
Having closely considered relevant epidemiological data and other matters as set out in their letter of 17 February 2022, the Government accepted the recommendation of the NPHET to remove remaining restriction relating to mask-wearing in schools.
Staff and pupils/students can continue to wear a face mask if they wish to do so on a personal basis and schools should continue to make masks available on request as they are currently doing. Funding to support the purchase of PPE, including masks, continues to be made available to schools.
80. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details regarding registering with the HSE to become a celebrant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16835/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions governing registration of solemnisers are contained in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended.
This Part sets out that only members of a religious or secular body, or members of staff of the HSE, may become a Registered Solemniser. A religious or secular body must apply to the General Register Officer by nominating a member of that body to perform marriage ceremonies.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the efforts that are being taken to protect children from entering poverty in view of inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognised the challenges of rising prices last October in Budget 2022 when we brought in a package of tax and social welfare measures worth over €1 billion. Last month, the Government agreed a further package of €505 million, including the €200 energy credit and a lump sum payment of €125 for those in receipt of the fuel allowance.
Budget 2022 included a number of measures specifically targeted at families with children. I increased the rates for a qualified child aged under 12 by €2 to €40 per week, and for a qualified child aged 12 or older by €3 to €48 per week, from January. I increased the level of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €10 to €160 for each child aged 4 to 11 years and to €285 for each child aged 12 and over. I also equalised the income limits for one and two parent households, thereby making it easier for lone parents to qualify for that payment.
Budget 2022 also provided for a €10 weekly increase in the income limits for Working Family Payment, and I am pleased that this will now come into effect from April, 2022 as part of the Government's response to cost of living increases.
82. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve the payment of fuel allowance via lump sum for community employment scheme participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring organisations that operate in the community and voluntary sector.
CE sponsoring authorities receive annual contracts from my Department which fund the employment of both CE participants and supervisors, as well as funding towards training and material costs. Grant aid is provided by the Department to cover these costs on a per capita basis.
Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. Fuel Allowance, currently €33 per week, is paid from the end of September to April each year for 28 weeks.
For operational reasons the payment of Fuel Allowance by lump sum is not available to CE participants. The payment arrangements in place between my department and CE sponsoring organisations does not support the payment of a lump sum for CE participants.
However, as part of the Government’s €505 million package aimed at mitigating the effects of rising energy costs an additional one-off payment of €125 was paid in early March to those in receipt of a Fuel Allowance, including CE participants.
The Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they have the best outcomes for participants. I am fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of participants.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
83. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending social welfare supports to retired civil servants who have received their occupational pensions in place of a standard State pension, such as the living alone allowance in cases in which there are requirements to be in receipt of a primary social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will allow those who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment to receive the living alone allowance; and if it will be ensured that this is negotiated in the budget 2023 discussions. [16880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 90 together.
Primary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. In addition to these primary payments, my Department also provides a range of other payments, both cash and non-cash, on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary in nature.
The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is one of those secondary payments. It is not a scheme or a stand-alone payment in itself, but rather it is a supplement to a primary social protection payment of €22 per week made to people aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. For those aged 66 or over, these payments include State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit.
Accordingly, there are no circumstances where the Living Alone Increase can be paid to people who are not in receipt of a primary qualifying payment from my Department. Any decision to allow those who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment to receive the Living Alone Increase - and thereby establish it as a scheme - would have budgetary and administrative consequences and would have to be considered in the context of Budget negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
