Written Answers Nos. 496-518
496. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education when the appeals process for DEIS status will commence; if the details of this process will be made available to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced that from next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. 37 schools will also benefit from additional supports following reclassification. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all schools are treated equally and fairly in the manner in which they have been identified for inclusion in the DEIS programme. Schools who were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data will now have the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed.
Circular 0019/2022 outlining the details of this appeals process was published recently by my Department and is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/7e7ca-deis-identification-2022-appeals-process-for-schools/.
My Department notified all schools of the appeals process on 30th March 2022. Schools have until 5pm on Friday April 29th to submit an appeal.
497. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if the service of school secretaries will be acknowledged under the public sector pay scales when transferring to another State agency given that some secretaries who worked directly for a board of management are given no acknowledgement of service when working in other State jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main elements of the package offered to school secretaries include, in recognition of the invaluable work they carry out, 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. However, 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.
It is also important to recognise that whilst grant-funded secretaries will be placed on a centralised payroll for administrative purposes, they will continue to be employed by their individual schools, which will maintain responsibility for their terms of employment, in compliance with the agreement and are not public servants. There are circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and other public bodies regarding the starting pay of people appointed to public service organisations and decisions on the matter would be for the public body concerned on a case by case basis.
498. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if her Department has engaged with contractors who provide school bus transport on behalf of her Department on the current challenges that they face in view of the dramatic increase in fuel costs that now accrue, which in certain circumstances put the ability to provide services is now in doubt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services to be provided by external suppliers in line with national and EU procurement legislation and this includes services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. Compliant tenders are evaluated against published award criteria. Successful tenderers are awarded a contract for up to five years.
The Department of Education is considering in consultation with other relevant departments and Bus Éireann the implications that increasing fuel costs may have on the provision of school transport services. The Department is also very aware of the potential impact of the current situation unfolding in Ukraine which is impacting fuel prices further.
Government has announced a reduction in excise on fuel will result in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.
500. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of a school extension and funding approval for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
However, the latter stage of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock and under which the ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools will also be considered. My Department has contacted the school in question in this context.
501. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the work she is undertaking to ensure that children with additional needs who attend a school (details supplied) have adequate supports for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18282/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are at unprecedented levels.
Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.
The State currently spends in excess of 25% of its annual education and training budget (€9.2 Billion) on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.
This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased by almost 386% from 548 to 2,118 for the 2021/2022 school year. Of these 1,524 special classes are in primary schools.
Budget 2022 announced details of €9.2 billion in funding for education and includes funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022. This represents an increase of 81% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.
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.
There are now over 13,600 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream primary and post primary schools.
This represents an increase of 40% in the total number of special education teachers allocated to schools since 2011, at which time 9,740 teachers were allocated.
Budget 2022 provides for the creation 980 new teaching posts in special education. This new investment is required to meet the needs of students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes; students to be enrolled in new special classes and new special school places and the needs of new and developing schools.
The new allocation is broken down as follows:
- 620 of the new posts will provide additional support for children attending mainstream classes including new and expanding schools
- 360 posts will facilitate the opening of 287 new special classes providing over 1,700 new places in 2022 and 140 new special school places
A new model for allocating special education teachers in respect of students with special needs enrolled in mainstream classes was introduced in 2017. The Special Education Teacher allocation process provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile. The profile of each school takes account of enrolments and a number of other factors that are considered to be indicative of the level of need in each school. There is a commitment to update profiles on a regular basis with the last update being for the 2019/20 school.
In addition, there is a provision for schools to seek additionality through the Exceptional Needs Review process if there is a significant change in their level of need in between profile updates.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
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.
I have asked the NCSE to engage directly with the school in question.
502. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if she will review the DEIS application of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if an appeals mechanism is in place for the school management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced that from next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. 37 schools will also benefit from additional supports following reclassification. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all schools are treated equally and fairly in the manner in which they have been identified for inclusion in the DEIS programme. Schools who were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data will now have the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed.
Circular 0019/2022 outlining the details of this appeals process was published recently by my Department and is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/7e7ca-deis-identification-2022-appeals-process-for-schools/.
My Department notified all schools of the appeals process on 30th March 2022. Schools have until 5pm on Friday April 29th to submit an appeal.
503. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if she will review the DEIS application of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if an appeals mechanism is in place for the school management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced that from next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. 37 schools will also benefit from additional supports following reclassification. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all schools are treated equally and fairly in the manner in which they have been identified for inclusion in the DEIS programme. Schools who were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data will now have the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed.
Circular 0019/2022 outlining the details of this appeals process was published recently by my Department and is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/7e7ca-deis-identification-2022-appeals-process-for-schools/.
My Department notified all schools of the appeals process on 30th March 2022. Schools have until 5pm on Friday April 29th to submit an appeal.
504. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the current position with regard to the proposed new special school to replace schools (details supplied); the projected timelines on commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe joint building project for the two schools referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
This project is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Assessment of Site, Site Investigations and Initial Sketch Scheme.
The Design Team had recently submitted a Stage 1 Report to my Department.
Upon review, my Department have requested the Design Team to submit a revised Stage 1 submission based on the original brief and schedule of accommodation.
Upon receipt, review and approval, the project can then be progressed to Stage 2(a) – Developed Design, where the design can be developed to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
Until statutory approvals have been granted, it will not be possible to predict a commencement on site date.
505. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if additional supports and resources will be made available to assist school principals in the current wave of Covid-19 cases, in which a large number of teachers are absent and self-isolating, which is having a serious impact on school management in keeping the schools open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18318/22]
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 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 would be restricted to working for 5 consecutive days at any one time, as provided for under S.I. 32 of 2014 and relevant Department circulars (the "5-day rule"). However, pending the development of the system to facilitate their registration, I recently made amending regulations exempting 3rd and 4th year students from the ‘5 day rule’ restriction when providing substitute cover. This amendment is strictly time limited, from 15th February 2022 to 30th June 2022. The ‘5 day rule’ remains in place for the employment of all other unregistered persons.
At post-primary level teachers were allowed, 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 to the career break scheme, to allow teachers on career break to do unlimited substitution, and changes to the job sharing scheme, permitting job sharing teachers to carry out substitute work on the days they are rostered off.
506. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the rationale for the scheduling of practical music examinations during the Easter holidays; the engagement she had with teachers' unions regarding this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18338/22]
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 question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
507. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if information in relation to a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18349/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that details of the salary rates, including increment scales, payable to teachers, are set out in my Department Circular 0056/2021.
The relevant salary and increment scales apply where persons have fulfilled the required Teaching Council registration criteria which are applicable to the sector in which they are teaching.
Where persons do not fulfil the required registration criteria, or have Teaching Council registration for a sector other than that in which they are currently teaching, a person who engages in substitute teaching is paid at the flat hourly rate for unqualified teachers and does not progress on the incremental salary scale which applies to qualified and registered teachers.
I can also advise that the criteria for the awarding of incremental credit to registered teachers at second level schools, is set out in my Departments Circulars 0029/2007 and 0029/2010.
Particular conditions apply to the awarding of increment credit for persons who may have been teaching, for a period of time in a different sector, including in the Vocational Educational/ETB Sector.
The Circulars also set out the criteria which apply to the awarding of incremental credit in relation to teachers who may have previously been on less than whole time contracts, such as fixed term contracts, or casual and non-casual teaching service, including substitution work.
I can advise the Deputy that a member of staff from the Post Primary Payroll Division of my Department has been in contact with the school concerned, in order to request further details in relation to the nature of the this teachers employment in the school, past teaching service, and in relation to their Teaching Council Registration route. This will then determine the correct rate of pay which is applicable for this teacher.
508. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason there are no onsite therapists at the new special school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 given their importance to such a school and that no child in a special school should be without this support given that its lack affects not only the development of the child but can also leave teachers and SNAs in very difficult situations. [18379/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil/teacher and SNA staffing allocations.
In general, speech and language and occupational therapy supports are provided by the HSE.
On an ongoing basis, special schools also have access to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs, including behavioural needs.
Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school has taken place with inputs from my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the relevant agencies including the NCSE. This school will also continue to be supported by NEPS.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and NCSE will continue to prioritise this school for support.
509. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 799 of 19 January 2021, if the building contractor for the construction of a school (details supplied) has been appointed; if not, when she expects the contractor to be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Letter of Intent (LOI) issued on 15th of February 2022 to the preferred tenderer. This allows the preferred bidder to put in place the Bond, Insurances and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.
Following receipt of all the necessary documentation, the Department will be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.
My Department will advise the Board of Management when the Letter of Acceptance issues.
510. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the date for the leaving certificate 2022 music practical examinations. [18387/22]
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 question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
511. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if additional resources will be made available by her Department for schools that are facing a significant demand for translation services; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is uncertainty in this regard among some schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will be supporting schools by providing education resources for schools in Ukrainian which they can then provide to parents. It is not expected that schools will need to translate resources themselves.
Included among the wide array of resources is information in relation to free digital tools, including apps that can assist with text and voice translation. These resources are particularly useful in terms of making school website material, forms and documents accessible to all and for assisting with communication between schools and parents. Further information is available on the website of the Professional Development Service for Teachers: www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/What%20free%20digital%20tools%20are%20available.pdf.
My Department has also established Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) to support the needs of children from Ukraine arriving in Ireland. These teams will be hosted by the 16 regional Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and will be staffed by existing regionally-based education support personnel working closely together to ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for children from Ukraine.
The REALT will support existing services and co-ordinate the following work areas:
- Align current school capacity with the placement of Ukrainian families, as much as possible.
- Identify additional capacity within their geographic areas to prepare for situations where demand may exceed available school capacity, and work with the Department and other organisations as necessary with a view to making this additional capacity available.
- Assist schools and families with accessing information on school places for children from Ukraine and young people who have moved into the area.
- Assist schools and families with accessing resources and supports for additional capacity, wellbeing, language and educational needs.
- Assist with work in the area of staff supply, including where required, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutors who would assist with the English language needs of Ukrainian children, young people and their parents / guardians.
- Liaison with other local co-ordinating structures that may be established to coordinate the delivery of public services for families from Ukraine, including Community Response Fora. Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on gov.ie/Ukraine.
My Department has also set up a helpline and email address for Principals of schools, details of which have been communicated directly to schools.
512. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the cost of consultants to her Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will provide an outline of the role of each. [18900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually in respect of the previous year and published online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/. The data in respect of 2021 is being compiled at present and will be published online as soon as it is available.
513. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide free public transport for persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,025,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
I am aware of the campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties than can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy. I have recently met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss their proposal in detail.
Following the meeting I have asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland and to explore options to help alleviate these issues. Further meetings will be arranged once this exploratory work has been concluded.
However, it is really important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. Crucially as many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact across a spectrum from mild to severe, entitlement to these schemes is not provided on the basis of a simple diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned. In this way resources can be targeted to people with most need. Therefore, while a diagnosis of a particular medical condition will be required to establish if a person may be eligible for certain social welfare schemes, evidence of impact is also required before entitlement to the scheme or the related free travel scheme is established. The sole exception to this general approach is in respect of people who are blind.
It is also important to note that there are a range of disabilities and medical conditions that can prevent a person from holding a driving licence and to award a free travel pass to a person with any one of these conditions in isolation would immediately result in calls for all people who are not allowed to hold a driving licence because of their medical condition to receive the free travel pass and could result in challenges under the Equal Status Act.
While consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, uncoupling the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would move it away from being a social welfare measure to being a general transport initiative.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
514. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will undertake a review of public services workers hired prior to April 1995 who are eligible for class-D stamps with a view to granting them status allowing them to receive full social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17419/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial insurance contributions are made in accordance with the legislation and the employment terms and conditions in force at the time they are made and eligibility for social insurance benefits flow from that.
Civil and public sector employees, recruited prior to 6 April 1995, pay social insurance contributions at modified rates under classes B, C and D. Amongst the class B contributors are permanent and pensionable civil servants and Gardaí, the class C contributors are commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service and the class D contributors include permanent and pensionable employees in the public service other than those insured at classes B and C. All civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay social insurance at the standard class A rate.
Prior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment.
Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, class D contributors currently pay a contribution at the rate of 0.9% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4% on weekly earnings over that amount and their employers pay a contribution of 2.35% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, guardian's payment (contributory), occupational injuries benefits, parent's benefit and carer's benefit.
In contrast, civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay a class A social insurance contribution of 4% on their weekly earnings and their employers pay a contribution of 8.8% where employees’ weekly earnings are €410 or less and 11.05% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €410. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
515. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who met with the community welfare officer in person at locations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17489/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not maintain records of the number of persons who meet with the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in Intreo Centres and Outreach locations.
The following tables show:
- the number of Basic weekly Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) in payment in December 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the locations concerned.
- the number of SWA supplements (including Rent Supplement, Diet Supplement and Travel Supplement) in payment in December 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the locations concerned and
- the number of Exceptional Needs Payment awarded and paid during 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the locations concerned.
It should be noted that in Quarter 4, 2021, the claimload in Mountmellick was reallocated to CWOs in adjacent areas to maximise efficiencies in claim processing.
The data beneath will give an indication of the level of traffic to the Community Welfare Service in Portlaoise, Rathdowney and Mountmellick in December in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021:
|
Basic SWA claims in payment |
|||
|
Location |
Dec-19 |
Dec-20 |
Dec-21 |
|
Portlaoise |
303 |
193 |
184 |
|
Rathdowney |
71 |
54 |
48 |
|
Mountmellick |
42 |
24 |
1 |
|
SWA Supplements claims in payment |
|||
|
Location |
Dec-19 |
Dec-20 |
Dec-21 |
|
Portlaoise |
148 |
159 |
92 |
|
Rathdowney |
23 |
31 |
30 |
|
Mountmellick |
28 |
21 |
1 |
Exceptional Needs Payments made
|
Year |
Portlaoise |
Rathdowney |
Mountmellick |
|
2019 |
2,269 |
432 |
305 |
|
2020 |
1,650 |
231 |
171 |
|
2021 |
1,119 |
166 |
98 |
A person can request an appointment with a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) at my Department's office at Government Buildings, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise Monday to Friday and at the Social Welfare Branch Office in Rathdowney each Thursday morning. In addition any person who needs to contact or access the CWS can also do so by telephone or email.
It is important to note that as part of my continued commitment to improve the CWS in County Laois and across the country, customers no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. Consultations with a CWO are available via phone at our offices and a direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the customer’s needs. All applications for assistance are dealt with promptly by my officials.
This change is a significant enhancement to the service offered to customers as it means that those who require community welfare assistance no longer need to visit an outreach location or wait to make a claim or wait to access the service. The initiatives that I have put in place continue to ensure that the service is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
516. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the services that are provided to Ukrainian refugees at INTREO offices. [17501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department.
The priority for my Department is the allocation of PPSNs and the provision of immediate financial supports. A fast-track approach in processing these supports has been put in place which includes a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services. People are eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme and will be deemed to have satisfied the Habitual Residence Condition and their means are being assessed as nil. Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments. We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.
A reception centre has been set up in Dublin Airport where officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are available to meet people fleeing the war in Ukraine. We have also established dedicated Support Centres in Cork Street, Dublin as well as in Cork and Limerick Cities. My Department is working closely with the Department of Justice as well as the International Protection Accommodation Service in these locations and also in Rosslare where services are provided on arrival of each ferry.
PPSN allocation and Income Support is also available through the Intreo Centre and Branch Office network. People may also avail of Employment Support services through the Intreo Centres.
A dedicated webpage has been published on the Department’s website to ensure those arriving from Ukraine are aware of the supports and services available to them. The webpage is entitled ‘Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive’.
The information on the webpage is in Plain English and also in the Ukrainian and Russian languages. It also has a list of the all locations of all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices.
517. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in her Department and in agencies and public bodies within her area of responsibility; the number who have been absent from work for up to three months, from three to six months, from six to 12 months and for over 12 months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the number of staff who are presently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and in its associated agencies and public bodies.
|
Absent on pay due to suspension: 0-3 months |
0 |
|
Absent on pay due to suspension: 3-6 months |
0 |
|
Absent on pay due to suspension: 6-12 months |
0 |
|
Absent on pay due to suspension: 12+ months |
1 |
The Department, with a staffing cohort of approximately 6,500, manages disciplinary and dispute cases in line with the relevant civil service policies including the Civil Service Disciplinary Code, Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour and the Dignity at Work Policy for the Civil Service.
All cases requiring suspension are monitored and managed centrally by the Department's Human Resources Division, ensuring cases are concluded efficiently whilst providing for the fair and equitable treatment of such cases in accordance with best practice and employment legislation.
Both Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority have confirmed their adherence to the same policies and approaches referenced above and both agencies have reported they currently have no employees absent from work due to suspension.
518. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that retired public servants in receipt of a widow or widowers pension on the basis of their class D PRSI contributions are entitled to the living alone allowance given that those retired public servants that never married are denied eligibility on the basis that they are not in receipt of a qualifying payment; her views on whether this as an anomaly in the system that discriminates against retired single public servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17616/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that retired civil servants who are in receipt of a Civil Service pension are not entitled to a living-alone allowance; the reason this is the only group of pensioners not entitled to a living-alone allowance; if she will review the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 520 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.
PRSI Class D provides social insurance coverage for permanent and pensionable employees in the public service, other than those who were recruited after 6 April, 1995, doctors and dentists employed in the civil service, Gardaí, commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service. Public servants recruited on or after 6 April 1995 are liable to pay PRSI contributions at the ordinary Class A contribution.
The contributions payable by an employee at the modified rate of contribution determines the range of benefits and pensions towards which these contributors can build up entitlement. Subject to having the required number of PRSI contributions, employees who paid Class D contributions accrued entitlement to the following payments:
a) Carer’s Benefit
b) Guardian’s Payment Contributory
c) Occupational Injuries Benefits
d) Parent’s Benefit
e) Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
