Written Answers Nos. 315-328
315. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainian households that have entered the State since the start of the war; and the breakdown by household size, for example, no children, one child, two children, three children and four or more children. [18949/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date my Department has allocated 19,545 PPSNs across 16,080 households to people coming into the State under the Temporary Protection Directive since February 24th 2022. Among this total there are 6,031 households with children under the age of 18; the breakdown of these households by the number of children under 18 is provided in the tabular statement below.
|
One child |
5,077 |
|
Two children |
783 |
|
Three children |
144 |
|
Four children |
22 |
|
Five or more children |
5 |
|
Total households |
6,031 |
316. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the free travel pass to persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19060/22]
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.
It is not possible for my Department to provide an estimate of the cost of extending the free travel scheme to persons who are diagnosed with epilepsy. The HSE estimates that there are 40,000 people who suffer with epilepsy in Ireland, with between 12-15,000 of this cohort who have breakthrough seizures. My Department does not retain data on how many epilepsy sufferers are already in receipt of DSP qualifying payments that entitle them to access the free travel pass or are aged 66 or over. Furthermore, the additional cost to the scheme, should it be extended to all people with epilepsy, would also depend on factors including the type of travel pass issued (e.g., single or companion pass), the number of journeys made using the free travel pass, the prevailing fares, and the type of journeys undertaken, i.e., rail, bus or Luas.
I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy. I have recently met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its 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 engagement with Epilepsy Ireland 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.)
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.
317. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans she has to engage with various sectors and employers to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and create job opportunities for them; if she will provide further information on this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18624/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing emergency support to meet the immediate needs of those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as providing employment advice and guidance.
In addition to a support centre established in Dublin Airport, three city centre hubs to support Ukrainian nationals have been established by the Government, in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. These ‘Ukraine supports centres’, as well as a number of Intreo Centres, are assisting Ukrainians obtaining PPS numbers, in availing of social welfare income supports and receiving referrals to other State services. These are the immediate emergency supports required on arrival in this country.
My Department is also providing assistance to Ukrainians to find employment.
A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie, has been developed providing information on employment supports and opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.
Intreo employment services are available to assist those arriving from Ukraine as they seek employment in the Irish labour market in Intreo Offices and through jobsireland.ie. Employers across all sectors who wish to support Ukrainians through provision of employment opportunities, should register on www.jobsireland.ie to advertise vacancies. This will enable Intreo Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities. Ukrainians seeking employment can also access the service directly, to upload details of their skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities.
My Department is also at an advanced stage in planning further employment supports for Ukrainians. These supports will be provided on an outreach basis in, or close to current accommodation hubs, or by inviting Ukrainians into Intreo offices.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
318. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that foreign students studying in Ireland wishing to take up employment are waiting months to be issued with PPS numbers in view of the fact that Ukrainians are issued with PPS numbers straight away once they arrive in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) may be required for various reasons, not just employment, and a person is entitled to apply to my Department for a PPSN when they require one in order to transact with a public service body.Students, including those who travel to Ireland for their education, generally require a PPSN in order to enrol or register for a course with an educational institution.Should any student then decide to take up employment, they must advise their employer of their PPSN so they can pay any tax and social insurance, arising out of that employment, to the Revenue Commissioners.I am happy to advise the Deputy that it is not currently the case that a PPSN application may take a period of months to be processed. If the Deputy is aware of any individual case where an applicant is waiting that long, I would ask that he forward the details of the case to my Department and it will be examined.My Department has put in place arrangements to expedite the allocation of PPSNs to those arriving in the State under the Temporary Protection Directive. In doing so, my Department is not only playing its part in ensuring that Ireland fulfils its obligations under EU law, but also ensuring those seeking this protection can avail of other vital public services.
Unlike many others who come to this State for education, employment and other reasons, the vast majority of those seeking temporary protection are totally dependent on this State for their housing, medical, education and income support needs. Given the numbers of arrivals experienced to date, it is right and proper that special arrangements be put in place to ensure we as a country can meet those needs, and I am proud of the flexibility and dedication to customer service and public service that the staff of my Department has shown in this regard.
319. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps her Department is taking to streamline the process for persons needing to access an exceptional needs payment to make it more accessible and reduce the administrative burden on persons in view of rising energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18937/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of schemes to assist low-income households with energy costs. These include regular payments like the Fuel Allowance, the Electricity or Gas Allowance available under the Household Benefits scheme and discretionary payments made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
The purpose of the Exceptional Needs Payments (ENP) is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Applications for ENPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department. When considering an application from people in financial difficulty for any payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, the Designated Person must consider all of the relevant circumstances when examining a case in determining the most appropriate scheme type and level of assistance required. The Designated Person may ask for a number of supporting documents to ensure the customer receives a level of payment appropriate to their needs.
My Department has enhanced the Community Welfare Service in recent months. Information provision on Community Welfare Services at Intreo Centres, Social Welfare Branch Offices and the Citizens Information/Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) has been improved, supported by easier telephone and email contact arrangements, and speedier processing of claims received. Exceptional needs application packs are available in all Intreo Centres and the application form can be downloaded from www.gov.ie
This has ensured that customers do not have to attend in person to access services or to make a claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in the past five years by county in tabular form; if there are plans to increase the number of community welfare officers in view of rising energy prices, inflation and increasing needs from Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18938/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the fluctuation in demand for the Community Welfare Service (CWS), particularly during the pandemic when resources were allocated to areas where they were most needed, staffing numbers within locations changed frequently. Therefore the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. The current CWS staff numbers and vacancies are outlined in the tables below. Work is underway to fill the vacancies which have arisen through staff retirements and staff moving to other Departments. Activity within the CWS is closely monitored at all times and resources are deployed as necessary.
It is important to note that as part of my continued commitment to improve the CWS across the country, customers no longer have to meet in person with a CWO in order to make a claim. This change means that those who require community welfare assistance urgently no longer need to wait to visit a clinic if they do not wish to. These initiatives that I have put in place will ensure that the service is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.
The CWS remains a flexible service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable customers. For this reason, consultations can be arranged via phone, at our office or, indeed can be a direct home visit depending on the customer’s need.
It is vital that the CWS is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs and developing and enhancing access to the service remains my priority.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular statement
Table 1 - The number of CWOs by county
|
County |
No. of CWOs by county |
|
Carlow |
3 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
|
Clare |
8 |
|
Cork |
37 |
|
Donegal |
17 |
|
Dublin |
80 |
|
Galway |
16 |
|
Kerry |
14 |
|
Kildare |
9 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
|
Limerick |
16 |
|
Longford |
4 |
|
Louth |
8 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
13 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
|
Total |
304 |
Table 2 - The number of CWO vacancies by county
|
County |
No. of CWO vacancies by county |
|
Dublin |
2 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Total |
9 |
321. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will process a request by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection has no record of a general data protection regulation, GDPR, request from the person in question. In relation to FOI requests made by this person, I refer the Deputy to question 16080/22, which was answered on the 28th March 2022.
322. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are currently declared as self-employed farmers who are in receipt of invalidity pension; the number whose invalidity is related to farm accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18964/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the department that statistics are not available on the number of self employed farmers in receipt of Invalidity Pension (IP) and nor are there statistics available on the number of persons in receipt of IP due to a farm accident. Therefore it is not in a position to supply the information in the manner sought by the Deputy.
323. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if full benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) until such time as there is an outcome to their appeal; and if she will expedite the matter.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the entitlement of the person concerned, it was found that she had a decrease in her means from her previous assessment. Based on the information provided to the Department, an increased personal rate of disability allowance (DA) was awarded with effect from 16 March 2022.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 31 March 2022 and was also notified of their right to request a further review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received to date.
Arrears of allowance due issued by cheque to the person concerned on 31 March 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
324. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff within her Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19041/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 2 officers from my Department on secondment to the European Union (EU) Commission (DG Social Affairs & Inclusion) in Brussels. On 23 June 2016 there was one officer on secondment to the EU Commission (DG Employment) in Brussels.
Their roles are outlined in the table below. The posts vacated by these officers have been filled on a permanent basis and the seconded officers will be assigned to a vacancy in my Department on the completion of their secondment.
|
Title |
April 2022 |
June 2016 |
|
Seconded National Experts |
2 |
1 |
|
Total |
2 |
1 |
325. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount provided to JobPath providers in respect of funding for leasing premises in the course of their role in delivering services in tabular form. [19046/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department contracts with two providers for the provision of the JobPath service, Seetec and Turas Nua. The JobPath contractors are responsible for the costs of running the service with the Department paying a small registration fee when a persons first engages with the service and Job Sustainment Fees when a customer gains and sustains employment for 13, 26, 39 and 53 weeks.
No other payments are made to a contractor. Leasing arrangements for premises used to deliver the service are a matter for the contractor.
326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update in respect of her ambition to outsource local employment services. [19047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Employment Services have been outsourced since their inception in the 1990s. My Department is currently undertaking a significant expansion of public 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, including the non-profit sector, will have sufficient time to prepare quality tender responses that reflect their experience and capacity to deliver a quality service.
The Phase two Request for Tenders took on board many of the issues raised following feedback from the Phase 1 RFT. Of particular significance was the substantial increase in guaranteed annual referrals to the new services under Phase 2. The increase in guaranteed referral numbers was calculated on the basis of ensuring the financial viability of the new employment services with due regard to the cost structures of existing Job Clubs and Local Employment Services in the Phase 2 lot areas.
327. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in workplaces to assist in the prevention of sudden cardiac death is an important aspect of modern occupational first aid.
Almost all offices and buildings accessible to the public under my remit are equipped with AEDs, with more than 70 provided since 2016.
The Department will continue the roll out of defibrillators with the aim of having one in every public building.
328. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with her Department and bodies under auspices of her Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo consultancy contract was awarded to the organisation in question by my Department or by any of the bodies under the auspices of my Department in the years 2017 to 2021.
