Written Answers Nos. 281-300
281. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if a new school building for a school (details supplied) will be part of the National Development Finance Agency school bundles process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is not being delivered by the NDFA. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
282. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the process in obtaining an exemption from Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the deputy that as set out in Circular 0052/2019 (primary) and 0053/2019 (post primary), an application for an exemption from the study of Irish should be made in writing by the parent/ guardian or student if aged 18+ to the school. Application forms, detailed guidelines and frequently asked questions are available on the website: www.gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/.
An exemption can only be granted in cases where the school is satisfied that the student meets the criteria set out in the circular. In these cases, the school should issue a Certificate of Exemption to the applicant. This Certificate of Exemption is valid for the duration of the student's enrolment in primary and post primary school. Applicants may decide not to exercise the right to use the exemption granted without losing the entitlement to exercise it in the future.
In all other cases, schools are required to address a wide diversity of needs by providing a differentiated learning experience for students in an inclusive school environment. This is informed by the principles of inclusion and the benefits of bilingualism for all students that underpin the Primary Languages Curriculum, the Framework for Junior Cycle and curricular provision in senior cycle.
As set out in the 2019 circulars, the Department is currently undertaking an initial review of the operation of the circulars.
283. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the annual cost of cleaning and sanitising roofs of buildings under her Department’s control for the past five years to date in 2022. [25584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department occupies four main campuses in Marlborough Street and Blanchardstown in Dublin, Tullamore and Athlone as well as 41 local offices throughout the country.
My Department has not incurred any costs in relation to roof cleaning and sanitisation in the past five years to date in 2022.
The maintenance and upkeep of school grounds and buildings is a matter for school authorities. School authorities are responsible for determining whether maintenance, including the cleaning or sanitising of roofs, is required at buildings.
284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if additional financial resources, both current and capital, are being provided in 2022 to enable the provision of additional special classes at primary and post primary level in areas in which there is an increasing demand for such classes (details supplied); if additional places will be available for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25605/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority for this Government.
This year, the Department of Education will invest in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget in the area of special educational needs support. As a result the numbers of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and special school places are at unprecedented levels.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased from 548 to a current total of 2,148 for the 2021/2022 school year. Of these, almost 1,900 special classes cater for students with autism.
Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements, over the last two years, the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year. Overall, this intensive intervention has seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, already opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs 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 class placements.
The Department and the NCSE continue to prioritise and support this work.
The Department also recognises that where parents have difficulties in securing an appropriate school placement for their child, particularly a child with additional needs, it can be a stressful experience. The Department is working hard to ensure that there are sufficient school places, appropriate to the needs of all children, available on a timely basis nationwide.
The Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities.
There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. The NCSE is looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special education places, particularly to cater for students with autism who have associated complex needs.
NCSE have been working with stakeholders in the counties referenced by the Deputy for a number of years to meet the identified need in the counties. There are currently a total of 57 special classes for students requiring an autism class placement in the counties in question of which 44 are primary (including 8 Early Intervention ASD classes) and 13 are post primary. SENOs are currently engaged with parents, schools and Boards of Management in these counties to establish the level of need and to ensure that the necessary arrangements are put in place to meet that need.
I should also state that Budget 2022 has provided funding to the Department and the NCSE for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places this year. This additional provision will bring the total number of special classes to over 2,400 in the 2022/2023 school year.
The list of special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCSE-Special-School-Allocations-21-22-website-03-12-2021.pdf
and for special classes at:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf.
285. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the full purchase of the land relating to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25607/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is not being delivered by the NDFA. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
The conveyancing stage of the acquisition process for the school's permanent site is ongoing. Draft contracts have been exchanged and it is expected that conveyancing will conclude shortly.
My Department is considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design & Build projects including the permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy and will advise the school's patron body further as soon as possible.
In the interim, the Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport might be provided or restored in the case of a family (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25648/22]
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 my 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.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle. Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils, referred to by the Deputy, school of attendance is not their nearest school. The pupils were not successful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2021/22 school year. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the application for these pupils will roll over to the 2022/2023 school year for consideration for spare seats that may exist once all eligible children have been catered for.
287. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 966 of 26 April 2022, if there are requirements for existing as opposed to new-build schools to have space for physical education. [25650/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi use games areas (hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. The majority of existing schools have a general purpose room / Physical Education hall and practically all schools have outdoor play areas. In addition, many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
My Department provides general purpose and PE halls with the construction of all new primary and post primary schools respectively. The provision of outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. While there is no specific guidelines for existing as opposed to new school physical education facilities, equivalent facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
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 in order to ensure every pupil has a school place each September. However, under Project Ireland 2040, there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools, such as General Purpose rooms will also be considered.
The Deputy may also be aware of the very significant school building programme that is currently underway. Overall, there are in excess of 1,300 school building projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction. The current status of approved projects under the school building programme is listed on a county by county basis on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and is regularly updated.
288. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carer’s allowance reviews that have been commenced in 2022; the number completed and the number in cases in which claimants have seen their payment reduced; the planned further review of the carer’s allowance in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Carer's allowance reviews take place in a number of circumstances as follows:-
- If the decision on a new claim is negative the customer has the option of a review.
- Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews as part of its control strategy to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
- A customer can at any stage request a review of their entitlement.
As part of Budget 2022, improvements were introduced to the income and capital limits for the CA means assessment. These measures, which will take effect from June 2022, include an increase in the income disregard from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple. In addition, the amount of capital disregarded in the means test will be increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
In advance of June 2022, it was necessary to obtain up to date income and capital information, where this was not available to the Department, and to review existing CA entitlement to ensure that the Budget 2022 changes are applied correctly. Of almost 91,000 customers currently in receipt of CA, 8,030 are in receipt of a reduced rate of payment. A review was undertaken of 3,604 of these customers, whose information was greater than 3 years old. The majority of these customers have returned the information required and the reviews will be completed by end May 2022, thereby ensuring increases due will be paid appropriately.
I am advised that a total of 3,071 CA reviews were completed to the end of April 2022, which includes control reviews and those associated with budget changes. I understand that numbers are not readily available with respect to reviews conducted at the request of customers. Information is not collated on the number of reviews which result in an increase, or reduction or where no change is made to the rate of payment.
My officials will continue to undertake CA reviews, in line with the Department's Control strategy. It is intended to undertake 5,500 CA reviews during 2022, excluding those requested by customers.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
289. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each weekly social welfare scheme by €1 per week in tabular form. [25465/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child increase by €1 for children under 12 years of age and €1 for children over 12 years of age, respectively. [25466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the carer’s support grant to €2,000. [25472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of bringing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €117.70 per week up to the full rate of €208. [25474/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the current young jobseeker’s rate of €117.70 per week by an additional €5 per week. [25475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 290, 296, 298 and 299 together.
The estimated cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment by €1 is shown in the table below.
|
Payment |
Personal €m |
Qualified Adult €m |
Total €m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|||
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
22.7 |
3.0 |
25.6 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
6.2 |
6.2 |
|
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
|
Invalidity Pension |
3.0 |
0.2 |
3.2 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.1 |
0.1 |
|
|
Disablement Pension |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
|
Illness Benefit |
2.5 |
0.1 |
2.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
2.2 |
0.1 |
2.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self Employed) |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
1.1 |
1.1 |
|
|
Paternity & Parent's Benefit |
0.3 |
0.3 |
|
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|||
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
4.9 |
0.1 |
5.0 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
0.1 |
0.1 |
|
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
2.1 |
2.1 |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
2.8 |
2.8 |
|
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
1.1 |
1.1 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
6.7 |
1.0 |
7.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Reduced Rate aged 18 to 24) |
0.7 |
0.0 |
0.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
8.2 |
0.6 |
8.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
0.7 |
0.1 |
0.8 |
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
1.7 |
0.3 |
2.0 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.2 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
0.7 |
0.1 |
0.8 |
|
TOTAL* |
69.0 |
5.5 |
74.5 |
*Rounding may effect totals
The estimated full-year cost of increasing the Qualified Child payment by €1 for children aged under 12 and €1 for children aged 12 and over is €10.5 million and €5.8 million respectively.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant by €150 from €1,850 to €2,000 per year is €21.2 million.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing the rate of Jobseeker's Allowance for recipients aged 24 and under on a reduced rate of payment by €5 is €3.7 million, while the estimated cost of increasing the aged-reduced rate from €117.70 to €208 per week is €66.8 million. These estimates include increases for qualified adults where applicable, and recipients of an age-reduced rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2022 and are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
291. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including carer's allowance as a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance. [25467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Taking account of the fact that the fuel allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on receipt of a qualifying payment but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the cost of the measure suggested by the Deputy.
The Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual Carer's Support Grant (€1,850) in respect of each person for whom they care.
While Carer's Allowance is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, a person in receipt of Carer's Allowance may avail of the Fuel Allowance payment in certain circumstances. Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment, and a carer will very often live with and care for a person in receipt of a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Income from full rate Carer's Allowance is disregarded from the fuel means test, if the carer is providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant, his/her qualified spouse/civil partner or cohabitant or qualified child(ren).
If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, s/he can keep his/her main social protection payment in addition to receiving the half-rate Carer's Allowance. S/he can also receive an extra half-rate Carer’s Allowance if s/he cares for more than one person. The payment of half-rate Carer’s Allowance does not preclude a person from qualifying for Fuel Allowance. If a person is in receipt of a non-contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, then s/he is deemed to have satisfied the means test and Fuel Allowance is payable, subject to all remaining criteria being satisfied. If a person is in receipt of a contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate Carer’s Allowance then s/he will have to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for Fuel Allowance.
Any decision to adjust the rules of Fuel Allowance to make Carer's Allowance a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
292. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the current rate of the fuel allowance by €1 per week. [25468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
It is estimated then the additional cost of increasing the Fuel Allowance rate by €1 per week would be in the region of €11.2 million over a standard 28-week Fuel Allowance season.
293. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the fuel allowance for one additional week. [25469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The cost of extending the fuel allowance season for one additional week is estimated to be in the region of €12.25 million, based on current recipient household numbers and payment rates.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
294. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of including the working family payment as a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance. [25470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Fuel Allowance is a household payment and the circumstances and income of any other member of the household will be taken into account when deciding a Fuel Allowance application. Accordingly, it is very difficult to provide an accurate estimate for the proposed measure. However, it would be expected that it would cost in the region of an estimated €22.4 million in a full year.
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. It is not considered a long-term Social Protection payment and recipients are in full time employment and are more likely to have additional resources. A person in receipt of the WFP can continue to receive the payment for 52 weeks even if their income increases.
295. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of reintroducing the State pension transition scheme for 65 year olds. [25471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the State Pension (Transition) existed, it was a scheme which allowed those who were retired to get a transitionary payment between the ages of 65 and 66 years. The maximum personal rate was equivalent to the then maximum rate for the State Pension (Contributory). Eligibility was based on PRSI contributions and credits and payments were calculated based on the Yearly Averaging approach. PRSI Class S contributions (self-employed) were not reckonable for the State Pension (Transition).
It is important to note that the conditions and eligibility requirements for State Pension (Transition) were different to and more arduous than those for the State Pension (Contributory). For example, a person had to have a minimum average of 24 contributions per annum to be eligible for the previous model of State Pension (Transition) whereas an average of 10 contributions per annum is required for State Pension (Contributory) eligibility. In addition, recipients of the previous model of State Pension (Transition) were not eligible for Free Travel, the Household Benefits Package (electricity, gas, TV licence) or Living Alone Allowance. Furthermore, the State Pension (Transition) scheme had a retirement condition whereas the State Pension (Contributory) did not.
Since the State Pension (Transition) scheme ceased with effect from 1 January 2014, very significant amendments have been made to the State Pension (Contributory) scheme, including the introduction of the interim Total Contributions Approach and the availability of Homecaring Periods. As a consequence of these changes, applicants for the State Pension (Contributory) are assessed under the Yearly Averaging system and the interim Total Contributions Approach and awarded on the basis of the calculation that best benefits them.
While it would be possible to estimate the potential cost of reintroducing the State Pension (Transition) on the exact same legislative basis as it previously existed (which included specific rate-band structures and a yearly average method of payment calculation), it would not be possible to reintroduce it on that basis because of the changes set out above. Therefore, introducing such a scheme would require significant design changes to the previous State Pension (Transition) to modernise it in line with the Total Contributions Approach method of payment calculation and the availability of Homecaring Periods. As no such design work has been done, it is not possible to estimate the cost as requested.
In February 2021, I introduced the "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. This new payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021 and it contained almost 250 pages of analysis, consideration and recommendations. The report, Technical Sub-Committee's working papers, agendas, minutes, external presentations and submissions in response to an extensive public consultation process are available on the website, pensionscommission.gov.ie. The Commission’s work established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed. It has set out a wide range of recommendations, including in respect of the State Pension Age and early access, and aligning retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension age.
In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government is considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare are being considered as part of these deliberations. I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government in the coming weeks.
It is clear from the Commission’s work that State Pension reform is necessary and it is complex. It would be a strategic risk not to plan and provide for projected demographic changes, not least in terms of income adequacy for older people. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
297. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the current weekly means testing amount of €120 qualifying to qualify for the fuel allowance by €5 per week. [25473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Taking account of the fact that the Fuel Allowance is a household based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measure outlined by the Deputy. My Department also does not maintain records across all schemes of the amount by which unsuccessful fuel applicants are over the income threshold. It is also worth noting that many people above the existing income threshold may not make an application.
300. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the jobseeker’s transitional payment scheme age cut-off to 18 years of age. [25476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment provides income support to lone parents whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years, inclusive. When their youngest child turns 14, a person may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance payment.The Working Family Payment is also available to lone parents who are working 38 or more hours per fortnight. That scheme is payable where a person has a child up to age 18 or age 22 if in full time education. Lone parents currently on Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment can transfer to Working Family Payment where they satisfy the hours worked requirement and the other scheme conditions.
A person who takes up or is in insurable employment or takes up self-employment within four weeks of the end of their Jobseeker's Transitional Payment claim can qualify for Back to Work Family Dividend which is payable over a two year period. In year one, the rate of payment is based on the person's Qualified Child entitlement, subject to a maximum of four children, on the date of exit from their primary payment. Fifty per cent of that amount is payable in year two.
Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid concurrently.
I am advised that the cost of increasing the age limit for a qualified child for the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment (JST) until the youngest child reaches 18 is not easily estimated. In any event, extending the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment beyond the 14th birthday of a person’s youngest child would have the effect of delaying the interaction of affected customers with the Department’s Intreo services. The primary aim of the current system is to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among lone parents, and to improve their access to education, training, and employment support services. Improved access to these services will enhance their skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence.
For these reasons, I have no plans to change the position at this time. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
