Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of unidentified aerial phenomena that were recorded by the Defence Forces in Ireland in the period since World War II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if Irish authorities have engaged in any way with representatives of other governments, particularly the United States on the subject of unidentified aerial phenomena; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if he or members of his Department have had the opportunity to review the findings of the United States House Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena, which took place in Washington earlier in May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142 and 143 together.
My Department has not had any engagement with external bodies or other States in relation to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and there are no contemporary recordings of sightings or otherwise of UAPs by the Defence Forces. Should the Deputy require a full retrospective as suggested, I request additional time for a search to be carried out with Military Archives to determine if any such information exists.
I suggest that my colleague, the Minister for Transport, may be in a better position to advise on comtemporary reports or recordings of UAPs given that the Irish Aviation Authority comes under his remit.
To date my Department has not reviewed the findings of the United States House Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on UAPs and I thank the Deputy for drawing my attention to this matter.
144. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 12 May 2022, if he will outline the cost of the Defence Forces aptitude tests for each year from 2016 to 2021, inclusive; the number of tests that were administered each year; the number of applicants that failed to pass the tests in each of these years respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that it has not been possible to gather the required information within the time allotted. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been gathered.
|
Year |
Cost |
||||
|
2016 |
€27,669 |
||||
|
2017 |
€16,776 |
||||
|
2018 |
€22,979 |
||||
|
2019 |
€23,980 |
||||
|
2020 |
€24,182 |
||||
|
2021 |
€24,306 |
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
|
Test Administered |
6,945 |
6,484 |
4,269 |
6,421 |
5,281 |
4,408 |
|||||||||
|
Completed Tests Failed |
3,739 |
2,288 |
1,306 |
844 |
1,701 |
2,278 |
145. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the total number of pupils in primary and in secondary schools, respectively. [28228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent enrolment data available is the preliminary enrolments for 2021-2022, published December 2021. The preliminary data will be replaced by the final enrolment data for 2021-2022 which we expect to publish in June 2022.
As per the preliminary data, there were 546,121 pupils enrolled in mainstream primary schools, 8,682 pupils enrolled in special schools and 391,703 pupils enrolled in post-primary schools.
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/63363b-data-on-individual-schools/.
146. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made in relation to the move by a school (details supplied) to its permanent location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy is currently located in interim accommodation in Belmayne and will remain at this location for the 2022/23 school year.
The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the preferred tenderer on the 19th May 2022 commencing the school building contract for the school referred to by the Deputy.
The construction programme underpinning the contract will be provided by the Contractor shortly and my Department will advise the school as soon as possible in this regard.
147. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the details of the proposed opening of special education centres for children with special educational needs. [28247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with opposition spokespersons and local Deputies to provide a briefing on the proposed opening of special education centres in Dublin. [28248/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
Special Education has been prioritised by Government in recent years.
This year, the Department of Education will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure, since 2011.
This will bring the total number of Special Education Teachers in the mainstream school system to 14,385 in 2022, an increase of 48% since 2011 when 10,575 were funded.
An additional 380 teachers are also being provided to support students to be enrolled in new special classes and new special schools for the 2022/2023 school year.
Over 1,700 additional places in 287 new special classes will become available in 2022. Since 2011, the number of special classes has increased by 386%. Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased from 548 to 2,148 for the 2021/2022 school year.
Provision has been made for 19,169 SNAs by the end of 2022, which will represent an increase of 81% since 2011.
My Department and the NCSE are working closely to maximise the number of new special classes that can be established in Dublin for the start of 2022/23 school year.
As an interim measure and to provide additional educational supports to those children awaiting a special class placement the Department of Education is considering a draft proposal to open a number of temporary special education centres in Dublin across strategic locations in close co-operation with the Education and Training Boards in Dublin (City of Dublin ETB and Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB).
This draft proposal is very much a temporary option for those children who are awaiting a placement in a special class in a mainstream school. It is envisaged that this draft proposal, which would be voluntary for parents/guardians and children could present a more suitable option than Home Tuition for some children as they await a special class placement. Many of these families are having difficulties in securing a tutor for this work. Families would now have access to an alternative to Home Tuition providing them with
1. Access to fully qualified teachers removing the burden of sourcing an appropriately qualified home tutor
2. An opportunity for their child(ren) to interact with their peers and access education in a school/classroom environment which is ‘out-of-home’
3. Integration opportunities, where possible, on a case by case basis.
It is envisaged that these centres would follow the standard school day and school year. It is intended that the Centres will be located to facilitate engagement with local schools with a view to optimising integration opportunities for children in local schools. Integration and transition arrangements for local schools and the SEN Centres will be developed by the NCSE in conjunction with the Inspectorate and NEPs. These arrangements will be kept under continuing review by the ETBs, the Department and the NCSE.
The Centres would also be located in areas where additional special class provision is due to come on stream as various building projects progress.
I must highlight that this proposal is very much at an early stage and further significant work is required to progress the proposal and further work is required in relation to engaging with key stakeholders and advocacy groups on the draft proposal. A further meeting with advocacy groups on the draft proposal is scheduled for later this week.
Families can be assured that the Department and NCSE remain committed to opening special classes as quickly as possible and this proposal is offered as a child and family centred interim solution.
149. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the plans that her Department has to increase ASD places in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the 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.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen over 300 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in the area referenced by the Deputy. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years in this area to meet the demand for places.
NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open additional special classes and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education
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.
As your query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for its attention and direct reply.
150. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the plans that her Department has to increase ASD places in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28260/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the 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.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen over 300 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in the area referenced by the Deputy. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years in this area to meet the demand for places.
NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open additional special classes and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education
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.
As your query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for its attention and direct reply.
151. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if a teacher (details supplied) in County Mayo can be approved for a contract of indefinite duration despite the error made by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28363/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirements a primary teacher needs to meet in qualifying for a contract of indefinite duration (CID) are set out in the Department of Education circular 23/2015. Eligibility for a CID includes that a teacher should have completed two consecutive fixed term contracts with the same employer and that there should be a viable post with no objective grounds in the year the CID is being awarded.
As there is not a viable post here in this school where the consecutive fixed contracts were completed, there is no entitlement to a CID. Circular 23/2015 does not allow for such service to be transferred to another school.
Circular 0026/2022 sets out the arrangements for principal release days for schools with teaching principals for the 2022/23 school year.
All principal release day clusters in place for the 2021/22 school year will be broken at the end of this year. Schools now have the opportunity to cluster their principal release days into full-time principal release time posts for the 2022/23 school year, in accordance with circular 0026/2022.
152. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when works will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that the Emergency Works team have been in contact with the school to which he refers with regard to the new play area and they have agreed to submit a scaled back application for consideration. A decision on this scaled back application will issue directly to the school.
153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to increase the per child payment to suppliers of school meals which has not been increased since 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
A budget of €68.1 million has been provided for the scheme in 2022.
Funding under the school meals (local projects) scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, hot meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided e.g. €1.40 per child per day where a cold lunch club is being provided, €1.90 per child per day where a dinner club is being provided and €2.90 per child per day where a Hot Meal club is being provided. Dinner clubs provide a hot meal, but are different from the Hot Meals clubs, in that they tend to be provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities whereas food for Hot Meals clubs is cooked offsite and either delivered hot or reheated in the school.
I am committed to continuing to grow the hot school meals element of the school meals programme for DEIS schools and building further on the significant extension announced as part of Budget 2022. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme to be undertaken in 2022 where all elements of the programme, including the rates provided by meal type, will be reviewed. This evaluation will be complete in November 2022 and will inform future policy decisions on the scheme.
Any extension of the school meals programme or increase in funding provided will need to be considered as part of the budgetary process.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the deputy.
154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a requirement for Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection to collect their social welfare payments in post offices in line with changes implemented in January 2021 for jobseeker’s payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March 2022, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted status to avail of the supports and services provided by my Department.
Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing the war are eligible for financial support. Initially, they are being paid on a temporary basis under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance schemes.
To allow payments to be made as quickly as possible, all applications for income support were initially set up to be paid in cash at post offices. Cash payments at post offices are one of the two main payment method options provided by my Department.
People can also be paid directly into their account in either a bank, in An Post or in a credit union. The Department’s policy is, where possible, to offer people the choice of being paid in cash at the post office or directly into an account in a financial institution of their choosing.
Given the temporary and transitory nature of accommodation for many of the people fleeing the war in Ukraine, it has proven to be more practical in the short-term for some Temporary Protection applications to be paid directly into an account by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). While the default payment method for this group of people remains cash collection at post offices, until the accommodation status of people availing of the Temporary Protection Directive can be established, the option to be paid directly in to an account in a financial institution is available.
155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the checks that are in place to ensure that social welfare payments cease when Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection leave the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important that a person in receipt of a Social Welfare benefit or payment informs the Department of any change in their circumstances that may affect their entitlement.
Payments such as Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance are not payable in respect of periods where a person is absent, whether temporarily or permanently, from the State. However, there are administrative arrangements in place for payments to be made for up to two weeks in any calendar year in respect of periods where a person leaves the state for, for example, a holiday or a family emergency. A person should inform the Department of their proposed absence in advance of travel. Their payment will then be suspended and paid when they return.
Where a person is going to be absent from the state for a period of more than two weeks they should close their claim and they can reapply for income support on their return.
In addition the Department carries out a range of control activities designed to ensure that only those who are entitled to receive a payment or benefit do so. These include asking people to confirm their eligibility in person, and on an ongoing basis.
I hope this is of assistance to the Deputy.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the disability allowance payment given the sharp increase in the cost of living and in particular given that many persons with disabilities face additional costs to cover daily essentials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability, the largest of which is the Disability Allowance scheme. As at the end of April there were in excess of 155,600 people in receipt of this payment.
Following Budget 2022, the Disability Allowance personal weekly rate increased, in January, to €208 per week. In addition, increases are applied where there is a qualified adult (€138 per week) or where there are qualified children (€48/€40 per week depending on the age of the child). Persons in receipt of Disability Allowance are also entitled to a Free Travel Scheme pass and may be entitled to additional secondary benefits such as the Household Benefits Package.
Through the Budget process, a number of measures were introduced to support people with disabilities and carers, as follows:
1. General increase to the weekly rates of payment for working age schemes / recipients (under 66 years of age) by €5 per week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates;
2. Increase to the income disregard for Carer's Allowance from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple;
3. Increase to the capital disregard for Carer's Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000;
4. Extension to period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital from three months to six months (including payment of Carer's Allowance for this period);
5. Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for both the Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension from €350 to €375 per week;
6. Increase to the rates of payment available under the Wage Subsidy Scheme which provides financial incentives for private sector employers to offer employment to jobseekers with disabilities, (bringing the strand one rate equivalent to 60% of the National Minimum Wage);
7. Three grants, currently available through Intreo centres, are also to be made available through Employability contractors in 2022;
8. Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60 (was €2.50 per week);
9. Extension to the eligibility for the disregard of PhD scholarship income, in the means test, to recipients of Blind Pension;
10. Introduction of a grant of up to €500 in any calendar year towards the purchase of wigs/hairpieces/hair replacement systems in cases of hair loss due to illness or treatment of an illness;
11. Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week. The weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120;
12. Increase to the Living Alone Allowance of €3, from €19 to €22 per week.
My Department also provides the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme for those whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. This scheme includes Exceptional Needs Payments, Urgent Needs Payments and SWA Supplements (heat, travel and dietary supplements). These means tested payments may be made to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
In addition to the above, my Department commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland and the Government published their report in December. Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses. The Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, TD. All Departments have been asked to consider actions that are currently being implemented and any proposed new actions that they will be undertaking in the context of the findings of the Report.
My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives, while any proposed changes have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to re-introduce the diet supplement payment given the sharp increase in the cost of living and in particular given that many persons with particular medically certified dietary needs for example diabetic and gluten-free diets face additional costs to cover daily essentials and prevent malnutrition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28295/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet because of a specified medical condition. There are currently approximately 1,370 people in receipt of diet supplement at a cost of €0.75 million in 2021.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by my Department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) rate, which was then paid at €186 per week (and is currently paid at €206 per week). The diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014 based on this evidence.
Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
The SWA scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, officers can make a single ENP to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Decisions on ENPs and SWA supplements 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.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance.
Any decision to re-instate the Diet Supplement would require further analysis and would have to be considered in the context of the budgetary process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28299/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that my Department has engaged directly with the customer concerning the matter referred to.
159. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a data error on the social welfare system will be rectified (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28333/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the record of the individual referred to by the Deputy has been updated on my Department's systems and that an officer of my Department contacted her on 27th May 2022 to confirm that the record referred to by the Deputy had been updated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a basic social welfare payment will issue to a person (details supplied) who has two dependent children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28341/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for a One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) with effect from 14/04/2022. This claim is currently being assessed and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome in writing.
The person concerned applied for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) with effect from 13/04/2022. In addition to a number of other qualifying criteria, a person must satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) for this income support. The SWA application was disallowed as the person concerned did not meet the HRC. A decision letter dated 12/05/2022 issued to the person concerned advising her of the outcome and affording her the opportunity to seek a review of the decision and/or appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) which functions independently of my Department.
My officials have been advised that the Immigrant Council of Ireland is assisting the person concerned in relation to her status in Ireland. As an interim measure and to alleviate financial burden, the person concerned has been awarded an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) of €246 each week since 04/05/2022. ENPs towards confinement costs and rent payments of €100 and €114.23 respectively have also issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
