Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1062-1079

School Staff

Ceisteanna (1062)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

1062. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider enhancing the ratio in which assistant principal posts are allocated in DEIS schools in order to provide greater management-level support, taking into consideration the high demands that are often placed on principals in these schools to manage ancillary staff not currently taken into consideration when allocating management posts, such as SNAs, school-completion programme staff and multi-disciplinary team staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30855/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme is my Department's main strategy to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. this year my Department will spend almost €170million, rising to over €180million in 2023, supporting schools in the DEIS programme. These supports include the allocation of DEIS Grants, enhanced school book grants, allocation of home school community liaison coordinator posts and access to the school completion programme. DEIS supports also include the allocation of Deputy Principal posts and Administrative Principal posts at a lower enrolment threshold for DEIS schools.

The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that if we are to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then our extra resources must be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. The DEIS plan aims to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by the refined DEIS identification model.

The allocation of Assistant Principal posts may be considered as part of the DEIS resource allocation process and any changes to this allocation would need to be considered as part of the normal budgetary process.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (1063)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1063. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on the possible loss of a teacher at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30868/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.

School Textbooks

Ceisteanna (1064, 1065)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

1064. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the free schoolbooks pilot project; when the pilot project will be reviewed and rolled out across the country in view of the rising cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30911/22]

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

1065. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the current number of primary and post-primary schools that run a free book scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30912/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1064 and 1065 together.

My Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.

School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and guardians. In order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to all primary schools. From the information available to my Department currently, approximately 96% of all primary schools and 69% of all post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.

It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need. Therefore, my Department does not hold information in relation to the number of schools that run a free book scheme.

Additional funding of €1million was provided under Budget 2020 to provide free books in DEIS primary schools on a pilot basis. This funding was allocated to 102 DEIS primary schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents.

Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS primary schools receive a book grant of €21 per pupil. This pilot provided an additional €64 per pupil to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per pupil enrolled in the school. This is in line with the costings as set out in the 2019 Barnardos report on the Real Cost of School which states that €85 is the average cost of school books at primary school.

Funding continued for the 2021/22 school year and the effectiveness and impact of the pilot will be evaluated before any decision is made as regards its possible extension or continuation. It is my intention to complete this process as soon as possible.

Question No. 1065 answered with Question No. 1064.

School Discipline

Ceisteanna (1066)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

1066. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there are rules governing alcohol consumption in licensed premises near schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30914/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The Department of Education does not have have responsibility for the licensing or sale of alcohol.

Schools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which has a specific module on the use and misuse of a range of substances. The SPHE course covers student decision-making skills and safety and protection. Students learn how to exercise judgement, weigh up different possibilities, examine the steps and choices that guide them towards considered decision-making, begin to understand their own rights and the rights of others, and explore decision-making. In respect of safety, students’ ability to assess the consequences of risky behaviour is developed.

‘Know the Score’, launched in November 2019, is the first national evidence-based resource on alcohol and drugs for senior cycle students and was developed in partnership between public health and education professionals, with input from teachers and young people. This resource for teachers of senior cycle students is aimed at guiding and supporting them to improve their knowledge and strengthen their skills in dealing with the risks associated with alcohol and drugs.

Aimed at 15-18 year olds, the content is based on research about effective approaches to the prevention of substance misuse. Students and teachers were involved in the design of the 14 lessons and supporting digital content, which aim to facilitate informed discussions about alcohol and drugs in the classroom.

Topics addressed include building cultural awareness of attitudes towards alcohol in Ireland, the impact of alcohol on the body and the brain, the influences of alcohol branding and sponsorship and information on how to provide emergency care if they are concerned about someone who has been drinking or taking drugs.

Disadvantaged Status

Ceisteanna (1067)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

1067. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30920/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I announced on the 9th March 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.

Schools who were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data 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 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 and all appeals which were submitted to my Department are currently being processed.

When all appeals have been processed, schools will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal. It is my Department’s intention that schools will be provided with the outcome shortly to allow schools time to plan for the 2022/23 school year.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (1068)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

1068. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will develop a centralised national database for children with special needs at primary and secondary level to streamline forward planning by the National Council for Special Education and ensure that school supports and placements are provided within local communities. [30933/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.

This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements, over the last two years, the Department of Education and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process. This has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

Additionally, it is general practice to include a SEN Base in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless exceptional local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. The extent of provision made at these schools is informed by the level of demand in the area as well as the size of the school.

I can also clarify that the NCSE maintains records of students enrolled in special classes, students enrolled in special schools as well as students seeking places in special classes and special schools.

Parents seeking special class/school placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (1069, 1070)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1069. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Government has undertaken an assessment of needs created by the arrival of Ukrainian refugees; and the contingency planning that is in place. [30495/22]

Seán Canney

Ceist:

1070. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the planning assessments that are being carried out in respect of employment and social protection given the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. [30496/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069, 1070, 1379, 1380, 459, 460, 926 and 927 together.

On 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive.  This means that people arriving in Ireland from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department.

The Department of Social Protection has an excellent record in reacting quickly and appropriately to emergency situations, as was demonstrated in the Department's response to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. 

A reception centre was quickly established in Dublin Airport where officials from my Department and the Department of Justice were available to meet people fleeing the war in Ukraine.  Three dedicated Ukraine Support Centres were also established.  The reception facility is now operating at City West Convention Centre where officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are available to meet arrivals from Ukraine.  This centre is open 7 days a week.

Anyone who does not arrive through Dublin Airport can call into the Department’s dedicated City Centre Ukraine Support Centres, located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, or into local Intreo Centres or Branch Offices where staff will help them to apply for a PPSN and income supports.

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 is in place which includes a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services.  

Up to and including 12th June the Department of Social Protection has allocated 37,328 Public Personal Service Numbers (PPSNs) to people who have arrived in Ireland having fled the war in Ukraine.  Just over 18,500 income support claims have been awarded across various social welfare schemes supporting almost 32,600 people and 7,900 Child Benefit claims have been processed in respect of 11,687 children.

A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie, has been developed to provide information on employment opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.  This is available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Intreo staff are also attending information events organised by Education and Training Boards, Local Development Companies and Chambers of Commerce at which they provided information on the full range of income and employment support services.

Since mid-April my Department has organised employment support engagement events for Ukrainians to gather information on their education and skills and to provide information on vacancies and jobs.  These events are taking place in locations throughout the country in accommodation centres and in Intreo Offices.  These events will continue over the coming weeks.   

Up to and including Friday 10th June, 9,083 persons have attended these events which are being organised specifically for Ukrainians.  The full range of Intreo employment services is also available to Ukrainians.

The Department is also working closely with education and training boards to facilitate access to relevant training supports, including English language training.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Question No. 1070 answered with Question No. 1069.

Employment Support Services

Ceisteanna (1071)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1071. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing the WALK providing equal employment routes, PEER, employment support service model in all 26 counties for people with disabilities. [28839/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

WALK PEER was funded by my Department under the former Ability Programme.  The Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities.  The total funding for the programme amounted to approximately €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer.  The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021.

Total Ability funding of €640,848 was awarded to WALK PEER over the course of the 3-year programme.  If the WALK PEER project was to be replicated on the same scale to an additional 25 counties, based on a simplistic calculation, this would require additional funding in excess of €5m per year.

This figure is based on previous levels of funding to WALK PEER.  It does not include set up costs and nor does it factor in a county-by-county analysis i.e. an analysis, for example, of existing service provision by county, demand factors etc.  This figure also does not include monitoring and oversight of a national programme.  These costs would not be insignificant. 

On 30 July last year I announced a new employment support measure for people with disabilities under Dormant Accounts Funding (DAF).  The DAF Measures to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities programme began in September 2021 and runs up to the end of December 2022.  In total, 45 projects were selected on foot of a competitive process and have been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million.  The WALK PEER organisation was awarded funding up to €200,000 and is funded as a standalone project under this DAF measure and not as a programme in its own right. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (1072, 1074)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

1072. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department has failed to honour an enhanced redundancy agreement for community employment supervisors since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28855/22]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1074. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the enhanced redundancy agreements for community employment supervisors since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28892/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1072 and 1074 together.

I am aware of the valuable and dedicated service that Community Employment (CE) supervisors and assistant supervisors provide in running CE schemes in delivering local based community services, while providing training and development opportunities to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.

If circumstances arise where a CE supervisor is made redundant by their employer (the sponsor organisation) and qualifies for a payment under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967, the supervisor would be entitled to statutory redundancy at a rate of two weeks’ pay per year of service, plus a further week’s pay, subject to a limit of €600 per week. 

The Department is not the employer of CE supervisors and payment of redundancy over and above the statutory requirement is a matter for the employer which in this instance is the CE sponsor.  Generally where CE schemes close, every effort is made to maintain services through amalgamation with other schemes with employment maintained for CE supervisors and places protected for participants.  This minimises the need for redundancy, but where a redundancy arises, it is an issue for the employer to resolve. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (1073)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1073. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department provides pre-paid envelopes to persons who receive written requests or who are required to provide additional information to her Department for review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28860/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection has 119 active Business Response/Freepost licenses in place throughout the Department.  In 2021, 465,500 prepaid envelopes were printed for use via Department schemes.

Question No. 1074 answered with Question No. 1072.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (1075)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1075. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of jobseekers in County Kerry who have been referred to JobPath and Turas Nua in each of the years since its establishment; the number who progressed to employment in each year; the number who were referred back to Intreo each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28898/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

JobPath has provided the long-term unemployed an employment advisory service since 2015.  This service seeks to support the long-term unemployed in assisting them to obtain and sustain paid full-time employment.

Between July 2015 and the end of April 2022, some 11,511 jobseekers in County Kerry have engaged with the JobPath service.

In Kerry as of the end of April 2022, 3,379 jobseekers had commenced employment during their engagement period with JobPath.  Of this number, 3,122 had commenced full-time employment and 257 had commenced part-time employment.  Of these, 948 have sustained full time employment for a period of 52 weeks or more.  Full-time employment and self-employment is defined as employment of at least thirty hours work per week.  This data, by year, for Kerry is presented in Table 1 below.

It should be noted that many clients who are currently engaged with JobPath are still in the first phase of the service.  They have not yet had sufficient time with the service to have gained employment nor sustain that employment for up to 52 weeks.  This measure of performance will improve as more clients complete their engagement with the service and have a chance to reach 52 weeks in employment.

Table 1. JobPath Engagements and Sustainment (Kerry)

JobPath 2015-2022 (End April 2022)	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	Total
Number of client engagements (PPP agreed)	105	2,485	2,677	1,831	1,283	1,343	1,260	527	11,511
Total No. Clients to Start a Job	38	563	1,063	620	325	335	359	76	3,379
Total No. Clients to Start a FT Job	29	489	937	595	317	328	352	75	3,122
Total No. Clients to Start a PT Job	9	74	126	25	8	7	7	1	257
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 13 weeks	18	305	638	410	192	221	177	3	1,964
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 26 weeks	11	236	495	315	140	173	99	N/A	1,469
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 39 weeks	9	186	402	249	114	131	39	N/A	1,130
No. of clients who sustained FT Job for 52 weeks	9	169	362	208	98	98	4	N/A	948

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1076)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

1076. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of late applications for parent's benefit since its introduction; the number of appeals based on refusal for parent's benefit by her Department; the number of successful appeals for the payment of parent's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28901/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance.  Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. 

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parent’s Leave for each parent of a child born or adopted after 1 November 2019. 

In Budget 2021, this Leave increased from 2 weeks to 5 weeks.  Since these changes came into effect in April 2021, my Department has awarded Parent’s Benefit to some 56,000 parents at a cost of almost €51 million

Parent’s Benefit is paid at a weekly flat rate of €250 for five weeks to employed and self-employed people who avail of parents leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions.  The rate of Parent’s Benefit is the same as the rates of Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Maternity benefit.

A total of 51,400 applications for Parent’s Benefit were awarded in 2021 compared to 16,700 in 2020. Since the start of 2022, the total applications awarded to the end of May stands at almost 26,000. 

The primary legislative provisions governing Parent’s Benefit claims and late claims are set out in Chapter 1 of Part 7 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations (S.I. No. 142 of 2007) as amended.

There is a requirement under legislation that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises.  This period is referred to as the 'prescribed time' and is set at six months for applications for Parent’s Benefit.

Since the introduction of the scheme, my Department has received a total of 176 claims which were received outside the 6-month prescribed time limit for Parent’s Benefit applications.

My Department has received 13 Appeals based on the refusal to award Parent’s Benefit.  Of these, 7 decisions were upheld, and 6 appeals are currently pending a decision.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (1077)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

1077. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislative provision prescribing the time limit for the application for parent's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28902/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance.  Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. 

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parent’s Leave for each parent of a child born or adopted after 1 November 2019. 

In Budget 2021, this leave increased from 2 weeks to 5 weeks and an increase to 7 weeks was announced in Budget 2022.

The primary legislative provisions governing claims and late claims submitted to my Department are set out in Sections 241, 342, 342A and Part 9, Chapter 1 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. 

The main regulatory provisions with regard to governing Parent’s Benefit claims and late claims are contained in Chapter 1 of Part 7 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations (S.I. No. 142 of 2007) as amended. 

Claimants must complete and sign the appropriate application form and ensure that it is submitted to the relevant section of the Department within a specified period of becoming entitled to the payment.  This period is usually referred to as 'the prescribed time', which is set at six months for applications for Parent’s Benefit. 

All decisions with regard to entitlement under these provisions are made by deciding officers, and can therefore be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). 

Provision is made in the legislation to allow payment within certain limits where there was `good cause' for the late claim.  'Good cause' must be assessed by Deciding Officers by the application of common-sense principles to the contentions put forward by the applicant, and by the evaluation of the evidence available to support those contentions.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (1078)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

1078. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her Department’s engagement with the Spanish pensions office to obtain information regarding the work and pension contributions history in Spain of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is having difficulties in gaining a response from the Spanish pensions office. [28943/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The person applied for a State Pension Contributory on the 15 December 2020.

In April 2021, the number of paid contributions required to qualify for a state pension (contributory) increased from 260 to 520.  As the person concerned turned 66 years of age prior to April 2021, to qualify for the State pension (contributory) they required at least 260 paid contributions and satisfy a yearly average test (a yearly average of 48 contributions paid and/or credited is required for a maximum rate pension).  

According to the records of my Department the person concerned has 253 reckonable paid contributions. As this is less than the 260 required, they did not qualify for a state Pension (Contributory) payment.

Where an applicant was employed in another EU Member State, or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, their insured periods in those countries may be combined with their Irish insurance to assess their entitlement to a pro-rata state pension (contributory).   

My Department forwarded the Irish insurance record of the person concerned to the pensions authority in Spain and the UK.  On receipt of their insurance record from the UK and Spanish pension authorities, their pension entitlement was re-examined.  An EU pro rata state pension (contributory) was awarded from 19 June 2020 at the current weekly rate of €36.30.  Following the receipt of further information from the UK authorities, the state pension (contributory) claim was reviewed and backdated to 9 June 2006, the first payment date after reaching pension age.  Arrears covering the period 9 June 2006 to 18 June 2020 issued last week.  The person concerned was notified of this in writing.     

It should be noted that it is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested state pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory).   

Calculation and payment of a Spanish pension is a matter for the pension authority in Spain.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (1079)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1079. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there have been delays to the additional €100 fuel allowance payment; the number of eligible recipients who have received the lump sum payment; the number who are outstanding by eligible payment in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28966/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs.  The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full.  The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season.  Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.  Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.  At the end of 2021, the Fuel allowance was paid to some 375,000 recipients.

I made provision for a further additional €100 lump-sum payment to be paid to all households in receipt of fuel allowance in the last week of the 2021/22 fuel allowance season – a payment equivalent to over 3 weeks additional fuel allowance.  As the additional lump sum payment was payable to eligible customers in week commencing 16th May 2022, customers did not need to apply. 

In a small percentage of cases and for a variety of reasons (including where a death has occurred) further examination of eligibility on the relevant date is required.  This work is being carried out by my Department and the lump payment is then made to eligible customers. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.