Richard Bruton
Ceist:114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears of household benefits are payable in cases in which a person was unaware of their entitlement. [34686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (114)
Freagraí scríofa
The Household Benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The majority of those who qualify for Household Benefits do so as a result of being awarded a primary qualifying payment. When a primary qualifying payment for HHB is awarded to a customer, the award letter which issues advises of their possible entitlement to HHB. For those who may qualify for HHB without being in receipt of a qualifying payment, information is widely available online, and in offices, to assist customers to find out about their possible entitlements. For example, the gov.ie or Citizens Information websites are a great source of information in relation to social welfare entitlements. Also, for those who do not have access to information online, there is a broad network of Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and Citizens Information Centres around the country where people can enquire about their entitlements.
In relation to backdating of Household Benefits applications, payments can be backdated for up to 6 months where an entitlement existed, and further where there are extenuating circumstances. It is open to customers to make an application for backdating of their entitlement and each case will be considered on its own merits. However, lack of knowledge, in and of itself, is not a circumstance where backdating of Household Benefits entitlement beyond 6 months would be considered.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (115)
Mark Ward
Ceist:115. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of funding a national advocacy service for people with disabilities in 2023; the cost of a youth and adult advocacy programme, with the inclusion of psychosocial disabilities, in the advocacy service; the cost of the national advocacy service in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This question relates to Action No. 60 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (Health and Wellbeing section), which is assigned to the Department of Health under the Strategy. This matter is therefore more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Health.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (116)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:116. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions that are in place within the free travel scheme to allow for a travel pass for a minor under 18 years of age whose full-time carer is in receipt of a travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,034,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
There is no provision in place within the Free Travel scheme that allows a free travel pass for a minor under 18 years of age whose full-time carer is in receipt of a travel pass. A free travel pass is only awarded to those aged under 18 when a child aged 16 or over qualifies for a disability allowance payment or when a child is registered as blind.
While my Department does not provide a free travel pass to children aged under 18 in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, my Department does provide additional support in the form of the Domiciliary Care Allowance. The Domiciliary Care allowance is a monthly payment of €309.50 to the carer of a child aged under 16 with a disability. The allowance may be used for the additional costs involved in caring for the child and this may include additional transport costs.
Support is also available under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme (SWA). A travel supplement may be awarded in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
If the Free Travel scheme were to be extended to all children under 18 whose full-time carer is in receipt of a travel pass, significant extra funding would be required and, accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (117)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:117. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare allowance applications submitted to each Intreo centre; the number of these that have been processed to date, per month of 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The supplementary welfare allowance (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 SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single additional needs payments.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Under the SWA scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. An Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. An urgent needs payment (UNP) may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time. 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.
My Department is currently running a major awareness campaign which includes national radio adverts to promote and raise awareness of the Additional Needs Payment. This support is available to anybody on a low income who is experiencing financial hardship regardless of the number of hours they work per week. Anyone who needs support should contact the Department either through their local Intreo or Branch Office or by phoning 0818 60 70 80. Further details on the Additional Needs Payment are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
The Department is also developing more extensive statistics in relation to the number of applications made to the ENP/UNP schemes. The focus of the development has been on current data from January 2022 with details on the number of applications available from this date onward.
While information on SWA schemes by Intreo Centre is not collated, it can be provided by county.
Table 1 shows the number of Basic Supplementary, Other Supplement and ENP/UNP applications received by county to-date for 2022 (to end of May)
Table 2 shows the number of Rent Supplement Recipients by County at the end of each month to-date for 2022 (end of May). The number of applications received/awarded/disallowed for Rent Supplement is not currently available.
Table 3 shows the number of Basic SWA, Rent Supplement, Other supplement, ENP and UNP applications processed by month to-date in 2022 (to end of May).
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 1st June 2022 and is subject to change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
TABLE 1 – Number of Basic Supplementary, Other Supplement and ENP/UNP applications received by county to-date for 2022 (to end of May)
|
County |
Basic SWA |
Other Supplement |
ENP/UNP |
|
CARLOW |
409 |
6 |
453 |
|
CAVAN |
643 |
1 |
445 |
|
CLARE |
1,536 |
14 |
1,056 |
|
CORK |
3,155 |
18 |
2,811 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,020 |
13 |
1,037 |
|
DUBLIN |
6,844 |
225 |
8,271 |
|
GALWAY |
1,336 |
11 |
1,070 |
|
KERRY |
1,865 |
6 |
1,337 |
|
KILDARE |
848 |
25 |
849 |
|
KILKENNY |
558 |
23 |
579 |
|
LAOIS |
573 |
7 |
638 |
|
LEITRIM |
321 |
1 |
586 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,314 |
26 |
1,388 |
|
LONGFORD |
321 |
2 |
625 |
|
LOUTH |
1,040 |
6 |
994 |
|
MAYO |
850 |
10 |
597 |
|
MEATH |
1,081 |
6 |
1,102 |
|
MONAGHAN |
231 |
2 |
200 |
|
OFFALY |
582 |
13 |
615 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
447 |
5 |
403 |
|
SLIGO |
489 |
1 |
608 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1,003 |
42 |
1,124 |
|
WATERFORD |
889 |
19 |
805 |
|
WESTMEATH |
746 |
8 |
815 |
|
WEXFORD |
1,223 |
7 |
744 |
|
WICKLOW |
992 |
16 |
1,193 |
|
Total |
30,316 |
513 |
30,345 |
TABLE 2 - Number of Rent Supplement Recipients by County at the end of each month to-date for 2022 (end of May)
|
County |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
|
CARLOW |
144 |
140 |
139 |
130 |
122 |
|
CAVAN |
152 |
147 |
146 |
144 |
145 |
|
CLARE |
63 |
64 |
58 |
61 |
62 |
|
CORK |
1,783 |
1,770 |
1,749 |
1,708 |
1,666 |
|
DONEGAL |
69 |
68 |
62 |
61 |
57 |
|
DUBLIN |
6,757 |
6,537 |
6,223 |
6,066 |
5,761 |
|
GALWAY |
515 |
489 |
456 |
449 |
437 |
|
KERRY |
421 |
406 |
400 |
394 |
383 |
|
KILDARE |
612 |
587 |
556 |
552 |
517 |
|
KILKENNY |
61 |
64 |
59 |
52 |
43 |
|
LAOIS |
55 |
55 |
57 |
53 |
50 |
|
LEITRIM |
37 |
34 |
33 |
31 |
33 |
|
LIMERICK |
267 |
262 |
247 |
240 |
242 |
|
LONGFORD |
38 |
35 |
35 |
35 |
33 |
|
LOUTH |
107 |
105 |
99 |
98 |
96 |
|
MAYO |
176 |
169 |
167 |
158 |
152 |
|
MEATH |
163 |
158 |
152 |
139 |
135 |
|
MONAGHAN |
104 |
104 |
103 |
102 |
98 |
|
OFFALY |
64 |
60 |
59 |
58 |
58 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
84 |
83 |
81 |
71 |
67 |
|
SLIGO |
80 |
81 |
76 |
74 |
71 |
|
TIPPERARY |
121 |
120 |
111 |
111 |
111 |
|
WATERFORD |
56 |
60 |
59 |
59 |
56 |
|
WESTMEATH |
267 |
260 |
250 |
240 |
232 |
|
WEXFORD |
271 |
256 |
242 |
222 |
224 |
|
WICKLOW |
508 |
490 |
464 |
460 |
444 |
|
Total |
12,975 |
12,604 |
12,083 |
11,771 |
11,295 |
TABLE 3 – Number of Basic SWA, Rent Supplement, Other supplement, ENP and UNP applications processed by month to-date in 2022 (to end of May)
|
Month |
Basic SWA |
Rent Supplement |
Other Supplement |
ENP/UNP |
|
January |
10,986 |
13,140 |
3,668 |
3,748 |
|
February |
10,954 |
12,723 |
3,617 |
4,541 |
|
March |
19,101 |
12,184 |
3,571 |
5,763 |
|
April |
13,588 |
11,886 |
3,470 |
6,181 |
|
May |
12,929 |
11,416 |
3,414 |
9,674 |
|
Total |
67,558 |
61,349 |
17,740 |
29,907 |
Widow's Pension
Ceisteanna (118)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:118. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider carrying out a review of the requirements including documentation expected of those applying for a widow and widowers' pension (details supplied); if her Department will consider providing assistance in the procurement of certain documentation for those who are very often struggling to manage as a result of their loss; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to determine entitlement to the widow’s widower’s or surviving civil partnership pension, a Deciding Officer must first establish if the applicant is the legal spouse of the deceased.
Evidence of births, marriages and deaths that occur in this state are available to the Department and certificates are not required with such applications. However, where the event occurred outside the state, evidence must be provided by the applicant, by furnishing the relevant certificates. Unfortunately this Department cannot assist with obtaining such documentation outside this state. While acknowledging it is a difficult time for the person concerned, a Deciding Officer must be satisfied that an entitlement exists, in accordance with the legislative provisions governing the scheme.
While awaiting documentation, a person can contact the designated person at their local Intreo Centre, to examine their possible entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance. In addition the Working Family Payment is a means-tested weekly payment available to employees with children. Both of these payments provide extra income support to qualified people.
I trust this clarifies the matter for you.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (119)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:119. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that UK social insurance contributions were not taken into account when calculating a contributory pension application for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned reached pension age on 17 March 2022. An application for the State Pension Contributory was received on 6 April 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for a standard contributory pension. 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 460 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for a standard contributory pension.
The person was notified in writing of this decision on 1 June 2022, and they were also informed that their entitlement to a pro-rata pension would be examined, taking the contributions of any other relevant countries into consideration, and that they would be informed of the outcome.
A copy of the person’s contribution record and an application on their behalf was forwarded to the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK on 7 June 2022. My Department also requested a copy of their UK record. When this record is received, their entitlement to a pro-rata pension will be examined and they will be notified of the decision in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (120)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34715/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on the 24th February 2022. This claim was awarded and a payment of €104.00 issued to the him on the 28th February 2022 paying him for the duration of his medical certification.
My Department also received an application for Illness Benefit on the 7th June 2022. There was a delay processing this application as the dates given on the person's application form did not match the dates given by the person's GP on his medical certificate. The person concerned has been contacted and this issued rectified. A payment of €173.34 has issued to him paying him for the duration of his claim.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (121)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:121. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34778/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of the supports and services, including income supports and employment services, provided by my Department. This means that they can work in Ireland and access social services and the full range of social welfare supports.
A fast-track approach in processing the social welfare supports is in place which includes a simplified decision-making process for income supports and quick processing of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) to allow access to public services that will be provided to them.
As at 26th June 2022 PPSNs have been issued to some 40,300 people. Income support is being paid to some 19,979 people in respect of 34,875 beneficiaries. The rate of income support being paid to each person varies according to the scheme the person is eligible for, the persons individual circumstances -for example engagement in part-time employment - and the number of dependents, if any, a person may have.
Responsibility for the provision of accommodation and costs associated with that provision is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (122)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on the eligibility for recipients who are moving off domiciliary care allowance in a year to receive the carer's support grant in the same year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions.
CSG is paid automatically to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance (whether full rate or half rate), Carer’s Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance. It is also available to other full-time carers who are not receiving any of these payments once eligibility conditions are met.
If a Domiciliary Care Allowance payment is stopped prior to the first Thursday in June (due date of the grant) in a particular year, CSG can be applied for by submitting an application form (CSG1).
Applications for CSG will be accepted 8 weeks prior to the due date of the grant up to 31 December of the following year.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Offices
Ceisteanna (123)
Joan Collins
Ceist:123. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a process taking place in her Department that will change the appeals officer job specification in relation to appeals decisions; and if there are, if she will provide the changes. [34974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Office is committed to enhancing its operations to continue to deliver an efficient and effective appeals service to its customers. To support this goal a programme of process redesign and modernisation is in progress. This programme includes the development and implementation of an enhanced appeals business process and the development of a new computer system.
A customer centric, multi-channel solution, modernising and transforming the appeals process across Department and the Appeals Office is envisaged. This solution will require operational, legislative, and procedural changes and will also reflect the recent recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Information on the project is communicated regularly to all relevant staff in the Office and the Department and the management of both are committed to supporting staff in dealing with the necessary changes. Communication with the relevant unions is ongoing and any concerns will also be discussed in that forum.
This change process will ultimately provide a more efficient and streamlined service for people accessing the appeals service.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children
Ceisteanna (124)
Michael Creed
Ceist:124. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors who have arrived in Ireland seeking international protection or refugee status in 2022; the number of these unaccompanied minors which have arrived from the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
From January 2022 to date, 343 unaccompanied minors were referred to Tusla of whom 163 were from Ukraine. Unaccompanied minors, including children arriving from Ukraine, are supported and accommodated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in accordance with the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
Tusla has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports, including airports.
Tusla has a significant role, as part of the State’s overall response, to support individuals, particularly women and children, displaced from Ukraine, as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is committed to balancing the needs of families in a humanitarian crisis, with its child protection responsibilities, and requirement to support families and promote the welfare of children.
Unaccompanied children, who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland, are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment. In the first instance, Tusla makes every attempt to contact relatives of the child and to reunite the child with family members or friends. If children cannot be reunified with family or friends, they are either received into the State care, or, if older and in line with their needs, are fully supported by Tusla in having an appropriate placement, education and other assistance.
Young people in care, and those being supported by Tusla, are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster families under a Fáilte Foster care programme. Social Workers and social care workers are allocated to support and monitor the progress of the child / young person. The care plan may involve specialist English language tuition, intensive educational supports and therapeutic work in respect of trauma.
Children who arrive in Ireland outside of a dedicated refugee programme are supported in their application for refugee status.
Assisting children with reunification with their families has evolved as a key piece of the support social workers provide to those who are eligible to apply. Where relevant the process of reunification is started as soon as the children come to the attention of Tusla.
All Ukrainian citizens and third country nationals living in Ukraine who seek international protection in Ireland will receive temporary protection status. This includes unaccompanied and separated children.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (125)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if contracts in relation to core funding will issue to childcare providers without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The key conditions to be associated with Core Funding were outlined in the report of the Expert Group, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare. This was published on 7th December 2021 and states that providers who sign up to Core Funding should be required to:
- Follow the fee management system - in 2022/23 this will be a requirement not to increase fees above September 2021 levels;
- Implement the quality improvement measures under the Nurturing Skills, the workforce plan for ELC and SAC;
- Implement the relevant practice frameworks;
- Develop, implement, and report on an annual quality development plan;
- Provide transparent financial reports and participate as required in cost surveys and other necessary data-collection exercises; and
- Offer the NCS and ECCE programme to all eligible children/parents, including children accessing the NCS through sponsorship arrangements.
The full Funding Agreement for Core Funding was published on 28th June. The Core Funding application process will open in late July. The Funding Agreement will be available to sign through the Early Years Hive in mid August. Payments will be made monthly in advance with the first payment in respect of September to be paid at the end of August.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, those who work in the sector, and society overall.
This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
Residential Institutions
Ceisteanna (126, 127, 128)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:126. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birthmothers admitted as residents to the Tusla-funded mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork in each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMattie McGrath
Ceist:127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birthmothers discharged without their children from the mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork for each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMattie McGrath
Ceist:128. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who went directly into State care from the mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork for each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, together.
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 126.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 126.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (129)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:129. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider putting in place a supplementary vetting or registration process for families that have made informal arrangements to take in Ukrainian or other refugees outside of the Departmental and Red Cross formal process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.
My Department is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 38,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 28,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
The short-term accommodation provided has comprised hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, as well as accommodation pledged by the general public, religious properties, and local authority facilities.
Although the vast majority of those arriving in Ireland seek the State's assistance with accommodation needs, at all times it remains the prerogative of individuals to enter into private accommodation arrangements. These arrangements are however made at the responsibility of the individuals involved. Further, as they are private arrangements the State has no role to play in vetting, registering or assessing any aspect of the offer being made, nor does the State have any legal basis for collecting data in these circumstances.
Gender Recognition
Ceisteanna (130)
Mick Barry
Ceist:130. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that all third level institutions will be requested not to charge fees for the change of names or gender identities by students on records kept by the institution; if he will request all third level institutions to allow for names to be changed after graduation in order that academic records and qualification certificates can be issued with updated names; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34599/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under this legislation, the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their academic affairs and administrative processes, including in relation to fees charged for changes to academic records and for the issuing of qualification certificates. Neither I nor my Department have a role in these internal processes.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland. As an awarding body, QQI facilitates requests for changes to name and gender identity of enrolled learners before and after graduation. QQI do not charge a fee for processing such changes within its records system.
Overseas Study Placements
Ceisteanna (131)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:131. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions that are being made for leaving certificate students who have been offered places in the United Kingdom and overseas institutions provided they meet the required school results, given the 2 September 2022 results date (details supplied). [34689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials in my Department have been working closely on this issue with their colleagues in the Department of Education and the Department of Foreign Affairs, and liaising with administrations in the countries of interest to Irish students. This work has been informed by the experience of the 2021 Leaving Certificate.
The main countries of interest for Leaving Certificate students who wish to study abroad are the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Denmark. At this stage, all Irish Leaving Certificate students who have applied to study in the UK would have a conditional offer from one or more UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). It is conditional on the confirmation of the applicant’s LC results, which will issue on 2nd September.
With respect to the UK, the UCAS deadline for acceptance of conditional offers is 7th September. I understand that Minister Foley will be writing to her European counterparts requesting that they exercise flexibility in respect of Irish Leaving Certificate pupils. My Department will continue to monitor to situation to ensure that we do all we can to support students and their families, including where specific issues arise.
Further and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (132)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 29 March 2022, the total number of full-time and part-time students enrolled in the referenced educational institutions who could potentially avail of the student hardship fund in each of the years 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is allocated to Higher Education Institutions to assist participating students in both temporary and ongoing financial need, where students apply depending on their particular circumstances.
This fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). These funds are allocated to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on academic year basis.
I have included a link to the guidelines for the Student Assistance Fund which shows the eligibility criteria and the types of costs that may be funded through the Student Assistance Fund and a link to the statistics page on the Higher Education Authority website which will show you the number of students, both part time and full time that have been enrolled over the last number of years.
I am also attaching a table that will show you the number of students by Institution that benefitted from the Student Assistance Fund from 2016/17 to 2021/22.
It is not possible for my department or the Higher Education Authority to be more specific on the number of students who could potentially avail of this fund as an Institution would not assess a students' eligibility until an application is received by the institution.
The Guidelines for the Student Assistance Fund are available here: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/student-assistance-fund/
Information on the number of students enrolled in a fulltime and part-time capacity is available in the HEA statistics page, (Data for Download and Visualisations | Statistics | Higher Education Authority (hea.ie).
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (133)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:133. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian refugees who have come to Ireland since the beginning of the war in Ukraine to date. [34763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 27 June 2022, a total of 38,288 people have been recorded as arriving in the State from Ukraine.
There is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.
My Department is primarily responsible for issuing temporary protection documents to those who are eligible. Those granted Temporary Protection have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as needed. My Department has issued approximately 40,302 temporary protection permission letters to date.
My Border Management Unit at Dublin Airport began manually recording the large numbers of people entering the State from Ukraine though the airport when the visa requirement for Ukrainian nationals was removed on 25 February. Arrangements for data collection at other ports of entry were introduced shortly afterwards, as the State quickly scaled up its national response to the Ukraine crisis. The figures for the number of people arriving in the State through those various points of entry having fled Ukraine since the invasion, especially in the earliest days, may, therefore, be subject to some revision, leading to a higher number of people being granted temporary permission than would appear to have entered the State. Eligible people coming forward to apply for and receive their temporary protection permission letters is assisting the State to reconcile these figures and ensure that everyone is fully captured in the data collection and are receiving all of the State supports that they need.
I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine.
Gender Recognition
Ceisteanna (134)
Mick Barry
Ceist:134. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider waiving the stamp duty for the registration of deed polls to change names in the interest of supporting trans people and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34598/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A deed poll is an official document drawn up and completed by one party only. It is most often used to declare an intention to change one’s name. There is no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor or attend the High Court to execute a deed poll and a person is not required to lodge (or ‘enrol’) the document in the Central Office of the High Court.
In order to execute a deed poll, the person declares to have given up a former name and adopted a new name for all purposes. The deed must be printed on Deed Paper (which is available from legal stationers), signed in the former name and the new name and in the presence of a witness.
A copy of the deed poll and the affidavit of attesting witness can then be used with the person's birth certificate as evidence of change of name.
Other than a minimal fee for swearing the affidavit before the solicitor or commissioner for oaths, there is no further fee involved.
A deed poll enrolled in the Central Office of the High Court has no greater effect than a deed poll which has not been enrolled. The enrolment of a deed poll in the Central Office is a facility which the Registrar of the Central Office Court provides according to custom and practice so that a person may place their change of name on a publicly accessible record. If a person wishes to enrol a deed poll in the Central Office of the High Court a €60.00 stamp duty on the deed poll must be paid.
The Minister has no plans to amend court fees in relation to this matter at present.