James Lawless
Ceist:177. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the 0.7% international aid commitment will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverseas Development Aid
Ceisteanna (177)
Freagraí scríofa
In Budget 2023, the Government has made provision for the largest ever allocation to Official Development Assistance: over €1.20 billion, an increase of 17% on the 2022 allocation. The overall increase of €177 million includes €100 million for Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
2022 was the first time Ireland’s development assistance budget surpassed €1 billion. The further large increase in the volumes of our ODA for 2023 is a demonstration of our commitment to reaching the ODA target of .7% of GNI.
Continued and steady annual increases in ODA will be needed to reach the 2030 target. In the context of competing budgetary pressures, such increases are an important statement by the Government of Ireland's solidarity with the developing world.
Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation. This reputation was confirmed by the OECD in its 2020 Peer Review of Ireland’s Development Assistance. The need to continue to increase the allocation to ODA in GNI percentage terms will also take account of the need to manage responsibly the large increases required, so that the quality of Ireland's programme is maintained.
Commemorative Medals
Ceisteanna (178)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if consideration has been given to the striking of a medal for the members of the Defence Forces involved in Operation Fortitude and other related Covid-19 military deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In general, military medals are awarded in recognition of specific acts or service at home or overseas, which can vary in significance from routine duty, to distinguished service and gallantry.
There is a specific process in place concerning the award of medals to members of the Defence Forces, as set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 and the associated Administration Instructions, wherein the qualifying criteria and procedures required for the awarding of Defence Forces Medals, in addition to the various types of medal awards, are delineated. Such awards are made on the recommendation of a Military Board appointed by the Chief of Staff for the purpose of examining and reporting on every recommendation for an award.
The Deputy may be aware that this proposal has already been sent to my Department and was sent through the appropriate channels for consideration. The military authorities have previously informed me that the Chief of Staff tasked his staff to conduct a thorough analysis of the proposal to award a pandemic service medal to Defence Forces personnel in line with the criteria detailed in DFR A9. Following consideration of these deliberations, the Chief of Staff confirmed to me that he does not recommend the award of such a medal.
I can confirm that I have recently received additional material in relation to the proposal. This material will be forwarded to the Chief of Staff for his consideration.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (179)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the provision of school transport for a pupil (details supplied). [47626/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of SENOs.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
I am pleased to advise that the children referred to by the Deputy are eligible under the terms of the scheme. Bus Eireann has advised that these pupils commenced on transport from 20/09/2022.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (180)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:180. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 15 September 2022, if the project at a school (details supplied) was initiated in 2017 and subsequently agreed in 2019; if she will provide further details and clarity in relation to the start and completion dates for the project; and the interim plans, if any, that are in place to address the educational needs of the increasing population in the area. [47628/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the school in question is co-located with another primary school on the same site.
Following engagement with the patrons of both schools in 2019, it was decided to expand the capacity of the patronage of the school referred to on the existing site from 16-classrooms to 32-classrooms.
This is linked to a major school building project for a new school building which will facilitate the expansion of the other co-located school from 16 classrooms to 32 classrooms on an alternative site.
The school to which the Deputy refers will remain on its existing site and will occupy the totality of the accommodation when vacated by the other school with whom it is currently co-located.
The project for this other school has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently undertaking the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtains the necessary statutory planning permission, and moves the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
In total, an additional 32 mainstream primary classes as well as additional special classes for pupils with special educational needs are being provided between the two schools.
Officials in my Department are currently working to identify whether there is a requirement for an interim accommodation solution pending delivery of this major project, taking into account some potential capacity at other schools in the area and ongoing residential development activity. My Department will engage further with the school in this respect.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (181)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:181. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a proposal for a school building project (details supplied); the engagement she or her Department have had with the school in relation to progressing this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority in question.
Supplementary information has been requested from the school authority and once this is received, and the assessment completed a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (182)
Michael Ring
Ceist:182. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided for a pupil (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47654/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme but was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (183)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the provision of school transport for pupils (details supplied). [47655/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Eireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. These pupils referred were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats for the 2022/23 school year as the existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (184)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:184. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the school bus route between Maigh Cuilinn and Galway city, and the school bus from Cashel to Carna; if additional students will be allowed to avail of these bus services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47677/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
The Deputy has been requested to provide further information in order to provide an informative response on the matters raised. Once received, I will ask Bus Éireann to provide a report and a response will issue directly.
Site Acquisitions
Ceisteanna (185)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:185. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if the building section in her Department has been in contact with the landowner of the site for a school (details supplied) with a view to discuss the provision of further accommodation on the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's building section has been in contact with the landowner of the site for the school to which the Deputy refers.
My Department will continue to keep the school authority and the Patron updated in relation to the schools further accommodation requirements for 2023.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (186)
Mark Ward
Ceist:186. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools in the State; the number of physical education teachers employed in each school, by school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47722/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There were 3,104 mainstream primary schools in the 2021/2022 academic year. In total, 40,351 full-time equivalent posts were allocated to these schools in the same year. Teachers at primary level provide the primary curriculum which is comprised of a number of subjects, only one of which is physical education. It is therefore not possible to count the number of physical education teachers by primary school.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (187)
Mark Ward
Ceist:187. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary schools in the State; the number of physical education teachers employed in each school, by school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There were 728 post-primary schools in the 2021/2022 academic year. The number of physical education teachers by school for the same academic year is attached. The source of the information is the Deployment of Teaching Resources (DTR) 2021/2022 file, which is timetable data collected annually by the Inspectorate. 36 schools did not submit DTR returns in 2021/2022 and are therefore missing from the attached table. All persons teaching at least one physical education class on the timetable are counted as physical education teachers.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (188)
Mark Ward
Ceist:188. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to employ physical education teachers for each primary and post-primary school in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
All qualified Primary teachers are qualified to teach the full spectrum of the Primary Curriculum including Physical Education. Primary teachers undertake elements of physical education as part of their teacher training.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (189)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:189. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide the necessary funding for a mica defective block schools programme, an educational and well-being programme for second level students, as submitted to Donegal Education and Training Board by affected homeowners in the county. [47758/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has a comprehensive programme of wellbeing supports in place for all schools.
The Department’s Wellbeing Policy and Framework for practice has given recognition to the importance of promoting wellbeing in education. The approach set out in the Wellbeing Policy is a whole school and preventative approach which has multiple components that include providing children and young people with opportunities to build core social and emotional skills and competencies, experience supportive relationships within the school setting and be part of a school environment and culture that feels both physically and psychologically safe. Schools are encouraged to use a reflective, school self-evaluation approach to identify and prioritise the needs of its own school community in relation to the promotion of wellbeing and mental health, and to respond to meeting those needs. To support schools in this work the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is currently providing training to schools to ensure that the promotion of wellbeing will be at the core of the ethos of every school. Schools will be navigated through an introduction to the Wellbeing Framework and how to use the School Self Evaluation (SSE) process in guiding wellbeing promotion in their schools. These seminars will be supported by two webinars and in-school visits.
Other supports available to schools include:
- Following the publication by the National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) of guidance for post primary schools on establishing a student support team or reviewing an existing team, psychologists are currently facilitating post-primary schools to improve the Student Support Team process. Student Support Teams are the structure through which key wellbeing and wellbeing-related policies are implemented in post-primary schools.
- NEPS has developed training for school staff on the promotion of wellbeing and resilience in schools which include upskilling school staff on the use and implementation of therapeutically-informed approaches in schools. These include trauma-informed approaches, approaches based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy, and attachment-aware approaches. The approaches outlined in the training are based on research findings, on the experience of experts in their fields and on the experience of practising psychologists working in schools. The training will build the capability of school staff in both primary and post-primary settings, including for school leaders, teachers and SNAs.
- NEPS) will shortly resume the provision of training for school staff on the Friends for Life programmes to help reduce anxiety in children and also the Incredible Years Classroom Management System. Priority will be given to schools new to DEIS.
- NEPS has launched an eLearning course - Responding to Critical Incidents in Schools. This course is aimed specifically at the school’s Critical Incident Management Team, but open to all interested staff.
- At post primary level, counselling is a key part of the role of the Guidance Counsellor, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process, at moments of personal crisis but also at key transition points. The Guidance Counsellor also identifies and supports the referral of students to external counselling agencies and professionals, as required. Each post primary school currently receives an allocation in respect of guidance provision, calculated by reference to the approved enrolment.
The programmes and initiatives set out above are in addition to the educational psychological support that NEPS provide to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to individual pupil casework where there is need. NEPS works closely with the HSE and its agencies to ensure those who may require the provision of therapy or counselling are referred on to the appropriate clinical services for intervention and support.
I can inform the Deputy that in relation to Mica defective blocks, the current arrangement is that if a school suspects there is Mica present they should submit an Emergency Works Scheme application for funding to have testing carried out. If the test results show Mica is present, the school should employ a consultant to complete an Emergency Works Scheme application for funding to remediate the problem.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (190)
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:190. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the reasoning behind the recently announced free school transport scheme, with reference to the closing of the registration portal and, in particular, the position of pupils who had registered and paid the fee for an annual ticket in April 2022 and were then informed the tickets were revoked and refunds issued; if her attention has been drawn to pupils having been granted tickets and not availing of the scheme, resulting in places becoming available; if tickets may reissue to those whose places were revoked, having been accepted and paid for, in view of current challenges and anomalies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
School Transport ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The online account management system, known as the Family Portal, which had been closed since registrations shut on 29 July, reopened on Thursday 25 August, this closure was necessary so that Bus Éireann could adapt their IT and management systems.
Bus Éireann are processing applications and issuing tickets to eligible pupils as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service any additional capacity on these services will be offered to concessionary applicants.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Following discussions with Minister McGrath and officials in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the budgetary process some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
School Textbooks
Ceisteanna (191)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:191. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the measures her Department will take to source the schoolbooks as announced in the new scheme to provide free schoolbooks to all primary school children from September 2023 through local independent suppliers and bookshops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Back-to-school costs have always been a burden for families and free books for primary children will be a huge step in helping families. From September 2023 new funding of €47 million will bring total investment in free school books for primary schools to over €50 million.
My Department will be engaging with the education partners on how best to roll out this funding to schools. It should be noted that in general, the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and resources, if any, to use in schools are taken at school level.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (192)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the State Examinations Commission will issue the 2022 junior certificate results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47813/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (193)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the results of appeals in respect of the leaving certificate examination 2022 will issue without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47834/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (194)
Niall Collins
Ceist:194. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if assistance will be provided in relation to an issue (details supplied) regarding public transport. [47688/22]
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 private transport operators who participate in the free travel scheme.
There is no record of the transport operator concerned as a participant, past or current, in the free travel scheme. Should this operator wish to participate in the free travel scheme, they can contact my Department by writing to the Free Travel Section, Department of Social Protection, College Rd, Sligo or by emailing operatorsurveys@welfare.ie and an official will be in touch to outline the process involved.
The decision to apply to participate in the free travel scheme is entirely a matter for each individual private transport operator to consider.
I trust this clarifies the position.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (195)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:195. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there will be any changes to the assessment to qualify for the working family payment in budget 2023; and if there will be an increase in the payment persons will receive. [47715/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am delighted that Budget 2023 includes a social welfare package of over €2.1 billion. This extensive packages includes measures in relation to the Working Family Payment.
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings. The WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are approximately 47,000 families with 103,000 children who are currently in receipt of the WFP. The estimated spend on the WFP in 2022 is €349 million.
To qualify for payment of WFP a person must be engaged as an employee in full time paid employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is part of a family supported by them. These criteria have not been changed in Budget 2023.
The Budget package includes a range of measures that will assist people with the cost of living in one-off payments this Autumn. This includes a once-off payment of €500 to recipients of the Working Family Payment. This payment will be made in November at an estimated cost of €23 million.
In addition, I have also provided for a €40 per week increase in the Working Family Payment thresholds for all family sizes. This is the highest ever increase in the Working Family Payment thresholds. This will ensure that families on low incomes will receive more weekly income from the scheme - up to €24 euro per week. It will also ensure that the increase of 80 cent per hour in the National Minimum Wage does not negatively impact on people's income from the WFP. It also means that more people will qualify for the payment. This measure will take effect from January at a cost of approximately €16.8 million in 2023.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (196)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:196. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a widower's pension. [47619/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been awarded widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension with effect from 18/02/2022, together with living alone allowance. His first payment, including arrears will be lodged to his bank account on Friday 30th September.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.