Written Answers Nos. 91-106
91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the number of National Educational Psychological Service psychologists in full-time employment by county as of September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment
- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.
In 2021 the NEPS casework service extended to over 8,500 students. Additionally, under the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) process, private psychologists provided assessment to schools for over 900 students. Furthermore, the NEPS Support and Development service reaches an estimated 25,000 teachers annually.
I can confirm that there is currently in the region of 225 whole-time equivalent NEPS educational psychologists employed across the 8 NEPS regions, delivering a psychological service to our schools, having grown from a base of 173 posts in 2014.
As part of Budget 2023, I recently announced provision for an additional 54 educational psychologists to strengthen the NEPS service overall, and in particular to provide strengthened services for special schools and special classes.
92. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to providing a school bus on a road (details supplied). [50566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, 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.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre. Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann has advised pupils travelling from the area referred to by the Deputy who attend the advised post primary school are not attending their nearest education centre having regard to ethos and language, in this regard they are not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme. Bus Éireann also advise there is no service currently operating from the area to the school referred by the Deputy.
93. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of a school bus application in the name of a pupil (details supplied). [50567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and was issued a ticket for a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.
94. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of a school bus application for two pupils (details supplied). [50568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme, did not submit an application before the closing date and have not completed the ticket registration process. Bus Éireann has also advised there is currently available capacity on an existing service that may accommodate the pupils. The local Bus Éireann office will liaise directly with the family regarding submitting a ticket request in order to seek concessionary tickets.
95. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of the school bus application for two pupils (details supplied). [50569/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the past 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 children referred to by the Deputy have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. My Department and Bus Éireann will continue to provide School Transport Scheme services in line with the process that was in place for the 2021/2022 school year for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Full information on the process is available on Gov.ie.
My Department has received applications for school transport from the pupils referred to by the Deputy and these applications have been submitted to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann is currently in the process of working on transport arrangements in order to accommodate these pupils and will revert to my Department when a solution has been found.
While every effort will be made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine, given the ongoing movement and arrival of families, it may in some cases take some time to arrange services for families as information becomes available for those who require school transport.
96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the number of applicants from County Monaghan for the school transport scheme in 2021 and 2022; the number of students who have applied in 2022 who are currently without a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 number of mainstream tickets issued in Monaghan for the school transport scheme for the 2022/23 school year are detailed below and the increase on the 2021/22 school year is shown.
|
School Year |
No. of mainstream tickets issued in Monaghan |
% Increase in tickets issued versus 2021/22 School Year |
|
2022/23 |
3946 |
17% |
|
2021/22 |
3287 |
Bus Éireann has advised that all mainstream eligible from the County referred who applied and registered on time and all concessionary pupils from the County referred who meet the criteria under TAMS have been allocated tickets for the 2022/23 school year.
It is not possible to advise the number of mainstream pupils who did not receive a ticket in the 2022/23 school year as applications are still be assessed and numbers are still being finalised.
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the increased capacity put in place for the school transport scheme in 2022; the Government target for the provision of spaces; the forecasted need for capacity by year until 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50579/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 School Transport Scheme is a demand led one, Bus Éireann, who operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, review all school transport services annually. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
The Department’s School Transport Section works with a number of relevant areas within the Department and with the National Council for Special Education to explore options for strengthening its forecasting demand for School Transport Scheme Services.
In addition, the Department commenced a Review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is to be conducted to ensure funds are being spent in the most effective way and to also examine potential scope for a more co-ordinated approach involving other Government departments that also fund transport services.
As part of this review the Department will continue to build on the work that has been done in order to develop a forecast of demand for the school transport service in order to assist in policy development for the scheme.
In this regard School Transport Section is currently actively engaging with the Planning and Building Unit (who have a Geographical Information System (GIS) system that uses data from a range of sources including the Central Statistics Office) and Statistics Section of the Department and with the National Council for Special Education with regard to projected demand for school transport services which will assist in informing recommendations and policy on the future operation of the scheme.
Wider considerations relating to the operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
98. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with the issuing of the 2022 Junior Certificate results; and when the results will be made available to students. [50666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the number of places available in ASD classes in the east County Meath area for the 2023-2024 school year (details supplied); if she is concerned at the shortage of such classes; if she will make additional provision to meet demand in the east County Meath area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2022, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.
My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this approach is delivering. We have seen 392 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level.
For 2023, a further 370 special classes will open, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
The NCSE has advised that an expression of interest for the establishment of 2 ASD classes has been issued in respect of the school. The NCSE requires a response from the school’s board of management regarding these classes prior to being able to issue letters of sanction.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
100. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when transport will be arranged for five pupils (details supplied) in County Mayo. [50690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the past 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.
My Department and Bus Éireann will continue to provide School Transport Scheme services in line with the process that was in place for the 2021/2022 school year for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Full information on the process is available on Gov.ie.
Children who for the first time require School Transport for the 2022/2023 school year will need to apply in line with this process. Due to the ongoing situation with accommodation, where there has been, and may continue to be, significant movement of families, all Ukrainian children who had availed of School Transport for the 2021/22 school year need to re-apply for transport for the 2022/23 school year in line with this process.
My Department has received applications for school transport from some of the pupils referred to by the Deputy and these applications have been logged onto Bus Éireann's School Transport portal. Bus Éireann can accommodate these pupils on existing services and will be in contact with the families directly. With regard to the pupils whose applications have not yet been received, School Transport Section will liaise directly with the Realt Coordinator for the area in this regard.
While every effort will be made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required, given the ongoing movement and arrival of families, it may in some cases take some time to arrange services for families as information becomes available for those who require school transport.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility of a person (details supplied) for increases in their weekly pension following recent announcements in Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe personal rate of the widow's contributory pension of the person concerned will increase from a weekly rate of €263.30 to €275.30 from January 2023. The person concerned is also entitled to a living alone allowance of €22 per week.
In the budget a number of once off cost of living measures were announced. As part of these measures, the person concerned will be paid a double week pension in October 2022. As a person who lives alone, she will also be paid €200 lump sum payment in November 2022. In addition, the person concerned will receive the Christmas bonus double payment in December 2022.
The person concerned is also in receipt of Electricity Allowance of €1.15 per day, paid monthly, and also has a free TV Licence.
The entitlement of the person concerned to a fuel allowance was last examined in 2018. I have arranged for a fuel allowance application form to be posted to their home address. On receipt of a completed application form, their entitlement will be examined, and they will be notified of the outcome.
I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who applied online [50396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to determine the status of the person’s application for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number without an email address from which the application was made. Several attempts were made to ascertain the person’s email address. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
I would ask the Deputy to advise the person to make direct contact with my officials by emailing PPSNGardinerSt@welfare.ie. All relevant documentation should be uploaded with the application to facilitate the prompt processing of the person's application.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that no community welfare officer is available in Carrick on Suir, County Tipperary; when regular meetings with community welfare officers in local communities will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Welfare Service (CWS) delivers the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system. This scheme helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Citizens living in Carrick on Suir can meet a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) by appointment at the Social Welfare Branch Office, 55 New St, Carrick on Suir. A CWO is available as required either on an appointment basis or if an emergency need arises Monday to Friday.
The Community Welfare Service continues to provide local access to local CWOs in local areas across the country and there are no plans to change this aspect of the service. CWOs can facilitate urgent and in-person meetings in 51 Intreo Centres, across business hours, five days per week. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. I have not received any complaints or adverse feedback from customers regarding access to the Community Welfare Service.
Any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service can also call the recently established National CWS freephone phoneline which is available at 0818 60 70 80 to make an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. More and more customers are availing of the opportunity to have their issues resolved by this method rather than by calling into an office.
A modern Community Welfare Service should be easily accessible to all customers and for this reason, customers no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. This significant change ensures enhanced access to the Community Welfare Service.
It means, for instance, that those citizens living in Carrick on Suir who require community welfare assistance no longer have to meet with a CWO if that is more convenient for them. The application form, SWA1, is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also now be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie or by calling 0818 60 70 80. Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie. The completed application form should be returned to my Department where it will be processed promptly.
This is a new addition to the service, and it does not replace or diminish face-to-face meetings with a CWO. Depending on the person's needs a direct home visit appointment or a call to another mutually agreed location can be arranged, including at the person’s home and customers in Carrick on Suir can meet a CWO by appointment at the Social Welfare Branch Office in Carrick on Suir.
The Community Welfare Service is ready to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of customers, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs. While changes to modernise and improve the service for customers are a feature of the Community Welfare Service, the delivery of a locally based CWS remains and will continue to remain a cornerstone of the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a complete reappraisal of an application for domiciliary care allowance can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50406/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment in respect of a child, aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the level of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.
An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 04 July 2022. A deciding officer disallowed the claim on 09 August 2022, as their child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for DCA.
The person concerned requested an appeal of the Department's decision.
As part of the appeals process their DCA application, including new additional information that was provided by the person concerned in support of their appeal, was reviewed by a deciding officer.
Following a review on 28 September 2022, the deciding office having re examined their complete application, including all the supporting information and documentary evidence that was provided by the person concerned, while also considering the opinion of a departmental medical assessor decided that a revision of the original decision of 9 August 2022 is not warranted.
The applicant's DCA appeal was subsequently referred to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 29 September 2022, for further consideration by an Appeals Officer. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of their appeal in due course.
In the meantime any further new or additional information or documentary evidence, if available, should be sent to the SWAO for consideration in the appeal process.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if she will provide a schedule of the services that her Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March of this year, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted 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.
The priority for my Department is to make payments as quickly as possible and to put arrangements in place to pay the most appropriate social welfare to people arriving from Ukraine. A fast-track approach in processing these supports is in place which includes dedicated teams of staff, a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services.
A reception facility is 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 people arriving from Ukraine. This centre is open 7 days a week. People who arrive through Dublin Airport are being transferred to City West.
As of 10 October 2022, my Department has issued over 57,000 PPSNs to individuals under the Temporary Protection Directive. My Department has processed over 27,000 income support claims, with payments being made in respect of 28,000 adults and 14,000 children. In addition my Department has processed over 10,500 claims for Child Benefit. My Department’s means tested supplementary welfare service is also available under the Community Welfare Service in the Intreo Centres which includes Additional Needs Payments.
My Department also administers the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) on behalf of the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a monthly payment available to a person if they are providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. The ARP is paid per property not for each person hosted. It is payable at a rate of € 400 per month.
The number of people in my Department currently assigned to administer the ARP is 1 Higher Executive Officer, 2 Executive Officers and 7 temporary Clerical Officers. My Department does not have any staff assigned full time to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
106. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 5 October 2022, if she will confirm that the removal of the long-term requirement will also mean that recipients of illness benefit will qualify for the cost-of-living support payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50463/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion in social welfare measures during the coming months to help individuals and families through this difficult period.
One of these measures is the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment which will be paid to those schemes which are eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus, with one amendment - the removal of the 12-month duration requirement for certain schemes - allowing short-term jobseekers and Supplementary Welfare Allowance customers to qualify for the October support.
Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus. It is a scheme which, by its nature, is a short-term social welfare scheme. It has a high degree of churn with people coming onto the scheme and moving off every week, often with very short duration claims. For example, between July and September 2022, almost 115,000 Illness Benefit claims were awarded, and of these, only 21,000 remain in payment. This indicates a churn of 82% over just a three-month period. The average duration on Illness Benefit is 6 days.
In addition, many Illness Benefit payments are paid directly to the employer. Therefore, a double payment such as the cost of living support would be an employer subsidy as opposed to an additional support to the customer. This is not the intent behind the October cost of living support, nor would it be a targeted use of resources.
If an individual or family are struggling with additional costs, Additional Needs Payments can provide help and support to people facing financial hardship. Under the scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment to people on a low income, whether they are working or receiving an income support, to meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. A major national awareness campaign has promoted and raised awareness of the Additional Needs Payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
