Written Answers Nos. 416-437
416. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 7 July 2022, if she will take steps to address the high level of boys who leave the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53495/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 64,000 school places.
There are approximately 1,300 school building projects currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction under the Large Scale and Additional School Accommodation Scheme, of which 3 school building projects are in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area. Most of these projects are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2022 to 2025.
- St. Paul's College, RN: 60290B, All boys school - Approved for 1 x Home Economics room, 2 x Art rooms, 2 x Construction rooms, 1 x shared prep room, project stores, 1 x Music room and 2 x SEN Base. This project is currently at Stage 1.
- Árdscoil La Salle, RN: 60291D, Mixed school - Approved for 2 x SEN Base and 1 x Music room. This project is currently at Stage 1.
- Mount Temple Comprehensive School, RN: 81002K, Mixed school - Approved a new school building to cater for 1000 Pupils and 2 x SEN Base. The enrolment for this school for 2021 was 893 pupils. This project is currently at Stage 2B.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
This also lists all school building projects completed under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including Lucan, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the annual demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 90% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show decreasing enrolments for the period to 2025 compared with 2021, whereas some 88% of school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2028, with most expected to reach a peak in the next two or three years.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The requirement for additional school places in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning areas is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements. New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
417. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will consider establishing a finished autism class in each school in Dublin 12 to serve as a model area in particular to address the need for dedicated autism classes in schools (details supplied); and if she will use the 37A process to compel these schools to open autism classes. [53496/22]
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.
We have seen 392 new special classes being sanctioned by the NCSE for this school year, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level. This included the sanctioning of 100 new special classes in the Dublin region. A list of all special classes sanctioned by the NCSE is available on their website www.ncse.ie.
For 2023, budget funding provides for a further 370 special classes to open, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
At local level, the 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.
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.
418. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with the Minister for Disabilities to develop a centralised national database for children with special educational needs at primary and secondary level to streamline forward planning by the NCSE and to ensure that school supports and places are provided within local communities. [53518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government.
The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels.
The State currently spends in excess of 25% of its annual education and training budget (€9.2 Billion) on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.
This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
For 2022, the 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 the 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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-servic es-contact-list.
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.
419. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene in an urgent school transport case for a child (details supplied). [53522/22]
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.
In general, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary level and 4.8km at post-primary level), are attending their nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
Applications for children resident in accommodation provided for people seeking International Protection, who wish to avail of school transport must be made to Bus Éireann. Applications are made by the Manager of the Accommodation Centre together with the relevant local Bus Éireann office.
The general terms of the Primary/Post Primary School Transport Scheme will apply however;
1. The distance eligibility criteria of 3.2 kilometres (Primary) or 4.8 kilometres (Post Primary) will be waived
2. Children who are attending their nearest school, having regard to ethos and language, in which a placement was found at the time of their first enrolment will be eligible for school transport.
Furthermore, the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, also applies.
All school transport arrangements outside the terms of this provision are matters for the management of the individual centre.
Bus Eireann have advised that no application for transport has been received for the pupil referred to by the Deputy to the school referred for the 2022/23 school year.
423. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if her Department intends to issue a joint circular which explicitly states that schools should not use alcohol educational resources developed by the alcohol industry or alcohol industry-funded organisations; if so, the date that this will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not appropriate that resources or materials produced or funded by the drinks industry, for education and awareness on alcohol, are in use in our schools. As the Deputy is aware, this position is set out in Departmental Circular 13/2016, Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Primary Schools, which states that schools should avoid using resources developed by the alcohol industry. This message is also reiterated in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s SPHE Guidelines for Teachers. My Department will continue to liaise with the HSE, in the context of ongoing work with both the HSE and the Department of Health and HSE on the cross- Government Healthy Ireland programme, the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in Ireland.
424. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 19 October 2022, her plans to increase the number of generalised learning disability units to provide additional supports to children with additional needs who do not have an ASD diagnosis but who require the supports of a specialised placement (details supplied); the reason that only those children with an ASD diagnosis are being prioritised for specialist placements given that a number of other disabilities also require specialised placements as recommended in a professional report; if she will list the disabilities supported by generalised learning disabilities; the number of generalised learning disabilities units per county; the number of generalised learning disability units opened in 2021 and 2022; the number of generalised learning disability units planned for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
The NCSE is actively planning for an increasing demand for special classes on a national basis. As the school population increases over the coming years, so too will demand for special classes.
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.
427. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to calls by an organisation (details supplied) to raise all core social protection rates by at least €20 in the Social Welfare Bill 2022; if she will take this information into account and make the necessary increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm I have received the correspondence from Age Action Ireland.
I am very grateful for the time and effort taken by Age Action Ireland in producing this documentation and in drawing these suggestions to my attention, as I am with all of the community and voluntary groups representing a wide range of cohorts within Irish society, all of whom advocate their position with clarity and strength.
I announced on Budget Day that the Government will spend over €2.1 billion on Social Protection measures, including over €880 million in order to provide for a €12 increase to the weekly rate of social welfare payments from January 2023. This supports both pensioners and those of working age and includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.
This is the largest social welfare package in the history of the State.
The rate increase is accompanied by a wide range additional measures and lump sum payments this year to social welfare customers. Taken together, for many household types, the combination effectively matches, or exceeds, inflation.
For example, a pensioner living alone will receive over €1,600 in additional payments and energy credits over the next 12 months compared to the 12 months just past – that’s equivalent to an increase of about €31 per week.
Taking another example, a person with a disability living alone will benefit by about €1,850 - an increase of about 14% which is worth €36 per week.
Combining one-off measures with underlying rate increases is a prudent, targeted approach.
In its post-Budget analysis, the ESRI stated that welfare increases in 2022 and 2023, together with one-off measures, are large enough to leave the lowest-income households better-off on average than they would have been had welfare payment rates risen in line with inflation both this year and next.
I am satisfied that the total social welfare budget package for 2023 has been designed to protect the most vulnerable in society. As we have done to date, the Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will respond again, if necessary.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
428. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s benefit payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be extended and reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
If CARB is awarded for a period of less than 104 weeks (2 years) and the carer wishes to extend the period of the claim, the carer is requested to forward an up-to-date medical report(s) on behalf of the person for whom they are caring, at least four weeks before the date the claim is due to cease.
The person concerned was awarded CARB from 30 Sep 2021 to 28 Sep 2022 in respect of their father and has requested that their claim be extended. Medical evidence received on 14 Oct 2022 has been submitted to the Medical Assessor. On receipt of the Medical Assessor's opinion, a decision will be made on the claim.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
429. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will provide a record of the insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied); the way that the figure of €22 was calculated as a State pension (non-contributory) in their case; if they will be included as an adult dependent on their spouse's State pension (non-contributory) when they qualify at the same rate that they are now on through their spouses jobseeker’s claim. [52751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means test, cash income, including any additional pension(s), the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant hold or co-hold, are assessable.
An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 3 August 2022. The Deciding Officer determined that the means of the person concerned entitled them to a weekly rate of €22 state pension (non-contributory). The person was notified of this decision on 12 October 2022. The person was also informed that it was more financially beneficial for them to remain as a qualified adult on their spouse’s jobseeker's benefit claim and on that basis their state pension (non-contributory) claim was withdrawn. The letter also advised the person concerned of their right, if dissatisfied with this decision, to seek a review of, or to appeal, the decision.
A copy of the state pension means assessment was provided to the person concerned. The Department’s Client Eligibility Service has also issued a copy of their social insurance record, as requested.
The spouse of the person concerned may now wish to apply for state pension contributory. As part of this application, they have an option to apply for an increase for qualified adult in respect of the person concerned. An application form for state pension contributory has been issued to the person's spouse. On receipt of the completed form, their spouse's entitlement to state pension (contributory) will be assessed (including any increase for qualified adult applied for) and they will be notified of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
430. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides for a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods (of up to 20 years) outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Those whose pensions were decided prior to September 2012 (i.e., who were born prior to 1 September 1946) were not affected by the Budget 2012 rate band changes. Consequently, people whose pensions were calculated under the 2000-2012 rate bands were subject to a significantly more generous regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a maximum requirement of 48) could attract a 98% pension.
The State pension system already provides recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role.
This is provided through the award of credits and/or the application of the Homemaker’s Scheme (under the Yearly Average method for payment calculation) and/or the application of HomeCaring Periods (under the Aggregated Contribution Method, also known as the interim Total Contributions Approach).
Since April 2019, all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation.
It should be noted that if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), they may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g., a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who is financially dependent upon him/her), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his/her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
431. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that illness benefit recipients are excluded from the cost-of-living double payment, particularly those who are on IB for an extended period of time, such as a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52761/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe autumn Cost of Living double payment is part of a range of measures put in place as part of Budget 2023 to mitigate the effects of the increased cost of living.
The autumn Cost of Living double payment is being paid to recipients of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disablement Benefit and Partial Capacity Benefit.
Qualifying payments for the autumn double payment are those payments that are considered long-term payments. People on long-term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to being at risk of poverty. It is for this reason that the Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources to help this cohort of claimants.
Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the Autumn double payment. In the vast majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment. This means there is a constant daily churn in terms of Illness Benefit recipients as people take time off/return to work. In addition, in many cases Illness Benefit is paid directly to the employer where sick pay is paid.
Most recipients of Illness Benefit still have an attachment to the labour force and there is an expectation that they will return to work.
Long-term Illness Benefit recipients who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria and social insurance contributions). Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for additional benefits including free travel and the household benefits package.
This Department provides Additional Needs Payment under our Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Illness Benefit recipients will benefit from the €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of this payment from January 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
432. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the training and progression programme for young adults with additional needs can be maintained and remain operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe programme to which the Deputy refers is being funded under the current Dormant Accounts Fund Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities which was a new employment support measure for people with disabilities introduced last year. On 30 July 2021, I announced that 45 projects had been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. Prior to applying for this measure, all organisations were notified of the relevant timelines which were clearly indicated in the Call for Applications in April of last year. This programme began in September 2021 and runs up to the end of 2022.
It was agreed that a new employment programme for people with disabilities would be included in the new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. This new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings of the former Ability Programme which was a three-year programme which concluded at end of August 2021. The new programme will also need to add complementarity to the suite of existing employment supports targeted at people with disabilities provided by my department and broader national strategies for employment of people with disabilities, including the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
The ESF Managing Authority in Ireland - based in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - has compiled the Operational Programme for Ireland which has been approved by Government. The Operational Programme has been formally submitted to the European Commission. It is expected that Commission approval will be communicated before the end of the year.
Once approval is in place, it is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process to applications from organisations across the country, including the 45 organisations currently being funded under the Dormant Accounts Measure outlined above. It is expected that this new ESF+ programme will open to applications in 2023.
I am very keen to avoid a gap in funding between the current Dormant Accounts Fund employment support measure for people with disabilities and the anticipated new ESF+ programme.
In this regard, planning in relation to the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2023 began in May of this year. The draft Action Plan has been submitted to Government for approval, by my colleague Joe O' Brien TD Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, and it is expected that it will be published towards the end of October.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
433. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons working in her Department’s press office, communications team and social media team in tabular form. [52788/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 18th October 2022, the number of persons working in my Department’s Press office and Communications unit are outlined below in tabular form. There is no dedicated social media team in my Department.
|
Function |
Number of staff (Full time equivalent) |
|
Press Office |
4 |
|
Communications Unit – this unit comprises 4 teams working on internal communication, external communication, design and gov.ie content management |
13.8 plus 2 vacancies |
|
Head of Communications – managing Press office and Communications Unit |
1 |
434. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the employment income disregards for persons in receipt of non-contributory widow's pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWidow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-contributory) Pension is a means-tested payment payable to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner who does not qualify for the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension. The rate of payment is €208 per week. For the purposes of the means-test, from application stage through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held, including any changes that occur.
As part of Budget 2023, measures were introduced for people in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension. These include:
October 2022: People in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension received a cost of living double payment paid in the week commencing 17 October.
December 2022: People in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension will receive the Christmas Bonus double payment which will be paid from the week commencing 5 December.
From January 2023: The maximum personal weekly rate of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension will increase by €12 to €220.
On reaching age 66, the Widow/er's Non-Contributory Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension will cease, and the person will be advised to apply for State Pension Non-Contributory.
Currently, earnings up to €100 per week from employment are not taken into account in the Means Test for Widow/er's Non-Contributory Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension.
Any changes to the legislation to disregard income for the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-contributory) Pension would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
435. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons who have paid a certain contribution (details supplied) with limited income cannot qualify for the household benefits package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB for over 497,000 customers. People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
A person aged between 66 and 69 who is not receiving a qualifying payment from the Department, such as the State Pension (Contributory), may still apply for the HHB package, subject to satisfying a means test and the spousal household composition requirement. The allowable means for HHB purposes is €120 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate. From January 2023, the allowable means will increase from €120 to €200 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate.
Once a person is aged over 70, the HHB package is not means tested and an applicant does not need to be receiving a Social Welfare pension or satisfy the spousal household composition requirement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
436. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on the 2 Aug 2022 in respect of their mother.
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. Where a person is in receipt of CARB on the first Thursday in June, they automatically qualify for the CSG, an annual payment of €1,850.
As the award date of the claim of the person concerned falls after the first Thursday in June 2022, the person concerned does not have an entitlement to the Carers Support Grant for 2022 through Carer's Benefit.
The person concerned was notified on 11 Oct 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
437. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance that her Department can provide a person (details supplied). [52812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn reaching pension age on 3 February 2020, the person concerned was automatically transferred from the Invalidity Pension to State Pension (contributory) maximum rate increasing their weekly payment by €39.80.
The autumn cost of living double payment for State Pension (contributory) issued to them on 21 October 2022. They will also receive the Christmas Bonus double payment in December.
The €500 cost of living lump sum disability support grant to be paid in November is for people on Disability Allowance, Invalidity pension and Blind pension. As the person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (contributory) pension, they are not eligible for this payment.
The Fuel Allowance which is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household is paid at the weekly rate of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April. As the person concerned has not submitted an application for Fuel Allowance in respect of the 2022/2023 fuel season, I have arranged for an application from to issue to them.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person is unable to do so from their weekly income. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
