Thursday, 17 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 213-232

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (215)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

215. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if a timescale for implementation of the Leaving Certificate reform process has been put in place. [57186/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience which will:

- Empower students to meet the challenges of the 21st century

- Enrich the student experience and build on what’s strong in our current system

- Embed wellbeing and reduce student stress levels

I have asked the NCCA to publish by September 2023 a schedule of dates by which individual subject curricula will be completed. This will set out a plan for new and revised subject curricula to be delivered in annual blocks with the first new and updated curricula being available and introduced into “network schools” for piloting in September 2024.

I have also asked the SEC to undertake an evaluation of the 2022 experience of holding Oral and Music Practical examinations at Easter so as to inform our approach in subsequent years.

The planning necessary to hold Paper 1 in Irish and English at the end of the fifth year for students entering fifth year in September 2023 has also commenced.

On 29 March I also announced that a revised Transition Year programme statement will be developed through working with schools. This will be available from early 2024 and will help to ensure the delivery of a valuable Transition Year experience for students across all schools participating in the programme.

My approach to Senior Cycle redevelopment is ambitious, optimistic and inclusive. Senior Cycle redevelopment will ensure that the diversity of students’ learning needs and strengths are addressed. The redevelopment of Senior Cycle will ensure that all learning pathways in school are accessible and equally valued.

School Admissions

Ceisteanna (216)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

216. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is reducing its class numbers for junior infants for 2023, causing many families to miss out on spaces for their child; if she will engage with the school on its application for temporary accommodation which would allow for a third junior infants class and would accommodate parents currently going without a school place for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57193/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question. My officials are considering the long term needs of the school, including possible interim accommodation and will revert to the school authorities directly in this regard as soon as possible.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (217)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

217. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make provision for those on illness benefit to receive a double week's payment in December 2022, and for them to be included in the cost-of-living measures introduced by the Government to alleviate some of the inflationary pressures [57191/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

In 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 was paid to those schemes which are eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus.

Illness Benefit is not, and has never been, 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 of a claim for Illness Benefit is only 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, in many cases, 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, and nor would it be a targeted use of resources.

I do appreciate however that individual circumstances can vary from case to case. I have asked my officials to examine this issue in respect of people who are in receipt of Illness Benefit for longer periods of time.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (218, 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 230, 232, 234)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who are currently in receipt of a training allowance after having transferred from the disability allowance or the blind pension after taking up a place on a FET training course, are eligible for the once-off €500 disability support grant; if not, the reason for this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57043/22]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

219. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to the €500 payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57049/22]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

220. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the planned €500 disability support grant announced in Budget 2023 will be amended to include those who were in receipt of the disability allowance but have moved to FET training allowance given that these families and the organisations supporting them anticipated they would be eligible for the grant and had planned accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57062/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

222. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will immediately review the eligibility criteria for National Learning Network students who currently cannot avail of the €500 disability support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57072/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

223. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that National Learning Network students are not receiving the €500 disability support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57073/22]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

224. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in which the disability support grant has been withheld. [57087/22]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

225. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a cohort of persons (details supplied) are being denied the disability support grant in view of the fact that they would have been previously in receipt of a qualifying payment, namely the disability allowance and have only been temporarily changed to a training allowance for the duration of their course; if this decision will be reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57089/22]

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

226. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind the decision not to grant the €500 cost-of-living lump sum payment to those who are in receipt of the training allowance and whose disability allowance has been paused as a result; if she will reconsider the decision to exclude them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57098/22]

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

230. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that recipients of the disability allowance, blind pension, invalidity pension and the carer’s support grant will not receive the one-off payment of €500 14 November 2022 given that if these persons have entered training or CE schemes they are not entitled to the payment; if this rule will be changed in order that they can receive the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57139/22]

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

232. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether students who are attending the National Learning Network, who were awarded the disability allowance, should receive the €500 cost-of-living disability support grant in the same way as persons who were awarded the disability allowance and are receiving their payment from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57158/22]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

234. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons in receipt of disability allowance who are currently on a training course with an organisation (details supplied) have been excluded from receiving the disability support grant; and if this will be reconsidered given that those taking part in training courses are experiencing the increasing costs of living just as their peers. [57207/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 230, 232 and 234 together.

My Department has, as you will be aware, acted very quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe. Wherever possible, budget measures that are usually implemented in the January to March period of the year following a budget announcement, have been brought forward and implemented within a period of weeks. While this early issue of payments was very challenging it was possible to achieve for people paid directly off the Department’s own payment systems.

However, when undertaking training courses, recipients of Disability Allowance move off the Department’s payment systems and transfer to a Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funded Training Allowance. As a consequence, it was not possible to process early payment of the Disability Support Grant to these recipients in the same manner as was implemented in respect of people paid directly through the Department’s own systems.

I can confirm, however, that it is absolutely the intention that people on training courses, having previously been in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €500 Disability Support Grant.

My officials are examining this issue in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the payment is made to those who are on Training courses as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 218.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (221)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

221. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans to address the payscales and current pay rates of community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; if additional funding will be made to locally-based CE sponsoring authorities to provide pay increases to their staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57070/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

We are all very conscious of the important role that Community Employment (CE) and other programmes play in our communities. In addition to providing valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment for people who are long term unemployed, schemes such as CE also provide important and, in many cases essential, services to their local communities.

The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities who are the employers of CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. CE sponsoring authorities receive state funding to cover the cost of remuneration, training and material costs from the department. Therefore, any pay increases could increase the cost to the state of running CE schemes.

The Department of Social Protection, as the funder of CE schemes, has received correspondence from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer. Given these budgetary implications, this correspondence has been forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for their consideration.

The Department is continuing to follow-up on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will also continue discussions with the Trade Unions concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 218.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (227)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

227. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a claim for a disability allowance which is under review will be expedited and approved in the name of a person (details supplied). [57116/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 16 June 2022.

Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 04 August 2022.

Further medical evidence was received on 25 August 2022 and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 07 November 2022. He was also advised of his right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO). No request for an appeal has been received to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Employment Support Services

Ceisteanna (228)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

228. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Carrick-on-Suir Intreo office is set to re-open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57133/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Carrick-on-Suir Branch Office is open Monday to Friday during the following hours:

- Monday 9.30am - 12.45pm, 2pm - 4.30pm

- Tuesday 9.30am - 12.45pm, 2pm - 4.30pm

- Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4.30pm

- Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4.30pm

- Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (229)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

229. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowance will be paid to the amount claimed by a person (details supplied). [57136/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in the Department.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ENP for assistance with several outstanding bills. The claim was assessed, and the person was awarded €300 which was paid to his nominated bank account on 25/10/2022.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.

The person subsequently requested a review of the Designated Person’s decision. A SWA Reviewing Officer reviewed the person’s application and having considered all aspects of the case, recommended that a further contribution of €500 be awarded. The person was advised of the outcome of the review in writing on 11/11/2022. The award of €500 will be available in the person’s nominated bank account on 17/11/2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 218.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (231)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

231. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that citizens who are relying on illness benefit are not entitled to the cost-of-living bonuses that were announced as part of the next Budget. [57149/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

In 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 was paid to those schemes which are eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus.

Illness Benefit is not, and has never been, 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 of a claim for Illness Benefit is only 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, in many cases, 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, and nor would it be a targeted use of resources.

I do appreciate however that individual circumstances can vary from case to case. I have asked my officials to examine this issue in respect of people who are in receipt of Illness Benefit for longer periods of time.

Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 218.