Written Answers Nos. 319-338
319. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) who applied for a bus ticket on 25 April 2022 for transport to school will receive this ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60761/22]
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.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as they do not meet the distance criteria as set out in the post primary school transport scheme.
Bus Éireann also advise that the child referred was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2022/23 school year, all services in the area are currently at full capacity.
320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her views on a matter in relation to EAL hours (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60775/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing arrangements for primary and post primary schools for the 2022/23 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2022 (primary) and Circulars 0022/2022, 0023/2022 and 0024/2022 (post primary), and are available on the Department website.
The Special Education Teaching allocation, as outlined in Circular 0020/2022, (primary schools) and 0021/2022 (post primary schools) provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses the Language Support (EAL) allocation that schools were allocated in previous years.
All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations.
In addition, the Department provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language. There has been no reduction in the level of support provided to these schools where the children remain enrolled in the school.
321. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60776/22]
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 children referred to by the Deputy were issued tickets on 12/07/2022 and 04/09/2022 for seats on services for the 2022/23 school year.
322. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60777/22]
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 child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme and was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
323. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60778/22]
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In addition, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This means that transport arrangements are provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that they have no record of an application for the child referred to by the Deputy.
324. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60779/22]
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.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann advise that the child referred was unsuccessful in obtaining a ticket for the 2022/23 school year, all services in the area are currently at full capacity. Bus Éireann have also advised they are currently assessing school transport routes and if seats become available, this family will be contacted directly.
325. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60780/22]
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In addition, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This means that transport arrangements are provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that tickets were sent to the children referred to by the Deputy on 12/07/2022 and 16/09/2022 for seats on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year.
326. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a person eligible for school transport who applied on time and has not been provided with school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60781/22]
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In addition, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy who is attending school at post primary level is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme and was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
Bus Éireann has further advised that an application has not been received for the other child referred.
327. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the status of the free primary book scheme that was announced as part of budget 2023; how and when the scheme will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in 102 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 540,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.
The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme which is available in some 96% of recognised primary schools. It also builds the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years.
My officials are continuing to engage as how the scheme will operate. Initial contact has been made with some of the education partners in relation to the measure. Over the coming period my Department will be engaging further with the education partners and other stakeholders to roll out the measure in time for the 2023/24 school year.
Guidance on the procurement of books will be developed as part of our further engagement process with schools, parent and management bodies and other stakeholders on this measure. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. Schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet curricular requirements. My Department will consider the information from the 102 DEIS primary schools involved in the free school book pilot when developing the guidance on the procurement of books.
It is planned that funds will be provided to schools to purchase school books and related classroom resources. Schools buy books directly from school book suppliers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme.
328. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60922/22]
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.
The purpose of the 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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In certain circumstances siblings of children with special needs are allowed to travel on SEN services - in cases where the child availing of the SEN service is the only child on the service. Such cases are kept under review and should more children who are eligible for SEN transport apply to avail of the service, siblings of the child with special needs can no longer travel on the service.
Given the individual requirements of children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who are capable of travelling on standard mainstream school transport services. As to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Eireann wish to provide.
Children who are attending mainstream schools may apply for school transport in accordance with the terms of the Department’s School Transport Schemes for Primary Schools.
As you are aware my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. The review of the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes will examine each element of the schemes and include eligibility criteria, trends, costs, cost drivers and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes. The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are taking place in the current phase of the review. As part of this, the Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. These engagements have yielded extensive data for consideration. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the challenges of the pandemic and the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the final phases of the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
329. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the Department’s plans to accommodate increased student numbers in the event that a new school build (details supplied) will not be completed by September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent school project for the post-primary school referred to by the Deputy is scheduled to be completed in Q4 2023. My Department has been liaising with the school's patron body, Cork Education and Training Board, with regard to the requirements for short-term interim accommodation at the school's current location pending the move to the permanent school building in Q4 2023.
330. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the financial supports, grants and otherwise that are available for afterschool services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60946/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to funding provision, my Department provides a number of policies and programmes which are supportive of afterschool clubs or activities for students at risk of educational disadvantage.
DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools is the main policy initiative of the Department of Education to address educational disadvantage at school level. In the 2022/23 academic year there are over 1,200 schools (967 primary and 235 Post Primary) in the DEIS Programme serving over 240,000 pupils.
Budget 2022 allocated the largest-ever increase in funding for the DEIS programme, providing for an additional allocation of €18 million in 2022 and rising to an additional €32 million in 2023. This means that by 2023 my Department will target over €180 million at addressing educational disadvantage through the DEIS programme, an increase of 20%.
In March I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage.
All DEIS schools receive a DEIS grant which is to be used to support the implementation of the schools’ DEIS Action Plan for Improvement. This Plan sets targets under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, wellbeing and examination attainment (post-primary only). A key focus of these themes is that they are targeted at those students most at risk of educational disadvantage. It is a matter for the school Board of Management to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need; this can include afterschool activities.
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is available to DEIS post-primary and urban primary schools. SCP supports students in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. These interventions and supports may include afterschool clubs, which are allowable under the SCP funding. In March 2021 I announced a 5% increase in funding for the School Completion Programme to support the attendance and participation of vulnerable learners and those at risk of education disadvantage; a further 5% increase was provided under Budget 2023.
My Department's policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities. This would include after school activities. Any decision to make school facilities available lies with the relevant Trustees/ Property owners having regard to the requirements of the school, staff and students. To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, my Department, in consultation with representatives of schools, has published guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours, which are available here:
www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf
My Department plans to conduct a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school facilities after school hours for community and related uses. The results of this survey, which is due to commence in Quarter 1 2023, will be used to inform a review of the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours.
331. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will write to the leaders of all religious orders that run and have run schools to remind them of their obligation to retain all records in relation to abuse allegations (details supplied). [61013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have recently written to the Spiritan Order to remind the congregation of the importance of ensuring that all records relating to allegations of child sexual abuse are retained by the congregation. Consideration of any further steps which may be required is ongoing.
332. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to financially assist persons who have anaphylactic food allergies to support them to purchase foods that are safe for their consumption, in view of the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet because of a specified medical condition. There are currently 1,293 people in receipt of diet supplement.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by the Department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) rate, which was then paid at €186 per week (and is currently paid at €206 per week). The diet supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014 based on this evidence.
Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
Under the SWA scheme, a supplement can be awarded to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. In addition, officers can make a single ANP to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Decisions on ANPs and SWA supplements are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818 607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
333. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be issued with the carer's support lump sum that was issued recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60166/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance, which is payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that required by children of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
In line with Budget 2023 measures, certain cost of living supports were introduced to assist families, pensioners, persons with disabilities and carers with the cost of living. These measures which apply to claimants who are in receipt of a specified qualifying payment, range from an autumn cost of living double payment and a once off lump sum payment where applicable. The autumn cost of living double (weekly) payment applies to recipients who are in receipt of a specified qualifying payment in October 2022, while the cost-of-living lump sum payment (€500.00) applies to persons who are in receipt of a qualifying payment in November 2022.
DCA is a qualifying payment for the autumn cost of living double payment. This double (additional weekly) payment of €71.20 was issued to DCA recipients along with their October monthly payment on 18 October 2022.
DCA is not a qualifying payment for the cost-of-living lump sum payment (€500.00). Rather, the above cost-of-living lump sum payment (€500.00) is payable to all recipients of the Carer's Support Grant (CSG), including all DCA recipients who also automatically qualify for CSG. This lump sum payment was issued to CSG recipients (including DCA recipients) on 24 November 2022.
According to the department's records, the cost of living double (weekly) payment was issued to the person concerned as an additional €71.20 with their October 2022 monthly payment 18 October 2022.
The entitlement of the person concerned to DCA and the associated CSG payment ceased at the end of October 2022. As a result, the above cost of living lump sum payment is not payable to the person concerned as they were no longer eligible for the CSG in November 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
334. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if any allowances or grace period will be made for persons who switched relevant payments shortly before the budget 2023 lump sums were issued, given that many of these persons are still disproportionally affected by the current cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on Budget Day that the Government will spend €2.2 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.
Those measures will make a real difference in terms of protecting our most vulnerable – our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, low-income families and lone parents.
A person must be due payment in the relevant week on a relevant payment in order for my Department to process the payment through our IT systems.
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.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
335. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the grants or payments that can be made to a person (details supplied). [60188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. Assistance can be provided for fuel costs where there are no other supports available.
The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the schemes 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.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
336. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider, with the pensions changes being proposed, that the treatment benefit scheme be extended to all recipients of the contributory State pension regardless of all types of contributions paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTreatment Benefit is a social insurance scheme provided by this Department. Under this scheme, eligible contributors can access dental and optical services, and grants towards certain medical appliances (hearing aids, medical lenses or wigs).
Contributions made under social insurance (PRSI) Classes A, E, P, H or S count towards eligibility for Treatment Benefit. The amount of social insurance contributions required depends on the person's age.
People who qualify for Treatment Benefit at age 60–65 can keep that entitlement for life.
Currently, people over 66 years of age must have -
- 260 PRSI contributions paid at any time, and 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year or the year immediately before it; or
- 260 PRSI contributions paid at any time and 26 paid contributions in both the relevant tax year and the year immediately before it.
The relevant tax year in this case is the second last completed tax year before reaching 66 years of age.
People who satisfy either of these conditions when they reach pension age will remain qualified for life.
Many people on State Pension (Contributory) satisfy these requirements already. However, some retired people who paid contributions under different PRSI classes do not qualify for Treatment Benefit. Most of these paid contributions in Class B, C and D.
Treatment Benefit is financed through the Social Insurance Fund. This Fund has been depleted due to the significant costs associated with Covid-19. The Programme for Government commits to giving consideration to increasing contributions from all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund. I am not considering changing the qualifying criteria for Treatment Benefit at this time.
Any proposal to further extend the Treatment Benefit scheme would have to be considered in a financial and budgetary context, taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances, with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a fuel allowance application was refused in the case of a person (details supplied), if the decision can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.
The fuel allowance application in respect of the person concerned was awarded from 30 September 2022. The person concerned will receive arrears totalling €862.00 on 2 December 2022. This includes their first lump sum payment totalling €462.00 plus €400 cost-of-living lump sum payment.
From 06 January 2023, they will receive the second lump sum payment of €462.00 covering payment from 6 January to the end of the fuel season 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Government is actively engaging with community employment scheme supervisors regarding pay and conditions; and, if so, when the process is due to be completed. [60200/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection when, following a previous Labour Court finding, she intends to implement a mechanism to allow for wage increases to the said community employment supervisor category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the pay claim by community employment supervisors. [60978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 344 and 383 together.
I value the role CE supervisors and assistant supervisors play on over 800 CE schemes in local communities across the country. They support CE participants to get work experience and develop future work opportunities for those who are long term unemployed, while providing essential services to local communities. As the Deputy is aware, CE supervisors and assistant supervisors are not employees of the Department and are not public servants. They are employees of individual schemes. This means that any discussions on employment related matters are complex.
In the role as funder of CE, Department of Social Welfare officials have ongoing engagement with community employment supervisors and their union representatives to discuss operational issues and other matters of common concern, the latest of these engagements was as recent as last Thursday.
The Department, as the funder of CE schemes, received correspondence earlier this year from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. The department has since been advised that Fórsa and SIPTU have referred a pay claim to the conciliation service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC has issued an invite to the Department to take part in a conciliation process.
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, and the referral of other similar claims to the WRC, the Department is following-up with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Given the complexities involved in funding of CE, and the number of parties involved - it is not possible for the Department of Social Protection to indicate when these issues will be brought to a conclusion, however I have been pressing for progress on this issue and look forward to positive engagement from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
