Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of requests for additional needs payments in the month of January; the number granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6085/23]
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. Additional Needs Payments are demand led and 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.Statistics relating to claims made in 2023 are not yet available. In December 2022 there were 12,340 Additional Need Payments applications received of which 9,967 were awarded. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged 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.
22. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to reviewing age-related rates of jobseeker's allowance with respect to those under 25 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5666/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAge related reduced rates for young Jobseekers allowance recipients were introduced in 2009 to address the issue of high youth unemployment by incentivising them to participate in employment, education and training programmes.In Budget 2023, I announced an increase of all core social welfare payments by €12 per week including the age related Jobseeker's Allowance rate which has also increased by €12 to €129.70 per week for jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 years.
Supporting and improving the capacity of people to take up employment, education and training opportunities can enhance their employment prospects over time, as well as their ability to earn an adequate income to support themselves and their families into the future. Young jobseekers will receive the maximum personal rate of €220 per week if they participate on an education or training programme. Furthermore, if they participate on the Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate increases to €323.The Pathways to Work strategy contains provision for 50,000 additional further education and training places and the allocation of at least 1,000 out of the 3,000 new Community Employment and Tús places for young people. Additional places have also been provided on the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy, with the subsidy being available on an earlier basis than normal to employers when they recruit young people.
The aim of Pathways to Work 2021-2025 was to use these measures to reduce the youth unemployment rate back to or below the 2019 average of 12.5% by 2023. According to the latest CSO data, the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate for January 2023 is already below this target at 10.4%. Further work in this area will continue to support these young people.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
23. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to providing a free travel scheme to all persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6161/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 73 private transport operators. There are approximately 1,056,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million. I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who is unable to drive as a result of their condition. Following a meeting with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail, I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised in relation to access to the Free Travel scheme. My officials advise me that they are currently finalising the report and I expect to receive it shortly. I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which it continues to be possible to address particularly sensitive issues in respect of family income and the cost-of-living impact; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of her Department’s resources to address such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects an increase in the demand for social welfare payments in the current year; if she is satisfied that these demands will be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6133/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 31 together.
I fully recognise the challenges that the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families. That is why, in September, I announced the largest ever Social Protection Budget package in the history of the State - comprising measures worth almost €2.2 billion.This included eight separate cost of living lump sum payments throughout October, November and December to ease the pressure that many families are facing.From the start of January, we have seen a wide range of increases come into effect which were announced as part of Budget 2023. This includes a €12 across the board increase to weekly rates – the largest increase to weekly rates since the mid-2000s. We have also provided measures which directly target families - increasing the Working Family Payment thresholds by €40, and the weekly Qualified Child allowance by €2 per week.I also announced the largest ever expansion in the Fuel Allowance scheme, and we have seen over 20,000 additional households join this scheme since the Budget.The ESRI post-Budget analysis shows that Budget 2023, combined with once-off measures to reduce the cost of living, will be effective in protecting most households from rising prices this winter. Their analysis further shows that the approach taken by the Government, of targeted welfare measures combined with universal energy credits, will be more effective at protecting most lower income households this winter than had welfare rate payments risen in line with inflation in 2022/2023.And further measures are in train - the third energy credit is due in March / April and will deliver a further €200 to virtually all households in the state.Also, when including the once-off measures, the ESRI’s December Distributional Analysis shows that the Budget was progressive, helping those in the lower income deciles most.
I would like to highlight that if any person or family is struggling to pay their bills, they can apply to my Department for the Additional Needs Payment.
My Department has made a provision of €23.9 billion for schemes and services in 2023, which includes €480 million for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. In 2022, expenditure amounted to €24.6 billion. This included payments of once-off cost of living measures totaling €1.29 billion, payments on Covid related schemes totaling €1.23 billion and payments to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive totaling €240 million. €21.9 billion was spent on core Department of Social Protection funding. Therefore, when compared to 2022, the core funding in 2023 is over €1.5 billion higher, year on year.
Finally, I can assure you that we are keeping the situation under close review on a whole of Government basis and are ready to respond as and when required.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
25. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to process the applications for the exceptional needs payment and supplementary welfare allowance and clear the backlog. [6178/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being put in place to prevent delay in the processing of additional needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6129/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra42. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is concerned at the lack of access to community welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6086/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 40 and 42 together.
The Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.There are no backlogs and work on hand is within the schemes normal processing levels. Complete applications are finalised within 2 weeks and there is less than 2 weeks work on hands currently.
It is important to note that where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. Community Welfare Officers are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. Approximately 10% of CWS payments to customers across the country are made on this basis, which shows just how responsive the service is to an urgent customer need.
Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their application and the length of time that it takes for the information to be provided. This can result in longer processing times for these applications as greater flexibility is given to clients with extended time to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed quickly.
CWOs are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the community welfare service it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application and any person who needs to access the service can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly with a CWO. Staff working on the phoneline are currently dealing with over 5,000 callers each month and this service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas.
A person can apply for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie or by calling 0818 60 70 80. Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie . A completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to the Department where the claim will be processed quickly.
I have taken a number of steps to manage the increased level of Supplementary Welfare Allowance applications and improve service capacity, including:
- I secured agreement for some 74 additional staff to be assigned to the CWS. Recruitment has commenced for these additional staff. It is anticipated that the additional staff will be in place by the end of Q1.
- 30 Social Welfare Inspectors were temporarily reassigned to the Community Welfare Service to assist with claim processing.
- The introduction of a national CWS freephone line means that clients don't have to attend an office in person to make a claim or an enquiry.
- The rostering of staff ensures there is a full-time CWO presence in over 50 offices nationwide.
- The establishment of a back-office support team, to take-on the more routine administrative tasks associated with claim processing, frees up front-line CWOs to deal directly with client and their claims.
- The establishment of a national CWS Response Team, which is the primary resource in responding to pressure points and surges in demand for community welfare services.
- My Department is working on the provision of an online Additional Needs Payment application process via the MyWelfare system. The provision of the ANP online application will ensure that those who wish to access this scheme online including providing supporting documentation will be able to do so. It is expected this option will be available to clients by the end of Q1.
These changes mean that the CWS is in a stronger position than it would otherwise have been to respond to service demands.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
26. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being taken to deal with the delays in processing of applications for fuel allowance for the over-70s under the new income criteria under the cost-of-living measures introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6160/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 billion, I was pleased to secure a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme, expected to benefit up to 81,000 additional households during this fuel allowance season. The budget measures, of most benefit to those over age 70, are effective from January 2023.
Since the budget announcement, my officials have put additional measures in place so that Fuel Allowance applications are processed as efficiently as possible. A number of changes were made to the Department’s IT systems and additional staffing resources are in place to help process the increased number of applications received. A telephone service is also in place to support customers. A new streamlined online application service was opened on 5 December 2022 to assist applicants, especially those over 70, to apply for the payment at a time and place that suits them. A new shorter paper application for those over 70 is also available to download from the Governments website, gov.ie. In early December, an information campaign commenced to raise awareness about the payment and the new online service, particularly amongst those over age 70.
I am informed that higher than normal levels of applications continue to be received from those aged 70 and over. The pensions areas are working through these applications as quickly as possible and expect to have processed the vast majority over the coming weeks. I can assure the Deputy that where an application is awarded, there will be no loss in payment to the qualified households concerned as the payment will be backdated as appropriate.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in identifying additional agricultural schemes under the new CAP which will be disregarded with regard to farm assist. [5847/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm Assist is a statutory income support specifically for farmers on low-incomes. There are approximately 4,400 claims in payment at present. Government has provided €49.4 million for the scheme for 2023. I significantly expanded the list of agri-environmental schemes that attract a disregard for Farm Assist, from June 2022. In addition, I announced an increase in the amount of the disregard for agri-environmental schemes, which almost doubled the amount from €2,540 to €5,000. This measure came into effect in January 2023.Officials in the Department are working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify schemes in Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 which may be considered for inclusion in the list of schemes which attract this disregard. The process for providing for a further expansion of the list schemes is underway.
I trust this clarifies the position.
28. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the trends in the numbers seeking jobseeker payments; the number who are being facilitated into pathways of training and work experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6100/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of the end of January, the Live Register, which consists of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit and Credits, stood at around 184,700. This figure includes around 22,900 Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine. Excluding these, the Live Register stands at around 161,900, which is markedly lower than the corresponding pre-pandemic level of around 183,800 in January 2020.
Of the nearly 185,000 individuals currently on the Live Register, the proportion of long-term unemployed (over a year) is 33 percent, down from 36.8 percent in January 2020.
At the beginning of April 2022, the Live Register increased as the remaining recipients of the PUP were supported in their transition off the scheme. From this point, the Live Register declined, in line with the general labour market recovery, aside from normal seasonal increases experienced in the summer. Increases in recent months are a result of supports provided to those arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive.
The relatively low numbers on the Live Register are a consequence of the strong labour market with most recent CSO figures for January indicating an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. Since the Pandemic Unemployment Payment closed at the end of March 2022, the unemployment rate has remained below 5 percent.
In respect of supports for jobseekers, the main training and work experience programme the Department operates is the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP). The WPEP provides jobseekers with the opportunity to gain a quality work placement experience, increase their employability, and develop new skills. However, owing to the tight labour market, fewer jobseekers have availed of this support than had been expected. As of the end of January, 539 individuals have participated, or are due to shortly start on the programme since it commenced in July 2021. At the end of December 2022, the Department supported 3,846 participants on the Back to Education Allowance.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science also provides supports to individuals to retrain and upskill. Since the launch of Pathways to Work, in July 2021 until the end of December 2022, there have been 23,334 people who were long-term unemployed commencing in Further and Higher Education programmes.
My Department will continue to provide assistance to all those who may need help to return to employment, education or training.
29. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has read the recent NESC report on the self-employed. [2046/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) paper on ‘The Position of the Self-Employed’ which was published in November 2020. I note that the paper considers a number of issues concerning self-employed workers, and groups these into the four policy areas of: the social insurance contributions made by self-employed workers; the social protection supports provided to them; the differentiation between employed and self-employed workers; and representation for self-employed workers. Self-employed workers are now covered for most of the benefits available under the social insurance scheme. This represents approximately 93% of the value of all benefits paid by the social insurance fund, in return for a contribution which is 11 percentage points lower than that made in respect of employed contributors.As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment that consideration will be given to increasing all classes of social insurance over time to replenish the social insurance fund to help pay for measures and changes to be agreed.
I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September 2022. The measures, which were approved by Cabinet, represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system. As part of the reform, officials in my Department are currently working on developing proposals for Government in considering whether any changes will be required to social insurance contribution rates or the social insurance revenue base from 2024 and for the following decade. These proposals will be based upon new data from the latest Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund which will be published shortly. It is anticipated that any changes to contribution rates, including contribution rate increases for the self-employed, or social insurance base broadening measures, will be considered as part of this process.The second issue relates to the levels of welfare support provided to self-employed workers. My Department offers a range of income supports to self-employed people, including: jobseeker's benefit self-employed; means tested jobseeker’s allowance; the back to work enterprise allowance; and the short term enterprise allowance. In addition, my Department's employment support services are available to self-employed people on a voluntary basis through their local Intreo Centre.Self-employed workers benefitted from a range of supports during the Covid 19 pandemic. Self-employed workers could avail of: the pandemic unemployment payment; the enhanced illness benefit payment of €350 per week; and the once-off enterprise support grant of up to €1,000 to assist with the costs associated with reopening a business following the imposition of Covid-19 related restrictions. With respect to the categorisation of self-employed workers, my Department’s social welfare inspectorate carry out, as part of their duties, employer investigations to ensure compliance with social insurance law and employment status investigations form part of this work. As an integral part of the approach to addressing potential false self-employment, a new team of inspectors was established in late 2019 to focus entirely on detecting and investigating such practices.
A revised 'Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment' was finalised by the interdepartmental working group compromising my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Workplace Relations Commission, and was published in July 2021. The purpose of this document is to provide a clear understanding of employment status, taking into account current labour market practices and developments in legislation and caselaw. The Code aims to be of benefit to employers, employees, independent contractors and legal, financial and HR professionals. It is also aimed at investigators, decision-makers and adjudicators in the Department of Social Protection, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the WRC, their respective appeals bodies, and the courts.Finally, in the area of representation, industrial relations in Ireland rests on a voluntary model. The State’s role is largely restricted to the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. Progressing matters of representation come within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the period of time that participants can remain on the Tús scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6102/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTús was introduced 2011 as a response to the high level of unemployment and the large numbers of people on the live register at that time. It is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year.
The duration of each Tús contract is for a maximum of 12 months; a time limit set to ensure that the available placements are open to as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed and to ensure that Tús complements the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies in Pathways to Work.The focus of Tús is on jobseekers that are unemployed for twelve months or more, and the targeted activation of this cohort aims to provide additional assistance and a renewed impetus to these jobseekers who could otherwise be in danger of falling into persistent long-term unemployment.
During the COVID pandemic the Minister for Social Protection and I extended Tús participants contracts on a number of occasions. These contract extensions, which were in place from October 2020, supported the Tús programme at various stages of the pandemic so that they could maintain important community services while also ensuring that participants had sufficient time to fully avail of the work experience and training opportunities affected by public health restrictions.
Tús participants with extended contracts started to leave schemes on a coordinated and phased basis from April 2022 and this will run up until May 2023. This will ensure continuity of service delivery and also support a phased recruitment of new participants. Furthermore, it was also decided that since August 2022, a percentage of current Tús exits could be further extended in certain circumstances for a maximum of six months, to support the recruitment of new participants and maintain the delivery of essential community services. This is a transitionary measure for supporting schemes to retain services, while they are experiencing the higher-than-normal turnover of participants. This measure provides Tús Implementing Bodies with additional flexibility to retain participants, where these are required to maintain services in communities.
If participants are still unemployed on completion of their Tús placement and continue to require the option of supported employment, further opportunity in this regard is provided by my Department through the Community Employment (CE) scheme. The commencement of a CE placement is available as a progression path for a jobseeker on the completion of Tús, and this can be accessed with the assistance of an employment personal advisor in their local Intreo centre.
My Department continues to review all of its activation programmes to ensure the best outcomes for all concerned. Government recognises the value of the Tús programme as a positive initiative involving a large number of placements engaged in valuable service delivery to individuals and communities across Ireland, whilst also enabling the long-term unemployed to up-skill themselves for prospective future employment.
I trust this clarifies matters.
32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the intended timeframe to introduce legislation underpinning the provision of pensions to carers. [5848/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to increase the pension entitlements of full-time family carers. [6115/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 35 together.
This Government acknowledges the important contribution that carers provide and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workforce, often to raise families or to provide another full-time caring role. PRSI Credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension. They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years paid contributions.I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.One of the most important reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record and by establishing a register of family carers for this purpose.Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
33. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will immediately review social welfare rates in light of the rising cost of groceries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6088/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the challenges the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families. That is why, in September, I announced the largest social protection Budget package in the history of the State - comprising measures worth almost €2.2 billion.This included eight separate cost of living lump sum payments throughout October, November and December to ease the pressure that many households are facing.From the start of January, we have seen a wide range of increases come into effect which were announced as part of Budget 2023. This includes a €12 across the board increase to weekly rates – the largest increase to weekly rates since the mid-2000s.I also announced the largest ever expansion in the Fuel Allowance scheme, and we have seen over 20,000 additional households join this scheme since the Budget.The ESRI post-Budget analysis shows that Budget 2023, combined with once-off measures to reduce the cost of living, will be effective in protecting most households from rising prices this winter.Their analysis further shows that the approach taken by the Government, of targeted welfare measures combined with universal energy credits, will be more effective at protecting most lower income households this winter than had welfare rate payments risen in line with inflation in 2022/2023.And further measures are in train - the third energy credit is due in March / April and will deliver a further €200 to virtually all households in the state.Also, when including the once-off measures, the ESRI’s December Distributional Analysis shows that the Budget was progressive, helping those in the lower income deciles the most.I would like to highlight that if any person or family are struggling to pay their bills, they can apply to my Department for the Additional Needs Payment. There is currently an information campaign underway to raise awareness about this payment.Finally, I can assure you that we are keeping the situation under close review on a whole of Government basis and are ready to respond as and when required.
34. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is undertaking research into providing an enlarged school meals programme for national and post-primary education; and if estimates are available on the costings of such an undertaking. [5104/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra36. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if efforts are being made to address the anomaly affecting secondary schools recently approved for DEIS status; if the recent funding increase for school dinner clubs will now be applied for all affected secondary schools; if so, when this will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5939/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 26 October 2022, if she has received the final report on the school meals programme; if so, the actions, if any, she plans to take as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6170/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 30 November 2022, the status of the review of the school meals programme; when the final report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6124/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 36, 47 and 53 together.
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.Budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for the programme with an additional €9m provided to allow access to all new DEIS schools from September 2022. Additional funding for the programme has been provided for 2023 bringing the total to €94.4m. This represents a 53% funding increase in the period since 2020. In March 2022, the Minister for Education announced an extension of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School to an additional 320 schools from September 2022. In July, I announced that the access to the hot school meal option would be extended to the 282 newly designated DEIS primary schools and to the cold lunch option to the 38 newly designated DEIS secondary schools from September, benefitting some 60,000 children. This allowed all pupils in the new DEIS schools to avail of one substantial meal for the additional budget provided.Funding under the school meals scheme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided, e.g. €1.40 per child per day where a cold lunch club is being provided, €1.90 per child per day where a dinner club is being provided and €2.90 per child per day where a Hot Meal club is being provided. Dinner clubs provide a hot meal but are different from the Hot School Meals clubs in that they tend to be provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities whereas food for Hot Meals clubs is cooked offsite and either delivered hot or reheated in the school. There was no recent increase in the rate of €1.90 for dinner clubs or any other meal option. I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme in recent years. In this regard, I commissioned the evaluation of the school meals programme to review all elements of the programme including the current funding rates. The final report was recently received which I am currently reviewing. This report will help to inform future decisions around this important programme.I trust this clarifies the matter.
37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to further expand the school meals programme; the number of applications for inclusion in the scheme that were received for the 2022-23 school year; the number of these applications that were successful and the number that were unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6169/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for the programme with an additional €9m provided to allow access to all new DEIS schools from September 2022. Additional funding for the programme has been provided for 2023 bringing the total to €94.4m. This represents a 53% funding increase in the period since 2020.
The schools meals programme provides funding towards food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes: The urban school meals scheme and the school meals (local projects) scheme. The school meals (local projects) scheme provides funding directly to schools and organisations for the provision of food while the Urban School Meals Scheme is operated and administered by local authorities and is part-financed by my department.
In March 2022, the Minister for Education announced an extension of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School to an additional 320 schools from September 2022. In July, I announced that the access to the hot school meal option would be extended to the 282 newly designated DEIS primary schools and to the cold lunch option to the 38 newly designated DEIS secondary schools from September benefitting some 60,000 children. This allowed all pupils in the new DEIS schools to avail of one substantial meal for the additional budget provided.
The number of applications received for inclusion in the school meals (local projects) scheme in the 2022/2023 school year is 1,588 with 1,495 applications awarded and 15 disallowed to date. The remaining applications are pending awaiting further information from the schools.
I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme in recent years. In this regard, I commissioned the evaluation of the school meals programme to review all elements of the programme. The final report was recently received which I am currently reviewing. This report will help to inform future decisions around this important programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
38. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on reforming the stillbirth registration process. [6114/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the General Register Office examined the arrangements for registration of stillbirths following receipt of recommendations from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive on updating the criteria to be applied and in response to representations made by representative groups of parents. I have indicated that changes will be included in a forthcoming Bill to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004 for which I propose to seek Government approval once my Department has completed its work on the measures to be included in the Bill.
If the proposals are approved by the Government, I would hope to publish a Bill in the coming months once drafting has been completed.
I trust this information addresses the Deputy's enquiry.
39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments applied for through the community welfare service in Dundalk, County Louth, in 2022; the number of these applications granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6109/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make additional needs payments to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. 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.The schemes are 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.The specific information requested on supplementary welfare allowance schemes by Intreo Centre is not collated; it can be provided by county. In County Louth, in 2022, there were 4,000 additional needs payment applications received and 2,409 payments awarded.Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged 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.
