Written Answers Nos. 399-422
399. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to a response (details supplied) which this Deputy received from the National Council for Special Education on 7 June 2022, if she will confirm whether the NCSE has provided her with an update on the status of an application to establish an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classroom in a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11438/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her question and advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
There are currently 106 special classes in Co. Tipperary. Of these, 71 special classes are at primary level and 35 are at post-primary level. Over the last three years, 21 new special classes at primary and 11 new special classes at post-primary have been provided in Co. Tipperary.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my Department that the school is scheduled to open a new ASD class. This class is currently planned to open for the 2023/2024 school year. The school has received the relevant authorisation letters from the NCSE. Currently students are seeking enrolments to this class as per Department of Education criteria and guidelines.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level, however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years. The NCSE has advised my Department that it continues to work with schools to ensure that there are sufficient places available in special classes to meet the needs of children. It is expected that the NCSE will confirm where new special classes at primary and post-primary level have been sanctioned for the coming school year over the next few weeks. This is in keeping with timelines in previous years.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
400. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if a place can be found for a student (details supplied) within the catchment area for the academic year beginning September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11449/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
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.
As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
The above address is located in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 Planning Area. It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area;
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area;
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils; and
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
401. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the up to date position with secondary school places in County Kildare (details supplied); if she is considering interim measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11455/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently exploring the provision of additional accommodation at the school in question to facilitate the school offering additional school places for September 2023.
In tandem with this and with regard to the provision of the new school building at the site in Kildare town that will accommodate 1000 pupils as well as provide accommodation for pupils with special education needs, the tender competition for the appointment of the Design Team for this project is currently underway.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron regarding this development.
402. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an Emergency Works Application 1732 from 19 April 2022 by a school (details supplied). [11493/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that the school to which she refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme for two categories of works (Roof and Structural) on the same application form. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, each category of an emergency must be applied for separately.
The school had proposed a full roof replacement on their application which goes beyond the normal scope of the Emergency Works Scheme. The school have been contacted by the Emergency Works team and requested to submit a revised scope of works for the Roof to include the minimum works necessary to resolve the issue, until such time as a permanent solution can be carried out under the next multi-annual Summer Works Scheme.
They were also requested to upload a separate Emergency Works Scheme application for the Structural issues via their Esinet portal.
403. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the help and supports in place for school staff to recognise and support students with atypical ADHD; if there are any plans for training in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11508/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the questions raised and advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2023 the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
It is Department policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education, that pupils with additional learning needs are supported in mainstream classes along with their peers, with additional supports provided as necessary.
The Department has invested considerably in ensuring that all recognised mainstream schools have been allocated additional special education teaching (SET) resources to cater for children with special educational needs. Guidelines for schools on the organisation, deployment and use of their special education teachers have been published on the Department’s website, at gov.ie - Guidelines for Primary Schools Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools (www.gov.ie).
It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with the Department's guidance. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs.
A process is available where schools can seek a review of their SET allocation by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), including the utilisation of their allocations. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is published on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/special-education-teachers
The functions of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) include planning and coordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs in conjunction with schools and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required. The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need.
The NCSE provides for support for teachers with additional training needs in the area of special education through the NCSE Support Service which manages, co-ordinates and develops a range of supports in response to identified teacher training needs.
The NCSE Support Service provides Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) support for teachers of pupils with special educational needs through an Inclusive Learning Resource Teachers course as well as an online resource facility and an online book borrowing facility. The Support Service continues to update current Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) courses for teachers and design new TPL courses in response to the needs of teachers.
Detailed information on the comprehensive programme of Teacher Professional Learning seminars on a variety of special educational needs topics is published on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/tpl
404. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to confer DEIS status on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11551/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced a major expansion of the DEIS programme which means that, for the first time since 2017 the programme was significantly expanded to an additional 322 schools. The programme now includes over 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. This means 1 in 4 of all students are now supported in the programme.
This recent expansion will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from this year, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past three budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. I have also further improved the staffing schedule for all primary schools to 23:1, the lowest it has ever been.
Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd of April last, it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department are engaging with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, will be considered by my Department to help inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
The next phase of work will consider all schools, within and outside the DEIS programme and explore the overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders over the coming months.
405. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if the same financial support for registered post-primary teachers to upskill to teach mathematics, physics and Spanish can be extended to home economics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11554/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, my Department established a Steering Group on Teacher Supply to facilitate multi-agency engagement and to lead a coordinated programme of actions to support the supply of teachers. Arising from the work of this Group and its various substructures, the Teacher Supply Action Plan was published in November 2018.
The Action Plan called for the development of upskilling programmes in targeted subject areas for existing teachers, and following a request from my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) issued a funding call to initial teacher education (ITE) providers for upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish in late 2019. These were identified by the Steering Group as among the most challenging subjects in terms of teacher recruitment. Following the successful completion of the funding call, these programmes commenced in January 2021.
Upskilling programmes are provided over two years on a part-time basis. They are free of cost to participants. The first cohort of participants, approximately 170 teachers, completed these programmes in 2022 and more than 300 teachers are due to graduate in 2023. My Department has agreed to extend funding in 2023 and to provide for additional capacity.
Funding for these programmes was put in place following a competitive call to all initial teacher education providers for proposals. It is intended to commence an upskilling programme in Irish in 2023/24 and consideration will be given to programmes in other subjects. The allocation of funding for any future programmes will be dependent on a competitive process for potential providers.
Separate from the direct funding to these upskilling programmes, the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme provides funding to teachers towards the cost of participation and examination fees on the successful completion of professional development courses. Funding under the scheme is being prioritised for those taking courses in particular areas, including upskilling for post-primary teachers leading to registration with the Teaching Council in an additional subject. The maximum refund under the scheme is €5,000 per year and the level of refund depends on the volume of eligible applications that are received. Department Circulars 0005/2023 and 0015/2021 relate to this Scheme.
406. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the decision to remove the junior certificate from the Youthreach programme has been met with huge disappointment by the pupils and parents directly affected, as they still want the junior certificate programme as an option in order to achieve a meaningful education; if there was consultation with young people or parents before this decision was taken; if she agrees that this decision is creating a new barrier to education for those affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11584/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2015, the Minister for Education and Skills published the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015. This framework was developed following extensive consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), which included a symposium on the future of junior cycle, online questionnaires, focus groups and written submissions. This consultation included the vocational education sector, now referred to as Education and Training Boards (ETBs), who run the Youthreach centres. The report on this consultation is available on NCCA.ie.
Junior Cycle subjects were introduced on a phased basis up to 2019, phasing out the old Junior Certificate syllabuses, with all of the new Junior Cycle subjects being examined by the 2022 Junior Cycle examinations.
The Junior Cycle incorporates a modernised curriculum across all subjects and gives schools greater flexibility to design programmes that are suited to the needs of their students. Schools will have flexibility and discretion to decide what combination of subjects, short courses, Priority Learning Units (PLUs) or other learning experiences will be provided in the three year programme.
Reporting under the Framework for Junior Cycle is captured in a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). In addition to recording the results of examinations, the JCPA includes the results of short courses, classroom based assessments as well as wellbeing and what are known as Students’ Other Areas of Learning.
As laid out in circular 0059/2021 - Arrangements for the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to the school year 2021/22 - in the case of Youthreach Centres as well as Special Schools, Detention Centres and Adult Learners in other non-standard school centres where students undertake the Junior Cycle, a part-completed JCPA template will be provided to these schools and centres through an automated system developed by the Department called the Junior Cycle Assessment Database (JCAD). The template will include the outcomes of any SEC Final Examinations taken by students where applicable.
There is no policy to remove the Junior Cycle programme from the Youthreach programme. It would be a matter for the relevant ETBs as to what programmes are provided in their Youthreach centres.
407. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that there are 21 children on a waiting list for admittance to a school (details supplied) many of whom have siblings in the school and live within the catchment area of the school; if she will instruct the school and-or Louth & Meath Education and Training Board, LMETB, to add an additional class to the school to accommodate these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11587/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Oldcastle area, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area;
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area;
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils; and
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department has engaged with the school in question in relation to capacity for September 2023. In that regard, an application has been received by my Department for additional accommodation to increase intake for September 2023. This is currently under assessment.
408. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce legislation that protects substitute teachers; if she will instruct her Department that this legislation must ensure that all conditions expected, and hours offered to substitute teachers are outlined with due notice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11602/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired.
The Education Act 1998 sets out the key roles and functions that are discharged by Patrons and Boards of Management in the running of schools. The Board of Management is the body of persons appointed by the Patron to manage the school on behalf of the patron and the functions of the Board are set out in Section 15 of the Act.
Any queries or issues teachers have should be addressed to their employer, the Board of Management/ETB.
In relation to school employees, my Department is not the employer. The employer is the Education and Training Board (ETB) for vocational schools/community colleges, community national schools and the Board of Management/Manager in the case of primary (excluding community national schools) voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools.
The terms and conditions of teachers employed in Oireachtas funded teaching posts are agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC), a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers, and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts.
Additional amendments to teacher terms and conditions can occur only under that process. The Council is composed of representatives of the teacher representative bodies, school management, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission.
409. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if it is possible for a person (details supplied) to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland if he or she does not possess a Level 8 undergraduate degree but have a Level 9 Master of Arts or MA, and a Level 6 Higher National Diploma.. [11616/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary; Route 2 - Post-primary; Route 3 - Further Education; Route 4 - Other; and Route 5 - Student Teacher.
The minimum registration requirements for Route 3 – Further Education as set down in the Schedule of the regulations are as follows:
- An undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits,
or
- An undergraduate degree at Level 7 on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits
AND either
i. An appropriate additional qualification, or
ii. A minimum of three years’ experience in a workplace or instructional setting which is relevant to the qualification(s)
AND
- A Teaching Council accredited Further Education teacher education qualification (TEQ).
Applicants who meet the degree qualification requirements set out above and who have not completed an accredited TEQ will be eligible for conditional registration for a period of three years in which time this requirement must be completed. If applicants have not addressed this condition of TEQ within the three years, they can apply for an extension of time to meet the condition. Details on how to apply for an extension are available here on their website.
The Teaching Council advise that the individual referred to by the Deputy has not submitted an application for registration to the Teaching Council. Should they wish for their qualifications to be considered for the purposes of registration with the Council, they should submit their application and all requested documentation. The Council will engage with the applicant in the usual manner when the application is received.
410. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if, following on from suspending the leaving certificate reform, the timeline on when she will engage with stakeholders, including student unions and student bodies, to ensure a pathway to the reform of the leaving certificate. [11622/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in March 2022, 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. In my announcement, I set out a clear vision for Senior Cycle.
I want to be clear that Senior Cycle redevelopment has not been suspended. Significant progress has been made to date in implementing the vision I set out last March, and this work continues.
The Deputy may be aware that, last week, I announced that the interim plan to have the first of two papers in Leaving Certificate English and Irish examinations taken in Fifth Year has been deferred. The move of Paper 1 was intended as an interim measure to spread the assessment load and improve student wellbeing. It was also intended that as many students as possible could feel some effect of reform programme before the main programme of reform is introduced.
My officials and I have engaged with student representatives, teachers’ unions, parents’ representatives and subject teacher organisations over the last number of months to understand their concerns about this change.
Having reflected on the views provided by stakeholders, I have decided to defer the introduction of this planned change so that those entering fifth year this coming September will sit both of the papers in each of the subjects in Irish and English in sixth year.
As I have said, Senior Cycle redevelopment itself has not been suspended, and my commitment to redevelopment remains unchanged. Indeed, last week I also announced the appointment of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board which will oversee the reform work and report regularly to me on progress, and the Board will hold its inaugural meeting tomorrow, Wednesday 8 March 2023.
Introducing this underpins the collaboration necessary to support implementation and, where appropriate, further developments under the programme.
Work on Senior Cycle redevelopment is ongoing, and much has been achieved since my announcement, including:
- Ongoing significant change at Senior Cycle needs to be thought through carefully and it is essential to ensure that the NCCA, State Examinations Commission (SEC), the Department of Education and schools can work through the changes with all stakeholders over a sustained period of time.
In recognition of this, on the same day I also announced the establishment of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners’ Forum, a representative stakeholder engagement group wexaminations have been held at Easter;
- Access to the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) has been broadened through the removal of subject specific requirements. These are the first steps which will ultimately lead to a more integrated Leaving Certificate available to all students.
- Subject background papers for the two new subjects ((i) Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and (ii) Climate Action and Sustainable Development) and also for Business prepared with public consultations on same completed;
- Subject Development Groups for the two new subjects and for Business convened, with Groups holding regular meetings since then;
- Statement Development Group for the revised Transition Year Programme Statement convened, with several (monthly) meetings held to date; and
- Detailed consideration of the operation of the Network School approach for the introduction of new and revised subjects from September 2024.
In addition, our focus now is on advancing the planning in relation to the approach to Network Schools, with further engagement necessary with the NCCA and other key partners before launching an Expression of Interest process to schools seeking their participation.
411. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the provision of additional funding for a scheme will enable the inclusion of schools (details supplied) to avail of this support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11579/23]
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 2023 has provided €94.4 million for the programme. The Government has recently approved an additional €14.5m to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023.
I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. In this regard, I will bring forward proposals in the coming weeks on commencing the roll out of the Hot School Meals to non-DEIS primary schools.
In addition, the final report from the evaluation of the school meals programme 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.
412. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if community employment workers will be included in the list of social welfare applicants to receive bonus payments announced in February 2023; when they can expect to receive this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10818/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if those who have been in receipt of illness benefit since April 2022 or before will be eligible for the one-off payment of €200; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 428 together.
I recently announced a further range of measures to support individuals and families with the cost of living. This package includes a €200 lump sum payment, which will be paid to over 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum will be paid in April and will cost approximately €261 million.
This support will be paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment. One lump sum will be paid per person. If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they will receive only one €200 lump sum payment.
The full list of schemes, which will be eligible for this lump sum is set out in the following table:
|
Qualifying Scheme |
|
Back to Education Allowance* |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
|
Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds, Jobseeker’s Benefit* Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed* |
|
Blind Pension |
|
Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit (including half-rate Carer's Allowance) |
|
Community Employment |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance and Benefit |
|
Daily Expenses Allowance* |
|
Disability Allowance |
|
Disablement Benefit |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
|
Farm Assist |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) |
|
Illness Benefit* |
|
Invalidity Pension |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance* |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment |
|
Magdalen Commission Scheme |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
|
State Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance* |
|
Tús |
|
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)/Occupational Injuries Death Benefit |
|
Working Family Payment |
* 12 months duration on eligible social welfare payment or scheme is required in order to be eligible for the lump sum payment. Time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is included in jobseeker's qualifying period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
413. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection when Covid-19 will be recognised as an occupational disease for front-line healthcare workers in Ireland as per EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work, ACSH, agreement in November 2022.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10831/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOccupational Injuries Benefit is an income support provided by my Department to those who got injured at work or travelling to and from work, or who contracted a prescribed disease at work.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that-
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
The decision on whether to recognise an illness as an occupational illness is a Member State competence. My Department is aware of the recommendation of the European Commission and is consulting with other relevant departments on the matter.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
414. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of their full pension entitlement; and if all of his or her entitlements will be reviewed to ensure he or she is in receipt of same. [10852/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 324 reckonable contributions. As the person concerned does not have the minimum of 520 full-rate paid Irish contributions they do not qualify for an Irish state pension (contributory) based on their Irish contribution history alone.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of an EU state pension (contributory) at the current weekly rate of €37.40. Following a review, there is no change to the rate paid as this is the correct rate commensurate with the insurance record of the person concerned.
It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
415. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a carer's allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10856/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 1 September 2022.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that, as a result, they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring, from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 29 September 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 2 October 2022 and submitted further documentation. However, the decision remained unchanged and the customer was notified of this on 26 November 2022.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 December 2022.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, Carer's Allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 30 January 2022 with effect from 1 September 2022. The first payment issued to the nominated bank account on 16 February 2023.
Arrears for the period 1 September 2022 to 15 February 2023 issued to the person concerned on 16 February 2023.
The customer was also notified of their entitlement to the Cost-of-Living payment of €500 which will issue to their bank account separately.
The person concerned was notified of this outcome on 11 February 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
416. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a partial capacity benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10861/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work are eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.
After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound, their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild, they will not qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit.
The person concerned applied for Partial Capacity Benefit on the 6 September 2022 and their claim was disallowed on the 29 September 2022 as they were deemed not medically eligible.
The customer provided further medical evidence and requested a review on the 24 November 2022.
The medical evidence was reviewed by the Medical Review and Assessment Section (MRAS) who assessed his disability as 'Moderate'. The customer's Partial Capacity Benefit claim was awarded based on the new evidence provided.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on the 10 February 2023 and his first payment issued on 16 February 2023.
I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10899/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments and persons aged over 70 towards the cost of their winter heating needs. From January 2023, for applicants aged 70 and over, there is a new means test limit of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple; the capital disregard threshold has been increased from €20,000 to €50,000; and those over age 70 no longer need to be in receipt of a qualifying payment to apply for Fuel Allowance. Existing household composition rules continue to apply.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed to direct the limited resources available to my Department in a targeted manner. Fuel Allowance is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. Fuel Allowance can only be awarded where all the qualifying conditions are met and cannot be awarded on a discretionary basis to those who are marginally above the applicable means limit.
The person concerned was assessed with income from private pensions above the €500.00 weekly means threshold and so does not qualify for Fuel Allowance. The person was notified in writing that they do not satisfy the means test and a breakdown of the means assessment has issued to them.
My Department provides Additional Needs Payments, as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, for people who have essential expenses which they cannot pay from their weekly income. Applications and enquiries in relation to these payments can be made by contacting the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10900/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel 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 for the person concerned was awarded from 13 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
419. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10901/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel 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. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
From January 2023, the threshold for the fuel allowance means test for those aged over 70 is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. In this case the threshold is €1,000 per week.
Following a means assessment, it was determined that the means are €1406.88 which exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
420. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10902/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel 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 for the person concerned was awarded from 13 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
421. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10905/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel 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. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have a weekly income of €200.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) plus any increases for age, living alone and dependants and still be eligible for the fuel allowance. In this case the threshold, based on their household, is €703.10.
Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €711.56 which exceeded the permissible weekly means of €703.10 for the household. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
422. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10906/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel 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 for the person concerned was awarded from 20 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
