Written Answers Nos. 332-352
332. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of school children now eligible for the scheme, from the further extension of hot meals announced in Budget 2025, by county, in tabular form. [40154/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot project to a nationwide programme now approved in 2,200 primary schools nationwide.
In April 2024, my Department contacted the remaining 1,000 primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals scheme, asking them if they wished to submit an expression of interest in commencing the provision of Hot School Meals. I can confirm that over 600 schools expressed an interest in joining the scheme as of end of September, I expect more schools to apply on an ongoing basis up to the end of this year.
As announced in Budget 2025, the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025. This announcement now means that in total, approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for the Hot School Meals Scheme in 2025. The expansion of the Hot School Meals Scheme will increase the School Meals budget by just over €72m to an overall budget of €288m. The number of schools now eligible for the Hot Meals Scheme in 2025, by county, is contained in the attached tabular statement.
I am very proud to have grown the Hot School Meals Programme from a small pilot project of just 30 schools to universal provision in all primary schools in 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement – Schools eligible for Hot School Meals, from the further extension announced in Budget 2025, by county.
|
County |
* Number of Schools |
* Number of Pupils |
|
Carlow |
43 |
7,567 |
|
Cavan |
76 |
10,133 |
|
Clare |
111 |
13,710 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
301 |
|
Cork |
353 |
62,623 |
|
Donegal |
176 |
19,323 |
|
Dublin |
493 |
137,972 |
|
Galway |
230 |
30,289 |
|
Kerry |
134 |
15,968 |
|
Kildare |
106 |
29,530 |
|
Kilkenny |
75 |
11,018 |
|
Laois |
65 |
11,043 |
|
Leitrim |
37 |
3,925 |
|
Limerick |
138 |
22,890 |
|
Longford |
38 |
5,348 |
|
Louth |
73 |
17,165 |
|
Mayo |
155 |
15,015 |
|
Meath |
115 |
26,243 |
|
Monaghan |
63 |
8,057 |
|
Offaly |
68 |
9,479 |
|
Roscommon |
89 |
8,529 |
|
Sligo |
64 |
7,689 |
|
Tipperary |
155 |
18,685 |
|
Waterford |
76 |
14,193 |
|
Westmeath |
77 |
11,384 |
|
Wexford |
104 |
18,399 |
|
Wicklow |
86 |
17,629 |
|
Grand Total |
3,202 |
554,107 |
|
* Based on Department of Education numbers for 2023-24 |
333. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension will be completed for a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40157/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned on 8th August 2024.
Under social welfare legislation a decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts.
On 13th August, further information was received pertaining to the appellant and as a result a Section 317 Review of the appeal officer's decision was opened on 15th August 2024.
The Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the Section 317 Review of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
334. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of an appeal for disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40160/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
335. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of recipients in that will benefit from the changes arising from the over-70s fuel allowance means test disregard being extended to people aged 66 years and over from January 2025. [40171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households that will receive the €300 fuel allowance announced in Budget 2025, by county, in tabular form. [40144/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of carers that will benefit from carer's allowance becoming a qualifying payment for fuel allowance from January 2025, by county, in tabular form. [40172/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 335, 324 and 336 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
As part of Budget 2025, I was delighted to announce a number of measures in relation to the Fuel Allowance payment. These included: -
• €300 once-off payment to all households receiving Fuel Allowance in November 2024.
• Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January 2025, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
• The enhanced over 70’s Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions will be extended to people aged 66 and over from January 2025
It is estimated that 5,200 households will benefit from the enhanced over 70’s Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions being extended to people aged 66 and over from January 2025.
It is estimated that 411,000 households will benefit from the €300 once-off payment to all households receiving Fuel Allowance in November 2024. Given that this is an estimate of the number of people who will be in receipt of Fuel Allowance in November and this number is open to change it is not possible to provide a breakdown of possible beneficiaries of this measure by county.
With regards to the Carers Allowance measure, the estimated number of households who will benefit from this measure is 4,000. Given that the number provided is an estimate and that the measure will only come into force from January 2025 it is not possible to provide a breakdown of possible beneficiaries of this measure by county.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
337. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the anomaly that babies born in late November/December will be too late to qualify for double child benefit payment and too early to qualify for the baby boost payment; if this will be resolved in order babies born in late November/ December can avail of both double child benefit and baby boost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am delighted, as part of Budget 2025, to have introduced a new baby grant of €280. This will be paid to families of babies born on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140. As a result, those families will receive a payment of €420 in respect of the first month after their child’s birth.
In order to issue this new payment some changes to my Department’s systems are required. As a result, the first new baby payment will issue in the new year in respect of those babies born in December.
This new payment will assist parents with the costs associated with new babies. It will provide additional financial support to a family to ensure adequate resources and that the material needs of a newborn are met. It is estimated that in 2025, the grant will be paid in respect of some 54,000 children, at a cost of approximately €15 million.
As part of Budget 2025, I also provided for two double payments of Child Benefit to be paid before Christmas – one in November and another in December. Parents of those babies born at any time in November will be eligible for Child Benefit from December and therefore, eligible for the double Child Benefit payable in December. Each of these double payments will be paid to approximately 678,000 recipients in respect of approximately 1,227,000 children, at an estimated cost of €371.4 million.
338. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress being made regarding a pay agreement and expenditure requirements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40196/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, the Citizens Information Service (CIS) comprises of eight regional companies that are funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body funded by my Department. As I have stated on many occasions, I absolutely acknowledge and value the important information, advice and advocacy services that the staff of the CIS provide right across the country. I believe that CIS workers should be paid fairly for the important work they do and I am supportive of a pay increase.
Since the Labour Court issued its recommendation in relation to CIS pay, my Department has been actively engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Delivery Plan and Reform in relation to a pay agreement and expenditure requirements.
In addition, talks commenced on 12th September last between representatives from SIPTU, CIS, CIB and my Department in relation to a pay agreement. It was agreed that talks would reconvene this month.
I am fully supportive of the ongoing engagement process as the best way to reach consensus on a pay agreement for CIS workers, and I strongly encourage all parties involved to continue to engage constructively in this process with a view to avoiding planned strike action.
339. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by her Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on her Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown of the annual expenditure on contracts is published on the at gov.ie - Department of Social Protection Policy on Procurement .
341. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the carer’s support grant who qualify on account of receiving domiciliary care allowance only and who do not receive either carer's allowance or carer's benefit. [40247/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of the carer’s support grant; the number of recipients of the grant who receive it on account of receiving carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit and domiciliary care allowance; and the number of recipients of the carer’s support grant who do not receive any of these three payments. [40246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 340 together.
At the end of August 2024, there were 133,683 recipients of the Carer's Support Grant.
Of these, 95,565 were in receipt of Carer's Allowance, 3,774 were in receipt of Carer's Benefit and 55,946 were in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance.
28,441 individuals were in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant and Domiciliary Care Allowance but were in receipt of neither Carer's Allowance nor Carer's Benefit.
5,910 individuals were in receipt of Carer's Support Grant and were not receiving any of the other three payments.
342. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the cost estimate range for abolishing the carer's allowance means test, which she put on the record of €600 million to €2 billion, if she will clarify if the €2 billion is based upon the assumption that all persons who self-declared themselves to be carers in Census of Population 2022 would become eligible for carer’s allowance in the absence of the means-test, and that this would include people who self-declared that they provide up to 14 hours of care per week and between 15 and 28 hours of care per week, both categories of whom would be ineligible for carer’s allowance given the scheme's requirement that you must be providing at least 35 hours of care per week. [40278/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of reasonable scenarios that could be used when attempting to provide the cost estimate range of abolishing the Carer's Allowance means test.
For this costing, data from the 2022 Census was used. In Census 2022, approximately 290,000 people over 19 years of age self-reported themselves as carers.
Given the uncertainty about how many of these carers would meet the eligibility requirements for Carer's Allowance, e.g., the requirements for full-time care and 35 hours or more per week, a 'High Scenario' of 70% of self-reported carers in 2022 being eligible for Carer's Allowance was used. This assumption resulted in a costing of approximately 2 billion euros for the abolishment of the Carer's Allowance means test. 'Medium' and 'low' scenarios were also costed. None of these scenarios are based on the assumption that all persons who self-declared themselves to be carers in Census of Population 2022 would become eligible for carer’s allowance in the absence of the means-test.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
343. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department's costing estimate on the proposal to abolish the means-test for carer’s allowance was based on the assumption of 146,046 recipients of the carer's support grant, when that payment is received by 132,523 carers. [40279/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costing was based on the 146,046 carees/care recipients as per data available to my department on 31/12/2023. A Carer’s Support Grant is paid in respect of each of these care recipients.
Under the legislation that pertains to Carer’s Allowance these people, defined as relevant persons, have been deemed by the department as requiring and receiving full-time care and attention.
The provision of a full-time care and attention to a relevant person is one of two key eligibility criteria for the Carer’s Allowance scheme as it currently operates, the second being the requirement to satisfy a means test. In the absence of a means test it is reasonable to assume a Carer’s Allowance payment could be paid in respect of each of these known number of people requiring full-time care and attention. Thus, this was the rationale for using this figure as the basis of the costing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
344. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carers in receipt of carer’s allowance in total, and of that figure, the number in receipt of a half-rate payment. [40280/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person in receipt of certain social welfare payments who is providing full time care and attention to another person may retain their payment, and receive a half-rate Carer's Allowance payment as well. At the end of August 2024, there were 97,360 recipients of Carer's Allowance. Of these, 45,727 were in receipt of a half-rate payment.
346. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider increasing the income limit for the back-to-school allowance, as the €60 increase to the working family payment may result in an unintended consequence of many households’ income going up and, as a result, not qualifying for the back-to-school allowance, given the importance of back-to-school costs support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra345. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the €60 increase to the working family payment may put thousands of households above the income limit to receive back-to-school allowance, which many did not qualify for last year as they were just slightly over the income limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 345 together.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2024 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€666.00 |
|
2 children |
€720.00 |
|
3 children |
€774.00 |
|
4 children* |
€828.00 |
*Limit is increased by €54 for each additional child
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants, or rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is not assessable.
Increasing the Working Family Payment income limits from January will provide additional financial support for low income families. The measure builds on increases applied in recent budgets: as a result, income thresholds for all family sizes will have increased by €164 per week since 2022.
The weekly household income limits for the 2025 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme will be increased to ensure the increases in weekly social protection payments rates introduced in Budget 2025 will not negatively impact on an individual’s entitlement to the allowance.
Applications which fall outside the normal rules of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
347. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice further to a previous Parliamentary Question, the status of the transfer of a person (details supplied) to the Irish Prison Service to complete their sentence; if their file is presently with her for a decision; the timeline for the sign-off of same; and if the request will be expedited considering the applicant's deteriorating health. [39646/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA on the mutual recognition of custodial sentences establishes the conditions and procedure for the transfer of a custodial sentence between EU member states. This Framework Decision has been implemented in Ireland by the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Act 2023.
I have been advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that, arising from a request made by the individual referenced to the relevant authorities in the Member State where they are detained, those authorities contacted the Irish Prison Service to progress a possible transfer on 27 November 2023. The consideration of such a transfer remains ongoing.
I am also advised that the processing of a possible transfer under the above mentioned legislation takes time as it requires legal assessment on a case-by-case basis and the detailed exchange of information between various agencies in the two countries. However, every effort is made to progress each matter as soon as possible.
348. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether retail crime is becoming an issue to town and city centres; to ensure the public feel safe in town and city centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I, and the whole Government, are committed to the principle that everyone should be safe, and feel safe, and we are taking a number of steps in this regard. The Government is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that there is a strong, visible policing right across Ireland.
Operation Táirge was launched in December 2023 by the Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing & Community Engagement and both I and my colleague, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond TD were in attendance.
The operation's aim is to support operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing organised retail crime.
Organised retail crime typically refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together, targeting retail outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to sell back into the retail supply chain illegally.
As the operation takes an organisational approach to the issue of organised retail crime, I am advised that all operational Gardaí are aware of, and contribute to the aims and objectives of the operation.
The commencement of Operation Táirge has been an important step in tackling retail crime.
Under Operation Táirgre, An Garda Síochána are working to reduce organised retail crime by:
• Using an intelligence-led approach to identify criminals engaging in retail crime.
• Disrupting the most prolific groups in operation through the use of organised crime and proceeds of crime legislation.
• Working with retailers to strengthen their security and prevent them from becoming victims of this criminality.
• Supporting those working in retail to report a crime.
• Identifying and targeting the areas where organised retail crime shadow markets operate, and their leadership.
• Working with high risk retailers to enhance prevention, investigation and prosecution.
• Deterring people from becoming involved in organised retail crime by raising awareness of the consequences of committing such offences.
349. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of residency permit cards that were issued in each of the first nine months of 2024, in tabular form. [39710/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the number of immigration residence permission cards (IRP cards) issued from January to August 2024. The final figures for September 2024 are not yet available.
|
Month |
Total registrations/renewals nationwide (IRP cards issued). |
|
January |
26,881 |
|
February |
25,386 |
|
March |
23,729 |
|
April |
25,903 |
|
May |
28,139 |
|
June |
26,230 |
|
July |
30,156 |
|
August |
28,113 |
|
Total year to date |
214,537 |
350. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of oral fluids tests conducted at mandatory intoxication testing checkpoints that were set up in each Garda division to date in 2024, in tabular form. [39711/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below sets out the yearly breakdown, by Garda Division, of the number of oral fluid tests carried out at Mandatory Intoxication Testing (MIT) Checkpoints up to and including 30 September 2024.
|
Clare/Tipperary |
200 |
|
Cork City |
187 |
|
Cork County |
337 |
|
DMR East |
62 |
|
DMR North Central |
178 |
|
DMR North |
188 |
|
DMR South Central |
153 |
|
DMR South |
158 |
|
DMR West |
675 |
|
Donegal |
115 |
|
Galway |
184 |
|
Kerry |
144 |
|
Kildare |
257 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
200 |
|
Limerick |
231 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
205 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
253 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
200 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
468 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow |
425 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
272 |
|
Total |
5,092 |
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2024 to 30 September, inclusive. All information is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 October and is liable to change.
351. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update in relation to the civil legal aid review, in particular when she anticipates the report being available. [39722/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law.
However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, the Minister established the Civil Legal Aid Review Group to review the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and make recommendations for its future.
The Review Group is chaired by a former Chief Justice. The membership of the group is drawn from legal practitioners, academics, Department officials, those who work with marginalised groups, and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory scheme.
The Group is considering many aspects of the scheme, in line with its terms of reference such as the appropriateness of the current eligibility thresholds, the scope of the scheme and whether it should remain primarily a family law service.
Progress is ongoing and the Civil Legal Aid Review Group is expected to conclude its work in the near future, at which point I look forward to considering its recommendations.
352. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the current situation regarding a citizenship application (details supplied). [39767/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Citizenship division of my Department, but has not yet been registered.
Citizenship Division are currently registering applications from April 2024. Once registered, a Personal ID and Citizenship application reference number will formally issue.
When the applicant submitted the online application for Naturalisation an auto-receipt will have been emailed.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
