Written Answers Nos. 580-599
580. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to list all Acts and Statutory Instruments sponsored by his Department which became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19160/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department led on the development of the following Acts and Statutory Instruments which transposed EU regulations and/or directives
• Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158
• Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158
• S.I. No. 342 of 2023 gave effect to Maternity Protection (Protection of Mothers who are Breastfeeding) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158
• S.I. No. 574 of 2023 gave effect to Section 13AA of Parental Leave Act 1998 (Prescribed Daily Rate of Domestic Violence Leave Pay) Regulations 2023 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158
• S.I. No. 333 of 2022 – gave effect to Section 5 of Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2022 transposed Directive (EU) 2019/1158
• SI 649/2023 – European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, gave further effect to Directive 2013/33
• SI 636/2023 - the European Union (Accessibility Requirements of Products and Services) Regulations 2023 transposed Directive 2019/882
• SI 251/2023 - European Union (Planning and Development) (Development for Accommodation of Displaced Persons) Regulations 2023 gave further effect to Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022
581. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a service hotline will be set up for the mother and baby redress scheme for Oireachtas Members to assist constituents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19242/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.
A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need.
Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available at this webpage, in the information booklet for the Scheme or via the Scheme helpline. The webpage also contains 'how to' videos which walk the applicant through the straightforward application process. For general queries or to get assistance with any aspect of the application process, the Payment Scheme Office helpline can be contacted at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00) or by email at info@paymentscheme.ie.
Alternatively, a person can contact either their local Citizens Information Centre or the National Advocacy Service who have application forms and can provide assistance in completing applications.
In addition to all these applicant supports, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
582. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what additional benefits will be conferred on the holder of an enhanced medical card, awarded under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 above and beyond an ordinary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19243/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra583. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when enhanced medical cards, awarded under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023, will be so awarded. [19244/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open for applications. A dedicated webpage www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants need.
The Scheme provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The legislation that underpins the Scheme provides that a person who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution, as listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, is eligible for the health supports in the form of an enhanced medical card.
It is intended that the enhanced medical card will ensure the provision, without charge, of the following primary and community health services for those eligible:
• GP services;
• prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances
• dental, ophthalmic and aural services;
• home nursing;
• home support;
• counselling;
• chiropody/podiatry; and
• physiotherapy.
As well as the above services, it is intended that cardholders will not be required to pay the €100 Emergency Department statutory charge.
Those who are living outside of Ireland will have the choice of opting for an enhanced medical card or a once off health support payment.
The Payment Scheme Executive Office will notify the HSE if an applicant is eligible for the enhanced medical card and the HSE will provide the card to the applicant and will be responsible for making the services available to them.
584. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of the properties which his Department currently has lease arrangements for the provision of direct provision and other accommodation for those seeking international protections; if he will provide a corresponding list of the service providers in each of these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19245/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease note that the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not hold lease agreements but instead has contracts or licence to use agreements.
The current classification of properties that are in operation across the IPAS system are as follows:
- 49 Permanent IPAS Accommodation Centres
- 231 Emergency Accommodation Centres
- The National Reception Centre
- The City West Transit Hub
- 4 Tented Accommodation Centres
In relation to service providers contracted by IPAS to provide accommodation services to International Protection (IP) applicants, the Department publishes reports on all payments over €20,000.These are published, once per quarter, on gov.ie.
(www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/)
Due to both safety concerns and the Department's responsibility to protect the right to confidentiality of each international protection (IP) applicant, it is not possible to provide further breakdown or lists of locations. However, IPAS releases weekly statistics in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are also published on gov.ie.
(www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/)
585. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Minister for Education to ensure that use of publicly funded school buildings is considered and maximised with respect to provision of pre-school, sibling hour and afterschool facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19253/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to increase the range of after-school services in schools or community hubs to offer a range of education and family-focused measures. Currently, approximately, 15% of all ELC and SAC services are located in schools.
The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including ELC and SAC.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours in 2017. These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
In line with commitments in First 5, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate after-school care/ clubs in 2023. The results of this survey were used to inform Revised Procedures on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours, which I understand are close to completion.
586. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Minister for Education with respect to guidelines on the use of school buildings outside of school hours issued by her Department which are now being cited as justification by a board of management for terminating afterschool and sibling hour services at national school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19254/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including ELC and SAC.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours in 2017. These Guidelines are clear that the issue is a matter for the property owners taking into consideration the needs of the school, staff and students. The Guidelines also require that any licence should include a term that the use of facility/portion of site covered by the licence must cease should it be required for school provision.
In line with commitments in First 5, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate after-school care/ clubs in 2023. The results of this survey were used to inform Revised Procedures on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours, which I understand are close to completion.
587. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Minister for Education to ensure that use of publicly funded school buildings is considered and maximised with respect to provision of pre-school, sibling hour and afterschool facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19319/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to increase the range of after-school services in schools or community hubs to offer a range of education and family-focused measures. Currently, approximately, 15% of all ELC and SAC services are located in schools.
The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including ELC and SAC.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours in 2017. These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
In line with commitments in First 5, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate after-school care/ clubs in 2023. The results of this survey were used to inform Revised Procedures on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours, which I understand are close to completion.
588. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with the Minister for Education with respect to guidelines issued by her Department which are now being cited as justification by a board of management for terminating afterschool and sibling hour services at national school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including ELC and SAC.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours in 2017. These Guidelines are clear that the issue is a matter for the property owners taking into consideration the needs of the school, staff and students. The Guidelines also require that any licence should include a term that the use of facility/portion of site covered by the licence must cease should it be required for school provision.
In line with commitments in First 5, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate after-school care/ clubs in 2023. The results of this survey were used to inform Revised Procedures on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours, which I understand are close to completion.
589. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications received to-date under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the number of applications processed to date; the number of applications approved to date; the number of applications rejected to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19322/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.
As at Sunday 28th April, over 1,900 complete applications have been received and are being processed. This is in addition to a number of incomplete applications where applicants may have, for example, submitted their application online but chosen to send in their certified ID by post or may be getting some support from the Payment Scheme Office where they have forgotten to complete a field or attach supporting documents. I am happy to report that we have received positive feedback in relation to the straightforward application process and the supportive helpline.
Some 600 of the complete applications are at determination stage and the first notices of determination have issued to applicants. Where a notice of determination provides an offer of benefits to applicants, the applicant will have six months to accept the offer and confirmation of acceptance must be accompanied by a signed legal waiver. Thus, the timeframe between the issuing of notices of determination and payments being made will be dependent upon how long each applicant wishes to take to consider their award. The Payment Scheme Office is ready to process payments promptly once completed acceptances of awards are received.
All information on the Scheme, and how to apply, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website - gov.ie/paymentscheme. Resources include an information booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the straightforward application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992. Applicants will be supported throughout the application process with information and advice if they need it.
590. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual cost of the suspended Vulnerability Assessment Pilot Programme for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19352/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn annual, itemised cost of the (suspended) Vulnerability Assessment Pilot Programme has not been calculated but it was part of the overall budget of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). The programme was an element of the overall work of the Resident Welfare Team IPAS. It was managed primarily by a Higher Executive Officer, who was responsible for a team of four Assessment Officers at Executive Officer level and a Clerical Officer. Further assessments were conducted by a number of Social Work Team Leaders over the two year period. While the programme was the main function of the Executive Officers and Clerical Officer during this period, the Higher Executive Officer and Social Workers carried out a number of additional functions within IPAS throughout the two year period.
The significant increase in numbers of arrivals and constraints on available accommodation across the IPAS portfolio placed extreme pressure on IPAS resources, including the Vulnerability Assessment Programme. As a result, a decision was made to suspend the programme and to seek to procure an external contractor to manage it. Following the suspension, resources were redirected to support operations across the Resident Welfare Team and IPAS overall. Support remains available for International Protection Applicants in IPAS accommodation centres through a number of channels.
The programme was formally suspended in March 2024 and the decision was communicated along with a suite of information to all of those queued for assessment, IPAS accommodation managers, NGO partners, all relevant stakeholders and the Department’s website at (www.gov.ie/en/publication/58397-resident-welfare/#suspension-of-the-vulnerability-assessment-pilot-programme). A Request for Tender was published on eTenders.gov.ie on 19 April 2024, with a closing date of 23 May 2024.
591. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to his Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19355/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is deferred, the response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the full details of the supports offered to a local hotel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19381/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the whole-of-Government response to this humanitarian crisis, and the unprecedented numbers of people seeking international and temporary protection in Ireland, my Department is focused on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who request it, in line with government policy, and to applicants for international protection (IP).
The Deputy might wish to refer questions regarding supports offered to the hotel to which the Deputy refers and to the tourism sector generally to my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland.
I am grateful for the role that the tourism sector has played so far in supporting the accommodation of BOTP and IP, but I am aware that this is not sustainable over the longer term. My Department is now focused on the stand up of larger-scale designated accommodation centres for newly arrived BOTP. The Government has agreed that a move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach is appropriate, including through a reduced reliance on serviced accommodation, along with the development of other sources of accommodation such as refurbished properties, rapid builds and modular accommodation. This strategy should lead to a reduction in serviced accommodation contracts over time.
593. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the closures of Montessori childcare facilities in the Dublin mid-west area over the past four years; the steps that are being taken to prevent further closures; the alternative options that are available to parents seeking childcare in the Dublin mid-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19417/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.1 billion in 2024 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
The overwhelming majority of this funding is allocated through Together for Better, the new funding model, which comprises the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE programme), including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), and Core Funding, with a fourth programme, Equal Start in development.
One of the key objectives of Core Funding is to support the sector as a whole with the introduction of direct supply-side funding, in addition to the ECCE programme and the NCS, to create a more stable and sustainable financial environment.
Since the introduction of Core Funding in September 2022 there has been a steady reduction of closures of ELC services in Dublin compared to previous years. 2023 is the first full calendar year services had the option to sign up to Core Funding, and compared to 2021, the most recent year calendar without Core Funding there is has been an 18% decrease in ELC closures nationally.
For Year 2 of Core Funding, the budget has increased by 11% to reach €287 million, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
• The additional funding for Core Funding Year 2 is being allocated as follows:€8.47 million towards funding the natural growth of the sector,
• €6.11 million towards non-staff overheads, to support services with increases to non-staff costs, while maintaining the fee management system,
• €2.2 million towards administrative staff time,
• €4 million towards the removal the year 3 requirement for the Graduates Premiums, underpinned by EROs, and
• €7.22 million for new targeted measures which are aimed at improving the sustainability of smaller and sessional services. These include a flat rate allocation of €4,075 for all sessional-only services, which will benefit approximately 1,700 services delivering ECCE, and a minimum base rate allocation of €8,150, which will benefit small, part time and school-age services.
Budget 2024 allocated an additional €37.4m to Core Funding. This increase on the 2023 allocation will support continued implementation of the scheme for the second programme year (September 2023 to August 2024) and into the third programme year from September 2024.
With additional funding of €14.65 million being made available from September 2024, this translates into a full year allocation of €331 million for year 3 of Core Funding, an increase of €44 million, or 15%, on the current allocation of €287 million.
This will support the delivery of a range of enhancements in Year 3 of the scheme to support improved affordability and accessibility for families, improved pay and conditions for the workforce and improved sustainability for providers.
Special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, accessed through local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for partner services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
I would encourage any service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports.
Additionally, I would encourage any parent with concerns or questions regarding childcare to contact their local CCC for support and guidance. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at myccc.ie/ .
Every year it is normal for some early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services to close while other new services open.
Tusla is the independent statutory regulator for ELC and SAC services and is responsible for maintaining the register of services. Where an ELC or SAC service ceases operations, the registered provider is required by law to advise Tusla of this and the service will then be removed from the public register. Tusla provides the Department with the verified closure and new registration figures. Tusla only collect data broken down by county and so they have presented the data for new service registrations and service closures for County Dublin.
It should be noted that the school age data includes both combined and standalone services. This means that the ELC and SAC figures should not be totalled together, as it would include services that are counted in both ELC and SAC.
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 Jan March |
|||||
|
- |
New |
Closed |
New |
Closed |
New |
Closed |
New |
Closed |
New |
Closed |
|
Pre-School |
20 |
63 |
14 |
40 |
19 |
43 |
17 |
34 |
2 |
3 |
|
School Age |
149 |
4 |
256 |
4 |
63 |
12 |
54 |
33 |
3 |
4 |
594. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether children based in designated accommodation centres will receive education while based there; and if so, where they will receive this education. [19422/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ has been referred to Tusla and will be answered directly to the deputy in the coming days.
595. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the assistance his Department can provide for a play group (details supplied) a service that faces closure due to its building being condemned as a result of the presence of defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19436/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of a service in Donegal with issues of Mica being found in the substructure of their building, and the service being told that they will have to close in June this year.
My Department works with Pobal and local CCCs to offer case management support to services in difficulty. Through this process, services may also access sustainability funding following an assessment of need. One strand of this funding can support a service with the cost of relocation. A strand of emergency capital for fit-out/renovation of premises or necessary maintenance is currently under development, although the eligibility criteria for this have not yet been finalised.
I have asked my Department, Pobal, who are the Core Funding Scheme Administrator, and the Donegal County Childcare Committee, to engage with the service’s management board and investigate possible relocation options for this service. A potential temporary location is currently under review for suitability and my Department has informed Pobal, that if this becomes a feasible option for the service, relocation supports and other accommodations such as a 4 day 41 week ECCE contract will be supported.
I am aware that Pobal and the Donegal County Childcare Committee are engaging with the service regarding their plan to communicate ongoing developments to parents and guardians.
My Department will engage with Pobal regarding this service and assist in funding a relocation through the Case Management and Sustainability process.
Donegal County Childcare Committee is also working on finding suitable alternative care for children in attendance, to ensure that if the service cannot relocate that there is minimal disruption to their care.
I must emphasise that the safety of children and staff is paramount, and I am assured that services effected by Mica, which are engaging with my Department and Pobal, have regular inspections by engineers and architects in order to ensure the safety of the building.
I would encourage any parent or guardian with concerns around this issue to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, details of which can be found on www.myccc.ie.
596. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for full reimplementation of services provided by the Kildare network disability team, with particular reference to the urgent provision of occupational therapy, speech therapy, clinical psychology and social worker services; the positions in this team currently vacant and yet to be filled; the timeline for filling such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
598. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology support and social worker services for children in CH07; the plans in hand to address the current wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19473/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of positions waiting to be filled, including appropriate cover for maternity leave, in the fields of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology in the CH07 area; when it is anticipated that all available positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 600 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average age of early intervention for children in the CH07 area for vital supports and assessments including assessments for autism and ADHD; the extent to which this wait time has fluctuated in the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
