Written Answers Nos. 141-162
141. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the need to divest programmes under the auspices of his Department from organisations which are funded by the gambling industry. [51195/23]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme and, since 2019, an additional €1.5m has been provided in funding, which has meant that yearly funding has amounted to €18m for this programme rising to over €20m post Covid.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.
I should inform the Deputy that the funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres nationally. As independent entities Family Resource Centres draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, Agencies and Trusts.
We are aware the Family Resource Centres National Forum manages a National Problem Gambling Support Service funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust. This service is provided through a number of FRCs and results in the provision of counselling programs for individuals and their families impacted by problematic gambling.
In due course the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland will be fully established and may go some way to addressing some of the concerns you highlight. One of their key functions is to develop safeguards to protect consumers from problem gambling, including establishment of a National Gambling Exclusion Register and a Social Impact Fund to finance research, training, and education on gambling addiction.
142. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of when his Department was first notified that a facility (details supplied) was being used for the purposes of providing emergency accommodation to people experiencing homelessness; if he has engaged with Tipperary County Council that now, as a result of a contract being entered into with the owner, the subsequent termination of that agreement, can no longer provide emergency accommodation at that location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51278/23]
View answerThe International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) assessed the proposed property for use as International Protection accommodation as per a proposal form issued to the Department on 7th September 2023.
On the basis of the information received both in the proposal and the appraisal questions issued by IPPS, a draft agreement was issued to utilise the property for International Protection accommodation from 6th November.
It has since come to light that the property was not simply operating as a commercial hostel, as per the proposal, but had also been providing homeless accommodation to Tipperary County Council and had been doing so as part of a long-standing arrangement between the owner of the hostel and the local authority.
IPPS subsequently received confirmation from the local authority that the property has been used as homeless accommodation, and there is no way to use any part of it without directly impinging upon the provision of homeless accommodation services in Cashel Town and Tipperary County more broadly.
The Department recognises that this outcome is disappointing, however, it notes that had it been made aware of the fact that the property was in use as homeless accommodation in the original proposal form that the appraisal would not have progressed to this point and would have been rejected due to its current use. The Department has made the decision not to use Cashel Town Hostel as accommodation for International Protection applicants (IPAs) as to do so would impinge upon the provision of homeless accommodation services in County Tipperary.
143. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people currently in the direct provision system in accommodation across County Tipperary, by location; to list the type of accommodation IPAs are being housed in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51280/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. This information will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
144. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline what national or international evidence or research, apart from data in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Disability Strategy 2004, the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004, and the Disability Act 2005, was undertaken or considered in devising the progressing disabilities services programme; what models of implementation elsewhere, if any, were examined; his views on the conceptualisation of the PDS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51284/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
145. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff at the end of each month for all the CDNTs nationwide from January 2022 to April 2023; the number of allocated positions; the number of vacant posts; the number of staff on leave that is, maternity, parental and so on; the caseload; the number of individuals open and/or active; the number of individuals waitlisted, subcategorized into the number waiting longer than three, six and 12 months; the health and safety metrics; the number of complaints filed; the AIM support metrics; the number of administrative staff versus therapeutic staff; the total number of individuals awaiting contact; the number of individuals awaiting assessment; and the number of individuals awaiting therapeutic services, in tabular form. [51316/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
146. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current budget allocation for the Ombudsman for Children's Office in 2022 and 2023; and the expected budget allocation for same in 2024, in tabular form. [51341/23]
View answerThe Ombudsman for Children’s Office budget allocations for years 2022-2024 are:
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (expected) |
|
€3.495 million |
€3.9 million |
€4.259 million |
147. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information on a series of matters in relation to international protection applicants (details supplied), by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51388/23]
View answer
As at 12th November 2023, there are over 25,500 people accommodated in (IPAS) accommodation centres and since January 2022, IPAS have brought over 190 properties into use to accommodate those seeking refuge from the State.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) receive offers of accommodation, which are evaluated by Department Officials. If these properties are deemed suitable to provide accommodation, IPPS will negotiate a contract with the provider. The Department does not buy or rent properties.
The Department has availed of offers of accommodation made, including the use of office buildings, in order to address the accommodation shortfall. While the Department is aware that some types of accommodation such as office buildings and tented solutions are less than ideal it is working hard to find solutions, through the use of facilities management companies in some cases, to offer emergency food, shelter and sanitation provision to both cohorts.
Once an offer is received, IPPS sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate international protection applicants (IPAs). This includes information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, its catering provision and room sizes, its recreational and lounge facilities and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
It is not a matter for this Department to enforce compliance with fire, planning and health and safety regulations. However, IPPS will not agree a contract until evidence of this compliance has been provided. IPPS seeks the assistance of the relevant Local Authorities in this regard.
When returned, IPPS reviews the proposal and any supporting documentation to assess the suitability of the premises. This may include an inspection of the property also.
At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to inspections. In 2022, inspections were carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
Inspections cover a wide range of issues including fire safety, appropriate signage and information for residents, the condition of communal areas and sleeping quarters, the quality of food provided and adherence to hygiene and other health and safety requirements. It is the Government's intention that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will monitor permanent International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against national standards as part of transitional arrangements for moving to the new model. It is important that compliance with the national standards should be measured through on-site assessment. Planning is well advanced on this process.
Due to the current accommodation crisis, there have been no IPPS inspections carried out in Sligo or Leitrim this year, as the focus has been on procuring suitable accommodation for arrivals. There have been five accommodation centres opened in Sligo since the beginning of this year, which are subject to inspection prior to use.
QTS are currently carrying out inspections on all permanent centres. There is currently one permanent accommodation centre in both Leitrim and Sligo, and it is anticipated that these inspections will be completed by the end of this month.
148. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the ECCE scheme (details supplied). [51414/23]
View answer
The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.
All eligible children can fully avail of two years of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. There is no anomaly for children born between September 25 and 11 January or any other period. Children during this period can avail of two years.
The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before August 31st as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months of age on or before June 30th of the programme year. The first point of eligibility therefore falls on the opening of the programme year at end August of every year. Parents may choose to enter their child in August of the second year of eligibility and avail of just one year of the scheme.
While some parents may choose not to avail of the full two years, where they wish to start their children earlier or later in primary school, there are no conditions that would prevent a child being eligible for two years of ECCE under the current scheme.
149. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review outstanding invoices for an accommodation provider (details supplied) and if their invoices can be paid without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51420/23]
View answerI am advised by my officials that they have engaged with the provider regarding issues with the outstanding invoices to which the Deputy refers. Once valid invoices are received, they will be reviewed and paid promptly.
Whilst there have been some delays in payment due to the very large volume of invoices received, over the past few months my Department has put in place a system which has greatly improved processing times. The Department is also working towards additional automation in the system which is expected to further streamline the process.
150. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position regarding funding for a capital project (details supplied) in Donegal town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51458/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
151. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of the Final Report of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/23]
View answerThe issue of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority that has implications for several departments and agencies across Government, including my own.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. Although interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from its resumption of work in January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022.
The Transport Working Group's work has now concluded and its final report was published in February 2023. It is available on my Department's website. The report conveys the contributions and proposals made by members of the Group for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Transport and mobility supports are critical in supporting inclusion and independent living. For that reason, it is incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced with their respective responsibilities and in light of the schemes and supports that they administer and operate.
Within my own Department, I am giving full and due consideration to the recommendations of the Transport Working Group in relation to my own responsibilities in the delivery of specialist disability services, and my officials are engaging at a senior level with colleagues across government to map out next steps in a complex policy environment.
The Working Group's final report will also form an important part of the evidence base guiding the development of the new national disability strategy.
152. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health what restrictions are currently in place in respect of employees of the HSE and the Child and Family Agency running in local elections; and the rationale for any such restrictions. [51202/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
The Minister for the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth will respond to the Deputy regarding the Child and Family agency.
153. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for promotion among healthcare staff of impartial information on the health effects of gambling, separate to that provided by organisations which receive funding from the gambling sector. [51193/23]
View answer154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding streams to addiction services to remove the need for organisations in the sector to accept funding from the gambling industry. [51196/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
This year, the Dept of Health allocated €0.5m to the HSE to introduce a pilot treatment programme for gambling addiction. This will include information and resources on problem gambling and gaming, including prevention, treatment and support services. In Budget 2024, I secured an additional €0.5m to expand harm-reduction services for adults and children experiencing difficulties with gambling and gaming. A factsheet on Budget 2024 is attached.
This initiative is aligned with the Government’s commitment to establishing a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being. Minister of State, James Browne, T.D., has been leading the progression the Gambling Regulation Bill, 2022 to establish the regulator, and the appointment of a CEO designate is an important development. The Bill will establish a social fund through a levy on the gambling industry to finance research and information, to support public education and awareness raising measures in relation to problem gambling and to appropriately support problem gambling treatment. I believe that the allocation of dedicated funding for gambling addiction is an important element in a coordinated public health response to the harms associated with gambling.
155. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he has replied to correspondence from 27 hospital consultants at Letterkenny General Hospital; if he will agree to their request to meet with them to discuss the ongoing issues and proposed solutions as outlined in their letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51246/23]
View answerOn 15 November 2023 I received a letter from consultants working at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH), which outlined a number of concerns and included a request to meet with me. I have been concerned with the issues raised in recent correspondence from consultants working in Letterkenny and the wider Donegal area.
I can confirm that I replied to the consultants on Friday 17 November inviting them to meet with me when I visit Letterkenny on Friday 24 November 2023 in order to discuss the situation at LUH.
I have assured those who have written to me, that I am committed to the ongoing development of regional hospitals, such as LUH. I have also recently offered to meet with representatives of GPs who wrote to me to discuss these issues. In October of this year, I met with the HSE CEO Bernard Gloster and we agreed that the HSE Performance Management and Improvement Unit was to travel to LUH in November to visit the hospital. A six week improvement plan is now in place for the hospital.
156. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref. 09954 and 10166 of 2023, by grade for CHO9, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51255/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
157. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for St. Luke’s Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51256/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
158. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO5, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51257/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
159. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for St. Luke’s Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51258/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
160. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied) by grade, for CHO 5, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51259/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
161. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be secured for an individual for surgery (details supplied). [51260/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51262/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
