Written Answers Nos. 1401-1420
1403. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) were in receipt of State-funded accommodation on 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1010/24]
View answer1404. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the occupancy figures in respect of State-funded accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection on 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1011/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1403 and 1404 together.
As at 31 December 2023, there were over 58,600 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) occupying accommodation that is managed or contracted by my Department. Data at county and local authority level on numbers in receipt of such State funded accommodation under my Department’s remit is published regularly on the Government’s website – gov.ie - Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) (www.gov.ie).
1406. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current and capital funding required to provide 40 extra planned residential places. [1094/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, 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 2023, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations. Please include disabilityresidentialservices@equality.gov.ie in copy.
1407. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of providing 650 extra adult day service places. [1095/24]
View answerAdult day services are HSE funded programmes to provide day service supports to people, age 18 and over, with intellectual disabilities, autism, or people with complex physical disabilities. These services are demand led and the number of new places in any year reflects the number of applications from young people leaving school. Additional funding of €18.2m in 2024 will support approximately 1,400 people with disabilities who are leaving school to transition into adult day services from September. Once vacancies are taken into account, and in the light of demographic change, approximately 1,200 new places are needed in 2023 to ensure all eligible school leavers can get a day service place.
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. 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.
1408. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make a statement on the scope of healthcare professionals, which is intended to be regulated by planned legislation to restrict the practice of conversion therapy; and if explicit reference will be made to therapists and counsellors, whether State registered or unregistered. [1105/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021 also contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy.
The legislative proposals under consideration will aim to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy regardless of the actor.
Given the complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, my Department is carefully considering the key policy principles that will underpin the legislation to ensure that individuals are protected from harmful conversion practices while the necessary and appropriate services for those with concerns in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity are not affected.
The regulation of health and social care professionals does not fall within the remit of my Department.
1409. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make a statement on the efficacy of the core funding agreement in relation to the freezing of fees for parents; if there has been a reduction in the number of early years providers which are signing up to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on affordability of childcare for parents. [1111/24]
View answerInvestment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1.1 billion in 2024 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. With 95% participation of eligible services in year 1 and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. There are officially more services contracted for Core Funding year 2 than there were at the peak of Core Funding year 1.
Participation in Core Funding is optional but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
One of the key features of Core Funding is the introduction of a system of fee management. Provision for the effective fee freeze is included within the Core Funding Partner Service Agreement to ensure that the affordability benefits from the NCS and ECCE are passed on to parents/guardians. This action is guided by the recommendations of the Expert Group, as approved by Government, to ensure that the introduction of fee management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
Budget 2024 allocated additional funding for 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. In year 3 of the scheme, the value of Core Funding will increase by 15% or €44m to €331m.
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, 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 about fees to contact their local CCC for support and guidance. Contact details for the CCCs can be found at myccc.ie.
1410. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children with disabilities on waiting lists for overnight respite care in County Meath; and the number of those who currently receive respite care but who require more nights, in tabular form. [1172/24]
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, 2023, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
1411. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE psychologists available to children in County Meath within the CDNTs, in tabular form. [1173/24]
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.
1412. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current occupancy number of all IPAS accommodation for international protection applicants; the current capacity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1184/24]
View answerAs at 7 January 2024, the current occupancy of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is circa 26,473 people. The total bed capacity is circa 27,297.
It should be noted that the figures are approximate as some centres were contracted on a room basis instead of occupancy and were given a capacity of 2 per room.
IPAS works at all times to ensure accommodation capacity is utilised in the most effective manner possible. There are a variety of reasons why capacity and actual occupancy may not be equal, including: where a person cannot share with another person for medical or other reasons; where a family configuration does not match exactly the available family accommodation; where rooms are maintained for isolation or quarantine should a resident contract Covid-19; and where rooms are being refurbished or not available due to maintenance work.
1414. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vulnerability assessment questionnaires which have been reviewed by the resident welfare team; the number of those assessments which resulted in a determination of vulnerability; the number of those which are children; the number of those deemed vulnerable who have received follow up from an assessment officer; the number of those who have undergone a follow up appointment with an IPAS social worker to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1186/24]
View answerThe purpose of vulnerability assessments is to determine if, by virtue of a particular category of vulnerability, an applicant is deemed to have special reception needs, what those needs are and what actions are required to address those needs.
The assessments are carried out by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) Resident Welfare Team. Everyone who registers an application for international protection is offered an assessment. Where an application includes children of an applicant, IPAS, with parental consent, also assess their vulnerability in an appropriate manner.
It is important to note that records capture the case outcome or decision, and whether it was made by an Assessment Officer or Social Worker. Further breakdown in relation to the assessment type cannot be provided.
Please see, in tabular format, the number of vulnerability assessments that have taken place by IPAS since 1st February 2021 to 31st December 2023; and the outcome/ decisions made in respect of those assessments.
|
Vulnerability assessment 1 Feb 2021 – 31 December 2023 |
Total |
|
Persons deemed vulnerable by Assessment Officer (adult) |
1151 |
|
Persons deemed vulnerable by Social Worker (adult) |
707 |
|
Persons deemed vulnerable by Assessment Officer (minor) |
599 |
|
Persons deemed vulnerable by Social Worker (minor) |
255 |
|
Persons deemed not vulnerable by Assessment Officer |
895 |
|
Persons deemed not vulnerable by Social Worker |
143 |
|
Persons currently awaiting Assessment Officer follow up |
541 |
|
Persons granted RS, SP or PTR prior to assessment(s) |
177 |
|
Persons who did not attend their scheduled appointment(s) |
161 |
|
Persons referred to Social Worker through 3rd party referral awaiting appointment |
85 |
|
Persons referred to Social Worker by Assessment Officer awaiting appointment |
74 |
|
Persons Resident Welfare Team were unable to contact at details provided |
54 |
|
Persons who declined to participate during their assessment |
17 |
|
Persons who declined to be contacted by the Resident Welfare Team |
14 |
|
Open cases pending social worker decision |
16 |
|
Persons who left State prior to assessment(s) |
8 |
|
Case closed/no decision issued for reason otherwise specified |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
4901 |
1415. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a list of all vacancies for intellectual disability nursing positions within CHO2; and the locations of these vacancies. [1207/24]
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 2023, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
1416. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any legal obligation on large retailers to provide disability trolleys in their stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1224/24]
View answerAt present, there is no specific legal obligation mandating large retailers to provide disability trolleys in their stores. However, many retailers recognize the importance of accessibility and inclusivity and will voluntarily take steps to accommodate the diverse needs of their customers.
While there is no specific legal obligation for the provision of disability trolleys by large retailers, the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. They cover the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community. The Acts require those selling goods and providing services to provide reasonable accommodation or special treatment or facilities where without these it would be impossible or unduly difficult for a person with disabilities to avail of goods and services, unless this would cost more than a nominal cost.
The Your Rights service operated by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission can assist in cases where individuals feel they may have experienced discrimination under the Equal Status Acts.
As Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I encourage ongoing dialogue and collaboration between retailers and the disability community to ensure that shopping experiences continue to become more inclusive and considerate of varying needs.
1417. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an allocation under the new youth employability scheme will be made to an organisation (details supplied), given that the special purpose grant allocated to the organisation for its Employability Support Programme expired at the end of 2023; if he will provide a timeline for the allocation of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1248/24]
View answer€77.95 million is being allocated in Budget 2024 to youth services, an increase of €5 million, or 6.8%, on the 2023 budget. As part of this allocation, €1million is being provided to establish a new Youth Employability Initiative. The aim of the Youth Employability Initiative will be to engage and support young people aged 15 to 24 years who are not currently in education, training or employment.
This is a new scheme and not a continuation of the previous scheme. An evaluation of the previous scheme, the ‘Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative 2021-2022’, was commissioned in 2023. The recommendations of that evaluation will inform the development of the new scheme. It is intended the scheme will open for applications in Q1 2024 and the application process will be carried out by the ETBs.
1418. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of full-time filial therapists and child art psychotherapists directly employed by TUSLA, by TUSLA area and service or team they are working in as of 5 January 2024. [1296/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
1419. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
1420. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees-international protection applicants currently housed in Ferryhouse campus, Clonmel, County Tipperary; their age and gender; the reason the Youth Encounter Project that has been based in Ferryhouse for many years has to be relocated as a result of housing IPAS-refugees on this campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1419/24]
View answer1445. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees-international protection applicants that are currently housed in Ferryhouse campus, Clonmel, County Tipperary, their age and gender; the reason a school (details supplied) that has been based in Ferryhouse for many years has to be relocated as a result of housing IPAs-refugees on this campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2001/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1420 and 1445 together.
Since the outset of the war in Ukraine in early 2022, Ireland has provided accommodation to over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine who required State supported accommodation and over 26,000 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.
I am advised that my Department is not aware of the property to which the Deputy refers.
