Thursday, 29 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 77-110

Disability Services

Questions (84, 88, 91)

John McGuinness

Question:

84. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO5 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO5 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO5 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO5 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9525/24]

John Lahart

Question:

88. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO6 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO6 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO6 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO6 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/24]

Barry Cowen

Question:

91. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO8 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO8 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO8 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO8 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9528/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 88 and 91 together.

The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) and Home Support Services (HSS) to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.

PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or indirectly through a range of voluntary and private service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.

Home support services are provided to both children and adults with a wide range of disabilities from physical and sensory disabilities to intellectual disabilities and autism. The home support service for children with disabilities assists the child with various activities and supports the parent/family. Over 3 million home support hours are delivered to almost 7,200 people annually.

PA services provides one-to-one support to people with physical disabilities in their homes and communities by trained, professional Personal Assistants. The PA service facilitates a person’s independence, improves their quality of life, and supports them to participate in their local community. A PA support can range from a few hours a week to daily assistance. A vital element of this personalised support is the full involvement of the individual in planning and agreeing the type, times when support is provided to them and choosing the best way to use their allocated PA hours, to enable them to achieve maximum control over their life by tailoring their service to meet their unique support requirements. In 2024, approx. 1.77m PA hours will be delivered to over 2,600 adults across the country.

The following figures for Home Support and Personal Assistance are up to end of Quarter 2 2023. The Deputies will appreciate that, due to Forsa industrial action, the collation of end of year figures for 2023 has been delayed.

CHO 5 encompasses South Tipperary, Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. Up to end Q2 2023, 744 persons with a disability received home support hours, with 176,323 hours provided. A total of 334 persons with disabilities received personal assistance hours, with 78,430 hours provided.

CHO 6 covers Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East. Up to Q2 2023, 459 people with a disability received home support hours, totalling 165,089 hours. For personal assistance, 116 people received a total of 36,713 hours.

CHO 8 includes Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath, and Louth/Meath. Up to Q2 2023, 881 persons with a disability received home support hours, with 335,145 hours provided. A total of 381 persons with a disability received personal assistance hours, with 111,229 hours provided.

Currently, each CHO has a process to manage applications and referrals for PA Services. Individual’s needs are assessed against the criteria for prioritisation. The needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available determine resource allocation. As with every service, there is not a limitless resource available for the provision of home support services and while the resources available are substantial, they are finite. In this context, services are discretionary and the number of hours granted is determined by other support services already provided to the person/family.

While many individuals are adequately provided for by their current level of support, it is also the case that many would benefit from more support hours if they were available.

Acknowledging this unmet need, the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, published by my Department in December, commits to the delivery of 110,000 additional Home Support hours between 2024 and 2026 to address shortfalls in services and to support people with disabilities live at home, in line with Article 19 UNCRPD.

The Action Plan also commits to 800,000 additional Personal Assistance hours in the same period, with the delivery of 80,000 additional hours in 2024. A policy review of PA services in the light of the UNCRPD is already underway, with a working group involving key stakeholders and disabled people's organisations, to develop formal policy and service description, develop eligibility and prioritisation criteria, and consider the best form of governance and regulation.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (85)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

85. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of an increase in providers leaving the core funding model; the steps his Department is taking on this issue; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this move equates to higher chargers for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9520/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Every effort has been made to carefully design Core Funding to achieve high levels of participation by providers.

95% of providers participated in year 1 of the scheme and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. 98% of all not for profit services and 93% of all for profit services have signed up.

There are more providers in absolute terms participating in the Scheme this year and numbers continue to grow.

In Year 1 of Core Funding, 1 service withdrew from the Scheme.

According to recent data provided by Pobal, in their role as scheme administrator, 15 services have withdrawn from Core Funding since Year 1, with 12 of these services withdrawing before the start of the second programme year in September and three withdrawing during the programme year to date.

In year 1 of the Scheme, some €259 million was allocated. Core Funding increased by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the Scheme. That allocation will increase again in September, by 15% for the third year of the scheme – to €331 million providing a platform increased investment in all services.

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 Committees (CCC).

I encourage services to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefits of this Scheme to parents.

Youth Work Supports

Questions (86)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

86. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the new youth employability funding scheme will be announced; how much has been set aside; the application criteria; when he expects to announce recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9194/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I was very pleased to secure an additional €1 million in the Budget to support the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative, or TYESI, in 2024. The aim of this important scheme is to engage and support harder to reach young people, aged from 15 to 24, who are not in employment, education, or training.

The focused interventions are intended to provide community-based support to assist young people to attain a level of confidence and agency to engage in a wide range of currently available progression routes into education or employment including return to education through Youthreach, or entering the workforce through Community Employment Schemes and apprenticeships.

The TYESI was first run as a pilot project in 2021. The pilot has been evaluated, and the findings have been incorporated into the new TYESI scheme.

The evaluation found that a key value of the TYESI is that is delivered by youth workers in the young people’s community. Local youth workers can develop community linkages and interagency linkages, to provide tailor-made supports to assist each young person in developing their employability skills.

The TYESI is administered at the local level by the sixteen Education and Training Boards. My officials issued the application forms and guidance notes for the Initiative to the ETBs on 9 February. The ETBs are currently adverting the initiative and will manage the application process in their functional areas.

I will be announcing the successful applicants before the summer.

Disability Services

Questions (87)

Alan Dillon

Question:

87. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the delivery of the children's disability network team in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9028/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) provide therapeutic services to children with complex needs arising from their disability. There are 3 CDNT teams operating in County Mayo: CDNT 1 (North Mayo), CDNT 2 (South Mayo (Castlebar) and CDNT 3 (West Mayo (Westport and Ballinrobe).

The current delays in accessing assessments and therapy services, directly related to vacancies across the Mayo CDNTs, are acknowledged and work is ongoing by the HSE to maximise the capacity via recruitment campaigns and other measures.

The most recent figures provided by the HSE indicate that the staff vacancy rate on CDNT 1 is 37% with 20.63 WTE staff working, CDNT 2 has 17% vacancies with 16.49 WTE staff working and CDNT 3 has 27% vacancies with 21.28 WTE staff working.

The HSE has stated that work is ongoing at this time to strengthen the Mayo CDNT teams and enhance their staffing numbers. I wish to reassure you that all avenues to recruit and retain staff on the CDNTs are being explored as a top priority. This includes agency filling of posts, international recruitment, derogation of staff to CDNTs, and national HR recruitment drives.

Successful recruitment and retention of staff is the key, in Mayo as well as other CHOs across the country. The HSE has just concluded its first nationwide CDNT recruitment campaign. Approximately 500 applications have been received and HSE is in the process of progressing the selection process, with interviews commencing over the coming weeks and offers of appointment to be made soon after.

Running in parallel, the HSE will be increasing its focus on intervention delivery with application of universal and target supports for families currently waiting.

Both the Government and the HSE remain absolutely committed to the delivery of appropriate services for children with disabilities and their families in Mayo and across Ireland, and will work with families and staff to develop services that meet their needs.

Question No. 89 answered orally.

Question No. 88 taken with No. 84

Asylum Seekers

Questions (90)

Gino Kenny

Question:

90. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers that have not been provided with accommodation by his Department; when he expects that accommodation will be provided for all asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9512/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

As at 27 February, 1,480 adult males have presented at the International Protection Office (IPO) and 1,305 have received the temporarily increased expense payment in place of an accommodation offer from IPAS. 175 received an accommodation offer following a vulnerability triage. 283 have been retrospectively accommodated, and 1,022 persons are still awaiting an accommodation offer.

Despite intensive efforts to source emergency accommodation, the Department is currently providing contingency material reception conditions in the form of an expense allowance of €113.80 per week to some International Protection (IP) applicants due to the severe shortage of accommodation. This is an increase of €75 per week from the standard expenses allowance of €38.80 for IP applicants in accommodation.

In addition to this increase in the increased expense allowance, a system of triage of adult males is being implemented to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are prioritised for the provision of accommodation.

Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.

Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants, over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.

Question No. 91 taken with No. 84.

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (92, 110, 128)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 23 January 2024, when the mother and baby institutions redress scheme will be open for applications; the timeline for when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9501/24]

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

110. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the exact date of the opening of the mother and baby institutions payment ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9498/24]

Patrick Costello

Question:

128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that older applicants for the mother and baby institutions payment scheme are prioritised when the scheme opens as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 110 and 128 together.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will open for applications on 20 March.

A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people will be able to apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need.

Once the Scheme opens, the Payment Scheme Office will process all applications as quickly as possible, with the first payments expected to be made in Quarter 2 of this year.

I am conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly. As promised, the Scheme will give priority to applications according to the age of the applicant, and so applications from older people will be prioritised.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible for its benefits. Given its scale and significance, the Scheme has been placed on a statutory footing and enabling legislation was signed into law last July.

A comprehensive body of work has been undertaken to develop the substantial administrative framework required to deliver a scheme of this size. This work includes:

• the preparation of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening;

• making arrangements for the staffing necessary to deliver the Scheme;

• Developing a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme;

• Developing postal and online application systems;

• Developing the case management IT infrastructure for the Scheme;

• Preparing for a substantive public awareness campaign to be delivered in Ireland and overseas. To this end, a recent stakeholder engagement process for the Payment Scheme has concluded with representatives reviewing some of the application and information materials for the Scheme.

Last May, the Government approved my proposal to appoint Ms Sheila Nunan to act on my behalf to lead negotiations with relevant religious bodies with a view to securing financial contribution towards the cost of the Payment Scheme. A full report will be provided to me once negotiations have concluded, but as the Deputy will appreciate I have committed to respecting that process while it is underway and thus I cannot speak in more detail. I have also just this week announced the appointment of Patricia Carey as independent Special Advocate for Survivors. Ms Carey will take up the role on 25 March.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is one element of a comprehensive package of support measures agreed by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions . Other important measures contained in the Action Plan response include access to birth information provided through the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, the intervention at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution, the appointment of a Special Advocate for Survivors, and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.

Question No. 93 answered orally.

Family Resource Centres

Questions (94)

Robert Troy

Question:

94. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the need to review the funding streams for family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the Deputy will be aware, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre programme, funding 121 Family Resource Centres (FRC). Where possible I make it a point to engage with FRC, they play a pivotal role for so many communities across the country providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.

My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which amounts to some €20m. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.

I am aware that FRCs are providing significant levels of assistance on the ground in communities who are welcoming Ukrainian people and I have provided specific funding to allow Tusla to continue to support FRCs in those efforts.

In addition, the successful outcome of talks with Unions representing workers in these organisations at the WRC last October has seen an increase to pay related funding that will amount to 8%:

• 3% from 1 April 2023

• An additional 2% from 1 Nov 2023

• And a further 3% from 1 March 2024.

Disbursal of funds has commenced.

I should inform the Deputy that FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.

Any potential changes in funding are considered as part of the annual Budgetary process, which as you know represents a significant number of competing priorities in a challenging fiscal space. The focus from now to 2026 will in the first instance be to stabilise funding to existing programme members and based on available funding begin to explore options for expanding the programme.

Questions Nos. 95 to 97, inclusive, answered orally.

International Protection

Questions (98)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

98. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for his failure to respond to multiple emails from this Deputy requesting details on all sites to accommodate people seeking temporary international protection in south Kildare, to include those currently in process, or being considered for such sites, and the number planned to be accommodated at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9739/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am advised that a Department official attempted to make contact by phone with the Deputy unsuccessfully on Monday 19 February. The official followed up via email directly the same day, to which the Deputy responded providing additional information necessary to pursue the inquiry within the Department.

Following several email exchanges, I am further advised that a Department official again contacted the Deputy on 23 February in relation to proposed sites to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in South Kildare, providing her with up to date information.

Ireland has provided accommodation to over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes approximately 74,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine currently residing in State supported accommodation and approximately 27,500 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation.

My Department can only confirm use of a premise for accommodation of BOTPs or IP applicants once a contract has been signed, and will, in the first instance, inform local public representatives and statutory agencies. As of February, my Department has contracted 10 premises for accommodation of IP applicants and 16 premises for accommodation of BOTPs in County Kildare.

For clarity, my Department has further agreed to use two sites in the Deputy's neighbouring constituency of North Kildare as designated accommodation centres. From the start of March onwards, 985 beds will be provided for people feeling the war in Ukraine in the Newhall Accommodation Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare and 378 beds will be provided in the Punchestown Event Centre.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Questions (99)

Paul Murphy

Question:

99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities will be ratified within the term of this Government; if so, when it will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The timeline for ratifying the Optional Protocol was anticipated to follow the conclusion of Ireland’s first review period before the UN Committee. Ireland submitted its first State Report in November 2021 and we await a review date from the UN Committee.

Ireland fully ratified the UNCRPD in 2018 and the Government remains committed to continuously advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is not a precondition to the implementation of the UNCRPD.

I am open to earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol, subject to the State being in a position to meet the obligations that arise. In order to map out the requirements for ratification my Department has commissioned external legal advice as part of an ongoing scoping exercise. Once I have received and considered the scoping advices I will engage with my cabinet colleagues as a matter of urgency and I have instructed my officials to establish an inter-departmental group to work through complexities with colleagues.

The ongoing scoping work is a necessary exercise in due diligence for the state to agree to any supra-national review process. Ireland takes its international obligations seriously, and seeks to act in good faith on the international stage; we do not enter into binding international treaties until we are confident that the obligations set out within can be complied with.

It is also important to note that the UN Committee already monitor and evaluate Ireland’s implementation of the UNCRPD through examinations of periodic State Reports. Examinations carried out at UN Reviews are robust and the State takes the Concluding Observations of UN Committees very seriously should implementation in relation to any particular right need to be strengthened.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (100)

Richard Bruton

Question:

100. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he report on the remit and progress of the new Childcare Development Agency; how it will integrate the work of county childcare committees; and the new planned capital budgets for Childcare Development. [9732/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Significant progress has been made in advancing plans for a dedicated state agency for early learning childcare. It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCC), as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.

My Department is currently engaging with independent consultants who have been contracted to carry out a phase of research, analysis and robust stakeholder engagement to inform the design of the agency. This work, which is expected to take 18-24 months, will culminate in a costed agency design, including the remit, organisational structure and service delivery model, which will be presented to Government for approval. My Department is committed to ongoing consultation with all stakeholders, including the CCC, throughout the design process to ensure that the strengths of the existing model are maintained and that the appropriate balance between national, regional and local structures is established in the reformed model.

In that regard a series of stakeholder consultation sessions have already been held with key stakeholders, including the CCC, and valuable input has been received as part of a collaborative co-design process to develop a vision, mission and values for the agency. Consultation will continue throughout the lifetime of this programme and sectoral stakeholders will have further opportunities to provide input at key junctures.

The phase of analysis and research will include an assessment and determination in respect of the appropriate remit and functions of the national agency. It is anticipated that responsibility for capital budgets will fall within those functions assigned to the agency. I look forward to presenting a report on this to Government for approval in due course.

Youth Services

Questions (101)

Brendan Smith

Question:

101. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the financial allocation in 2024 for youth services; if this funding will enable the roll out of additional services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9727/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Budget 2024 allocation for youth services is €77.95 million, an increase of 26% in youth service funding since 20220.

This funding includes the following schemes which support the establishment of additional youth services:

• the Youth Service Grant Scheme (YSGS) provides funding to a range of national and regional universal youth services. The YSGS is being expanded in 2024 to enable a number of new youth services to apply for funding under the scheme;

• the Targeted Youth Employment Support Initiative which will support the provision of intensive support to help young people who are not in education, training or employment to return to education or enter the workforce.

In addition to the allocation of €77.95 million to youth services, I secured an additional €2million in funding under the Migrant Integration Fund to support the integration of young people who have fled from the Ukraine war. This funding will support local youth services and youth clubs to expand existing youth services and to create new services.

The breakdown of youth service funding between the various funding schemes are set out in the table below.

Youth Funding 2024 .

Current Funding	2024 Funding Provision
Youth Services Grant Scheme	€14,572,169
Youth Information Centres	€1,534,006
ETB Youth Grant	€5,208,196
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme	€2,500,000
New Initiatives and other funding streams	€1,260,000
Policy and Support Programmes (inc. contingency)	€1,759,897
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives	€2,071,034
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding	€48,042,698
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative	€1,000,000
Migrant Integration Fund for young people from Ukraine	€2, 000, 000
Total	€79,948,000

Disability Services

Questions (102)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; if he will provide an update on plans to increase respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9569/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (103)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate protection is available to children, nationals and non-nationals; if Tusla has adequate powers to fulfil its role in all such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9587/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Section 3 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory responsibility on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Tusla carry out assessments on the information received regarding children and young people to determine any risk and assess the child and family’s situation, and provides appropriate social work intervention and family support services and any other services identified to meet the child's needs.

Tusla respond to child protection concerns reported on any child in Ireland regardless of nationality/ status. As stated above Tusla have an obligation to respond to concerns in accordance with the Child Care Act, 1991 and Children First Act, 2017 and act accordingly to all concerns reported to the agency.

Disability Services

Questions (104, 131, 137, 147)

Seán Haughey

Question:

104. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO9 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO9 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO9 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO9 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9529/24]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

131. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO4 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO4 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO4 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO4 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9524/24]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

137. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO3 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO3 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO3 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO3 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9522/24]

John Lahart

Question:

147. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO7 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO7 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO7 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO7 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 104, 131,137 and 147 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. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Health Strategies

Questions (105)

David Stanton

Question:

105. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has had any engagement with Icelandic planet youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9572/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague the Minister for Health.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (106)

Alan Dillon

Question:

106. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the building blocks improvement grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9027/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment across three pillars:

• Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;

• Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and

• Building Blocks - Innovation Grant

€9 million was set aside in 2023 under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant Scheme. Grants ranged from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands, Green Energy upgrades and Retrofit projects.

Under the Green Energy Strand, grants were provided for improvements to increase energy efficiency, utilising renewables where feasible, such as the installation of solar panels and heat pumps, insulation and water conservation measures. The Green Energy Strand supported the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.

The Retrofit Strand supported existing services in need of upgrading. Eligible works included kitchen works and refurbishment, upgrading of sanitary facilities for children and adults, roof repairs and replacement and upgrading of flooring.

In total, 151 services were awarded funding under this scheme, which is now closed.

Last week, I was pleased to announced an €18 million capital grant scheme for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The Building Blocks Capacity Expansion Grant Scheme is part of the wider Building Blocks Capacity Grant Scheme for Early Learning and Childcare under the revised National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP). The Scheme will provide grants for Early Learning and Childcare services to expand their capacity by means of internal renovations and reconfigurations. The primary focus of the Expansion Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old (pre ECCE) age range for full day or part-time care.

Emergency Accommodation

Questions (107)

Robert Troy

Question:

107. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the process and considerations his Department give when an offer of accommodation for asylum seekers is made to his Department prior to a decision to progress such offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9709/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

IPAS continues to require additional accommodation to meet the needs of new arrivals. Where request for tender processes have not delivered the required reception capacity, the Department has engaged in emergency accommodation sourcing through different networks.

Initial offers of accommodation are received by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) primarily through its e-mail portal - [e-mail].

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 IP applicants. 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.

When returned, IPPS reviews the proposal and any supporting documentation to assess the suitability of the premises that is offered for use as accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards.

Disability Services

Questions (108)

Thomas Gould

Question:

108. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the impact of the recruitment embargo on children's disability services in Cork. [9638/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

On the 29th of May 2023, the HSE introduced a Recruitment Pause across a number of grades in the staff category of Management and Administration. The pause, which applies across HSE services and Section 38 providers, was introduced to ensure that it can sustainability deliver services within its existing resources and was further extended to include staff in the Patient and Client Care, and General Support staff categories from 13th of October 2023. On the 8th of November 2023, DCEDIY secured agreement from the HSE to implement a derogation for Disability Services, to ensure the pause does not affect the provision of existing services and strategic initiatives to support targeted expansion across key services.

The derogation applies to Disability Services funded replacement posts and new development posts in the HSE and Section 38 agencies, in regard to the following staff categories: Medical/Dental, Nursing, HSCP, Support Staff Grades, Other Patient and Client Care. A process for application of the derogation has been prescribed by the HSE and communicated to relevant stakeholders. It’s important to note that the pause does not apply to the services delivered through Section 39 organisations and agency staffing levels will be maintained as per the levels in place on 13th October, thus reducing the potential impact on essential Disability Services.

I am committed to ensuring the expansion of Disability Services and my Department has secured funding for targeted expansion in 2024. Following the Capacity Review undertaken in 2021, the subsequent Disability Action Plan was published on the 14th December 2023. The Action Plan underpins Government commitment to the expansion of services for people with disabilities and aims to progressively address unmet need by enhancing and reforming services, including through the creation of additional Disability Service posts and recruitment to these positions.

While recruitment and retention of staff is a challenge across the sector overall, a significant priority is filling vacancies within the 91 Children’s Development Network Teams (CDNTs). The Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Roadmap, launched in October 2023, establishes a set of priority workforce actions to address current vacancies and expand recruitment across children’s Disability Services throughout 2023-2026.

The HSE National Recruitment Service continues to explore a range of options to enhance the recruitment and retention of staff to Disability Services. Reflecting on challenges faced within CDNTs in particular, the HSE launched the first National CDNT Recruitment Campaign on January 5th 2024. These targeted campaigns will assist in raising the profile of CDNTS and bolster interest in this vital work.

The results of the CDNT census for 2023 are currently being compiled by the HSE and will be made available in the coming months. This process has been significantly delayed by the recently lifted FORSA industrial action. When this data is available I will be able to provide more specific information in relation to children’s services in Cork. Across HSE and S38 Disability Services overall there was an increase of 662 WTE from December 2022 to December 2023. For 2024 my Department has provided funding for the recruitment of an additional 707 WTEs in respect of HSE and Section 38 Disability Services new service developments. I have every confidence in the HSE continuing growth in line with this target.

Disability Services

Questions (109)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

109. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current capacity of respite care in County Cork for children with disabilities; the current shortfall on providing the respite service for children with disabilities for County Cork; what measures are being taken to increase the current capacity to meet the demands identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9697/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Question No. 110 taken with No. 92.