Written Answers Nos. 534-550
534. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an alternative venue can be sourced to facilitate a club (details supplied) which is due to close in June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17534/24]
View answer540. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of after-school services available for children where both parents are working full-time; if he is aware of the recent closure of an after-school service (details supplied) where parents are now left without an alternative; how he intends to address this lack of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17580/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 540 together.
The Department of Education Guidelines on the use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours guide schools in the use of school facilities for other services, including early learning and childcare services. The 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.
The Department of Education is in the process of updating these Guidelines and has engaged with the Department of Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this work.
The Department provides the majority of funding to the early learning and childcare sector, primarily through the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), and through Core Funding, but it does not directly operate or manage early learning and childcare services.
These services are provided by for-profit or not-for profit services, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While decisions about the day-to-day running of such services, including choice of location, any contracts or leases for premises and any decision to close is ultimately a matter for the provider, the Department can provide support in a number of ways to services who face losing their premises.
Support to find alternative accommodation is available to all services, both private and community, from local City or County Childcare Committees (CCC). The local City/County Childcare Committee should be the first point of contact for any service seeking support.
Parents whose children are attending a service which may be due to close can also contact their local CCC for assistance in locating an alternative early learning and childcare place for their child.
The Department also oversees a case management process, through which CCC and Pobal work together to provide support to early learning and childcare services experiencing difficulties. Case management assistance can include specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. Financial supports may also be accessed through the case management process following a financial assessment. Currently, this support is available to community services to assist with the operational costs associated with a sudden need to move premises.
Any early learning and childcare service who is at risk of losing their premises in a school or elsewhere is therefore encouraged to contact their local CCC as soon as possible.
535. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any application has been made to move Ukrainian refugees into accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17535/24]
View answerThe property to which the Deputy refers was appraised by the Technical Working group in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, set up for the purpose of prioritising buildings to be refurbished for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The criteria for assessment included Location, Capacity, Delivery Time Lines and Value for Money among others. The Technical Working Group in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage deemed this property to be unsuitable.
536. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail, with regard to the findings of the Disability Capacity Review to 2032, the number of residential disability respite centres his Department is targeting to deliver by 2032. [17572/24]
View answer537. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail, with regard to the key objectives and actions of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, the number of residential disability respite centres his Department is targeting to deliver over the lifetime of the plan. [17573/24]
View answer538. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of residential respite centres that were delivered up to December 2020; the overnight respite capacity of these centres; and the day-only respite capacity of these centres. [17574/24]
View answer539. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of new residential respite centres that have been delivered from 2021 to date; the additional overnight respite capacity that these new centres have delivered; and the additional day-only respite capacity that these new centres have delivered. [17575/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 to 539, inclusive, together.
As these questions refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
541. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided, per education and training board, broken down by local authority area, for youth work services, in each of the years 2014 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17589/24]
View answer542. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the expenditure, per education and training board, for youth work services, broken down by local authority area, in each of the years 2014 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17590/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.
The funding provided to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) for youth work services, broken down by ETB area, for each of the years 2014 to 2024 can be found in the table below. Please note: Allocations are made to 16 ETB areas, not local authorities, therefore, it's not possible to provide information specific to a particular local authority area.
Due to the ongoing process of ETB drawdowns, the exact amount for 2024 is not yet available.
|
ETB |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
City of Dublin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€17,378,441.00 |
€19,012,571.00 |
€19,105,597.15 |
€17,655,505.00 |
€16,719,163.50 |
€16,172,325.00 |
€21,221,157.13 |
€19,485,853.08 |
€18,332,037.00 |
€16,851,666 |
€16,974,414 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€18,726,919.40 |
€18,882,912.65 |
€17,512,300.00 |
€16,719,163.50 |
€16,172,325.00 |
€21,221,157.13 |
€19,485,853.08 |
€18,332,037.00 |
€16,851,666 |
€16,974,414 |
|
Cavan and Monaghan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,184,027.00 |
€1,166,934.00 |
€1,127,001.62 |
€976,106.50 |
€936,750.32 |
€972,806.20 |
€704,697.93 |
€995,860.99 |
€262,757.00 |
€104,190 |
€109,214 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,166,934.00 |
€1,120,611.62 |
€966,032.88 |
€935,770.32 |
€972,806.20 |
€704,697.93 |
€995,860.99 |
€262,757.00 |
€104,190 |
€109,214 |
|
Cork |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€4,590,807.00 |
€4,579,730.00 |
€4,531,931.00 |
€4,180,229.00 |
€4,008,139.02 |
€3,798,658.25 |
€3,583,102.38 |
€4,021,479.00 |
€2,792,118.00 |
€2,719,021 |
€2,713,029 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€4,579,730.50 |
€4,531,916.00 |
€4,180,221.75 |
€4,008,139.02 |
€3,798,658.25 |
€3,583,102.38 |
€4,021,479.00 |
€2,792,118.00 |
€2,719,021 |
€2,713,029 |
|
Donegal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,299,439.00 |
€1,243,154.00 |
€1,082,371.00 |
€817,363.00 |
€756,170.82 |
€810,526.83 |
€566,542.32 |
€937,138.94 |
€500,742.00 |
€492,635 |
€337,517 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,243,154.00 |
€1,036,221.00 |
€817,363.00 |
€749,169.82 |
€810,526.83 |
€566,542.32 |
€937,138.94 |
€500,742.00 |
€492,635 |
€337,517 |
|
Dublin and Dun Laoghaire |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€10,269,378.00 |
€10,141,370.00 |
€10,275,754.00 |
€9,203,261.42 |
€9,094,685.50 |
€8,865,662.51 |
€8,446,122.15 |
€8,118,388.15 |
€7,255,402.00 |
€6,929,087 |
€6,615,496 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€9,923,553.18 |
€9,920,215.52 |
€9,054,866.92 |
€9,028,404.07 |
€8,865,662.51 |
€8,446,122.15 |
€8,118,388.15 |
€7,255,402.00 |
€6,929,087 |
€6,615,496 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€3,152,729.00 |
€3,106,520.00 |
€3,041,481.00 |
€2,723,897.00 |
€2,629,388.48 |
€2,510,131.89 |
€2,010,433.31 |
€2,220,509.63 |
€1,476,948.00 |
€1,429,105 |
€1,427,149 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€3,106,201.08 |
€2,956,002.18 |
€2,695,951.01 |
€2,567,292.02 |
€2,510,131.89 |
€2,010,433.31 |
€2,220,509.63 |
€1,476,948.00 |
€1,429,105 |
€1,427,149 |
|
Kerry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,356,461.00 |
€1,266,496.00 |
€1,143,808.29 |
€863,073.17 |
€773,421.19 |
€852,417.73 |
€363,527.00 |
€602,765.08 |
€380,972.00 |
€327,309 |
€315,415 |
|
Expenditure |
Ongoing |
€1,258,996.88 |
€1,068,980.30 |
€863,073.17 |
€691,266.19 |
€852,417.73 |
€363,527.00 |
€602,765.08 |
€380,972.00 |
€1,429,105 |
€315,415 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€2,548,548.00 |
€2,556,427.00 |
€2,570,245.00 |
€2,323,574.50 |
€2,187,720.03 |
€2,243,458.40 |
€1,512,673.62 |
€1,726,330.00 |
€1,226,737.00 |
€1,051,133 |
€1,026,853 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€2,490,186.63 |
€2,459,149.60 |
€2,150,060.70 |
€2,112,191.03 |
€2,243,458.40 |
€1,512,673.62 |
€1,726,330.00 |
€1,226,737.00 |
€1,051,133 |
€1,026,853 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,622,779.00 |
€1,656,178.00 |
€1,571,423.00 |
€1,378,779.67 |
€1,285,123.28 |
€1,283,933.17 |
€718,912.59 |
€624,254.70 |
€472,420.00 |
€453,285 |
€399,957 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,621,329.00 |
€1,561,423.00 |
€1,378,779.67 |
€1,203,048.19 |
€1,283,933.17 |
€718,912.59 |
€624,254.70 |
€472,420.00 |
€453,285 |
€399,957 |
|
Laois and Offaly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€727,304.00 |
€705,358.00 |
€691,107.00 |
€506,687.23 |
€462,380.00 |
€472,611.01 |
€228,516.89 |
€311,357.77 |
€141,558.00 |
€125,761 |
€230,775 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€705,358.00 |
€685,069.04 |
€506,687.23 |
€454,151.64 |
€472,611.01 |
€228,516.89 |
€311,357.77 |
€141,558.00 |
€125,761 |
€230,775 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€4,329,781.00 |
€4,283,131.00 |
€4,079,348.46 |
€3,795,583.72 |
€3,640,417.00 |
€3,519,250.70 |
€2,518,942.40 |
€2,311,413.27 |
€2,016,063.00 |
€1,804,848 |
€1,805,521 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€4,243,374.50 |
€4,072,528.96 |
€3,795,583.22 |
€3,640,417.00 |
€3,519,250.70 |
€2,518,942.40 |
€2,311,413.27 |
€2,016,063.00 |
€1,804,848 |
€1,805,521 |
|
Longford and Westmeath |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,063,196.00 |
€1,021,645.00 |
€1,020,534.00 |
€926,400.50 |
€868,888.00 |
€732,960.62 |
€442,769.00 |
€495,082.00 |
€328,014.00 |
€332,638 |
€316,865 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,013,118.00 |
€1,020,505.00 |
€926,400.50 |
€860,825.50 |
€732,960.62 |
€442,769.00 |
€495,082.00 |
€328,014.00 |
€332,638 |
€316,865 |
|
Louth and Meath |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,365,583.00 |
€1,473,533.00 |
€1,388,885.00 |
€1,097,894.25 |
€1,015,613.02 |
€1,013,798.35 |
€485,539.63 |
€795,421.92 |
€343,912.00 |
€265,275 |
€272,025 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,473,533.00 |
€1,338,884.73 |
€1,097,894.25 |
€1,015,613.02 |
€1,013,798.35 |
€485,539.63 |
€795,421.92 |
€343,912.00 |
€265,275 |
€272,025 |
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,454,302.00 |
€1,505,380.00 |
€1,316,591.00 |
€1,052,289.00 |
€970,729.00 |
€962,669.63 |
€472,715.47 |
€694,255.00 |
€254,825.70 |
€234,631 |
€243,246 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,505,380.00 |
€1,271,590.75 |
€1,052,289.00 |
€945,201.00 |
€962,669.63 |
€472,715.47 |
€694,255.00 |
€254,825.70 |
€234,631 |
€243,246 |
|
Tipperary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€1,523,804.00 |
€1,513,386.00 |
€1,451,732.00 |
€1,261,722.35 |
€1,195,837.03 |
€1,194,776.22 |
€792,081.17 |
€815,555.73 |
€607,285.96 |
€356,535 |
€361,819 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€1,513,386.00 |
€1,395,779.80 |
€1,261,721.35 |
€1,191,728.53 |
€1,194,776.22 |
€792,081.17 |
€815,555.73 |
€607,285.96 |
€356,535 |
€361,819 |
|
Waterford and Wexford |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Provided |
€3,910,985.00 |
€3,977,324.00 |
€3,812,742.23 |
€3,373,078.94 |
€3,243,546.23 |
€3,131,069.93 |
€1,540,010.53 |
€1,668,447.54 |
€1,333,384.00 |
€1,202,379 |
€1,183,333 |
|
Funding Drawdown by ETB |
Ongoing |
€3,944,075.34 |
€3,790,454.55 |
€3,373,078.94 |
€3,243,544.23 |
€3,131,069.93 |
€1,540,010.53 |
€1,668,447.54 |
€1,333,384.00 |
€1,202,379 |
€1,183,333 |
* Prior to 2019, the CDETB received all funding allocations for Youth Work Ireland and Involve programs which they redistributed to other ETBs across Ireland. In 2019, there was a shift in how these funds were allocated. Instead of going through the CDETB, funding for Youth Work Ireland and Involve is now distributed directly to each ETB. This resulted in a decrease in CDETB's overall funding for these programs. For reference, between 2018 and 2019, CDETB lost €3,609,649 in Youth Work Ireland funding and €389,037 in Involve funding. These amounts now go directly to the other ETBs. This clarifies the reason behind the apparent drop in CDETB's allocation. Between 2017 and 2019 total funding to ETBs increased from €45 million to over €48 million.
543. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to commission research into the support needs of persons with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. [17595/24]
View answerFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable neuro-developmental issue. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.
The most recent available figures from the HSE, estimate the prevalence of FASD in Ireland is between 2.8 and 7.4% of the population. The majority of children with FASD have no visible issues at birth, and difficulties may not manifest until preschool age. Currently, there are no standard diagnostic policies or guidelines for diagnosing or treating children with FASD in Ireland.
In line with the HSE’s ‘mainstream first’ approach to the delivery of healthcare, such measures, supports and campaigns are led across the country by the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing division, under the remit of the Department of Health and overseen by the HSE Clinical Lead for FASD Prevention.
The HSE has recommended that a number of actions are implemented to prevent FASD. Many of these actions are currently being progressed, and some new actions are proposed that will require resourcing, such as the development of a national strategy on FASD prevention and response in Ireland.
Under the HSE's National Service Plan 2024, the HSE will advance a foetal alcohol project to be undertaken using a multi-care health sector approach (primary care, mental health services etc.).
A cross-Departmental Working Group will be established to develop a long-term and sustainable plan that will seek to provide access to appropriate services for those living with FASD, and their families.
544. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the long time it is taking for a non-verbal child (details supplied) to receive an assessment of needs. [17600/24]
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. 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.
545. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding or grants available to support the establishment of a childcare facility in Bantry (details supplied). [17610/24]
View answerCapital funding 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 investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
• Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
• Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
• Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Significant funding has been set aside for early learning and childcare capital projects over 2024 and 2025. On 7th December last, I announced details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme, to be operated over 2024 and 2025, which is aimed at addressing capacity gaps by expanding existing provision through internal renovations and extensions where most needed. Funding will be split into two strands.
Under the Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme, applications for which have recently closed, my Department will provide grants for the renovation or reconfiguration of existing Early Learning and Care facilities to deliver additional capacity.
I hope to announce details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme in the coming months. This strand will provide grants for larger scale extension projects to increase capacity.
My Department does not have grants available at present for organisations such as the childcare service in Bantry to purchase sites. However, I would encourage the service to engage with Cork County Childcare Committee, when the details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme have been announced.
546. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the adult and children overnight services that are currently operating in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17618/24]
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.
547. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) regarding its ongoing funding issues. [17629/24]
View answerI understand officials in my Department have agreed to meet with the service in question.
Ahead of a meeting, they have asked Tipperary Childcare Committee, with the support of Pobal, to make contact with the service.
The Deputy will be aware that special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability. These supports, which can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances, are generally accessed through local City/County Childcare Committees.
I would encourage any service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support to contact their local Childcare Committee in the first instance to access case management supports.
548. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants, respectively, housed in each local election area as of 16 April 2024. [17632/24]
View answerThe number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) and that of International Protection Applicants (IPA) by local electoral areas is set out in the table below. The data for BOTPs is not usually collated in this manner and data for 16 April 2024 has been compiled in this format. This data refers to accommodation supported or provided by this Department.
There is no obligation on a beneficiary of temporary protection or an applicant for international protection to seek accommodation from the State. The CSO publishes regular updates in their series "Arrivals from Ukraine" which provides a range of maps and datasets based on anonymised data from a number of Government Departments and State bodies and includes information on the location of BOTPS (not just those in DCEDIY supported accommodation) (www.cso.ie/en/statistics/population/arrivalsfromukraineinireland/ )
Table: Numbers of BOTPs and IPAs in DCEDIY supported accommodation by Local Electoral Area
549. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application for long-term residential care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17640/24]
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.
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 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.
550. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on behalf of a person (details supplied), the status of a vacancy in a residential unit in Dingle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17678/24]
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.
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 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.
