Seán Sherlock
Question:130. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when the system that will allow those seeking a State pension transition payment will be in operation. [6243/21]
View answerState Pensions
Questions (130)
Written answers
My Department is currently working on the introduction of a payment for 65-year olds who are required to or choose to retire at age 65, with a view to implementation in the near future.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (131)
Matt Carthy
Question:131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the issues regarding the pension and gratuity status of community employment supervisors; her further plans to implement the Labour Court recommendation issued in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6291/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors who are employed by CE schemes.
CE sponsoring authorities are the legal employers of their CE supervisors, CE assistant supervisors and CE participants. The Department’s role continues to be that of CE funder.
This issue was examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments, including my own Department, were represented on this group, as were the unions and Pobal.
As part of this process a detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. This exercise estimated a potential cost to the State of between €188 million and €347 million per annum depending on the numbers involved. This excluded any provision for an immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.
In its findings, the High-level Group stated that while CE supervisors and assistant supervisors represented only a very small part of the wider community and voluntary sector, any explicit provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of CE Supervisors could potentially give rise to claims for funding for employees in the broader sector. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform stated that it had to have regard to the full potential Exchequer exposure associated with setting such a precedent when dealing with the specific issue as regards CE supervisors arising from the Labour Court recommendation..
At this point, I want to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE supervisors provide in running CE schemes delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.
The current position is that officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the unions representing the CE Supervisors continue to engage in discussions and I am hopeful that, with goodwill and flexibility on all sides, a resolution can be found in the near future.
The Deputy should note that funding of any potential pension provision for CE supervisors will ultimately be a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will need to be considered in the wider economic and budgetary context in which any such scheme will need to operate.
Nevertheless I, and my colleague the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform are keen to find an approach that will resolve this issue in the near future.
Back to Education Allowance
Questions (132)
Matt Carthy
Question:132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an eligible student can retain the back to education allowance if they are also in receipt of a stipend of €16,000 from the Irish Research Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6292/21]
View answerWritten answers
The back to education allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments that pursue courses of education at second or third level. My Department has a provision of €96.5m in supports under the BTEA for 2021.
To continue to receive a BTEA payment, a student must continue to satisfy the conditions of their primary payment. A BTEA student whose eligibility is based on jobseekers or one parent family payments who have a source of income or earnings, will have this assessed in accordance with the rules of their primary payment. This ensures that the BTEA resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.
Funding from the Irish Research Council is assessable as means under the BTEA in line with someone's primary welfare payment. Means of up to €20,000 are permitted before a jobseekers payment rate is impacted. Where a student receives €16,000 in a stipend and there are no other means, their entitlement to BTEA should not be impacted. All of the individual's capital will be reviewed for a means test and if the combined total is over €20,000 means will be deducted from their weekly payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
Rent Supplement Scheme
Questions (133)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:133. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement claimants on 31 December 2020, by local authority area; the average cost of a claim in each area; and the cost per week and in total for 2020. [6306/21]
View answerWritten answers
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 19,700 active recipients as at 31st January 2021.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Since the introduction of HAP, rent supplement continues to revert to its original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment. Rent supplement's outturn by local authority and associated weekly costs are not maintained; however, a tabular statement providing a county breakdown and average monthly rent supplement tenancy costs for these counties are provided as at end December 2020.
|
COUNTY |
NO. OF RECIPIENTS |
AVERAGE MONTHLY COST |
|
CARLOW |
191 |
€414.3 |
|
CAVAN |
192 |
€386.7 |
|
CLARE |
132 |
€427.5 |
|
CORK |
2,357 |
€516.6 |
|
DONEGAL |
142 |
€329.0 |
|
DUBLIN |
10,018 |
€690.2 |
|
GALWAY |
831 |
€471.4 |
|
KERRY |
739 |
€386.7 |
|
KILDARE |
879 |
€579.4 |
|
KILKENNY |
132 |
€552.8 |
|
LAOIS |
124 |
€526.0 |
|
LEITRIM |
62 |
€294.5 |
|
LIMERICK |
446 |
€435.5 |
|
LONGFORD |
64 |
€364.6 |
|
LOUTH |
165 |
€571.6 |
|
MAYO |
279 |
€317.1 |
|
MEATH |
277 |
€665.7 |
|
MONAGHAN |
117 |
€193.8 |
|
OFFALY |
61 |
€345.7 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
131 |
€364.0 |
|
SLIGO |
138 |
€395.8 |
|
TIPPERARY |
194 |
€344.5 |
|
WATERFORD |
116 |
€369.0 |
|
WESTMEATH |
392 |
€425.1 |
|
WEXFORD |
411 |
€373.7 |
|
WICKLOW |
714 |
€631.3 |
|
TOTAL |
19,304 |
€587.6 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Local Authority Facilities
Questions (134)
Seán Sherlock
Question:134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be funding for the creation of accessible playgrounds in 2021 for areas that do not have such facilities. [6177/21]
View answerWritten answers
Every year since 2013 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided Local Authorities with the opportunity to apply for funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.
One of the consistent criteria under this scheme is that the playground must be accessible and inclusive to all children including those with additional needs.
In 2019, the focus of this scheme was the Refurbishment of existing Play and Recreation facilities and / or incorporating natural play elements. In 2020, €450,811 was awarded to Local Authorities across Ireland for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds.
My Department continues to work closely with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network to agree priorities and criteria for funding allocations. My Department is currently planning to consult with key stakeholders in Local Authorities during February to identify priorities for 2021. Following this discussion, a Scheme will be announced in due course.
Refugee Status
Questions (135)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that applied for refugee status, subsidiary protection or humanitarian leave to remain for the first time in 2020 and were subsequently housed in direct provision; the number of persons that had their case processed to completion and left direct provision in 2020; the number in direct provision on 1 January 2020; the number in direct provision on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6205/21]
View answerWritten answers
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department provides accommodation and ancillary support services to persons who have applied for international protection where the applicant indicates that such accommodation and services are required. Not every person who seeks international protection chooses to accept this offer, and some choose to live independently or with friends in communities across the country, as they are entirely free to do.
My Department does not hold data pertaining to the number of persons who have applied for refugee status, subsidiary protection or humanitarian leave to remain, as all matters pertaining to international protection applications fall within the remit of the Department of Justice. I can tell you that, in 2020, the number of applicants for an International Protection status received into IPAS accommodation was 1,007.
On 1st January 2020, there were 7,683 persons were being accommodated by IPAS while on 1st January 2021 the number was 6,996.
Residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. My Department provides supports for residents to transition to housing in the community through the McVerry Trust and De Paul. Last year a total of 1,136 residents were successful in making this transition in the community.
Carer's Leave
Questions (136)
Dara Calleary
Question:136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to extending carer's leave to persons that were on carer’s leave prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic to allow them an additional 12 months to cover from March 2020 to March 2021 given the vaccine has not yet been administered to elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6237/21]
View answerWritten answers
Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care.
There are no plans to amend the Carer's Leave Act at present.
The scheduling of vaccinations for elderly persons is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.
Childcare Services
Questions (137, 156)
Bernard Durkan
Question:137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he can prioritise for funding the childcare sector given the pressure generated by the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6296/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which childcare and the growing need for such facilities remains a priority for Government given the ongoing threat by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 156 together.
A key policy objective of my Department is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC). A 117% increase in investment over the last number of years has led to a doubling in the number of children receiving free or subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare. It has also supported the sector to increase the number of places available – by up to 60 percent.
First 5, the ten-year whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to build on this progress. Among key strategic actions in First 5 is a commitment to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised ELC and SAC to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.
To deliver on this strategic action, a range of actions are under way, including an update of the National Planning Guidelines for the development of early learning and care and school-age childcare settings, the extension of regulation to all paid, non-relative childminders on a phased basis and the development of a strategic capital investment plan to deliver large-scale capital investment under Project 2040. The development of a new funding model for EELC and SAC also seeks to address issues of accessibility.
There is also a commitment to strengthen capacity to accurately forecast supply and demand for early learning and care and school-age childcare. Supply of, and demand for, early learning and care and school-age childcare places is currently monitored annually through the Early Years Sector Profile. This survey is conducted by Pobal on behalf of the Department.
More information can be found at first5.gov.ie and at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie
My Department has also introduced a range of funding measures to support the sector in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.
Government decided on January 6 to implement Level 5 restrictions in order to reduce movement in the population, suspending the ECCE programme until 1 February, now extended to 5 March. In order to support the ELC and SAC sector up to 5 March, the Department has announced a range of new funding measures.
The new funding arrangements are as follows:
- Services open during this period will continue to receive 70% of the value of ECCE programme funding and 100% of funding provided under other Department schemes (i.e. the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP), and the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)) These services can also receive the additional 30% of ECCE Programme funding if they commit to certain conditions that include waiving fees for parents not using the service and retaining staff where possible.
- Services closed during this period, where the closure is approved by the Department, will receive 70% of the value of ECCE programme funding and 100% of funding provided under other Department schemes (i.e. NCS, CCSP, and AIM). This funding will be conditional on a commitment to waive fees for parents and retain staff where possible.
- A newly designed Covid-19 Support Payment has been put in place to support providers with a significant reliance on parental fee income to waive fees during this period while remaining sustainable.
- My Department estimates that the overwhelming majority of providers will be sustainable with these measures. For the small numbers where there are particular challenges, the Sustainability Fund will open a new strand of funding tailored to the present arrangements.
Central to the funding arrangements is the enhanced EWSS, which early learning and childcare providers continue to be eligible to access without having to demonstrate reduction in turnover as other employers do. The enhanced EWSS is estimated to cover 80% of payroll costs or 50% of the full operating costs of the average service.
Officials in my Department continue to monitor supply and demand in partnership with the CCCs during COVID-19. Services experiencing difficulty are asked to contact their local CCCs for support. This support can include help with applying staff ratios, fee setting, addressing cash flow difficulties, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
The Department’s COVID-19 guidance in full can be found at first5.gov.ie/guidance
Parental Leave
Questions (138)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:138. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of his plans to introduce legislation to allow for three extra weeks parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6061/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Legislation is currently being developed in this regard and it is anticipated that it will be introduced in early 2021.
Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made. As a result, the estimated timescale for the necessary updates being put in place is April 2021.
Parental Leave
Questions (139)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:139. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider certain professions, such as teachers, that are currently on maternity leave when legislating for the additional parental leave and that they might not be able to take the extra leave once returned to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6063/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.
Mindful of the recent significant increase in parental leave entitlements, the Government has no plans to make any further amendments to this leave.
Furthermore, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid parent’s leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Legislation is currently being developed to give effect to these proposals and it is anticipated that the legislation will be introduced in early 2021.
As parent's leave is designed to support the needs of the eligible child, it does not differentiate between different types of employees. There are no plans to create differentiation between employees in terms of the leave provided to parents to care for their children.
The terms and conditions of employment of teachers more broadly are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (140)
Matt Carthy
Question:140. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 403 of 15 December 2020, if he will engage directly with Tusla to ensure that payment is issued without delay to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6107/21]
View answerWritten answers
The management of payment of invoices is an operational issue for Tusla and it is not appropriate for me as Minister to intervene in these matters. I have referred the information provided by the Deputy to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Questions (141)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken to implement speedily the decisions of Government following the publication of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes report; the progress on each decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6206/21]
View answerWritten answers
In responding to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, the Government approved the development of a Strategic Action Plan encompassing a suite of 22 specific measures. The Action Plan centres on a number of distinct themes including: access to personal information; archiving and databases; education and research; memorialisation; dignified burial, and restorative recognition. These themes take account of the Commission's recommendations and are intended to respond to the priority needs and concerns of former residents and their families.
This is a hugely important process for all connected to these institutions and I will be working with colleagues and survivors to advance these matters as a priority. The Government's Strategic Action Plan is now available to view on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/dcediy . Many of these actions are complex and will take considerable coordination across a number of Departments to implement but I am committed to ensuring that survivors see tangible results as quickly as is possible.
Most importantly, we will take a survivor-centred approach, characterised by consistent engagement with former residents and their representative groups, including the survivor diaspora, on the development and implementation of the strategic plan and associated policy responses. I want to commence this enhanced dialogue as quickly as possible. Structured engagement and consultation of this nature requires specific structures, systems and resources to ensure it is inclusive and effective. Innovative methods are required to achieve this objective, especially given the continuing challenges presented by the restrictions necessary to reduce the public health risks associated with Covid-19.
As a first step, I have commenced this consultation with members of the Collaborative Forum as I believe that a new and enhanced model of engagement, which builds upon the strengths of the existing process, can increase opportunities for direct engagement with the large number of stakeholders and their representative groups.
In addition, an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) has been established to develop proposals for a bespoke ex-gratia Restorative Recognition Scheme to provide financial recognition enhanced access to health supports in respect of the issues examined by the Commission of Investigation. I want the scheme to be designed as early as possible in 2021. The IDG is tasked with reporting by the end of April to enable specific proposals to be brought to Government.
It is important to say that counselling supports were immediately available to survivors and relevant details are available on my Department's website and through the HSE.
I have also prioritised the preparation of Information and Tracing legislation to give individuals the fullest possible access to their birth and early life information. The database and related records which were transferred recently from the Commission of Investigation to Tusla will greatly support timely access to such information in accordance with this proposed new legislation.
Related to this legislative work, intensive work is ongoing in my Department to prepare for transfer of the Commission's archive so that subject access requests in relation to these records can be managed in an efficient, effective and transparent manner, in full compliance with the Data Protection Regulatory Framework. Advances are also be made in relation to a number of the specifics actions, including those relating to education and research the development of a central repository for related institutional records.
Finally, the General Scheme of the Certain Institutional Burial (Authorised Interventions) Bill has now commenced the process of pre-legislative scrutiny process. The Joint Oireachtas Committee of Children, Equality, Disability and Integration has invited submissions from interested parties by 19 February. The Committee will consider those submissions, and may hold public sessions over the following weeks. When it has completed the scrutiny process it will make a report. This will allow the Department to complete the drafting of this important Bill.
Sustainable Development Goals
Questions (142)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department’s new statement of strategy will support the implementation of the sustainable development goals; if specific goals and sub-targets have been identified as being particularly relevant to his Department's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6215/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and a response will be issued directly as soon as possible.
Sustainable Development Goals
Questions (143)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:143. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the policies and plans through which his Department will be working towards the achievement of the specific sustainable development goals targets that fall under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6220/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and a response will be issued directly as soon as possible.
Migrant Integration
Questions (144, 153, 154)
Bernard Durkan
Question:144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the initiatives he has taken or proposes to take to encourage integration and address issues likely to impede progress in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6257/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department have examined issues of integration in the course of the past twelve months with particular reference to identifying issues of performance success or weakness; if specific targets have been set for achievement; the success to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6268/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if specific issues to highlight the need for better integration in society have been brought to his attention; the actions taken or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6269/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 153 and 154 together.
The Government remains committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive society in Ireland, with its suite of equality strategies under my Department’s remit acting as the main vehicle for change.
Since 2017, the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) has been the central policy framework adopted by Government to promote the integration of all migrants who are legally in the State. It contains 76 targeted actions aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Irish society, including increased focus on social inclusion measures and improved access to public services. It also aims to addresses racism and xenophobia, representing a whole-of-Government approach.
The implementation of this Strategy is overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of Government Departments and Agencies, local authorities, local communities, the business sector, sporting and arts organisations and NGOs, which examine and report on issues concerning integration.
The MIS was initially due to end in 2020. However, with actions adversely impacted by the onset of Covid-19, the decision has been made to extend the strategy to the end of December 2021. This extension will enable the actions of the Strategy to continue to be implemented while facilitating the preparations for a new strategic policy approach to migrant integration.
Building on the work of the MIS Mid-Term Progress Report, published in June 2019, an evaluation of the strategy will be conducted before the Strategy’s conclusion. Issues concerning people of African descent in Ireland and the wider black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Ireland will be examined as part of this work to inform the development of a robust successor strategy to the MIS.
Arising from the recommendations of the mid-term progress report of the Migrant Integration Strategy, an Anti-Racism Committee has been established to help in the fight against racial discrimination in Ireland. The Anti-Racism Committee has a mandate to develop an understanding of the nature and prevalence of racism in Ireland, and to work towards achieving a social consensus on actions required, by State and non-State. Its work will culminate in a draft national action plan against racism for the consideration of Government.
My Department is also working with the International Decade for People of African Descent Steering Committee in Ireland to develop a programme of activities to celebrate the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD). This programme will promote the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to Irish communities.
In order to support integration on a national level, my Department administers a National Integration Fund, a three-year funding programme to promote initiatives to address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society. Following a competitive funding call launched in August 2020, 18 successful projects located throughout Ireland were granted funding totalling almost €2.2 million over the three year period. This funding will support national organisations and larger-scale initiatives to empower new members of Irish society to play an active part in their communities.
In addition, the Communities Integration Fund, which has been in place since 2017, provides small grants (€1,000 - €5,000) to community organisations for initiatives to promote integration at local level. In 2020 my Department administered funding of €500,000 to support these initiatives and 113 projects were successful in their applications.
My Department is also engaging in integration policy development at an international level through representation on various committees in the EU, Council of Europe and the UN.
Equality Issues
Questions (145, 151, 152)
Bernard Durkan
Question:145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to influence equality issues throughout the public and private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6258/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions taken or proposed by his Department to address issues of inequality in the workplace or in the social context; the extent to which directions have been issued in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6266/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of incidences of prejudice or inequality his attention has been drawn to in the course of the past twelve months; the actions taken or proposed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6267/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 151 and 152 together.
Significant advances have been made in recent years to address inequality in Irish society, with the Government’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equal society re-affirmed through the Programme for Government commitments to achieve social solidarity, equality of opportunity and economic equity for all.
The suite of national equality strategies, overseen and coordinated by my Department, act as the central policy framework adopted by Government to address inequality across Irish society. The strategies include the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG), the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS), the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, the National LGBTI+ Strategy for Youth and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES).
The implementation of each equality strategy is overseen by a steering committee which draws together State and non-State actors to deliver a better quality of life for all through targeted actions to promote social inclusion and improved access to public services. I chair the meetings of the committees charged with the monitoring and oversight of the strategies, with the exception of the national disability inclusion strategy steering group which is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities which is chaired by Fergus Finlay. As some of these strategies near their conclusion, I will work with stakeholders to examine what has been achieved over their term and how we can bring forth the next iterations of those strategies and ensure they are even more effective.
The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socio-economic disadvantaged status, to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. Research is being undertaken at present and, following receipt of this, I hope to undertake a wider public consultation on potentially amending the Equality Acts to include a socio-economic ground for discrimination. In addition, I also intend to conduct a further and broader review of the Equality Acts.
The role of monitoring the prevalence of discrimination and prejudice in Irish society is undertaken by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which is Ireland’s national human rights and equality institution and is an independent public body that accounts directly to the Oireachtas. Its purpose is to promote and protect human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State. In mid-October 2020 the transfer took place of the Governance function of IHREC from the Department of Justice and Equality to my Department. IHREC is an independent body which publishes reports on an annual basis outlining cases relating to discrimination in which legal advice and/or representation was provided by IHREC. It also produces research setting out experiences of discrimination experienced on the grounds encompassed by the equality legislation.
My Department is also represented on committees at the EU and Council of Europe and at the UN and information gathered from those fora informs the continuing work of my Department.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (146)
Bernard Durkan
Question:146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he has been alerted to issues affecting children during the course of the Covid-19 crisis with particular reference to the need to prevent abuse and neglect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6261/21]
View answerWritten answers
Thank you deputy for your question. You raise a most serious issue.
I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has continued to provide essential frontline services to children and families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Tusla’s work has focused on ensuring continuity of critical supports and services to vulnerable families whilst balancing this need with public health advice to keep children, families and frontline staff as safe as possible during the pandemic.
Tusla determined that the three priority service areas within the organisation were:
- Child Protection (including Out of Hours Social Work Services)
- Children in Care (including parental access and court hearings)
- Domestic and Sexual Gender Based Violence services.
When Covid-19 restrictions were first introduced, with schools closing in March 2020, referrals decreased to child protection and welfare services. The decrease was from an average of 1,505 per week, to 968 (36% decrease) per week for the initial four week period. Following a local and national media campaign referrals increased, to over 1,300 referrals per week. All indications are that year on year comparisons will show an increase in referrals received in 2020. The most recent monthly referral data shows to the end of October 2020 Tusla had received 52,082 referrals, over the same period in 2019 Tusla received 49,963 referrals already an increase of 4%.
In June 2020, my Department developed an information and media campaign entitled SupportingChildren.gov.ie. For the first time this brought together information on all the services, structures and supports which are in place for vulnerable children, young people and their families during the Covid pandemic. Critically this also included the range of step-up actions and innovations that were also being advanced to support these groups. I can inform you that this initiative is about to begin again. It is important that this vulnerable cohort of children and their families know that support continues to be available during these challenging times.
My Department established a Covid response group. Under the umbrella of this team the various facets of my Department keep me informed as to issues affecting children and young people and the impact of Covid-19. The group collates information on the impact of Covid on a variety of services including Tusla Children Residential services, the Oberstown Campus, Youth services, Domestic Sexual & Gender Based Violence services, International Protection Accommodation Service, Traveller and Roma services. They also contribute to and monitor the responses put in place to mitigate issues that arise.
You will be aware of the heightened concern for the safety of partners and children where there is domestic violence. The Department of Justice is coordinating a Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) group across Departments and agencies to ensure a coordinated focussed approach to this worrying problem. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBVIn Budget 2021, myDepartment negotiated an additional €30m for Tusla, specifically allocated for DSGBV services. This includes core funding of €28m and an additional €2m to assist DSGBV organisations in offsetting the effects of COVID-19 on day-to-day services.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area. Tusla is also undertaking a review of emergency accommodation nationwide. This will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. Substantial progress has been made on a number of processes which contribute to the review, including a literature review, consultations with stakeholders, geographical and census data analysis, consultation with service users and policy analysis. The review's findings and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform Tusla's future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services. Tusla has advised me that the report will be published this April.
It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible, including children.
In addition through correspondences and parliamentary queries submitted to my Department, issues affecting children and opportunities to prevent abuse and neglect are brought to the fore. During a crisis such as we face now, if anyone has a concern for the safety and welfare of a child or young person they should bring it to the attention of the appropriate authorities without delay.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (147)
Bernard Durkan
Question:147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent of his Department’s interaction with various youth organisations throughout the country with particular reference to the need to offer support to youth organisations and the protection of the vulnerable in the context of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6262/21]
View answerWritten answers
My officials and I have a very good working relationship with the youth sector and I will be continuing this engagement as we seek to support young people through this very challenging period. Of particular relevance in the context of the Deputy's query is the very successful working group convened by my officials to work with youth sector representatives in the context of the response to the Covid pandemic.
In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing support to young people, funding levels have increased throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
Early in my tenure, I was able to provide an additional small grant to support local funded organisations, Youth Information Centres and youth clubs to defray some of the Covid-19 costs. Since then, I have also secured an additional €5 million investment in youth services for 2021. I see this funding as supporting the frontline services as they seek to innovate to continue to provide critical services to vulnerable young people.
At a broader level, my Department is committed to leading a discussion with relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that mental health services, educational institutions, youth services and sports clubs work together, so that each is aware of the challenges young people have been facing and can help ease them back into everyday life and support their resilience.
Child Abuse
Questions (148)
Bernard Durkan
Question:148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to receive updates in respect of children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6263/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Child Abuse
Questions (149)
Bernard Durkan
Question:149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of reports received by his Department of children at risk through neglect or all forms of abuse in the past twelve months; the degree to which the numbers have fluctuated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6264/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Child Abuse
Questions (150)
Bernard Durkan
Question:150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department have been able to respond positively to reports of child abuse in the past twelve months; if fluctuations in the number of incidents have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6265/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 151 and 152 answered with Question No. 145.
Questions Nos. 153 and 154 answered with Question No. 144.