Seán Sherlock
Question:416. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22951/21]
View answerSocial Welfare Schemes
Questions (416)
Written answers
There are 3 categories of claimant who may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit while partially employed. They are short-time workers, casual workers and part-time workers.
In order to classify a person as either a short-time, part-time or casual work employee, each case is examined on its merits having regard to the person’s employment history, any fluctuation in the number of days worked, the systematic pattern of the work days, the existence of a contract of employment and if the employee is in receipt of a set wage.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the customer is considered a part-time worker. He is not categorised as a short-time worker as the number of days worked is not systematic i.e. there is no clear repetitive pattern of employment, nor is he categorised as a casual worker given his circumstances including that he has assurance of repeat employment from the same employer. In order to requalify for jobseekers benefit when a claim exhausts benefit, a part-time worker has to satisfy the substantial loss of employment condition.
My officials have examined the cumulative total of days paid in the individual’s claim to date and I am satisfied that the figure recorded in the Department is correct.
The duration of payment for Jobseeker’s Benefit is 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid. The Department corresponds with the Jobseekers Benefit recipient in advance of the expiry date of their claim and advises of the option to apply for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. Jobseekers Allowance has no duration limit as long as a person meets the qualifying scheme conditions including the means test.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (417)
John Lahart
Question:417. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if upskilling or retraining opportunities are available for a person (details supplied) who has been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment since March 2020 and is unlikely to return to full-time employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22973/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are a number of full-time, part-time and online upskilling and retraining options available to the person concerned. In order to discuss his circumstances and progression the person concerned can request an online appointment with a Case Officer by emailing his contact details to the Activation Team in the Tallaght Intreo Centre at ESTallaght@welfare.ie.
It should be noted that some full time training/education options may require the person concerned to move to a qualifying payment (ie, Jobseeker’s payment) whilst others, part-time and online can be accessed while retaining a PUP payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Illness Benefit
Questions (418)
Holly Cairns
Question:418. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19 for close contacts of a person who has been medically certified to self-isolate, restrict their movements due to being a probable source of infection of Covid-19 who are close contact due to their working in close proximity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23052/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), the Government, having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of Covid-19, extended the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with, or are a probable source of infection with, Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with Covid-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, the person concerned can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and for up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Certification by a registered medical professional is required to support any claim for the special Covid-19 illness payment. There are no waiting days in respect of the enhanced illness benefit payment. Only one contribution is required in the four weeks before the claim, thereby making the payment more accessible.
The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
When the enhanced payment was introduced, it was intended for people who were self-isolating or in a medical facility. Subsequently the HSE and the Department of Health introduced another category - for people who were advised to restrict their movements.
My Department treats a medical Certificate of Incapacity for Work for someone self-isolating in exactly the same way as a certificate for someone restricting their movements. Once my officials receive the appropriate documentation and people meet the eligibility and medical criteria, they are entitled to the enhanced illness benefit payment of €350 a week, with increases for dependants if appropriate.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
Illness Benefit
Questions (419)
Holly Cairns
Question:419. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19 beyond ten weeks for those diagnosed with lasting medical impacts as a result of contracting Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23053/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
In March of last year, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with Covid-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of Covid-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
Given the comprehensive set of supports available to people who are unable to work due to illness, I do not propose to extend the duration of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment at this time.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (420)
Paul Kehoe
Question:420. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans that have been put in place for extending community employment schemes for participants who have not been in a position to avail of the training and experience afforded by the scheme due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23091/21]
View answerWritten answers
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for 1 year. As the Deputy may be aware, CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland or QQI major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to 2 years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. CE participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for 3 years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award. A number of CE participants who are aged over 55 who commenced on the scheme before 2017 can stay on CE for six consecutive years. Therefore, CE participants across a range of cohorts have considerable periods of time to complete the training and development elements of CE. Training and work experience received by CE participants are important components of the CE schemes which I fully support.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE schemes since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020. Furthermore, a number of CE schemes, which provide essential community services, have been in a position to continue to deliver these services, while complying with the public health restrictions that have been in place during each period of restrictions.
During the periods of Level-5 restrictions, those CE participants, whose contracts were due to end, have had their contracts extended for the duration of those restrictions. In early March 2021, Minister Humphreys and I announced funding for a further CE contract extension for participants, up until 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants will benefit from this latest contract extension, that applies to all participants whose contracts were due to finish since end-October 2020.
It is important to note that when CE participants are eventually due to finish on their respective schemes, this will be undertaken on a coordinated, phased basis over a number of months, providing further opportunities for the completion of training and additional work experience.
Some CE participant training has continued online during the Level-5 restrictions. However, where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan and if unfortunately, they remain unemployed, they may continue their development through a range of training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant and the Back to Education Allowance. Department case officers will engage with former CE participants to discuss the available options.
Contract extension dates will continue to be monitored in line with Government public health restrictions in place over the coming months. The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. CE will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme. It is not proposed to further-extend participant contracts at this juncture.
I am fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (421, 422)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:421. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her plans to publicly tender on a cost bid model for the local employment services and jobs clubs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23152/21]
View answerPaul McAuliffe
Question:422. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the delivery of the employment service initially as a two- or three-year pilot delivered by local development companies therefore eradicating the need to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23153/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.
My Department shortly intends to issue a Request for Tender (RFT) to expand local employment services into four geographical areas where a Local Employment Service does not currently exist. The specific lots will be detailed in the RFT when published. The forthcoming RFT will place due emphasis on the quality of services to be provided, while expanding the capacity of the Public Employment Service (PES).
My Department has obtained legal advice that employment assistance and advice services must be procured though open competitive procurement processes in line with EU and national procurement rules.
In practice, the current annual "costs-met" funding approach requires a level of scrutiny of day-to-day expenditure, which places an undue administrative burden on both the employment service provider and my Department. Such an approach diverts valuable resources away from supporting clients and, as such, does nothing to enhance employment outcomes for the long-term unemployed. Moving to a new multi-annual funding approach, which pays for each jobseeker referred to the service, coupled with a strong emphasis on quality of service provision is more likely to deliver on a consistent basis enhanced outcomes for those availing of the service.
Separately, the current contracts for all contracted PES provision expire at the end of 2021 and my Department is therefore developing RFTs to ensure that sufficient high-quality employment services are procured in a manner that is compatible with EU and national procurement rules.
The need to expand employment services to ensure a State-wide provision of services to the long-term unemployed is not consistent with a more limited pilot scheme, with its narrower application.
Organisations with strong experience in the delivery of similar services at a community and local level will be in a strong position to respond to the RFTs when they issue.
Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 421.
Bank Charges
Questions (423)
Claire Kerrane
Question:423. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1032 of 24 March 2021, the outcome of discussion with a bank (details supplied) regarding addressing bank charges experienced by pensioners living overseas; the action that will be taken to remove charges from pension payments and other social welfare payments which are affected by these charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23197/21]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2021, the Department moved its foreign EFT payments to beneficiaries outside of the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) to Danske Bank. As a result of this change, US and Canadian banks levied cross border payment charges on their own customers' Irish pension payments.
Payments to markets outside Ireland where the sending bank is not a member of the domestic clearing system, such as the US or Canada, are processed as international cross border payments, also known as ‘international wire transfers’. Processing such payments as international wire transfers ensures that the sending bank complies with its national and international Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) obligations. In order to effect these international wire transfers in markets such as the US and Canada, the services of correspondent banks are necessary, and their use is the industry standard approach.
Correspondent banks will deduct charges from the payment amount to compensate for the cost of processing the payment and discharging their AML and CTF obligations.
For payments to the United States of America, Danske Bank has negotiated a reduction in the wire transfer fee on Irish Social Welfare payments with its correspondent bank.
For Social Welfare payments to Canada, Danske Bank initially routed all the payments through its main correspondent bank in the country. While a correspondent bank can process payments to most Canadian banks, there are some financial institutions for which the assistance of another intermediary bank is required to complete the payment. In these instances, the payee may be charged wire transfer fees by each intermediary bank utilised.
Following advice from Danske Bank, the Department implemented a change in April to its file generation process. This system development is to reduce the likelihood of pension payments being routed through more than one Canadian intermediary bank. This change has been implemented in time for all May pension payments.
The Department has also amended its Social Welfare payment files to ensure that all pension payments to beneficiaries outside the SEPA zone are clearly marked as pension payments. This change was in place for all payments to North America in April. Many bank customers in both Canada and the United States can avail of reduced bank fees on pension payments, depending on the financial institution that they bank with, their fee plan and the type of account that they hold.
The Department of Social Protection continues to liaise with Danske Bank in relation to this matter.
Free Travel Scheme
Questions (424)
Seán Sherlock
Question:424. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the free travel scheme to persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23215/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 994,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2021 is €95 million.
In general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.
Any possible extension to the eligibility criteria for free travel to include those with long-term health conditions such as epilepsy, regardless of whether they receive a qualifying payment, would have significant implications for the Free Travel scheme. It would be expected that any such decision would immediately lead to calls for all people who had a disability and/or significant health issues to be eligible for a free travel pass.
If the Free Travel scheme were to be extended to all people who had a disability and/or significant health issues, regardless of whether they receive a qualifying payment, a medical assessment process would be required for all such applications, significantly changing the nature of the scheme and requiring additional administrative processes to be put in place in order to adjudicate eligibility. Significant extra funding would also be required and accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Civil Registration Service
Questions (425)
Seán Sherlock
Question:425. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a research project undertaken by the civil registration unit on the process of registration for babies born outside of the criteria for still birth and related matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23216/21]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to emphasise at the outset that I am very conscious of the sensitivities relating to significant personal impacts in individual cases in this area.
It is important that should any changes be made, we must ensure the continued integrity and robustness of the civil registration system, including the registers maintained under that system. The registers that record vital life events are maintained in a manner consistent with international norms and ensure that the State’s obligations to keep proper population and public health statistics are fulfilled.
Research into the arrangements by relevant civil registration services for the registration of still births in other countries is almost complete. The relevant legislation in this area is the Stillbirths Registration Act 1994 which applies to a child born weighing 500 grammes or more, or having a gestational age of 24 weeks or more, who shows no sign of life. Such thresholds are a feature of stillbirth registrations internationally and are in line with World Health Organisation guidelines in this area.
I understand that these thresholds are currently under review in the Department of Health. Any future proposals for change in this area will be considered in the context of the outcome of that review.
Any further changes to the stillbirth register would require consideration and approval from the Government.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (426)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:426. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount in legal fees incurred by her Department in 2020 and in each of the years 2000 to 2020. [23576/21]
View answerWritten answers
The following table sets out the amount paid by the Department on legal costs from 2000 to date. The amounts per year includes settlements to claimants in legal cases as well as fees to legal practitioners:
|
Year |
Legal Costs |
|
2000 |
€231,981 |
|
2001 |
€193,965 |
|
2002 |
€265,427 |
|
2003 |
€175,973 |
|
2004 |
€508,786 |
|
2005 |
€273,202 |
|
2006 |
€260,939 |
|
2007 |
€379,319 |
|
2008 |
€198,083 |
|
2009 |
€344,807 |
|
2010 |
€480,196 |
|
2011 |
€938,532 |
|
2012 |
€454,893 |
|
2013 |
€747,604 |
|
2014 |
€633,415 |
|
2015 |
€1,229,135 |
|
2016 |
€1,170,873 |
|
2017 |
€1,923,477 |
|
2018 |
€1,023,522 |
|
2019 |
€2,239,251 |
|
2020 |
€1,877,068 |
Ombudsman for Children
Questions (427)
Sorca Clarke
Question:427. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints currently with the Ombudsman for Children by county in tabular form; if the age of complaint that has yet to receive a reply will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22610/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Ombudsman for Children Office, I have referred the question to that Office for a direct response to the Deputy.
Children in Care
Questions (428)
Patrick Costello
Question:428. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of requests for a child or young person turning 18 years of age to be allowed to stay on in residential care for 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the number of those requests granted. [22658/21]
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.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Questions (429)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:429. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way he will ensure that persons with disabilities will have a voice in Government and are included in policy development and implementation to enforce their civil rights similar to the disability platform of the President of the United States of America. [22663/21]
View answerWritten answers
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires State parties actively to involve people with disabilities in policy development. Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018. It is important that the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities are integrated into the development of policies and programmes so that they meet their needs effectively.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has funded the development of a Participation and Consultation Network to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can participate fully. The Network was formed in late 2020. One of the Network’s first tasks has been to bring the voices of people with disabilities into consultations on Ireland’s first State Report to the UN on our progress in implementing the Convention. The Network facilitated a consultation process amongst its membership to complete that task.
This Network is an important initiative that will help us to realise both the spirit and the substance of the UNCRPD here in Ireland. It will provide a platform for people with disabilities to become actively involved in issues that affect their lives.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Questions (430)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he has taken to adopt the recommendations of disability representatives on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters to the Cabinet Committee on Disability on 9 January 2020 in order that his Department take the lead role in co-ordinating the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across Departments. [22664/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department currently has, and has had for some time, the lead role in coordinating the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) across Departments.
In accordance with Article 33 of the UNCRPD, my Department is designated as Ireland’s Focal Point and Coordination Mechanism. My Department has responsibility for preparing and submitting Ireland’s Initial State report to the Committee. This process is at an advanced stage.
The whole of Government strategy, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is, alongside the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES), the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Through 123 actions, the NDIS supports effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the Convention.
The NDIS Steering Group is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D., and includes representatives of Government Departments and Agencies and the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG). Implementation of the NDIS is monitored at regular meetings through a reporting system which requires Government Departments and Agencies to detail their progress biannually. The group is supported by independent analysis and advice from the National Disability Authority (NDA). My Department is responsible for the coordination of the NDIS.
Following a mid-term review of the NDIS, it was agreed that Ireland will develop a UNCRPD implementation plan. Government departments and agencies will be requested to develop their own plans for implementation that will link with the national plan. In addition, the Programme for Government made a commitment to the development of the UNCRPD Plan and my Department will act as the main co-ordination point on it.
Voluntary Sector
Questions (431)
Martin Browne
Question:431. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns of some smaller scouting groups that their financial reserves may be absorbed by an organisation (details supplied) to meet the legal responsibilities of the organisation arising from recent controversies; his views on these concerns among scouting groups that were too small to avail of company status; the requirements of the obligations of the organisation in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22696/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that some concerns about the loss of non-State provided funding sources have been raised in respect of the organisation, but I am not aware of the specific concerns alluded to by the Deputy.
The management and actions to address any issues involving the organisation, or any of its constituent parts, is a matter for its Board. Any concerns of individual scouting groups should be raised with the Board and management of the national organisation in the first instance.
As my Department has no role in the operation of the organisation, or in how it is constituted in terms of local structures, or with respect to affiliated groups, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further. My Department is continuing to provide the organisation with funding to assist with the provision of services to young people.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Questions (432, 436)
Thomas Pringle
Question:432. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Mother and Baby Home Collaborative Forum; when a chair will be appointed; the number of members that have resigned; if all places have been refilled; the last communication between his office and the forum; when the report of the forum will be published; when he will next meet with the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22698/21]
View answer
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:436. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the interactions he has had with the collaborative forum for former residents of mother and baby homes since becoming Minister; when he will next meet with members of the forum; his plans for the forum to be included in the pre-legislative process in 2021 regarding the certain institutional burials (authorised interventions) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 436 together.
I am committed to ongoing engagement with former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and their advocates. I have directly engaged with survivors and advocacy groups since my appointment and will continue to engage with those most centrally involved with these matters.
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. These measures, which take account of the Commission's recommendations and those of the Collaborative Forum, 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 am working with colleagues in Government to advance these measures.
Most importantly, I am committed to implementing a survivor-centred approach characterised by consistent engagement with former residents and their representative groups, including those who live outside the jurisdiction. Notably, several hundred survivors have contacted my Department since the report was published, many of whom had never been in contact with us before. An increased level of engagement is also evident from the consultation process established to inform development of a Restorative Recognition Scheme, with approximately 450 written submissions received and 159 participants in seventeen online meetings.
It is clear, therefore, that new demands emerge in seeking to facilitate dialogue and consultation on the Commission’s Final Report and the State’s Action Plan. Stakeholder engagement at this level requires additional dedicated structures, processes and resources to ensure it can be inclusive and effective. To this end, I am currently consulting with members of the Collaborative Forum, as I believe that learning from existing processes can assist in developing new and enhanced approaches as quickly as possible.
I held two virtual meetings with members of the Collaborative Forum in February during which the structures necessary to support future stakeholder engagement was a specific agenda item. In recognising the limited time available during plenary discussions, my department requested the facilitator to the Forum to further engage with members in one to one sessions. I look forward to hearing their feedback when this process is completed.
At present, there are four vacancies on the Collaborative Forum in addition to the position of Chair. There have been a number of resignations and replacements since the Forum's establishment in 2018 but I have no plan to appoint further members within the current Forum structure. My preference at this juncture is to focus attention on developing a new model capable of supporting wider, sustained engagement with stakeholders. The experience of Forum members, and other stakeholders with whom I have engaged, will assist the development and transition to a new model of engagement.
In relation to the Collaborative Forum’s report, it was not possible to publish the report when it was submitted to the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs because of concerns that its contents encroached upon the work of the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. For this reason, the Forum's recommendations were initially published and a commitment was given to revisit the question of publication following the completion of the Commission's work. Arrangements are being advanced by my Department to address the procedural requirement for identifiable parties to be afforded due process prior to publication.
I expect this process to be completed in the coming weeks. I will then be in a position to engage further with the Collaborative Forum and finalise arrangements for the publication of the report.
Communication by my Department with the Forum is conducted primarily through the secretariat to the Forum. Most recently there has been contact with members in relation to the invitation for Forum representatives to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability and Integration in relation to the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee has held a number of meetings dedicated to pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of this Bill. I was pleased to see the Committee provide a dedicated session on Tuesday 27 April to engage with members of the Collaborative Forum. My Department has previously provided briefings and information to the Forum in the course of developing legislative proposals for this important intervention. I welcome the priority the Committee has afforded this pre-legislative scrutiny and look forward to further engagement with the Committee on this and related matters.
Departmental Investigations
Questions (433)
Catherine Murphy
Question:433. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff in his Department that have had access to files and or email restricted and or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding or following a disciplinary process from 1 January 2018 to date in 2021. [22801/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not restricted access to files or e-mails to any staff referred to in the category above.
Childcare Services
Questions (434)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:434. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the long-standing issue of suitable and sustainable accommodation for a community run childcare facility (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [22843/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.
The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to Departmental priorities.
There is no specific capital funding available for maintenance or development works in 2021.
It is too early to determine the 2022 capital priorities, but I am aware of the demands on providers, and will consider these in determining the scope of the 2022 capital programme.
I am aware of the service to which the Deputy is referring. I am glad to report that since the Deputy’s previous question regarding this ELC service, they have engaged with my Department’s case management process and are being supported by Pobal and their local County Childcare Committee. This has included financial support in the form of sustainability funding.
With regard to the service referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the service is engaging with Pobal and that the service has a plan in place to secure long-term premises.
Childcare Services
Questions (435)
Mary Butler
Question:435. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will identify additional funding streams which may be applicable to assist the process of constructing an extension to a childcare facility (details supplied) given the increasing service demands locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.
The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to Departmental priorities.
There is no specific capital funding available for maintenance or development works in 2021.
It is too early to determine the 2022 capital priorities, but I am aware of the demands on providers, and will consider these in determining the scope of the 2022 capital programme.
Other supports to service providers are available from the national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) which are funded by my Department. The CCC's offer a wide variety of supports to childcare providers, including information on grants and low cost local enterprise loans which may be available to services, as well as commercial borrowing.
CCC's can also offer support to parents and any parents or guardians having difficulty in accessing childcare, should contact their local CCC, who will provide them with advice and support on accessing both centre based care and home based options, such as childminders
Contact details for all of the CCCs are available at myccc.ie.