Written Answers Nos. 561-580
561. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration is being given to the request by an organisation (details supplied) for financial support in order to enable the work of the organisation with young persons to continue in the aftermath of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23644/21]
View answerThe ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for its Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning. All of the youth funding provided by my Department has been maintained fully throughout the ongoing period of restrictions. In addition, I secured an increase in 2021 for youth services, including an increase for the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have no plans to provide additional funding to this organisation.
My officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions. It is of importance that Exchequer funding to youth services nationally is protected and I am satisfied that Government has been able to continue to support them. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation. We very much appreciate the challenges COVID-19 has posed and is posing for them.
563. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of residents in a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23687/21]
View answer564. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for ending the direct provision system in operation in Balseskin, County Dublin; the steps he will take to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23688/21]
View answer565. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has concerns regarding the safety or otherwise of residents at a centre (details supplied) particularly with regard to the interaction of the residents with each other in the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 564 and 565 together.
The health and wellbeing of all residents being provided accommodation and ancillary service by my Department is the highest priority for both myself and my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). This is particularly so at this time.
I can confirm that there are no particular concerns regarding the safety or otherwise of any resident in the National Reception Centre in Balseskin in regard to interactions with other residents currently being accommodated there.
I can inform the Deputy that as of Sunday, 9 May 2021 there were 186 persons being accommodated at the National Reception Centre in Balseskin whereas it has capacity fro 537 people..
As the Deputy will be aware, I published 'A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service' on 26 February 2021. This sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants who seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the system of Direct Provision. The new approach is expected to be fully in place by the end of 2024.
The new approach will end congregated and institutional living and will focus on supporting integration from day one. Applicants will initially reside in one of six Reception and Integration Centres which will be state owned. Applicants will have either own-door or own-room accommodation depending on their family status and they will be assigned a case-worker and receive wrap-around supports, healthcare and education. Within a short period of time, this support will extend to include access to housing and employment in order to prepare and enable them, to live independently within the community.
After a four month period, residents will move out of our Reception and Integration Centres to accommodation within the community. This accommodation will be sourced through different strands, with the most appropriate accommodation being identified in conjunction with the individual applicant or family.
The White Paper sets out a new model which is distinctively different from the system currently in place. The model will be centred on a human rights approach with key supports geared towards ensuring integration with independence. My Department is currently working to implement the proposals contained therein.
567. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual funding provided to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission by the State each year since it was established; and the number of persons employed by the Commission each year. [23799/21]
View answerAs the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, I have referred the question to IHREC for response directly to the Deputy.
568. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding has been provided to the provision of youth services and facilities on offshore islands in each year of the past five years; and if his Department works with young persons on offshore islands to assess and meet their needs. [23810/21]
View answerMy Department will allocate €70m in funding to various youth services across the country in 2021. To ensure that this funding meets need and is governed appropriately we rely on the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who cover mainland and offshore needs, and various national youth organisations. Each ETB has a Youth Officer leading on youth services.
Officials hold quarterly meetings with Youth Officers who provide an important support role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level. These meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.
Officials from my Department also meet with youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises. We have a professional, constructive working relationship with youth organisations and young people, which my Department works hard to maintain.
My Department provides annual funding through UBU Your Place Your Space to Tionscnamh Oige Mhuintearas to deliver necessary youth services in the Islands. A breakdown of this funding over the past five years is provided below for the Deputy.
Youth funding provided to Muintearas (2017-2021)
|
2021 |
€62,060 |
|
2020 |
€60,546 |
|
2019 |
€59,946 |
|
2018 |
€59,946 |
|
2017 |
€57,640 |
|
Total |
€300,138 |
569. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans regarding progressing a new framework in respect of the Policy Framework for Children and Young People that was due to expire in 2020; and the timeline for same. [23855/21]
View answerBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 concluded at the end of 2020. A final Annual Report for 2020 is due for publication by the year end.
Progression of a new framework, policy successor to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, has been delayed until 2022. This decision has been made in light of Covid-19, and two significant initiatives the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will progress in 2021. These are, namely, implementation of the EU Child Guarantee and development of Ireland’s reporting to the United Nations Children’s Rights Convention. It is envisaged that both of these initiatives, and the impacts of the pandemic, will inform the priorities to be addressed in the successor to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
This decision was taken in agreement with the National Advisory Council for Children and Young People. The National Advisory Council will be retained throughout 2021 to support the work of the Department in assessing the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
571. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the 50 persons agreed in October 2020 to be resettled under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme that were displaced from the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos; the number of the 50 that have already arrived in Ireland; the timeframe for the completion of these relocations; the supports that will be in place in Ireland for the persons following relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24068/21]
View answerIn reply to the Deputy's questions, I wish to confirm that the 50 people to be resettled to Ireland from Greece have already been granted international protection in Greece; none of the 50 has yet arrived in Ireland; the timeframe for the completion of the proposed relocations will depend on the completion of selection interviews, scheduled for June, and security clearances; upon their arrival in Ireland I will grant the people concerned ‘programme refugee’ status; and all the supports currently in place under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme will be extended to them.
572. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the establishment of a working group to develop an autism innovation strategy; the estimated timeframe for publication of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24085/21]
View answerMy colleague, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte T.D., recently announced her intention to establish a Working Group to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy.
The focus of the strategy in the short term will be to deliver real and tangible solutions to the challenges, needs and experiences of people with autism.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will be cross departmental in nature as autism innovation is not solely an issue to be addressed with health supports but one which requires a more holistic approach to be taken.
Minister Rabbitte intends to set up an Autism Innovation Strategy Working Group, which will seek to develop this Strategy and will chair this Working Group once established. The formation of the Working Group is at early stages. It is the intention that, in line with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there will be consultation and participation of people with disabilities in the development of the strategy.
573. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the finding in the Ombudsman for Children's report Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision that Tusla has no effective mechanism to gather data about children living in direct provision accommodation which might identify risks and inform planning at a strategic level. [24092/21]
View answerThe 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.
574. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the finding in the Ombudsman for Children's report Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision that Tusla has failed to identify a named social worker for a direct provision centre in their area or to provide cultural diversity training and interpreting services for staff working with residents in direct provision given these were recommendations contained in the McMahon report. [24093/21]
View answerThe 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.
575. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected respective allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24098/21]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department and its agencies have not provided funding to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021. No allocation has been made in my Department to fund An Taisce in the remainder of 2021.
576. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a playgroup (details supplied) is entitled to apply for capital funding for a permanent building; the criteria for such an application; and if his Department will make funding available in the interim to avoid closure of the facility. [24177/21]
View answerI advised the Deputy on 5 May 2021 that the early learning and childcare service referred to in this question had engaged with Pobal, the administrator of my Department's funding programmes, and that Pobal had informed my Department that the service had a plan in place to secure long-term premises.
Since then, the service has engaged with my Department’s case management process and is being supported and advised by their local County Childcare Committee. Financial support in the form of sustainability funding has been made available to the service.
577. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of play therapists and child art psychotherapists directly employed by Tusla in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24236/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.
578. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the budget allocation for the youth service grant scheme within his Department in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24237/21]
View answerNational Youth Organisations are benefiting from over €12 million in universal funding for 2021 under the Youth Services Grant Scheme. The work carried out by the national youth organisations, through volunteer led groups and clubs, is transformative for young people and is supported through this scheme.
The table below outlines the breakdown in funding allocated in 2019, 2020, and 2021 as requested by the Deputy:
|
Organisation |
2019 Allocation |
2020 Allocation |
2021 Allocation |
|
An Oige |
€189,745 |
€197,335 |
€207,202 |
|
Belong To - LGBT |
€159,269 |
€165,640 |
€218,922 |
|
Catholic Guides of Ireland |
€272,242 |
€283,132 |
€297,289 |
|
Crosscare |
€965,868 |
€1,004,503 |
€1,054,728 |
|
Church of Ireland Youth Department |
€189,084 |
€196,647 |
€206,479 |
|
Localise Youth and Community Service Ltd |
€135,403 |
€140,819 |
€147,860 |
|
ECO - UNESCO Clubs |
€128,666 |
€133,813 |
€140,504 |
|
Experiment In International Living |
€30,302 |
€31,514 |
€33,090 |
|
Feachtas |
€93,716 |
€97,465 |
€102,338 |
|
Foróige |
€2,814,965 |
€2,927,564 |
€3,073,942 |
|
Girls Brigade |
€47,821 |
€49,734 |
€52,221 |
|
Girls Friendly Society |
€33,317 |
€34,650 |
€36,383 |
|
Involve |
€240,764 |
€250,395 |
€262,915 |
|
Irish Girl Guides |
€401,927 |
€418,004 |
€438,904 |
|
Irish Methodist Youth & Children Dept |
€31,290 |
€32,542 |
€34,169 |
|
Junior Chamber Ireland |
€17,810 |
€18,522 |
€19,448 |
|
Macra na Feirme |
€465,549 |
€484,171 |
€508,380 |
|
National Federation of Arch Clubs |
€54,948 |
€57,146 |
€60,003 |
|
National Youth Council of Ireland |
€608,888 |
€633,244 |
€664,906 |
|
No Name Club Ltd |
€205,154 |
€213,360 |
€224,028 |
|
Ogras |
€195,900 |
€203,736 |
€213,923 |
|
Order of Malta Cadets |
€50,896 |
€52,932 |
€55,579 |
|
Scouting Ireland Ltd |
€1,100,000 |
€1,135,930 |
€1,267,727 |
|
SpunOut |
€102,167 |
€106,254 |
€111,567 |
|
The Boys Brigade |
€60,406 |
€62,822 |
€65,963 |
|
Voluntary Services International |
€84,814 |
€88,207 |
€92,617 |
|
Young Irish Film Makers |
€61,458 |
€63,916 |
€67,112 |
|
Young Mens Christian Association |
€159,077 |
€165,440 |
€173,712 |
|
Youth Theatre Ireland |
€107,064 |
€111,347 |
€116,914 |
|
Youth Work Ireland |
€2,117,869 |
€2,202,584 |
€2,312,713 |
|
Total |
€11,126,379 |
€11,563,368 |
€12,261,538 |
579. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason emergency foster parents in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance are expected to be available for work when the demands of their fostering position preclude them from using a childminder in view of the fact that this anomaly is affecting many foster parents within the Tusla system in which paid allowances are to be used for the child only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24357/21]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question. As you know, matters in relation to eligibility for state income support schemes, including jobseekers allowance, and relevant qualifying criteria, are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
Tusla have informed me that the assessment of any foster carer must consider the foster carers expected availability to meet and support the needs of a child who has come into care. The assessment and approval process explores what type of care the prospective foster carer can best offer to a child depending on factors such as accommodation, the age of any children in their home, the carers availability and their experience.
Tusla does have working foster carers, but the main consideration will be the availability of potential foster carers to meet the child’s needs. For some children it will be necessary for one carer to be at home full-time.
It might also be noted that the foster care allowances payable by Tusla are not taken into account in means testing for social welfare purposes, nor are such allowances subject to tax. The allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children who have additional, and sometimes significant, vulnerabilities.
580. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of foster parents and emergency foster parents that have resigned their positions in the past three years; the stated reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24358/21]
View answerThe 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.
