Written Answers Nos. 751-770
751. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 has not yet been fully enacted over five and a half years later; the definitive timeline for its enactment given the human rights implications of the anachronistic Lunacy Regulation Act 1871 which is still being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41820/21]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is a very important piece of legislation that changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis. It will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. We are working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement.
The delays in commencement of the 2015 Act arise from two principal factors. The organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act, the Decision Support Service, has to become operational and to be able to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. Amendments are also required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place.
Work is actively taking place on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be published before year-end and enacted early next year. The amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.
Some provisions of the Act have been commenced to enable; the recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service; the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group in relation to Advance Healthcare Directives; and most recently, on the 1st of February this year, the repeal of the Marriage of Lunatics Act, which means that a ward can now marry if she or he has capacity to do so.
The Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. To this end a budget of €5.8 million was secured for the Decision Support Service for 2021, a significant increase on its €3.5 million 2020 budget.
A high-level Steering Group, chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, meets monthly to oversee and drive progress towards full commencement. The Steering Group comprises senior officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service, the HSE, and the Decision Support Service, recognising that successful operation of the 2015 Act will involve multiple stakeholders. They are working towards commencement of the 2015 Act in June 2022, with the Decision Support Service opening for business immediately thereafter.
752. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the slow pace of progress in achieving disability rights in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41914/21]
View answerIreland currently has two whole-of-government strategies in place, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (now extended until the end of 2022) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, 2015-2024.
These are the key frameworks for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Ireland and to improve their lives in a practical sense. My Department coordinates these two strategies and my colleague, Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, chairs the NDIS Steering Group.
In addition, Ireland is also party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), having ratified it in 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007. The current model for meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is through delivery of the two national strategies.
My Department is working on the development of a UNCRPD Implementation Plan, which is a Programme for Government commitment. A concept paper setting out a pathway to designing the Implementation Plan and the core principles that will underline the Implementation Plan was presented to the NDIS Steering Group in June this year. The concept paper will be discussed further at the upcoming NDIS Steering Group meeting with a view to submitting a final Implementation Plan to Government early next year.
753. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered engaging with employers to encourage them to top up rates of parent’s benefit to encourage parents to avail of this leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41933/21]
View answer754. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered engaging with employers to encourage them to top-up levels of parent’s benefit to encourage parents to take up the newly extended parent’s leave without financial penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41935/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 753 and 754 together.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, and subsequent amendments made under the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021, working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. The definition of relevant parent under the Act includes a parent of the child and the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent of the child.
The intention of parent’s leave is to enable parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years and is deliberately non-transferrable between parents to ensure that both parents are encouraged and supported in taking time out from work to spend time with their child. This is further supported through the provision of Parent’s Benefit, which is paid at an equivalent rate to maternity, paternity and adoptive benefits at €245 per week. It is open to employers to top up payments. There is no barrier preventing them from doing so.
It is important that the provision of family leaves meet the needs of working parents and families and my Department is monitoring the uptake of family leaves and will examine the need for further actions, as required.
755. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/21]
View answerDepartments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
756. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has been working to update The Migrant Integration Strategy-A Blueprint for the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42176/21]
View answerSince 2017, the ‘Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) – A Blueprint for the Future’ has been the central policy framework adopted by Government to promote the integration of all migrants who are legally residing in the State. It envisages a whole-of-government approach to enhance diversity, inclusion and equity for migrants across all aspects of Irish society through increased focus on social inclusion measures, improved access to public services and targeted action to address racism and xenophobia.
The current Strategy was due to come to an end in 2020. However, in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the Strategy, I made a decision to extend the Strategy to conclude in 2021. I continue to chair the regular meetings of the Strategy steering and monitoring committee.
An independent evaluation of a number of equality strategies due to conclude this year will be commissioned shortly by my Department and this will inform the next steps in terms of future equality strategies. I intend that a consultation process to develop a new strategic policy for migrant integration will begin early in 2022.
757. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position regarding the resettlement of further Afghan refugees in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42248/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that some 280 places have been made available for humanitarian cases from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, and that this matter will be kept under review.
758. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address excessive consumption of unhealthy foods in preschool settings particularly in relation to celebrations (details supplied); if guidance has been issued to preschools on the consumption of unhealthy foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42307/21]
View answerThe Department of Health is in the process of finalising a new set of Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care settings in consultation with my Department. These Standards are due for publication in early October.
In advance of publication, the issue of consumption of unhealthy foods referenced during certain celebrations are addressed within the Standards. The following is an extract from the Standards relating to parties and celebrations:
4.2 Celebrations, trips and rewards
It is recognised that there are instances where the food provided varies due to the location or the nature of the occasion such as field trips and birthday celebrations. Food provided on these days still needs to comply with the Standards. Please consider non-food treats to mark these occasions.
Dealing with birthdays
In a large service a birthday may be celebrated every couple of days. If children fill up on cakes and treat foods they will have little room left for the nutritious food that they need. It is important to celebrate and mark birthdays so here are tips on dealing with them
- Mark the occasion with fun games and activities rather than foods
- If a parent insists that a cake is sent to the service ask them to keep it small and keep servings for children to bite size amounts. Send leftovers home with the parent.
- If a number of birthday fall on the one week consider marking them together.
759. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing each of the income thresholds in the NCS by 20% and by 50%. [42324/21]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme offers a statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare. The Scheme established an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies. Subsidy rates are tailored based on individual circumstances, such as reckonable family income, child’s age and their educational stage.
The current income thresholds under the NCS, are a minimum of €26,000 and a maximum of €60,000. This equates to an annual cost of €202.5M.
In increasing the income thresholds by 20% the minimum would increase to €31,200 and the maximum to €72,000. This would equate to an approximate annual cost of €240.5M.
In increasing the income thresholds by 50% the minimum would increase to €39,000 and the maximum to €90,000. This would equate to an annual cost of approximately €309.6M.
The NCS is designed to be flexible, allowing income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates to be adjusted in line with Government decisions.
760. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of increasing the rates of payment per hour on the NCS by 10% and by 20%. [42325/21]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme established the removal of many of the restrictive eligibility requirements associated with legacy schemes, for example dependency on Social Protection payments. This represents a significant step forward in combatting poverty traps for families in Ireland.
The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on income. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment to avail of this subsidy. The universal subsidy currently provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place up to a maximum of 45 hours a week.
The income-assessed subsidy under the NCS is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years, with a reckonable income under €60,000. The subsidies are based on the child’s age and education stage.
The table hereunder outlines the current cost per hour and, the cost of increasing the rates of payment per hour on the NCS by 10% and by 20%.
|
- |
Current |
10% increase |
20% increase |
|
Less than 12 months |
€5.10 |
€5.61 |
€6.12 |
|
12 to 35 months old |
€4.35 |
€4.78 |
€5.22 |
|
3 years, or older and not yet qualifying for ECCE |
€3.95 |
€4.34 |
€4.82 |
|
3 years, or older and qualifying for ECCE |
€3.95 |
€4.34 |
€4.82 |
|
At school (older than 6 years and less than 15 years) |
€3.75 |
€4.12 |
€4.50 |
|
Universal |
€0.50 |
€0.55 |
€0.60 |
|
Total |
€206.3m |
€226.5 |
€250.9 |
The funding model of the NCS is based on key assumptions around the preferences and behaviours of parents relating to working hours and childcare choice, rates of growth in demand, and certain metrics are extrapolated from available data.
The NCS is designed to be flexible and highly inclusive, and aims to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The Scheme is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children.
761. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total cost of AIM services; and the cost per child assisted in each of the programmes provided under AIM. [42326/21]
View answerAIM is a programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme. It includes 7 levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted. AIM supports are available through mainstream pre-school settings that are funded through the ECCE Programme.
AIM has seven levels of progressive support, moving from universal supports (levels 1-3) to targeted supports (levels 4-7), based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting they are attending.
Universal supports (Levels 1-3):
- Level 1, which aims to embed an inclusive culture in services, includes the national inclusion policy and guidelines for ECCE, the funding of the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) training programme, the establishment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator (INCO) roles in ECCE settings, and a small increase in capitation of €2 per registered ECCE child for services with qualified Inclusion Co-ordinators.
- Level 2 involves provision of information for parents and providers on AIM, through the AIM.gov.ie website and information provided by County/City Childcare Committees.
- Level 3 recognises the requirement to continue to develop a qualified workforce that can confidently meet the needs of all children participating in the ECCE Programme. Supports include funding of training courses such as Hanen, Lámh and Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL).
Targeted supports (Levels 4-7):
- Level 4 addresses the needs of early learning and care practitioners to have timely access to advice and support from experts in early learning and care (and disability in particular) to assist them meet each child’s needs.
- Level 5 recognises that some children require specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or that some early learning and care settings may require minor structural alterations to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. Supports include grants for equipment and some minor capital building works.
- Level 6 provides access to therapeutic supports where they are critical to enable a child be enrolled, and fully participate, in the ECCE programme.
- Level 7: Additional assistance in the pre-school room involves additional capitation for service providers where an application process has demonstrated that supports at Level 1-6 have not, or will not, by themselves, meet the child’s needs. Funding can be used by the provider to buy in additional support, or reduce the staff / child ratio, supporting the pre-school leader to ensure the child’s optimal participation.
In total, 15,509 children have so far benefitted from targeted AIM supports since AIM began in 2016.
The total AIM budget for 2021 is €48m. However, in 2020, the number of approvals for additional assistance under Level 7 of AIM fell to 2,868, compared to the previous year of 4,657 due to service providers availing instead of Covid-19 financial support through the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and we expect the expenditure in 2021 also to be lower than budgeted because of the EWSS.
AIM Level 1 spending is based on the number of INCOs, with the payment calculated on the basis of children in the ECCE programme supported by the INCO, at a rate of €2 additional capitation per child per week. Expenditure on Level 1 for the pre-school year 2020/21 was €5.6m.
AIM Level 5 expenditure on equipment and minor alterations was approximately €500,000 over the pre-school year 2020/21. During this time, 222 children were supported, with average spending per child of €2,251.
AIM Level 7 expenditure during the pre-school year was €15.8m, averaging a cost per child in relation to whom additional assistance was approved of €5,543. This figure is based on either €210 per week to enable a service to supplement their staffing by 15 hours per week, or €140 to supplement their staffing by 10 additional staff hours per week. AIM Level 7 additional capitation can also be approved on a pro rata basis where there is a clear justification for doing so (e.g. the child cannot attend the service on a full-time basis or other supports are available on a part-time basis).
Other levels of AIM, such as training for practitioners, are not calculated on a per-child basis.
762. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in each of the age categories supported under NCS; and the cost per child in each of those age categories. [42327/21]
View answerThe introduction of the National Childcare Scheme was a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland.
There are two subsidies available under the NCS. The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and is not means tested. This subsidy provides up to €22.50 per week.
The income assessed subsidy is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years with a reckonable income below €26,000. Subsidy rates are based on the child’s age and education stage, and taper downwards from €5.10 per hour.
The table below outlines the number of children in each of the age categories supported under the NCS and the average weekly cost as of July 2021.
|
Age Bracket |
No. of Children |
Average Weekly Value |
|
Under 12 months |
1,373 |
€79.89 |
|
1-2 years |
9,528 |
€55.67 |
|
2-3 years |
12,698 |
€62 |
|
3-4 years |
9,347 |
€63.36 |
|
4-5 years |
4,693 |
€81.16 |
|
5-6 years |
2,991 |
€77.60 |
|
6-7 years |
2,119 |
€77.41 |
|
7-8 years |
1,605 |
€76.84 |
|
8-9 years |
1,192 |
€75.47 |
|
9-10 years |
959 |
€73.98 |
|
10-11 years |
679 |
€78.90 |
|
11-12 years |
428 |
€77.46 |
|
12-13 years |
229 |
€81.55 |
|
13-14 years |
56 |
€86.88 |
|
14-15 years |
13 |
€100.09 |
|
Total |
44,934 |
€66.24 |
763. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children supported under NCS in each of the income bands; and the average cost per child. [42328/21]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme offers a statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare. The NCS established an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies for children up to the age of 15.
An income assessed subsidy is payable for children from 24 weeks to 15 years of age who are availing of childcare services from an approved childcare service provider. The level of subsidy is determined by the family’s assessable income (i.e. gross income minus tax, PRSI and other deductibles and minus any applicable multiple child discount).
The table hereunder outlines the number of children supported in each on the income bands and the average weekly claim as of July 2021.
|
Income Band |
No. of Children |
Average weekly claim |
|
€0-€4,999 |
2,080 |
€119.20 |
|
€5000-€9,999 |
762 |
€119.07 |
|
€10,000-€14,999 |
2,384 |
€112.76 |
|
€15,000-€19,999 |
2,999 |
€117.06 |
|
€20,000-€24,999 |
3,472 |
€119.55 |
|
€25,000-€29,999 |
3,898 |
€112.42 |
|
€30,000-€34,999 |
3,598 |
€98.60 |
|
€35,000-€39,999 |
3,332 |
€80.77 |
|
€40,000-€44,999 |
3,130 |
€65.27 |
|
€45,000-€49,999 |
2,845 |
€49.18 |
|
€50,000-€54,999 |
2,363 |
€33.17 |
|
€55,000-€60,000 |
15,706 |
€18.26 |
|
Total |
44,934 |
€66.24 |
The NCS provides a sustainable platform to enable my department to continue investing in early learning and childcare for years to come. The Scheme is designed to be flexible, allowing income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates to be adjusted as more investment becomes available.
764. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of doubling the universal childcare payment payable up to 36 months without means assessment; and the estimated number who will receive same. [42332/21]
View answerThe introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland. It entails a fundamental shift away from subsidies grounded in social protection entitlements, and towards a comprehensive and progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies.
The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on income. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment to avail of this subsidy.
The universal subsidy currently provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place up to a maximum of 45 hours a week. The current cost of this subsidy is €22.50 per week, which costs €11 million per year. Doubling this would amount to €45 per week which in turn, would equate to an annual cost of €23 million.
As the universal subsidy is underpinned by age, an increase in payment does not increase eligibility. There are currently 11,000 children on universal. The cost modelling reflects a maximum universal participation rate of approximately 15,800. Increases to the value of universal payments may add 3-400 children to this number based on increased incentives to avail of the higher subsidy.
765. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of extending aftercare supports to persons up until the age of 26 years. [42333/21]
View answerTusla will support young adult's in education until 21 years of age or 23 if continuing in education. In terms of aftercare allowance being extended until young adult's reach 26 years of age this would result in payment of additional three years of an allowance for each client or €46,800 for each aftercare client.
At the end of quarter 4 2020 there was 1,697 young adults aged 18-22 whom were eligible to receive an aftercare allowance. To process payment for an additional three years for this number of young adults would cost €26,473,200 per annum and thus €79,419,600 for three years.
It’s worth noting this additional cost would be borne out over a number of years due to the current age profile of young adults at present. It should also be noted that this figure is exclusive of the social work cost involved.
766. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Covid-19 guidelines for early childhood settings have required children to use single-use items which must be disposed of as waste each day; and if the use of plastic disposable items has been suggested in circumstances in which there would be a clear conflict with the ban on single-use items. [42337/21]
View answer770. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has issued advice to the pre-school sector in relation to protocols to be followed in the coming months during the Covid-19 pandemic; if it is the case that only disposable ziplock bags and plastic bottles are to be used by children which should be disposed of every day; if he considers these practices to be environmentally friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42387/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 770 together.
Expert guidance on the safe operation of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in May 2020 and has been updated on a number of occasions since then, most recently on 30 August 2021. The guidance is available at www.hpsc.ie/a-z/lifestages/childcare/.
In line with normal infection prevention and control practice in ELC and SAC services, the HPSC guidance sets out that staff should wear disposable, single-use plastic aprons, and non-powdered, non-permeable gloves when there is a risk of coming into contact with body fluids (such as when nappy changing).
The HPSC has also advised that services should keep a small supply of surgical masks in a readily accessible place for use by a staff member who develops symptoms of COVID-19, or by staff members caring for a sick child who is waiting to be collected by a parent.
In addition to the expert guidance from the HPSC, my Department has provided a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents. These resources are available at https://first5.gov.ie/guidance.
The guidance provided by the HPSC does not include any advice on the use of disposable ziplock bags and plastic bottles and my Department has not issued any guidance recommending the use of ziplock bags and plastic bottles.
767. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently in direct provision. [42347/21]
View answer773. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in the direct provision system for less than six and between six and 12 months; the number in excess of one, two, three, four, five, six and seven years, respectively; the corresponding figures for children;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42533/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 767 and 773 together.
As of 07 September 2021, a total of 6,478 people are recorded by my Department as being resident in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), of whom 1,692 are children. This includes people who are resident in Direct Provision centres and in temporary accommodation in hotels and guesthouses.
The table below shows the number of people in accommodation broken down by their length of stay and whether they are an adult or a child.
|
Time Spent |
Adult |
Child |
Total |
|
0-5 Months |
408 |
114 |
522 |
|
6-12 months |
496 |
110 |
606 |
|
1+ years |
1240 |
428 |
1668 |
|
2+ years |
1180 |
454 |
1634 |
|
3+ years |
591 |
294 |
885 |
|
4+ years |
311 |
127 |
438 |
|
5+ years |
309 |
108 |
417 |
|
6+ years |
157 |
28 |
185 |
|
7+years |
94 |
29 |
123 |
|
Grand Total |
4786 |
1692 |
6478 |
These figures represent continuous periods of residence and cannot reflect interrupted residential periods where the person may have left IPAS accommodation and returned at a later stage. In addition, these figures only relate to persons who have registered with the International Protection Office (IPO) and do not reflect children resident in the centres who may not have been registered by their parents.
The length of time a person stays in state provided accommodation generally reflects the length of time taken to reach a final conclusion on their application for international protection or other permission to reside in the State and may also include applications to revoke Deportation Orders. As the application process also allows for legal challenges against negative decisions at many stages of the process, the time taken to finalise many cases can be prolonged.
As of the end of August 2021, there are also 1,185 residents with an international protection status or a permission to remain in the State, residing in accommodation centres provided by my Department.
Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure accommodation in the community. My Department has a specific team in IPAS who work in collaboration with a number of key stakeholders to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
These stakeholders include; Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the City and County Managers Association.
768. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently residing in direct provision centres in the State who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres. [42348/21]
View answer769. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres. [42349/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.
International Protection applicants who have been granted an International Protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or granted a permission to remain, have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. As of the end of August 2021, there were 1,185 persons who have been granted status and currently reside in accommodation centres provided by my Department.
Significant work is undertaken to support these residents in moving out of accommodation centres and into secure accommodation in the community. My Department has a specific team in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) who work in collaboration with a number of stakeholders to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
Stakeholders include; Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMVT), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the City and County Managers Association.
All residents who are successful with their application to the Minister for Justice for a protection status or a permission to remain, are notified by letter by IPAS of the supports available to them and of the contact details of their support workers. These services are funded by my Department. Contact details for housing support workers are also posted in each accommodation centre and are readily available from the centre managers.
On a continuous basis a number of clinics (which provide information on housing options) are held for persons with a form of status. The clinics are held in accommodation centres with both IPAS staff and Depaul/PMVT support workers.
While the supports mentioned here are made available to all residents who have been granted a status, it is always open to them and any other residents to make their own arrangements for accommodation at any time, if they so wish, and many do so.
