Written Answers Nos. 100-125
100. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to extend the parent’s leave and benefit to all parents of children born after November 2019 given that the current legislation excludes parents of children born by surrogacy; if he will ensure that lone-parents can avail of the full ten-weeks of the benefit and leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48200/21]
View answerUnder the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid parents’ leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
The intention of this leave is to enable parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years. It is deliberately non-transferable 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 Parents’ Benefit at €245 per week.
It is important to note that the entitlement under the 2019 Act is for each parent in their own right and is not an allocation per family. This is a requirement of the Work Life Balance directive. The Act was drafted in such a way as to take account of the broad complexion of family life and allows for an entitlement for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent.
This means that each parent of the child, and their respective spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, is entitled to take parents’ leave in respect of that child. In effect this means that, if the parents of a child are not a couple but are in a separate relationship then their partner is entitled to parent’s leave to care for the child.
Commissioning surrogate parents may be entitled to Parents’ Leave, depending on their circumstances. The father of a child born through surrogacy can qualify for Parents’ Leave if he is the biological father of the child and declared to be the parent of the child. In these circumstances, the father's partner may qualify for Parents’ Leave if looking after the child in loco parentis and if they are married to, or in a civil partnership with, the child’s biological father, or have cohabited with the child’s biological father for over 3 years.
At a wider level, policy on surrogacy rests with the Minister for Health, and policy on parentage is a matter for the Minister for Justice. It is important to develop legislation on family leave in the context of the legal situation concerning parentage, including in relation to surrogacy. Any changes in the legal situation with regard to parentage and surrogacy are matters for the Minister for Justice and Minister for Health , but I will always be happy to working with them on these matters.
106. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the national action plan against racism. [48559/21]
View answerThe National Anti-Racism Committee is an independent Committee established by Government in 2020 to develop a National Action Plan Against Racism. The work of the Committee will help to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism and will build on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS). The Committee will also examine international best practice in combatting racism and will benchmark its actions against these standards.
On 21 April this year, I had the pleasure of publishing the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report, which sets out the Committee’s initial ideas and plans for developing the National Action Plan Against Racism. The publication of this Action Plan will fulfil a key commitment within the Programme for Government.
The Committee’s interim report contained valuable thinking, and I am working with my colleagues in Government to address their initial recommendations.
On the same day as the publication of the Interim Report, the Committee launched the public consultation phase of its work, which ran for twelve weeks from 21 April until 14 July. During this phase, the Committee accepted written submissions, conducted an online survey, and held a series of consultation sessions with stakeholders in order better to understand the nature and different forms of racism that are present in Ireland today.
There were 14 consultation sessions which took place between May and July, and these were attended by approximately 170 people in total. These sessions addressed different themes such as access to justice; media and new technologies; and others identified by the Committee as being of particular concern in the fight against racism. I was pleased to see that over 100 written submissions were made, and these are currently being analysed.
Having completed its public consultation, the Anti-Racism Committee is now engaged in the preparation of the National Action Plan Against Racism, with a view to submitting a draft Plan to me for consideration in the coming months. I then intend to bring this Plan to Government and, subject to the agreement of the Government, hope to publish it early next year.
107. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an independent inspection regime of accommodation centres for asylum applicants will be established. [48557/21]
View answerI am pleased to confirm the Government’s intention that the accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is part of my Department, will be independently monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for compliance with the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process. These standards were adopted by Government in 2019.
The National Standards meet the requirements of the relevant legislation – the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive which Ireland opted into in June 2018.
My Department is currently engaging with HIQA and the Department of Health to undertake the preparatory work with regard to HIQA's monitoring role. It is planned that the formal relationship between my Department and HIQA will begin with effect from 1 November this year. In parallel with this process work is being undertaken to determine the legislative underpinning for HIQA's monitoring role.
In advance of the introduction of the independent monitoring mechanism, IPAS has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. All properties selected under IPAS’ most recent tender process are required to be able to implement the National Standards. This requirement applies to the provision of new centres and to any renewal of a contract with a current provider.
In advance of HIQA’s new role, it is important to note that there are inspections carried out under the current system. At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to three unannounced inspections per year. In 2021, two inspections will be carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
Inspections cover a wide range of issues including fire safety, appropriate signage and information for residents, the condition of communal areas and sleeping quarters, the quality of food provided and adherence to hygiene and other health and safety requirements.
I look forward to HIQA becoming formally involved in this area. As a respected, independent statutory body, I think it is wholly appropriate that HIQA would monitor the standards required in our accommodation centres for those seeking international protection.
108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will facilitate subject access requests from survivors seeking personal information from the archive of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes without the requirement for a nominated general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48687/21]
View answerAt the outset, I want to make it very clear that it is my position that is in not acceptable that a survivor has to give their GP's contact details before they get access to their health data on their file from the Commission archive.
Since this issue was brought to my Departments attention we have worked hard to resolve it.
Currently, under S.I No. 82 of 1989 – Data Protection (Access Modification) (Health) Regulations, 1989, as amended by section 68 of the Data Protection Act 2018, a data controller who is not a health practitioner is required to consult with an appropriate health practitioner before supplying any health data to the data subject concerned.
My Department, as a data controller, must apply the Regulations when records contain health data. Unfortunately, the Regulations do not enable the exercise of any discretion by the data controller and require consultation with an appropriate health practitioner in all cases.
As I have stated previously, I am not satisfied with the requirement to consult with an appropriate health practitioner in all cases. As the Regulations concern access to health data, the Minister for Health and his officials are leading on progressing new Regulations. Officials in my Department are engaging directly with officials in the Department of Health with a view to progressing the new Regulations as a priority.
The making of new Regulations continues to be an important matter for me and my Department. In the interim, my Department has advised requestors of a possible alternative option to access their health data, which is through Freedom of Information legislation. This route allows access to the same health information without any need to consult a health practitioner. A number of people have to date received their health data under FOI.
I am conscious that the current situation is very unsatisfactory for individuals seeking information, and I want to see the matter resolved as soon as possible. I will continue to work with the Minister for Health to address the situation.
111. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been brought to recent reports which raise concerns about child protection and governance policies and practices within an organisation (details supplied); if he will provide details as to the extent of Tusla funding provided to the organisation; and if he has plans to provide a mechanism for the exchange of information about child protection concerns on a cross-Border basis between this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland. [48515/21]
View answerI can confirm that I am aware of the serious incident regarding a child protection matter which had occurred at the organisation referred to by the Deputy. In response a working group was established under the remit of Tusla’s Director of Services and Integration and a number of safeguarding measures were agreed and implemented within the organisation.
In addition, an independent review on children’s safe guarding was established by the organisation and Tusla is awaiting outcome of that review.
Tusla is a major commissioner of services to the organisation, spending in the region of €6.5 million annually.
My Department supports Tusla in its ongoing engagement with the organisation to ensure service users are safe and that there is clear communication on any safeguarding issues, in line with Children First.
I believe it is appropriate to expect that any organisation working with vulnerable young people operate to the highest standards in terms of governance and child protection.
Tusla has had intensive engagements with the organisation, and continues to have monthly meetings, to ensure that the governance and child protection arrangements within the organisation are robust and operate effectively. On the basis of these monthly reviews, I have been assured that there are no outstanding governance issues relating to the organisation. Nevertheless, my officials will continue to engage with Tusla in relation to this important matter.
In relation to cross-border issues, my officials have worked extensively with colleagues in the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, to update the Protocol now known as the ‘Protocol Between Northern Ireland and Ireland for Handling Inter-Jurisdictional Child Cases’. A final version of the updated protocol has been agreed, and this came into effect in August 2021.
Child cases which have an inter-jurisdictional complexity must be handled in compliance with international and domestic law. Following the UK's departure from the EU, and the end of the transition period, Tusla's cross-border work is carried out in the context of the 1996 Hague Convention.
112. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Cork City Council has presented her with the results of an accessibility audit undertaken in the city and if he will request same. [48658/21]
View answerNeither I nor Minister O'Gorman, have yet received the results of the audit the Deputy mentioned but I look forward to reviewing it in due course.
Both I and Minister O'Gorman are supportive of all measures that seek to improve the experience of those with disabilities in their everyday lives. I recently lent support to the 'Make Way Day' initiative which asks all members of the community to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all use and share. This is particularly relevant at a time that we are using our open spaces more than we have ever done.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (now extended to 2022) contains a number of actions to improve accessibility generally. These include improving the accessibility of websites and the customer communications of the public sector. The actions also cover the accessibility of public buildings and also of public transport. I chair the NDIS Steering Group which monitors the implementation of these actions.
More widely, the Disability Act 2005 established the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, at the National Disability Authority, which is a public body under the aegis of my Department. The Centre is dedicated to the principle of universal access, enabling people in Ireland to participate in a society that takes account of human difference and to interact with their environment to the best of their ability. This includes public places in the built environment such as buildings, streets or spaces that the public have access to; products and services provided in those places; and systems that are available including information and communications technology (ICT).
113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 6 July 2021, the status of the strategic review by Tusla of emergency domestic violence accommodation nationwide; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48523/21]
View answerI appreciate the Deputy’s ongoing interest in relation to Tusla’s Accommodation Review. I know the Deputy is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and care for victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. I share the Deputy's concern on this matter. Following my last reply to the Deputy on this question in early July, I am pleased to confirm that the Review has been completed. The draft is undergoing final edits before publication. Once this process is completed, the Review will be published by Tusla, in the coming weeks. The Review is a further part of my commitment to prioritising and supporting victims of DSGBV.In mid July, Minister for Justice and I jointly submitted a memorandum to the Government on matters relating to DSGBV. We asked the Government to note Tusla’s Review, which will present recommendations on the future configuration of accommodation and services that are required to meet the needs of victims of DSGBV.Minister Naughton and I received a presentation on the Review from Tusla in relation to the approach taken in its review, its analysis and conclusion.
On 23 September, Tusla gave a presentation to all stakeholders attending the Monitoring Committee for the Second National Strategy on DSGBV, with a view to achieving a national consensus within the sector on the proposed response to these needs.Implementing the recommendations of this Review will require funding commitments and strong engagement across Government and key stakeholders. I have written to the Minister for Housing, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection to make them aware of the Review. I have asked them to consider its findings when taking broader Government decisions towards the development of the Third National DSGBV Strategy. As capital funding for domestic violence refuges has been provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the development of future refuges requires strong engagement between My Department and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Minister O'Brien and I are constructively engaging on this matter.
The Deputy will note the specific commitment on capital funding outlined in the National Development Plan published this week. In line with the government’s commitment to tackle sexual, domestic and gender based violence in all its forms, we will support the development of refuges for victims of sexual, domestic and gender based violence. It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I am committed to ensuring future service provision is available for those who experience domestic violence, when and where they need it most.
114. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the Government’s plans for a restorative recognition scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes; and his views on the on the provision that has been made to compel religious orders to contribute to said redress scheme. [48270/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, as part of its response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, the Government committed to establishing a Restorative Recognition Scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. This Scheme will include a financial payment and a form of enhanced medical card.
An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) was set up to develop detailed proposals for the Scheme, taking account of the recommendations of the Commission but not limited to those recommendations. The work of the IDG was guided by a human rights focus and informed by consultation with survivors which took place during March and April, with a very strong response received to that consultation process.
The work of the Interdepartmental Group is effectively complete, and I look forward to receiving its final report very soon and bringing proposals to Cabinet for approval in October. Once approved by Government, I will publish the proposals immediately. My Department will also immediately commence the significant work necessary to establish this Scheme and make it available for applications as soon as possible in 2022.
I wrote to the religious congregations when publishing the Final Report of the Commission, and it is my intention to meet with them on the issue of financial contributions towards the Scheme, once proposals are approved by Government.
I believe that all relevant parties, including the State and others that were involved in the management or delivery of these services, have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in the Government response
116. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the current status of the Childminding Action Plan considering the crisis in capacity within the childcare and early years sector; and if he will consider reducing overall target dates to meet pressing demand in the near future. [48272/21]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 (NAPC) sets out a phased, incremental approach to extending supports and regulation to all non-relative childminders, including enabling childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme.
The NAPC is a key priority for my Department, and I am keen to move as quickly as possible with implementation. However, the NAPC will involve significant change for childminders, and it will be critical that as many childminders as possible are supported to make the transition to regulation and to be able to access subsidies for families using their services. Given the large scale of reforms involved, with thousands of childminders expected to move into the scope of regulation and supports and the need to build the infrastructure to support the reforms, the NAPC necessarily involves a phased approach.
In particular, during Phase 1 of the NAPC, which is expected to last 2-3 years, childminding-specific regulations will need to be developed that are proportionate and appropriate to childminders as will childminder-specific training. In addition, primary legislation will need to be amended, and there will be a need for further engagement and consultation with the childminding sector.
The Steering Group for the NAPC has recently been established. Its purpose is to drive, oversee and monitor implementation of the NAPC.
The Steering Group will be supported by four Advisory Groups which will be established over the course of Phase 1 in relation to: regulation and inspection; training and support; funding and financial supports; and stakeholder engagement, consultation and communications.
To support implementation of the NAPC, a National Childminding Coordinator has been appointed, and six regional Childminding Development Officers have been appointed to work with the City and County Childcare Committees at local level.
117. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is expected that HIQA will commence inspection of direct provision accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48306/21]
View answerI am pleased to confirm the Government’s intention that the accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is part of my Department, will be independently monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for compliance with the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process. These standards were adopted by Government in 2019.
The National Standards meet the requirements of the relevant legislation – the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive which Ireland opted into in June 2018.
My Department is currently engaging with HIQA and the Department of Health to undertake the preparatory work with regard to HIQA's monitoring role. It is planned that the formal relationship between my Department and HIQA will begin with effect from 1 November this year. In parallel with this process work is being undertaken to determine the legislative underpinning for HIQA's monitoring role.
In advance of the introduction of the independent monitoring mechanism, IPAS has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. All properties selected under IPAS’ most recent tender process are required to be able to implement the National Standards. This requirement applies to the provision of new centres and to any renewal of a contract with a current provider.
In advance of HIQA’s new role, it is important to note that there are inspections carried out under the current system. At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to three unannounced inspections per year. In 2021, two inspections will be carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Inspections cover a wide range of issues including fire safety, appropriate signage and information for residents, the condition of communal areas and sleeping quarters and adherence to hygiene and other health and safety requirements.
I look forward to HIQA becoming formally involved in this area. As a respected, independent statutory body, I think it is wholly appropriate that HIQA would monitor the standards required in our accommodation centres for those seeking international protection.
120. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on young people and youth services; the supports his Department has put in place to help assist youth services and youth organisations with resilience; the capital supports are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48699/21]
View answerYoung people have been severely affected by the restrictions to protect public health during this pandemic. This has been borne out by multiple research reports including “How's Your Head?”, a national consultation commissioned by my Department. This research has informed the Government response across the pandemic.
In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing support to young people, funding levels were maintained throughout the COVID period. My Department has also engaged with the sector to develop sector specific guidance which was updated at each point there was a change to the Covid-19 measures at Government and NPHET level.
A total sum of €1,338,270 in funding was allocated to youth services to mitigate Covid-19 and its impact in 2020. An ICT investment grant of €1,000,000 was made available to support the improvement of ICT infrastructure within youth services and youth clubs to facilitate the remote provision of youth programmes and youth services. Early in my tenure, my Department made available a fund of €338,000 for a small capital grant scheme. The scheme allowed over 1,500 funded youth services and clubs to meet minor costs incurred as a result of Covid-19 response measures.
A further amount of €1.4m is currently being distributed through the ETBs nationally to mitigate Covid-19 cost pressures and to support the re-engagement of volunteers as we continue to move out of restrictions.
In relation to youth funding more broadly, I secured an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021. €66.8 million is being provided to youth services nationwide this year. The additional funding allocated to youth services in 2021 is supporting the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide, with a particular view to the role played by youth services in fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people.
Further capital funding will be available in 2022 and my officials will seek to make detailed information available on that scheme as early as possible in the new year.
121. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress in developing proposals for an agency which would drive the development of early childhood services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47857/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to establishing a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland, “to assist in expanding high quality early learning and childcare, best practice and innovation, and professional development in community and private settings, along with developing career paths for early learning and childcare staff, and for expansion of the early years curriculum, Síolta”.
As a precursor to establishing Childcare Ireland, my Department is carrying out a comprehensive review of the operating model for early learning and childcare. This is line with a commitment in First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028).
The early learning and childcare sector has grown substantially in the past decade. The objective of this review is to ensure that the operating model is fit for purpose to implement early learning and childcare policy relating to quality, affordability and access, to the scale and standards required in an evolving and expanding sector.
An independent external contractor has been engaged by my Department to undertake an analysis of the current operating model and to consider options for reform. This analysis, which involved significant stakeholder engagement, will conclude shortly.
It is envisaged that the analysis carried out for this review will provide a robust evidence base to inform a decision concerning the establishment of Childcare Ireland and the range of functions it may provide. I look forward to bringing a report to Government on the matter in Q.4 of 2021.
122. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of early childcare services and his efforts to ensure affordability in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48540/21]
View answer132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he intends to take in line with the Programme for Government to ensure childcare is available to parents at an affordable cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/21]
View answer162. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase funding for childcare services to make services affordable for all. [48555/21]
View answerMy Department currently invests €638 million in early learning and childcare, with affordability for parents a key objective of this investment.
The major programmes funded by my Department that contribute to affordability include the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
The ECCE Programme provides free access to early learning and childcare for 15 hours per week for the two years before children start primary school - significantly offsetting the cost of early learning and childcare to parents at this stage.
The NCS provides universal and income-assessed subsidies to parents.
A universal subsidy for children up to age three, and income-assessed subsidies for children up to age 15, are available for up to 45 hours per week.
In addition to investment by my Department, the State has, since the onset of Covid-19, delivered substantial supports to this sector. A key objective of this investment has been to ensure these services could operate safely and sustainably throughout the pandemic and that increased costs associated with public health requirements were not passed on to parents.
There is strong evidence these Covid-19 supports have been effective in achieving this objective, with recent data revealing no significant increase in parental fees since 2020.
Notwithstanding this, affordability remains a concern for many parents and a priority for me and this Government, as evidenced in the Programme for Government.
An Expert Group is in place to develop a new funding model for the sector and among the top priorities of that Group the identification of mechanisms to address affordability.
The report of the Expert Group is on track to be submitted to me in November.
123. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are being taken to address the staff shortage issues in childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48620/21]
View answer159. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to improve retention of staff in the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 159 together. I acknowledge that many early learning and childcare services are reporting staffing and recruitment difficulties, with increased pressures as a result of Covid-19. My Department is actively monitoring the issue and has sought data and evidence-based proposals from sectoral representatives.
The primary data source for the sector is the Annual Early Years Sector Profile. In the most recent published Sector Profile (published in 2021, and relating to data from 2020), 44% of services reported challenges in recruiting suitably qualified staff over the past 12 months. While this figure was down 9% from the previous year, it remains very high. The staff turnover rate has similarly fallen from 23% to 18%, but remains unacceptably high.
Recruitment and recruitment difficulties in the sector are undoubtedly linked to poor terms and conditions in the workforce, with for example the average pay being €12.45 per hour.
I am conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and conditions of employment for early learning and childcare professionals. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, families and the wider society and economy.
The State, however, is not the employer and therefore cannot determine wages in the sector. Nevertheless, I am committed to doing what is in my power. That is why last December, I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (or "JLC"). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March, I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and the Minister of State has now accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations.
I am pleased to confirm that the Establishment Order came into effect on 1 July last. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine pay and conditions for early learning and childcare professionals.
Work is also progressing on a new funding mode for the sector, with recommendations from the Expert Group due to be made in November. I anticipate that the report will offer potential new avenues through which the State can support providers to improve pay and to meet the requirements of any future Employment Regulation Order that may arise from the JLC.
Work on a new Workforce Development Plan is also well advanced, with the final report due for completion by the end of the year.
124. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to increase the funding and resources for services combating gender-based violence and assisting those impacted by Covid-19 given the well documented rise in gender-based violence during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48662/21]
View answerThe response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a cross departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. My Department is working with key stakeholders across Government, Non-Government Organisations and agencies to progress work in this important area.
Tusla has funding of €30 million for DSGBV services in 2021, an increase of €4.7 million from 2020. This includes €28m in core funding to NGO service providers and an additional €2 million of once-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Tusla has prioritised DSGBV services and actively engaged with involved services to provide continuity of support.
The additional funding secured in Budget 2021 reflects my commitment to victims of gender-based violence. These additional resources enable services to continue their valuable supports for victims and their families at a vulnerable time in their lives.
Additionally, this year, I have prioritised the development of legislative proposals for paid leave for victims of domestic violence. I am currently preparing a report with regard to the process to introduce paid domestic violence leave and benefit. When successful, Ireland will be one of the first countries in Europe to adopt domestic violence paid leave.
Tusla will soon publish its Review of the provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence which will assist in developing a plan to address the shortfall of adequate refuge provision and related matters. The recommendations of this review will be considered towards the 3rd National Strategy on DSGBV that is currently being developed under the leadership of the Minister for Justice.
125. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken to progress a thorough investigation of the grounds at the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/21]
View answerI maintain a close interest in the Bessborough site, and I will continue to engage with survivors and the local authorities in terms of protecting this site.
I know from my engagement with survivors that respectful treatment of burial grounds is an issue of huge sensitivity.
The grounds of the former mother and baby institution at Bessborough extended originally to around 200 acres. In its Fifth Interim Report, the Commission of Investigation noted that 'About 100 acres were sold in 1973 for the building of the N25 and for social housing. The Commission understands that there are about 60 acres of ground around the building now.'
The Commission concluded that it is likely that burials did take place in the grounds of Bessborough but that the location of burials at Bessborough could not be ascertained, that the site was too large to feasibly excavate and that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of the likely location of burials.
It is my understanding that, currently, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary retains part of the site; some land has been transferred to the HSE; and other land is owned by private parties who intend to develop the site for housing, subject to the appropriate permissions.
As the Deputy will be aware, I made submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Cork City Council as part of the normal planning process in respect of two planning applications made on the Bessborough lands requesting that due consideration be given to the sensitivity of the site and the conclusions of the commission’s report. Like himself, I attended and made an oral submission to the Oral Hearing on the SHD application. This application related to a particular part of the site which is identified on a 1950s ordnance survey map as a burial ground and which campaigners consider to be the most likely location of burials.
As the land in question is in private ownership, it is not open to Government to procure or carry out investigations there. However, it is notable that An Bord Pleanála has refused permission to develop the land because it 'is not satisfied that the site was not previously used as, and does not contain, a children's burial ground and considers that there are reasonable concerns in relation to the potential for a children's burial ground within the site [...]'.
I have recently written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage asking him for support in encouraging local authorities to provide specific protections within their Development Plan processes for any burial sites that may be linked to former Mother and Baby Homes or County Homes. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has informed me that he is satisfied the Planning and Development Act 2000 enables local authorities to protect any potential burial sites from possible harmful development. I also know that Cork City Council has committed to undertaking its development plan process and I would urge the councillors to take account of the Commission's conclusions in the zoning of the land.
