Written Answers Nos. 103-122
103. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cén soláthar atá i bPlean Teanga Gaeilge na Roinne maidir le seirbhísí Gaeilge a chur ar fáil don phobal i gcoitinne atá á lorg agus lena chinntiú go mbeidh rogha ag pobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge plé a dhéanamh i nGaeilge, i scríbhinn agus ó bhéal, le hoifigigh na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [59629/21]
View answerTá mo Roinnse tiomanta seirbhís ar ardchaighdeán a sholáthar i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla dá custaiméirí. Tá an Roinn ar an eolas faoina cuid oibleagáidí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus na gealltanais mar atá leagtha amach inár Scéim Gaeilge 2019-2022.
Is féidir le hIonaid Intreo agus Oifigí Brainse mo Roinne seirbhísí teileafóin/duine le duine a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge, agus is féidir lenár réimsí láraithe scéime seirbhís teileafóin a thairiscint do chustaiméirí trí Ghaeilge. I gcásanna nach mbíonn baill foirne ar fáil, tairgtear seirbhís ateangaireachta. Is féidir an tseirbhís seo, ar féidir a shocrú ar ghearrfhógra, a sholáthar trí ghlao gutháin 3-bhealach, nó go pearsanta, de réir mar is gá. Is féidir le mo Roinnse gnó a dhéanamh i nGaeilge trí chomhfhreagras i scríbhinn chomh maith. Éascaíonn Rannóg Seirbhísí Faisnéise agus Léirmhínithe na Roinne iarratais ó réimsí gnó ar aistriúchán, agus eagraíonn an tseirbhís seo, atá inrochtana go lárnach, aistriúchán tráthúil ar chomhfhreagras agus ar dhoiciméadú.
Faoi láthair tá ceithre oifig phoiblí ag an Roinn i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Is féidir leis na hoifigí seo go léir seirbhís a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge.
Ina theannta sin, tá mo Roinnse tiomanta d’fhorbairt agus oiliúint leanúnach na foirne chun soláthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a éascú agus leanann sí ag tabhairt spreagadh do bhaill foirne leas a bhaint as an raon tacaíochtaí oiliúna chun líofacht sa Ghaeilge a fheabhsú. Faoi láthair, tá 200 ball foirne ag an Roinn inár n-oifigí Intreo agus Roinne éagsúla ar fud na tíre atá ar fáil chun seirbhísí a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge.
Tá súil agam go soiléiríonn sé seo an t-ábhar don Teachta.
104. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59642/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has no role in supporting the project referred to. I would refer the Deputy to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
105. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the plans to extend parents' benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59654/21]
View answerParent's Leave and Benefit is currently available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019 for five weeks and must be used within the first two years of the child’s life or adoption. The Parent’s Benefit scheme is family-friendly and flexible, allowing parents to take one week of leave at a time or for a consecutive period.
Provision was made in Budget 2022 to increase the number of weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents from five weeks to seven weeks from July 2021. The additional two weeks leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under age 2 in July 2022 or in the case of adoption, children who have been with their parents for fewer than two years at that point.
The extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit requires legislative change and changes to the Department of Social Protection's systems. This work is already underway, and my Department will be in a position to process and issue the additional two weeks benefit payments from July 2022.
Parents with an entitlement to the existing five weeks of Parents Leave and Benefit prior to this can apply for and use it at their convenience.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
106. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the auto enrolment pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59655/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to introducing a pension auto-enrolment system. The objective of this commitment is to address the low proportion of employees in Ireland with supplementary pension cover, which includes both occupational and personal pensions.
According to CSO figures, the rate of supplementary pension coverage is around 55% of the working population (Pension Coverage Survey 2020). It is estimated that this reduces to less than 35% when the private sector is considered in isolation. As a consequence of this low supplementary pension coverage rate, many retirees may suffer an unwanted reduction in living standards when they retire.
This Government, recognising the exceptional strain that both employers and employees are now under as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, will seek to gradually deliver an AE system, based on the following principles:
- There will be a phased roll-out, over a decade, of the contribution made by workers.
- Matching contributions will be made by both workers and employers and the State will top up contributions.
- There will be an opt-out provision for those who choose to opt out.
- Workers will have a range of retirement savings products to choose from.
- There will be a charges cap imposed on pension providers.
My Department is currently working on finalising a proposal for Government on the overall design of the AE system. As set out in the Economic Recovery Plan 2021, it is hoped that the design can be completed by the end of this year. Thereafter, it is intended that the necessary legislative, organisational and process structures will follow over the course of 2022 and 2023.
In progressing this work, the Department is receiving technical support from the European Commission’s DG Reform which assists EU member states implementing administrative and institutional reforms.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
107. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a maternity benefit payment will issue to a person (details supplied) given that they commenced maternity leave on 8 November 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59656/21]
View answerMaternity Benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI).
Following receipt of an application for Maternity Benefit, a letter issued to the person concerned on 16 November 2021 requesting additional information in order for a deciding officer to make a decision on their entitlement. When this information is received, a decision can be made and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59661/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the child referred to by the Deputy.
A letter with details of the child's PPSN issued to the child's mother on 30th November 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Pensions Council is undertaking a cost transparency initiative in respect of the costs and charges applied to the management of private pensions; the details on the nature and timeline of the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59674/21]
View answerThe Pensions Council is a body established under Section 26B of the Pensions Act 1990. Its key role is to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters relating to policy on pensions and to represent and protect the consumer interest. Both I and previous Ministers have asked the Council to give special attention to matters relating to charges.
On 4th March 2021 I wrote to the Council asking it to consider the merits of introducing in Ireland an initiative similar to the UK’s ‘Cost Transparency Initiative’ for pension providers. The availability of comprehensive and transparent information on costs and charges is important and helps consumers to decide whether investments represent value for money. I also suggested that the Council consider whether such an approach is effective on a voluntary basis, as in the UK, or whether it operates better on a mandatory basis, such as in Denmark and the Netherlands.
My understanding is the Pensions Council is actively considering the matter at this time and is due to respond to me on the issue in the first half of 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
110. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the significant delays in birth registration causing subsequent delays for claims for child benefit placing significant financial stress on parents particularly one parent families; if she will ensure that financially vulnerable parents are identified and supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59687/21]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the registration of births. There are currently delays in birth registration of up to six weeks in the Eastern Registration Area covering Dublin City and Council, Kildare and Wicklow. My Department has offered its support to help clear the backlogs.
Child Benefit is automatically triggered following completion of the birth registration and any arrears due are calculated and paid quickly. I am assured that there are no delays with the payment of Child Benefit. A parent who finds that they are in a financially vulnerable position, should make contact with the Department of Social Protection.
I hope this addresses the Deputy's question.
111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59710/21]
View answerThe following table provides details of the cost of heating and lighting in the Department’s premises in each of the last 5 years and for 2021 up to end October:
|
|
€000 |
|
2016 |
4,252 |
|
2017 |
3,860 |
|
2018 |
3,810 |
|
2019 |
3,520 |
|
2020 |
4,018 |
|
2021 to end October |
3,313 |
112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of her Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59728/21]
View answerEffective and efficient ventilation has been identified as a protective measure against COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic along with other key infection prevention and control measures.
The majority of offices in my Department are naturally ventilated and staff have been encouraged to keep windows open subject to acceptable comfort limits and to keep air conditioning systems operating in buildings which are mechanically ventilated. All of our mechanical ventilation systems are regularly maintained by professional engineers and kept in good order.
CO2 monitors are used to assess the quality of air and all readings have been within acceptable ranges. Good quality fresh air is essential in offices of my Department and staff are not located in offices where this cannot be achieved.
Additional air cleaning or purification systems, beyond those installed as standard in mechanical ventilation systems to remove large particles, are designed for use in areas with poor ventilation and air quality and they are not required in my Department.
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare can be paid to a person (details supplied); if weekly payments can be put in place on humanitarian grounds given the health of the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59763/21]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. This assistance is subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC). Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The ENP scheme is demand-led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. ENPs are not subject to the HRC.
The person concerned made an application for SWA on 22/2/2021 and was paid an ENP pending a decision on this application. As stated above, in order to qualify for SWA, a person must, inter alia, satisfy the requirement to be habitually resident in the State. The person concerned failed to produce documentation requested by the Designated Officer, including any evidence of the right to reside in the State. As a result, a letter was issued on 18/3/2021 to inform the person concerned that the application was disallowed, and of the right to seek a review or appeal of this decision. It has been confirmed that there is currently a deportation order active in relation to this person.
Another ENP was applied for on 14/07/2021 and this was paid on 15/07/2021. My Department will consider whether a further ENP on a once off basis may be appropriate in the circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Autism Innovation Strategy Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59529/21]
View answerNational action in respect of autism is a commitment in the Programme for Government. Earlier this year, Minister Rabbitte announced an intention to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy with the aim of launching it in 2022. In Budget 2022, Minister Rabbitte and I secured €100,000 for the design and implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy, and for awareness raising around it.
A Working Group, called the Strategy Development Group, will be established to develop the Autism Innovation Strategy. This process will begin after the establishment of the next iteration of the Disability Stakeholder Group has fully concluded.
In line with our commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is critical that the strategy be informed by the lived experiences of autistic people, their families and their representatives.
Ireland has two national policy frameworks that address and respond to issues that affect all persons with disabilities, including those with autism. These strategies are the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), the Steering Group of which is chaired by Minister Rabbitte, and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities (CES), which is independently chaired by Fergus Finlay. These strategies guide policy and action across Government in respect of addressing and breaking down the barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including those with autism.
115. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider revisions to the Mother and Baby Institutions payment scheme following the reaction of survivors and their families to the proposed details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59775/21]
View answerSince the publication of Commission's report, I have engaged extensively with survivors. This engagement has informed the wide-ranging Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Plan is fully inclusive and responds to the diverse needs and priority concerns of all survivors. The actions are designed to support survivors in a number of ways and to contribute to healing and future wellbeing.
While the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will benefit an estimated 34,000 people at a total cost of €800 million, it is just one element of the Government’s response to the country’s complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions and should not be viewed in isolation from the broader Action Plan. For those who spent short periods of time as children in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, the overwhelming priority need which has been expressed is access to birth information and records. A lack of information about their origins is deeply troubling to many survivors and the remedy to address this is making sure that they have access to this information. Therefore, I have prioritised work on legislation that is going to achieve this important aim, in the form of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill.
Consultation with survivors on the design of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme also clearly showed that they wanted a Scheme that would be non-adversarial, simple and with a low burden of proof. This is what the proposals for the Scheme seek to deliver. Further to extensive and challenging deliberations, it was concluded that providing a general payment based on time spent in an institution, with no requirement to bring forward any evidence of abuse or harm was the best way to ensure that the Scheme causes no further trauma.
I have been given Government approval to bring forward legislative proposals on the basis of the Scheme as outlined and work has commenced in my Department on draft Heads of Bill. Through the legislative process, there will be further opportunities to examine any issues or concerns that have been raised in relation to the Scheme.
116. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to receive further refugees from Afghanistan. [56319/21]
View answerIreland has, to date, offered over 500 Letters of Waiver in lieu of visas to enable those wishing to leave Afghanistan to exit the country. To date, 353 Afghans have arrived in Ireland. The current IRPP priority is to ensure the integration of new arrivals and to link these with accommodation and services.
Requests for further places in the IRPP programme will be considered as resources allow. The Department of Justice will launch the Afghan Admissions Programme in December to facilitate the arrival of 500 Afghans under Family Reuni fication.
117. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way the recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality will be used constructively going forward. [53379/21]
View answerThe Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality, which submitted its report to the Oireachtas on 2 June, has made 45 recommendations towards gender equality in Ireland. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment that the Government will respond to each recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality.
As the Minister with responsibility for Gender Equality, many of the recommendations fall under my remit, including the recommendations for amendment to the Constitution; recommendations on equality legislation; on encouraging women in leadership; some of the recommendations on gender equality in pay and in the workplace, recommendations focusing on early learning and childcare and some recommendations under the broad heading of care. Many other recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly fall under the responsibility of a number of my Ministerial colleagues and I will work with them to provide these with the necessary in-depth consideration. The recommendations will be a key element in the successor strategy to the National Strategy for Women and Girls which will be developed next year.
118. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality recommendation that a statutory right to reasonable access to flexible working be introduced; if this recommendation has been accepted; if so, the stage plans to introduce it are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53077/21]
View answerThe Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality, which submitted its report to the Oireachtas on 2 June, has made 45 recommendations towards gender equality in Ireland. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment that the Government will respond to each recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality. As the Minister with responsibility for Gender Equality, many of the recommendations fall under my remit, including the recommendations for amendment to the Constitution; recommendations on equality legislation; on encouraging women in leadership; on gender equality in pay and in the workplace, recommendations focusing on early learning and childcare and recommendations under the broad heading of care. Many other recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly fall under the responsibility of a number of my Ministerial colleagues and I will work with them to provide these with the necessary in-depth consideration.
In relation specifically to the recommendation that a statutory right to reasonable access to flexible working be introduced, this recommendation will be considered and a response developed. As the Deputy will be aware, Article 9 of Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers provides that Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that workers with children up to a specified age, which shall be at least eight years, and carers, have the right to request flexible working arrangements for caring purposes. The date for transposition of the Directive is 2 August 2022.
I intend to bring to Government in the coming weeks legislative proposals fully to implement the Directive including with regard to a right to request flexible working. The Tánaiste is separately developing proposals on a right to request remote working.
119. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress regarding implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59464/21]
View answerEarlier this year, I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Since then my Department has taken a series of steps to implement these reforms, with a view to completing them by the end of 2024.
A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model. Ending Direct Provision and putting in place the new system with its focus on human rights, on not-for-profit delivery, and on integration from day one, requires a whole-of-Government approach. My Department is therefore working closely with key stakeholders across Government to plan, design, and implement the changes described in the White Paper.
I have appointed a Programme Board, including officials from relevant Government Departments and agencies, and independent members, to oversee the transition. So far, the Board has met four times since its establishment, and its next meeting is scheduled for 16 December.
I have appointed a three-person External Advisory Group whose role is that of independent observer of the implementation of the new policy. Through its work, this Group will help to build confidence in the reform programme among all stakeholders. This Group has already met twice, most recently on 19 November.
As stated in the White Paper, my intention is to have the new system of supports and accommodation for international protection applicants operational by December 2024. We have made good progress on this objective to date. Working with the Housing Agency, my Department has begun to acquire the accommodation needed to implement the White Paper reforms. We are currently prioritising the acquisition of accommodation for Phase Two - that is, after people have completed their initial four months in a Reception and Integration Centre and move into the community.
We anticipate that the process of moving the first applicants into this accommodation will begin in 2022 and that it will accelerate over the following years as more properties come on stream.
Working with the housing experts on the Programme Board, my Department is developing an ownership model for the accommodation, as well as a funding model to enable Approved Housing Bodies and other not-for-profit organisations to act as our delivery partners. An allocation key to determine the spread of this accommodation across all counties has been agreed by Local Authorities.
With respect to integration, the House will be aware that the White Paper commits to the principle of 'integration from day one' for all international protection applicants. My Department is currently developing the detailed policy required to meet this commitment. This integration policy will enable applicants to live independently in Ireland and will help them to feel at home in their new communities. Integration supports will be delivered during both Phase One and Phase Two of the new model.
During Phase One, applicants will live in a Reception and Integration Centre, where they will participate in an Integration Programme including language tuition and orientation to living in Ireland. In Phase Two, after four months, applicants will move to independent living in the community.
Here they will have access to integration supports delivered by service providers at a local level through Interagency Working Groups co-ordinated by the relevant Local Authority. Applicants will also be assisted by a network of Integration Support Workers, who will help to link them in with the supports they need.
When living in the community, applicants will receive an International Protection Support Payment to enable them to meet their needs. A child payment will also be provided. As applicants now have access to the labour market after six months, support to access employment will also be provided. Detailed policy on the International Protection Support Payments is being developed by my Department.
It will take time to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new and very different system of accommodation and supports - grounded in human rights and delivered on a not-for-profit basis. However, I am fully committed to implementing the model by December 2024.
120. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the Expert Group established in September 2019 to develop a new funding model for early learning and care and school age services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59465/21]
View answerFirst 5, a whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families commits to increasing investment in early learning and childcare to up to €1 billion by 2028. A new funding model will be a key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State.
An Expert Group was established in September 2019 to develop a new funding model for the sector. The Group was tasked with examining the current model of funding, its effectiveness in delivering quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services and considering how additional resourcing can best be structured in order to achieve these objectives.
The Expert Group have met 21 times since late 2019. They have presented their report to me, and it is due to be submitted to Government shortly. Since the report is under consideration, it is not possible at present to share the full details of its recommendations but, subject to Government approval, it will be published in the coming weeks. In line with the Group's Terms of Reference, the recommendations will seek to further achieve policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage through increased public funding and public management.
I have met with the Chair of the Group and was briefed on its progress, which allowed for the emerging recommendations of the Expert Group to significantly inform the developments being introduced in Budget 2022. Budget 2022 introduces a ground-breaking package of measures for the early learning and childcare sector - designed to deliver quality for children, affordability for parents, stability for providers, and support employers to improve pay and conditions for staff. An additional €78m in ELC and SAC funding brings the total investment in the sector to €716m next year.
The increase in funding comprises three main parts. Firstly, changes to the NCS will, inter aliam extend the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15, as recommended by the Expert Group.
Secondly, the introduction of a new Core Funding stream in September 2022 will support providers cover increased operating costs linked to quality improvement measures. This core funding stream will be worth €69 million to providers in 2022 and approximately €207 million in a full year from 2023 on.
Thirdly, a one-off transition fund of up to €37 million will operate from May to August 2022, to support providers in the period leading up to the new core funding stream.
These new development measures announced in Budget 2022 begin the implementation of the Expert Group’s recommendations. The full implementation of the Expert Group’s recommendations is likely to be a multi-annual process, with funding becoming available on an incremental basis.
The development of the new funding model has been supported by a significant programme of research. The research partner of the Expert Group has produced a series of working papers examining Ireland’s approach to this sector in an international context including papers on reducing costs to parents and mechanisms to control fees. The Group has also engaged in an extensive and detailed stakeholder consultation process.
Material relating to the work of the Expert Group, including reports from consultation and engagement, meeting documentation and research papers are available on a dedicated website, www.first5fundingmodel.ie.
121. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of meetings of the programme board overseeing the White Paper to End Direction Provision have taken place; the number of properties being examined by the Programme Board for the purposes of the new accommodation model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59451/21]
View answerI have established a Programme Board, which is chaired by my Department, to oversee the implementation of the new system of supports and accommodation that will be offered to international protection applicants, as was outlined in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service and which I published in February of this year.
This Programme Board, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, has both Government and independent membership, including representatives with lived experience of international protection, NGOs, UNHCR, independent experts in housing and change management and relevant Government Departments. This Board had its first meeting in July 2021 and has had four meetings to date. Its next meeting is scheduled for 16 December 2021.
As the Programme Board is involved in the oversight of the implementation of the new system, it does not examine individual properties that could be used for the new model of accommodation. Instead, my Department reports to the Programme Board on the overall progress of the acquisition of properties. The Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the Local Authorities on developing the new model and on acquiring suitable accommodation. As this process is commercially sensitive, the Department does not specify the exact number or location of the properties that it islooking to acquire at any given time.
122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Strategy Development Group to develop the Autism Innovation Strategy; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59524/21]
View answerNational action in respect of autism is a commitment in the Programme for Government. Earlier this year, Minister Rabbitte announced an intention to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy with the aim of launching it in 2022. In Budget 2022, Minister Rabbitte and I secured €100,000 for the design and implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy, and for awareness raising around it.
A Strategy Development Group to develop the Autism Innovation Strategy will be established. This work will commence after establishing the next iteration of the Disability Stakeholder Group has fully concluded.
In line with our commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is critical that the strategy be informed by the lived experiences of people with autism, their families and their representatives.
Ireland has two national policy frameworks that address and respond to issues that affect all persons with disabilities, including those with autism. These strategies are the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), the Steering Group of which is chaired by Minister Rabbitte, and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities (CES), which is independently chaired by Fergus Finlay. These strategies guide policy and action across Government in respect of addressing and breaking down the barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including those with autism.
