Peadar Tóibín
Question:1091. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of chaplains working in juvenile detention centres. [1023/22]
View answerJuvenile Offenders
Questions (1091)
Written answers
Oberstown Children Detention Campus is the sole facility for the detention of children in the state. Following the resignation of the chaplain in 2021, Oberstown commenced a recruitment campaign to fill the post. The recruitment of a chaplain is in the final stages of appointment.
Juvenile Offenders
Questions (1092)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1092. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of counsellors or psychologists currently working in juvenile detention centres. [1024/22]
View answerWritten answers
Oberstown Children Detention Campus is the sole facility for the detention of children in the state. Oberstown employs an organisational psychologist on a part-time basis.
Additionally, such services are provided to young people at Oberstown by Tusla through ACTS - the Assessment Consultation Therapy Service. ACTS is a national specialised clinical service that provides multidisciplinary consultation, assessment and focused interventions to young people who have high risk behaviours associated with complex clinical needs.
International Protection
Questions (1093)
Pa Daly
Question:1093. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees who have been accepted from the European Union evacuation missions from Afghanistan into the international protection system in Ireland; the number of Afghans who have applied separately for international protection since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1140/22]
View answerWritten answers
Thank you for your question Deputy. I can confirm that as of 13 January 2022, 405 refugees have been accepted from European Union evacuation missions from Afghanistan via the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in Ireland. The first group of people arrived on 23 August 2021.
Data on the number of people who apply for international protection is a matter for the Department of Justice.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (1094)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1094. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he in conjunction with the relevant Departments will consider developing a scheme for bicycles for those on disability allowance similar to the bike to work scheme to make the purchase of a bicycle viable for those in receipt of this benefit. [1182/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to thank to the Deputy for his suggestion which I have requested my officials to consider in the context of the national disability strategies.
I have no direct responsibility for transport policy or for tax relief schemes such as the bike to work scheme, which fall to my ministerial colleagues. However, my Department does coordinate a number of whole-of-government disability strategies, where actions from the relevant departments and agencies are brought together so that individual action can be coordinated and deliver better outcomes for persons with disabilities.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is one such framework. Under Action 104 of the NDIS, a number of Departments, including my own, are responsible for a review of transport supports for people with disabilities. The purpose of the review is to enhance the transport options that are available to people with disabilities to support greater independent living and for the purposes of accessing employment. This proposal will be brought to the attention of the relevant Departments within that review process.
Childcare Services
Questions (1095)
Matt Carthy
Question:1095. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise Pobal to deliver an alternative to onsite National Childcare Scheme compliance inspections of childcare facilities given the current challenges facing those centres as a result of the Covid-19 situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1207/22]
View answerWritten answers
Following the emergence of Covid-19 in March 2020, on-site compliance inspections were suspended. In order to progress with some form of compliance a temporary desk-based process was developed for the various Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) programmes. Desk based checks commenced in late 2020 for CCSP schemes, followed by desk based checks in April 2021 for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, after full re-opening of the ELC/SAC sector following the third pandemic wave in Q1 2021. In addition, first checks on the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), which commenced in June 2021, were also desk based.
Desk-based checking, although providing some level of assurance, does not allow for the full suite of compliance checks to be completed. Furthermore the scope and range of desk-based checks conducted had to be reduced, given the additional administrative burden this approach had on providers. As a result desk-based compliance checks are limited in purposes intended.
My Department is required to ensure that exchequer funding is protected and that it used for the purposes it was made available for. Compliance checking also provides assurance on compliance with schematic rules. In light of the above, and following extensive consultation with the Department of Education and Tusla Inspectorates, it was decided that on-site compliance inspections could resume in somewhat a limited manner.
I am cognisant of the current operational challenges that services are experiencing due to the high Covid-19 case numbers and staff shortages, and the subsequent impact that this is having service delivery. As an interim measure, on-site inspections are announced, with providers receiving at least 48 hours’ notice of a scheduled inspection. Upon receiving a notification Pobal then contacts the provider to discuss the pending inspection, providing any clarifications required or discussing any concerns the service may have in relation to the inspection. Alternative arrangements, including a deferral to a later date, can be facilitated if it is not possible for a provider to facilitate the inspection on the scheduled date.
I would like to assure you that onsite inspections have and will continue to be closely monitored by both my Department and Pobal in accordance with strict public health guidance and at all times taking into account the ongoing challenging operating environment currently experienced by providers.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (1096)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:1096. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on counselling services by Tusla between 2014 and 2021; the amounts as a percentage of the Tusla annual budget for each year; the way this compares with the proportion of annual budget spent on counselling services by Tusla in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1208/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (1097)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:1097. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on services for families experiencing relationship and marital breakdown by Tusla between 2014 and 2021; the amounts as a percentage of the Tusla annual budget for each year; the way this compares with the proportion of annual budget spent on services for families experiencing relationship and marital breakdown by Tusla in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1209/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (1098)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1098. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla has yet determined if anyone suffered abuse or neglect as an indirect result of the mislaying of hundreds of files in its Portlaoise office (details supplied); if Tusla was able to successfully track down retrospectively every individual referenced in the files; if not, the number of persons whom it was unable to track down; the number contacted as part of its review; the number identified as deceased at the time of the review; if each individual concerned has received an apology from Tusla for the mislaying of their files; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1371/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (1099)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1099. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has been subjected to cyberattacks since he took office; if so, the nature of the cyberattacks; the impact they had on the operation of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1372/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not been subjected to a cyber attack since I have taken office.
ICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service.
My ICT Staff engage closely with the OGCIO on the issue of cyber security, who in turn engage with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of cyber security.
For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cyber security arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services or to comment on operational security matters.
Child Abuse
Questions (1100)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children out of the 122 cases of suspected child abuse in County Kerry which went unreported by Tusla to An Garda Síochána as identified in 2019 (details supplied) who are now deceased. [1373/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I can confirm that the matter has been referred to Tusla, for direct reply to the Deputy.
Child Abuse
Questions (1101)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it has been determined whether individuals referenced in the 365 cases of suspected child abuse in County Kerry which Tusla failed to refer to An Garda Síochána as identified in 2019 suffered abuse as an indirect result of the failure by Tusla to refer their cases to An Garda Síochána; and the number of persons who suffered abuse as a result or the estimated number (details supplied). [1374/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I can confirm that the matter has been referred to Tusla, for direct reply to the Deputy.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (1102)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, on dates between 5 and 9 January 2022, Tusla or its press office made contact or attempted to make contact with the parent of any child who died while in State care regarding commentary made by such a parent on social media. [1377/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (1103)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1103. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in receipt of the after-school childcare scheme in County Clare in each of the years 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1471/22]
View answerWritten answers
The After-School Childcare Programme (ASCP) was administered and funded by my Department as part of the Community Childcare Subvention Programme (CCSP). The CCSP closed to new entrants in November 2019, on the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme.
The ASCP provided up to one year of afterschool care for primary school children for certain categories of working parents/guardians and parents/guardians on certain employment programmes , based on eligibility criteria provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Parents taking part in Community Employment programmes received funding for after school care under the Community Employment Childcare After-School Childcare (CEC AS) another subvention programme under the CCSP. The CEC AS closed to new entrants in 2019, on the introduction of the NCS.
Table 1 below sets out outlines all children registered for ASCC for the years 2016 - 2019 inclusive.
Table 2 below sets out outlines all children registered for CEC AS for the years 2016 - 2019 inclusive.
Table 1
|
Programme Call |
Programme Year |
Unique Children attending in Co. Clare |
|
ASCC 2016 |
2016/17 |
36 |
|
ASCC 2017 |
2017/18 |
6 |
|
ASCC 2018 |
2018/19 |
1 |
Table 2
|
Programme Call |
Programme Year |
Unique Children attending in Co. Clare |
|
CEC 2016 (AS) |
2016/17 |
37 |
|
CEC 2017 (AS) |
2017/18 |
31 |
|
CEC 2018 (AS) |
2018/19 |
24 |
|
CEC 2019 (AS) |
2019/20 |
14 |
|
CEC (AS) Saver Programme 2020 |
2020/21 |
3 |
Departmental Schemes
Questions (1104)
Michael McNamara
Question:1104. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in receipt of the after-school childcare scheme in County Clare in each of the years from 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1526/22]
View answerWritten answers
The After-School Childcare Programme (ASCP) was administered and funded by my Department as part of the Community Childcare Subvention Programme (CCSP). The CCSP closed to new entrants in November 2019, on the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme.
The ASCP provided up to one year of afterschool care for primary school children for certain categories of working parents/guardians and parents/guardians on certain employment programmes , based on eligibility criteria provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Parents taking part in Community Employment programmes received funding for after school care under the Community Employment Childcare After-School Childcare (CEC AS) another subvention programme under the CCSP. The CEC AS closed to new entrants in 2019, on the introduction of the NCS.
Table 1 below sets out outlines all children registered for ASCC for the years 2016 - 2019 inclusive.
Table 2 below sets out outlines all children registered for CEC AS for the years 2016 - 2019 inclusive.
Table 1
|
Programme Call |
Programme Year |
Unique Children attending in Co. Clare |
|
ASCC 2016 |
2016/17 |
36 |
|
ASCC 2017 |
2017/18 |
6 |
|
ASCC 2018 |
2018/19 |
1 |
Table 2
|
Programme Call |
Programme Year |
Unique Children attending in Co. Clare |
|
CEC 2016 (AS) |
2016/17 |
37 |
|
CEC 2017 (AS) |
2017/18 |
31 |
|
CEC 2018 (AS) |
2018/19 |
24 |
|
CEC 2019 (AS) |
2019/20 |
14 |
|
CEC (AS) Saver Programme 2020 |
2020/21 |
3 |
Departmental Reviews
Questions (1105)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:1105. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1547/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department currently has 37 live studies, reviews and research projects underway. 25 of these (68%) involve the commissioning of external experts.
For a full set of details including scheduled completion dates, please see the table below:
|
Project |
Commissioned or Internal |
Scheduled Completion |
|
Report on Preventing Homelessness among Care Leavers: Review of the Capital Assistance Scheme for Care Leavers |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
A review of consultation with children and young people to inform the State’s report on the implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
A review of international experiences in relation to the implementation of a statutory duty for interagency collaboration to ensure the protection and welfare of children |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
Review of the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Operating Mode |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
End-of-Year-3 evaluation of the Access and Inclusion Model |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
A report on the "Voice of the Refugee" |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
Updates to the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures Indicator Set |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
2021 Edition of the State of the Nation’s Children |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Statistical Spotlight on discrimination in Ireland |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Report on the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Evaluation of the ‘What Works’ Executive Leadership Programme |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Guidance Note on Managing Evaluation Challenges |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Research on second generation migrants |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
The Economic Rationale for Government Investment in Early Learning and Care: A high-level overview |
Internal |
Q1 2022 |
|
Review of good practice and innovation on children and young people’s participation in decision-making |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
Literature Review on the benefits and measurable outcomes of Universal Youth Work |
Commissioned |
Q1 2022 |
|
Report into the findings of a consultation with children and young people on their experience of interventions under the Child Care Act 1991 |
Commissioned |
Q2 2022 |
|
Developing context-sensitive methods, tools and principles for inclusive terminology and appropriate language to represent persons who spent time in the institutions known as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’, ‘County Homes’ and related institutions and their experiences in these institutions |
Commissioned |
Q2 2022 |
|
Statistical Spotlight on the First 5 strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families |
Internal |
Q2 2022 |
|
Process Review of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy |
Internal |
Q2 2022 |
|
Variations in Children and Young People’s Health in Ireland: A Synopsis of Recent Research |
Internal |
Q2 2022 |
|
Disrupted Transitions? Young Adults and the COVID-19 Pandemic |
Commissioned |
Q2 2022 |
|
Collaboration with Hub na nÓg in compiling a model of training for personnel in County Councils and Local Authorities |
Commissioned |
Q2 2022 |
|
Research on the social worlds of 9 year olds |
Commissioned |
Q3 2022 |
|
Research on the early learning and childcare needs of parents who work atypical hours and live in rural communities |
Commissioned |
Q3 2022 |
|
A study to evaluate the processes for implementation of three equality strategies |
Commissioned |
Q3 2022 |
|
Qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents dealing with pregnancy loss |
Commissioned |
Q3 2022 |
|
Review of equality legislation |
Internal |
Q4 2022 |
|
Estimating Government Expenditure on Children |
Internal |
Q4 2022 |
|
Growing Up in Ireland Key Findings: Cohort ’08 at 13 years old |
Commissioned |
Q4 2022 |
|
POBAL Early Years Sector Profile |
Commissioned |
Q1 2023 |
|
OECD TALIS Starting Strong |
Commissioned |
Q1 2025 |
|
Hearing the voice of the child in poverty (methodological advice) |
Commissioned |
TBD |
|
Research on the housing situation of children |
Commissioned |
TBD |
|
Qualitative research study into the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland |
Commissioned |
TBD |
|
Monitoring Report On Integration 2022 |
Commissioned |
TBD |
|
Origin And Integration: Housing And Family Among Migrants In The 2016 Irish Census |
Commissioned |
TBD |
Disability Services
Questions (1106)
Thomas Gould
Question:1106. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork City Council does not have a disability officer; and if this is a requirement. [1580/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are existing statutory requirements regarding accessible information and services that all public bodies are bound by and which they must be cognisant of when conducting and planning their normally funded functions. This approach is designed to integrate accessibility into core business functions.
There is no statutory requirement for a disability officer in public bodies. The Deputy may be referring to access officers.
To support persons who may have particular needs, section 26 of the Disability Act 2005 requires the authorisation of at least one officer of a public body to provide or arrange for and co-ordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services. This officer is referred to as an 'access officer' in the Act.
Where a person believes that the provisions of the Act are not being properly adhered to section 38 of the Act entitles a person to make a complaint in writing to the Head of the public body in question. I will also contact the CEO of Cork City Council to remind the CEO of these statutory obligations.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Questions (1107)
Seán Canney
Question:1107. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is an investigative unit in place to investigate anomalies in the files of persons who gave birth to children in mother and baby homes whose files are not correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1613/22]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with its terms of reference, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation investigated 14 Mother and Baby Homes and 4 County Homes. On 28 February 2021, on the dissolution of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, the records of the Commission were transferred to my Department.
My Department then became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the records.
My Department is responsible for fulfilling data subject rights under GDPR, including the right of access to personal data. Where an individual receives information and documentation in response to a Subject Access Request and considers that the information is incorrect, the individual may wish to exercise their right to rectification.
Where a request for rectification is submitted by an individual, my Department will consider all practical options as may be appropriate in each particular case including, for example, appending the text of a data subject’s comments to the record. Each request by a data subject to exercise their right to rectification of personal data will be considered on a case by case basis.
I continue to be committed to vindicating the rights of each data subject in respect of their personal data. My officials are available to assist individuals with exercising their rights and a dedicated helpline is available to provide information to individuals. Relevant details are available on my Department’s website.