Written Answers Nos. 331-343
331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5791/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 December 2021. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 21 December 2021. The case was referred on 13 January 2022 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5792/22]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 7 October 2021.
Based on the evidence supplied this person’s application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to supply the information which was requested by this Department and the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 6 December 2021.
They submitted additional medical evidence for consideration and on 28 January 2022. A further request issued to the person concerned for the outstanding information which is required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and they will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
333. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on and response to a key conclusion (details supplied) in the Cost of Disability in Ireland - Research Report. [5798/22]
View answerThe Cost of Disability in Ireland report was commissioned by the Minister for Social Protection and prepared by Indecon International Research Economists. It was published in December 2021. It provides important evidence of the additional costs that people with a disability face in their day-to-day lives.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to use research into the cost of disability to properly inform the direction of future policy. As the evidence in the Cost of Disability in Ireland report has implications for many areas of public policy, a whole-of-government approach is required to develop appropriate and timely responses and to ensure that everyday costs are reduced for people with disabilities and their families.
For this reason, the coordination of this whole-of-government response is being carried out under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). The NDIS is one of two national policy frameworks through which the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland are progressively realised. In addition to advancing key actions under the NDIS, my Department supports the implementation and monitoring of the NDIS by coordinating the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG). The Group is chaired by my colleague Minister Anne Rabbitte T.D., and is attended by representatives of Departments, Agencies and the Disability Stakeholder Group.
The Cost of Disability in Ireland report was considered by the NDISSG in December 2021, within 24 hours of publication. Indecon International Research Economists presented the findings of their research to the NDISSG and it was agreed that at the next NDISSG, which will take place in March, the Group will discuss the approaches to be adopted to act on the findings and conclusions of the report. The Group will examine meaningful action to reduce day to day costs for people with disabilities in Ireland. Aligning the findings and recommendations of the Cost of Disability in Ireland report to the NDIS will ensure that recommendations can be properly considered at whole of government level and that progress against actions taken will be monitored by the NDISSG and the Disability Stakeholder Group.
Although the report provides an estimated additional cost range for people with a disability, the exact additional costs for any individual person with a disability will vary considerably depending on, for example, the age of the individual, the severity of disability, the nature of the disability and the household type. Through the NDIS, we will explore cross-Government ways in which the different dimensions of additional costs can be addressed fairly, equitably and sustainably.
334. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the State has a database to record and monitor unaccompanied migrant cases in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5806/22]
View answer354. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the State has a database to record and monitor unaccompanied migrant cases in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5802/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 354 together.
Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) who arrive in Ireland are received into the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. These children are placed by Tusla either in specialist residential care centres with a maximum of six children, or with specifically recruited foster families.
Activity and performance metric data is collated and reported on by Tusla on a routine basis in respect of child protection and welfare services, including SCSIP in the care of Tusla.
335. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his future plans are to ensure affordability of childcare in Ireland given that many Irish families are struggling to meet the high cost of childcare, with many having to choose to keep one parent out of employment in order to save on these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5560/22]
View answerSignificant investment is being made to support parents with the costs of early learning and childcare. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is currently supporting more than 55,000 families to offset these costs, with a recent review of the NCS revealing that:
- 38% of families reported that half or more of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS;
- 56% reported that they had more money to spend; and
- 28% reported that they were working more (with 8% reporting they would not be in work without the NCS).
I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability and reduce the impact that this might have on choices about employment.
The recommendations of an Expert Group to develop a new funding model for early learning and childcare were adopted by Government in December. This marks a new departure in State funding of the sector and is a significant step towards ensuring high-quality, affordable, sustainable and accessible services.
The Expert Group recommended a number of developments to the NCS. The recommendations include extending the universal subsidy to all children under 15 which was announced in Budget 2022. The report also recommends increasing the value of the universal NCS subsidy and revising the approach to calculating subsidies for families with multiple children.
The new funding model also recommends a new approach to fee management. This will start with a requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels to access a new funding schemes in 2022.
The introduction of this requirement (with the approach to fee management to be developed over time) means that parents will not be faced with fee increases, and the full affordability effects of the NCS, the NCS reform announced in Budget 2022 and indeed any reforms to the NCS in future Budgets can be fully realised.
336. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans in place to increase the number of emergency refuge accommodation units for victims of domestic violence and their children. [5725/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important aspect of our response to Domestic Sexual Gender Based Violence (DSGBV).
The response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue. The Taoiseach has confirmed that the Minister for Justice will have the leading role.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in respect of DSGBV, including a plan for additional refuge spaces. Tusla’s Accommodation Review examines current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services, unmet need and proximity to refuge by local communities. The Review has made a number of recommendations on the location of refuge facilities, funding and future configuration of services that will support the needs of victims of DSGBV.
Government will be guided by the recommendations of the Review. I expect that the implementation process for the Review will identify priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of DSGBV. A draft of the Review has been shared with all stakeholders on the Monitoring Committee of the 2nd National DSGBV Strategy and it will be published shortly.
In 2021, Tusla allocated €28m in core funding for DSGBV services and an additional €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from COVID-19. Core funding of services will increase to €30m for 2022 and additional resources have been allocated to address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review.
The impact of Covid and recent tragic events have shown the horrific effect of DSGBV on women, communities and society. In recent weeks I have been involved in discussions with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice as part of considerations by the Government to address the impact of DSGBV. The Minister for Justice will soon publish the 3rd National Strategy on DSGBV which I believe will present a comprehensive and targeted response to the critical issues involved, with a particular focus on prevention.
337. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will grant refugee status to Afghan nationals who are employed by Irish companies operating in Afghanistan. [3569/22]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the difficult situation faced by many people in Afghanistan. Sadly, it is not possible to grant refugee status to all of those currently in such situations. In this context, my Department has attached priority to vulnerability and humanitarian needs and has focused on granting refugee status to the following categories of Afghan nationals:
- human rights defenders,
- women and girls at risk,
- those working for NGOs,
- members of LGBTI community,
- members of the legal and journalist professions,
- and others whose lives are at risk.
Applications for refugee status will continue to be assessed on this basis.
338. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can provide an update on the recommendation of First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families for a review of the relevant provisions of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 on the issue of extending the current entitlement to paid time off-work for breastfeeding mothers from 26 to 104 weeks after the birth of the baby (details supplied); the legislative proposals being worked on in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5557/22]
View answerIn line with the commitments in FIRST 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families and the National Strategy for Women and Girls to extend the current entitlement to paid breastfeeding/lactation breaks or paid reduction in working hours for breastfeeding mothers in the workforce from 26 to 104 weeks under the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Acts, I intend to bring forward legislative proposals in the coming weeks to provide for an extension of the current entitlements.
The extension of breastfeeding breaks is an important support for mothers returning to the workforce after the birth of their child, and will facilitate the combination of breastfeeding and working in line with the WHO recommendation to continue breastfeeding, in combination with suitably nutritious and safe complementary foods, until children are two years old.
339. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the resources and processes that are currently available to persons in counties Louth and Meath who wish to access personal information and data release from time spent in mother and baby homes and institutions (details supplied); the current waiting time for processing such applications; the way he plans to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5613/22]
View answerOn 28 February 2021, with the dissolution of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, my Department became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the records and databases that transferred from the Commission.
My Department is responsible for fulfilling data subject rights, including the right of access to personal data. I am very mindful of the importance to people who were born in Mother and Baby Homes of access to their personal data.
Individuals may make a subject access request to my Department in respect of records in the Mother and Baby Homes archive relating to them. My Department operates a dedicated telephone information line to provide information to callers on procedures for making subject access requests. Information is also available on my Department’s website, including a Guide which provides responses to Frequently Asked Questions.
In accordance with GDPR requirements, my Department fulfils GDPR requests within one month of the identity of the requestor being validated. In situations where my Department is unable to fulfil these requests within this timeframe, due to the complexity of the request, my Department informs individuals within one month of receipt of their request, explaining the reason for the delay, and my Department commits to delivery of the data within a further two months.
My Department is committed to meeting its obligations as a data controller when dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) and is responding on a case by case basis to individuals in accordance with the requirements of GDPR.
340. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the review into private family care arrangements in the foster care system. [5685/22]
View answerAlthough there is no formal definition of the term ‘private family arrangements’, there are a number of circumstances in which Tusla may be involved in a child and their family, outside of the formal care system, including in the context of family support or safety planning.
The Deputy has inquired about the status of the review into private family care arrangements in the foster care system. While no formal review is currently underway, these arrangements and engagement by Tusla with children and families in care and in the community will be addressed in the context of the ongoing review of the Child Care Act 1991 and the drafting of the General Scheme of a Child Care (Amendment) Bill.
341. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants who are currently accommodated in direct provision; and the number of those accommodated within direct provision who have already received permission to remain. [5726/22]
View answerAs of 30 January I can confirm that there are 8,582 people accommodated in the Direct Provision system as a whole. This includes -
- 5,828 persons IPAS Accommodation centres;
- 1065 persons in emergency accommodation centres;
- 396 persons in the National Reception Centre in Balseskin;
- 323 persons in quarantine facilities, and;
- 970 in pre-reception facilities.
I can also confirm the number of people accommodated within Direct Provision who have already received permission to remain was 1,761 as at 31 December 2021. The end of January figures are currently being calculated and will be available later this month.
342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which services affecting the welfare and well-being of children continue to be readily and effectively available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5752/22]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children with whom his Department has been in direct and indirect contact in respect of health or welfare issues; the degree to which it has been found possible to respond at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5753/22]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
