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Thursday, 3 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 344-356

Child and Family Agency

Questions (344)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he and his Department are actively engaged in dialogue to assist children at risk; the methodology used to identify and respond to such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5754/22]

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Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is considered to be at risk, that concern is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.

If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.

Tusla acts urgently on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by AGS or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases. Referrals to Tusla increased by 8% in 2021.

Tusla has an out of hours emergency number for AGS which provides advice to the AGS based on the circumstances and also can identify where a child is listed on the Child Protection Notification System. There is a 24/7 'out of hours' social work team available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Cork and on call social workers in other areas. Tusla has a network of emergency foster care placements for children in need of emergency care out of hours.

Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.

In relation to dialogue regarding children at risk, the Department chairs a statutory interdepartmental committee on Children First where matters of risk and safeguarding, across all Government areas, are reviewed regularly.

Disability Services

Questions (345)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to liaise with disability groups with a view to ensuring fair and equal treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5755/22]

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Written answers

Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018 and continues to progressively realise its obligations under the Convention.

The UNCRPD requires State parties to actively involve people with disabilities in policy development (Articles 4.3 and 33.3).

As a first step towards full implementation of UNCRPD requirements on consultation, my Department has begun the process of building and supporting the consultation framework for involving people with disabilities in the policy development process.

My Department has funded the development of a Disability Participation and Consultation Network to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can fully participate in policy-making. The Network was formed in late 2020 and has been funded to continue its work in 2021 and 2022.

The Network has over 100 members with funding provided to an organising member and four grant funded members. Members include disability organisations, disabled people's organisations (DPOs), individuals with disabilities and family members and support groups. They represent a wide and diverse set of experiences of disabilities which ensures a huge amount of knowledge and experience is available.

The Network is not the only means by which my Department seeks to fulfil its UNCPRD obligations. My Department has the coordinating role in respect of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the steering group of which is chaired by my colleague Minister Anne Rabbitte T.D.. Incorporated into this structure is the Disability Stakeholder Group, which provides independent monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy. It is a voluntary group of 26 individuals with expertise and lived experience of disability. Members include DPOs, representatives from disability organisations, alongside individuals, persons with lived experience, family members and academics. The current iteration of the DSG (DSG 6) commenced this year following an expression of interest for members last Summer.

In addition to these two more formal consultation groups, my Department also seeks to use wider public consultation through submissions, surveys and online and in person workshops to ensure that as many views from disability groups and stakeholders are collated and incorporated into policy developments.

Disability Services

Questions (346)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to pursue issues of inequality in the context of access to services for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/22]

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Written answers

The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and education. The Acts cover nine grounds of equality, including that of disability. In addition, the Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation services against people who are in receipt of rent supplement, housing assistance, or social welfare payments.

Where an individual considers that they have been discriminated against based on one of the named grounds, it is open to them to make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

My Department conducted a consultation seeking the public’s views on a review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015), which ran from July to December last year. The review will examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality, including in relation to disability.

This Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. Our determination to improve services and supports for people with disabilities and their families is clear in our Programme for Government. My colleague at the Department of Health, Minister Donnelly, secured an additional package of €115m in Budget 2022 (including €10m one-off Covid funding for specialist community-based disability services which are delivered or funded by the HSE, and builds on the €100m funding allocated in 2021 to enhance these specialist disability services.

The Disability Capacity Review to 2032 sets out the Disability Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements up to 2032. This review has carefully drawn on best available evidence and information to estimate the scale of current outstanding need for HSE-funded disability services, and how the scale and shape of need is likely to evolve over the years to 2032.

Work is underway on preparing an Action Plan for Disability Services 2022-2025, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to work towards implementing the Disability Capacity Review.

Immigration Support Services

Questions (347)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to pursue issues of integration with particular reference to the growing needs throughout the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/22]

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Written answers

The outgoing Migrant Integration Strategy has been the central policy framework adopted by Government to promote the integration of all migrants who are legally in the State.

Many actions which began under the outgoing Strategy are continuing, in particular support for integration projects through a number of funding streams, such as the Communities Integration Fund and the National Integration Fund which promote the integration of vulnerable or socially-excluded migrants and encourage the involvement of migrants in their communities.The Migrant Integration Strategy has now concluded and an independent evaluation of the Equality Strategies concluding in 2021 will take place this year which will inform the development of future strategic policy. My Department will continue to examine the challenges around integration and develop effective policy responses.

Youth Services

Questions (348, 350)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he continues to liaise with youth services throughout Ireland with a view to ensuring the availability of appropriate supports in circumstances in which a need has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5759/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with various youth services throughout County Kildare and throughout Ireland with a view to making available an equality of support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5761/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 350 together.

My Department provides funding to all 16 Education and Training Boards (ETB) (including Kildare/Wicklow ETB) to support youth services in their area and to support the work of the Youth Officer. Youth Officers provide an important support role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the ETBs and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.

The UBU scheme which is operated by the ETB's is underpinned by the Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement (APNASR) process.

The APNASR Tool allows each Education and Training Board (ETB) to gather and use available demographic data and local knowledge to produce an area profile of their functional area.

The ETB carries out an analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data to identify and evidence the needs of young people. This results in a Service Requirement that is the basis for an application by organisations under UBU Your Place Your Space. This process ensures equality for all youth services applying for UBU Your Place Your Space Funding.

DCEDIY also maintains close contact with 30 national youth organisations which it funds under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. The Minister and officials meet formally with these organisations twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments or challenges in the youth sector. This provides a forum for organisations to give information on national issues but also identify specific locations that require additional focus. Throughout Covid-19, the Department engaged with a representative group from the sector on pandemic specific issues including the regular updating of national guidelines for the youth sector relating to COVID.

Officials from my Department also meet formally with youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises and also maintain informal contacts.

As we begin to move beyond the pandemic, the Department will continue to ensure there is sufficient engagement with this important sector which provides enormous value to young people.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (349)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his attention is most often brought to any alleged update or upgrading service requirements from the various bodies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5760/22]

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Written answers

My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 348.

Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children

Questions (351)

Holly Cairns

Question:

351. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minor migrants who were referred to Tusla in 2020 and 2021 who were reunited with family members during this same time period; the procedure that is in place in cases in which a child is reunited with a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5799/22]

View answer

Written 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.

Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children

Questions (352)

Holly Cairns

Question:

352. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of migrant children who have gone missing from Tusla's care in 2020 and 2021; the number of these children who have been located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5800/22]

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Written answers

The Deputy is seeking information on the numbers of separated children seeking international protection who have gone missing from care in 2020 and 2021. As this is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy .

Tusla has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for the greater number of separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports and airports.

Children who are reported missing from care are recognised as being among the most vulnerable in society. Tusla and An Garda Síochána work together on such cases through a Joint Protocol. The protocol sets out how social workers and social care workers should make a report of a missing child in care; when and how information about the child may be released to the public if the child is not located and arrangements for the return of the child to their care placement when they are found.

Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children

Questions (353)

Holly Cairns

Question:

353. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the protocol that is in place in cases in which an unaccompanied minor arrives into an Irish port and seeks to be reunited with a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5801/22]

View answer

Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for the greater number of separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports and airports.

SCSIP who arrive in Ireland are received into care. These children are placed by Tusla either in specialist residential care centres with a maximum of six children, or with specifically recruited foster families. The children are automatically entitled as children in care to a medical card, access to education services and have a social worker allocated to them.

The basis for care of a SCSIP is different from the general child in care population; they are not received into care to protect them from their family but rather for welfare reasons due to their separation from their primary carers, which can be as a consequence of war or persecution.

The right to family reunification is a well-established principle of human rights law and of particular relevance to SCSIP. Given that it is a statutory right of SCSIP to apply for family reunification Tusla is of the view that its role is to ensure that those rights are upheld and further, to support the applicant in their application for family reunification as appropriate.

Consequently, reunification work has evolved to be a key piece of the support Tusla staff provide to SCSIP in State care and who are eligible to apply. The process of reunification is commenced as soon as the young people come to the attention of Tusla with an aim to re-establish contact with the family of origin as soon as possible.

Question No. 354 answered with Question No. 334.

Third Level Admissions

Questions (355, 356, 357)

Thomas Gould

Question:

355. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first year places available by university for speech and language therapy at undergraduate level in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [5695/22]

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Thomas Gould

Question:

356. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first year places available by university for physiotherapy at undergraduate level in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [5696/22]

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Thomas Gould

Question:

357. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first year places available by university for occupational therapy at undergraduate level in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [5697/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 357, inclusive, together.

My Department's primary source of statistics is the HEA's Student Records System (SRS) which records enrolments of students, rather than planned places. First year enrolment data for undergraduate occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy courses is available in the table below. The data is for the 2020/21 academic year, the latest available.

Institution

Course

Enrolments

NUI Galway

Occupational Therapy

29

Trinity College Dublin

Occupational Therapy

42

University College Cork

Occupational Therapy

26

Royal College of Surgeons

Physiotherapy

20

Trinity College Dublin

Physiotherapy

40

University College Dublin

Physiotherapy

52

University of Limerick

Physiotherapy

27

NUI Galway

Speech and Language Therapy

24

Trinity College Dublin

Speech and Language Therapy

35

University College Cork

Speech and Language Therapy

29

Question No. 356 answered with Question No. 355.
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