Written Answers Nos. 327-337
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to promote integration in all circumstances throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15685/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for migrant integration policy, including the outgoing Migrant Integration Strategy, that sets out the Government’s commitment to the promotion of migrant integration as a key part of Ireland’s renewal and as an underpinning principle of Irish society. The Strategy provides a framework for a range of actions to support migrants to participate fully in Irish life. While initially due to conclude in 2020, the Migrant Integration Strategy was extended to the end of 2021 in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Strategy’s implementation.
My Department has commissioned a study to evaluate the processes for implementation of three equality strategies, which includes the Migrant Integration Strategy as well as the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. I anticipate that a consultation process to develop a new strategic policy for migrant integration will commence during 2022, with work to build the new Strategy taking place in 2023.
As part of its actions under the Migrant Integration Strategy, my Department administers a number of funding programmes to support integration at both national and local level.
One such initiative is the National Integration Fund, a three-year funding programme to promote projects that address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society. Following a competitive funding call launched in August 2020, 18 successful projects located throughout Ireland were granted funding totalling almost €2.2 million over the three year period. This funding will support national organisations and larger-scale initiatives to empower new members of Irish society to play an active part in their communities.
In addition, the Communities Integration Fund, which has been in place since 2017, provides small grants of up to €5,000 to community organisations for initiatives to promote integration at local level. Since its inception, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 490 projects with grant funding totalling €2.76m. A further funding call was launched in early March this year and closes for applications on 6 April.
330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts currently in hand to ensure that Ireland can have a national childcare scheme in which the prices paid for childcare are similar to prices paid for childcare elsewhere across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15686/22]
View answer331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans underway to provide further assistance to families for childcare under the national childcare scheme with particular reference to the financial pressures placed on families due to the cost of childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15687/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children.
There are two types of supports available under the Scheme:
- The Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 3 years. It is also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool (ECCE) programme.
- The Income Assessed Subsidy is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. It is means tested and will be calculated based on individual circumstances. Those on the lowest incomes will receive the highest subsidies.
As part of the monitoring, review and evaluation of the NCS, Frontier Economics was commissioned to undertake a formal review of the first year of the NCS, with the report published in December 2021. The report noted that childcare costs in Ireland have been found to be a significant factor in contributing to low levels of participation in employment, education and training for mothers, particularly for lone parents. The NCS was designed to make childcare more affordable and, in some instances, free.
As part of Budget 2022, I announced a number of changes to the NCS, which will be of significant benefit to many parents. These changes will result in more parents getting additional subsidised hours for early learning and childcare in Tusla registered services by extending the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15 - benefitting up to 40,000 children.
A further change will remove the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children.
In addition, I would note the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, mentioned above, is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks, and the programme year runs from September to June. A child must have turned 2 years and 8 months on or before the 31st August of a given programme year in order to be eligible (and cannot turn 5 years and 6 months during the programme year).
Furthermore, from September 2022, a major new Core Funding stream will be introduced. Under Core Funding providers will be supported in meeting their operating costs, including increased costs related to improved quality measures, in return for a commitment that fees to parents will not increase. The commitment not to increase fees will ensure that the full affordability benefits of the ECCE programme and the NCS are felt by parents.
My Department will continue to keep these schemes under review to ensure they meet their objectives and are in line with international best practice. In this regard, I would note a 12 month review of ECCE will commence this year which will involve an international comparison and the three year review of the NCS will commence at the end of 2022.
332. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the inclusion of mandatory consent classes in third-level institutions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15586/22]
View answerI thank the Deputy for their question on this important matter. Since the start of the 2020/2021 academic year, my Department has worked with the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the sectoral representative bodies to ensure the national, sectoral and local roll out of:
- Online consent training for all incoming students;
- Online bystander intervention training for all incoming students;
- An Anonymous Report and Support Tool for issues of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.
HEIs were requested to consider making consent classes mandatory for incoming students from the 2020/21 academic year. In practice it has not been possible to ensure all students take these classes, however all HEIs offer consent or bystander intervention programming as part of induction for new students. Progress reports submitted to the HEA in November 2021 show a continued increase in student engagement with this type of educational programming.
Sectoral guidance in relation to mandatory consent training is being developed by the HEA Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions.
333. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount it would cost to provide each student with a disability with assistive technology to complete their studies. [15651/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has a dedicated fund which supports and provides accommodations to students with disabilities in further and higher education. The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to eligible further and higher education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating student and contribute to the achievement of their full potential.
Funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations in any of the following broad categories: assistive technology equipment and software (including student training); non-medical helpers (e.g. personal assistants, note takers); academic/learning support; deaf supports (e.g. sign language interpreters, Speed Text); and transport support Eligible institutions receive block grant funding in respect of the FSD for a full calendar year. The disability support staff in each institution completes a needs assessment in respect of each student. On completion of the needs assessment, appropriate accommodations are then put in place to support the students’ journey through their chosen course. The nature and cost of the supports provided to each student varies depending on the particular needs of each student. As such, it is not possible to provide an estimated cost per student.
A range of other supports are also available to students. As part of our Covid response, my Department allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices. This initiative enabled a bulk purchase by HEAnet of approximately 16,500 Dell devices on behalf of further and higher education institutions. The key objective of this initiative was to address concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models of learning. This initiative allows for the redistribution of laptops when returned by students. The latest data available for the end of 2021, has confirmed that a total of 21,581 laptops were procured which supports 24,683 students. The Devolved Capital Grant which is issued annually to the HEIs also allows for the purchase of ICT equipment at the discretion of the HEI to address the digital divide for disadvantaged students.
Work on the development of the new National Access Plan which will cover the 2022-2026 period, is at an advanced stage. Officials in my Department are working closely with the Higher Education Authority and relevant Government Departments on finalising the content of the plan, including a range of key goals and actions. The plan is expected to be published in the first half of 2022.
334. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be reached on a short stay visa application by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the fee and supporting documentation were received in the visa office on 25 January 2022. [15526/22]
View answerThe visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was created on 18 January 2022. Supporting documentation was received in the Abu Dhabi Visa Office on 25 January 2022 and the application is currently awaiting further examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer and is advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without first having been issued a visa.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
335. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí that graduated from Templemore five years ago and one year ago that are still employed by An Garda Síochána. [15537/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of more than €2 billion. This includes funding for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Garda members and up to 400 Garda staff. It should be noted that many of the Garda members to be recruited will be drawn from the recent Garda recruitment campaign. I am advised that there was a strong interest, with over 10,000 applications received.
For the Deputy's information, below is the number of Gardaí attested in the years 2017 and 2021, including the number of those who continue to be employed within the force as on 21/03/2022.
|
2017 |
2021 |
|
|
Number attested |
883 |
148 |
|
Number employed as on 21/03/2022 |
828 |
143 |
336. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Cork by station; the number of vacancies; and the number considered a full cohort in tabular form. [15538/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. This includes funding for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Garda members and up to 400 Garda staff. It should be noted that many of the Garda members to be recruited will be drawn from the recent Garda recruitment competition which closed last week.
Over 800 Garda members have also been redeployed in recent years from administrative duties to frontline policing roles where their expertise can be utilised fully.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. Therefore, the full complement of resources fluctuates at any given time and where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
For the Deputy's information, the table included in the attached spreadsheet, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí in Cork at 28 February 2022.
Detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
GARDA STATISTICS MONTH ENDING 28 February 2022
|
Division |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
CORK CITY |
ANGLESEA STREET |
ANGLESEA STREET |
229 |
33 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
277 |
|
BLACKROCK |
15 |
1 |
16 |
||||||
|
BRIDEWELL |
32 |
8 |
40 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
276 |
42 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
333 |
||
|
ANGLESEA STREET - SOUTHERN REGIONAL RESOURCES |
COMMAND & CONTOL ANGLESEA STREET |
18 |
6 |
1 |
25 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
18 |
6 |
1 |
25 |
|||||
|
GURRANABRAHER |
BLARNEY |
12 |
1 |
1 |
14 |
||||
|
CARRIG NA BHFEAR |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
GURRANABRAHER |
49 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
60 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
62 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
75 |
||||
|
MAYFIELD |
GLANMIRE |
20 |
4 |
24 |
|||||
|
MALLOW ROAD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
MAYFIELD |
50 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
57 |
||||
|
WATERCOURSE ROAD |
27 |
7 |
34 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
98 |
16 |
1 |
1 |
116 |
||||
|
TOGHER |
BALLINCOLLIG |
46 |
9 |
1 |
56 |
||||
|
BISHOPSTOWN |
11 |
2 |
13 |
||||||
|
CARRIGALINE |
18 |
3 |
21 |
||||||
|
CROSSHAVEN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
DOUGLAS |
27 |
3 |
30 |
||||||
|
PASSAGE WEST |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
TOGHER |
50 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
60 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
155 |
26 |
2 |
1 |
184 |
||||
|
CORK CITY Total |
609 |
99 |
17 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
733 |
||
|
CORK NORTH |
FERMOY |
BALLYNOE |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
CASTLETOWNROCHE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
FERMOY |
55 |
13 |
3 |
1 |
72 |
||||
|
KILDORRERY |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
KILWORTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
MITCHELSTOWN |
19 |
4 |
23 |
||||||
|
RATHCORMAC |
|||||||||
|
WATERGRASSHILL |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
80 |
17 |
3 |
1 |
101 |
||||
|
MALLOW |
BUTTEVANT |
2 |
2 |
||||||
|
CHARLEVILLE |
17 |
2 |
19 |
||||||
|
DONERAILE |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
GLANTAINE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
KANTURK |
21 |
2 |
23 |
||||||
|
LISCARROLL |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
MALLOW |
55 |
8 |
2 |
65 |
|||||
|
MILFORD |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
NEWMARKET |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
102 |
13 |
2 |
117 |
|||||
|
MIDLETON |
BALLYCOTTON |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
CARRIGTWOHILL |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
CLOYNE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
COBH |
27 |
3 |
30 |
||||||
|
KILLEAGH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
MIDLETON |
46 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
52 |
||||
|
WHITEGATE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
YOUGHAL |
19 |
3 |
22 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
101 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
114 |
||||
|
CORK NORTH Total |
283 |
41 |
6 |
2 |
332 |
||||
|
CORK WEST |
BANDON |
BALLINEEN |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
BALLINHASSIG |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BALLINSPITTLE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
BANDON |
60 |
13 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
79 |
|||
|
INNISHANNON |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
KILBRITTAIN |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
KINSALE |
16 |
1 |
17 |
||||||
|
TIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
84 |
14 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
104 |
|||
|
BANTRY |
BANTRY |
30 |
7 |
1 |
38 |
||||
|
CASTLETOWNBERE |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DRIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
DURRUS |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
GLENGARRIFF |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
KEALKIL |
|||||||||
|
SCHULL |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
42 |
9 |
1 |
52 |
|||||
|
CLONAKILTY |
BALTIMORE |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
CLONAKILTY |
29 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
||||
|
DRINAGH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
DUNMANWAY |
18 |
4 |
22 |
||||||
|
ROSSCARBERY |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
SKIBBEREEN |
8 |
2 |
10 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
58 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
70 |
||||
|
MACROOM |
BAILE BHUIRNE |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BOHERBUE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
COACHFORD |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
CROOKSTOWN |
10 |
2 |
12 |
||||||
|
MACROOM |
30 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
38 |
||||
|
MILLSTREET |
14 |
2 |
16 |
||||||
|
RATHMORE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
STUAKE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TARELTON |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
63 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
75 |
||||
|
CORK WEST Total |
247 |
42 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
301 |
337. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if a review has been conducted of the new Garda Operational Model. [15540/22]
View answerThe new Garda Operating Model seeks to reflect and address the realities of modern-day policing by providing more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. The Model will increase community engagement and access to a wider range of specialist services across the country. It development and design flow from recommendations made by both the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
As the Deputy will appreciate, implementation of the Operating Model is in an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
Each of the 19 Divisions under the new Model will be comprised of four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services. Implementation of the Model has initially focused on the Business Services Functional Area. To date, 17 out of the 19 Divisions have commenced the phased implementation of Business Services.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Operating Model Central Implementation Team conduct ongoing reviews of the Model. Evaluations are conducted monthly with Divisions who have commenced implementation to assess progress and the adoption of the new ways of working. Feedback is actively tracked and reviewed by the Model Central Implementation Team, and this will continue throughout the rollout of all phases and functions of the model.
