Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy regarding the development and utilisation of digital and assistive technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28469/22]
View answerAction 53 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits to developing proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. This action is being led by my Department, with support from the National Disability Authority.
In order to progress Action 53, an Assistive Technology Ad Hoc Working Group was established, to meet as often as may be necessary. The group includes membership from a number of Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and independent experts who bring both lived and professional expertise to the group.
An initial meeting of the Assistive Technology Working Group took place in February 2020. However, following the emergence of COVID-19, the work of the group was paused. The group re-convened in June 2021 to agree a Terms of Reference and met most recently in September 2021.
The Working Group is focused on developing practical and implementable recommendations for improving the accessibility and affordable of assistive technologies, and operates in the general structure of the NDIS. A Steering Group oversees the implementation of the Strategy itself, which I chair.
62. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail progress regarding the development and implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28423/22]
View answerAs part of Autism Awareness Month, in April 2021, I announced the Government’s intention to launch an Autism Innovation Strategy to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by people with autism across Ireland.
I want to ensure that people with autism are given the opportunity to participate in all stages of the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy, from inception to launch, and monitoring implementation of the Strategy thereafter.
As the first step in developing the Autism Innovation Strategy, a public consultation process was launched on 29 April this year. Submissions were invited from people with autism, their families, friends, representatives and supporters.
The second phase of the development of the Strategy will comprise an expression of interest process for membership of a Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, which Minister Rabbitte will chair. This process will be launched in the coming weeks. The Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group’s main role will be to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the Strategy. It is intended that membership of the group will prioritise the representation of those with a lived experience of neurodiversity and Disabled Person's Organisations (DPOs), as much as possible.
Following the conclusion of the public consultation and the establishment of the Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, my Department will lead efforts to develop a draft strategy text. Once the Strategy has been drafted, there will be a second public consultation to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the finalisation of the actions adopted by Government.
Once published, the Autism Innovation Strategy will utilise the key themes of innovation, empowerment and awareness raising to shape future policies and strategies that are adopted to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.
64. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the support that are available to persons who have opened their homes to refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21399/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing short-term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 23,000 people have been referred for accommodation from my Department to date.
Offers of pledged accommodation from the general public are greatly appreciated. They are one means of assisting with the present challenge of finding suitable accommodation for those fleeing Ukraine.
Pledges of accommodation are taking place via the Irish Red Cross Portal as well as privately between parties.
The Government recently agreed to introduce a Recognition Payment Scheme of a monthly flat rate payment of €400 per property in respect of individual properties (shared or vacant) that are pledged.
It is not assumed that the payment reflects actual costs incurred by the host family. It is a financial contribution that recognises the valued contribution of those who host. It will be available to those who have made private arrangements to host people, as well as pledges made through the Irish Red Cross.
Legislative proposals to underpin the scheme payments will be coordinated by the Department of Justice. It is expected to take 2 months to put in place, but payments will be backdated.
The administration of the Scheme will be carried out by the Department of Social Protection as an appropriate payment agent on behalf of my Department.
The payment will be conditional on a minimum time commitment for hosting (6 months), with payments continuing for hosting arrangements beyond this timeframe.
The application process will be based on principles of self-declaration/self-assessment with a requirement to provide PPSN and other details for the Ukrainians being hosted. Penalties will apply in the case of any false declarations made.
In recognition that some of those pledging their homes do not want financial recognition, the need to apply or make a claim for payment provides an important opt-out option for individuals owners who do not wish to access this State support. However, the generosity of these owners merits recognition.
66. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of parents who availed of parents' leave in 2021; and when the extension of parents' leave from five to seven weeks will be introduced. [24227/22]
View answerAs you are aware, provision has been 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 2022. This will be introduced by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended). It has been decided that the additional two weeks' leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under the age of two in July 2022 (or adoptive children who have been with their parents for less than two years at that point).
Practical arrangements for the payment of Parent’s Benefit are being finalised with the Department of Social Protection and, once finalised, a date for the commencement of the extension will be announced.
The Department of Social Protection awarded 51,395 claims for Parent’s Benefit in 2021 to eligible persons. The number of persons availing of Parent's Leave may be greater than this number.
67. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the implementation plan for the EU Child Guarantee to be ready; if he will outline the objectives of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27701/22]
View answerI am happy to report that I brought the National Action Plan for the EU Child Guarantee to Government on 31st of May 2022. The Government has approved the Plan, which will be published on www.gov.ie in the coming days.
The National Action Plan sets out the responses to barriers identified by Departments, and informed by consultations with stakeholders, in the provision of services to children referred to in the EU Child Guarantee Recommendation.
The National Action Plan details efforts, in accordance with the aims of the EU Child Guarantee, to address child poverty and social exclusion in Ireland and, in so doing, highlights key strategies currently in play.
The key areas of the Plan refer to actions, objectives, targets and timelines - addressing some of the key barriers identified – in each of the sectors of Education, Early Years, Health, Nutrition and Housing. Furthermore, the successor framework to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – the National Framework for Children and Young People, of which the EU Child Guarantee will form a constituent element – will provide the enabling policy framework for the Plan.
68. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with childcare providers to discuss their concerns regarding the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27629/22]
View answerIn December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support the delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
Core Funding is the new funding stream to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
On 7th March, I announced the rates and values for the Core Funding, and launched the online Ready Reckoner tool. The Ready Reckoner is accessible to all and is designed to give an idea of what services can expect to receive based on their characteristics. It also allows different scenarios of provision to be tested. This will show the benefits of applying for Core Funding when it is possible to do so.
My officials have engaged extensively with provider representatives and providers of all types and continue to do so, via various fora.
For example, on 12th April, senior officials in my Department met with a group of provider representatives to discuss issues regarding Core Funding.
In addition, on 4th May I, along with officials, met with a delegation from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) to discuss their position in relation to the new Core Funding stream following a survey of their members. The FECP shared extremely detailed materials at this meeting, including case studies and extensive data on provider costs. My officials have examined these materials and issued a comprehensive response to the FECP and are awaiting further information by means of follow up.
While I accept that Core Funding is a new way of providing funding for the sector, and there is a lot of detailed material to be absorbed, I do not believe that there is a solid foundation in evidence for the concerns expressed by some that Core Funding will compromise services' viability.
In examining all of the data available to the Department, including that provided by the FECP following our meeting on 4th May, there is no evidence about a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding.
The sectoral information on income and costs does not show signs of financial unviability for ECCE-only services. In fact, the evidence suggests that ECCE-only services see the highest levels of income in excess of costs compared to other types of provision.
I am committed to ensuring more stability of income for services, and that is one of the key objectives of Core Funding.
The vast majority of services will see an increase in funding, and around 1% of service will see no change. No service will see a decrease in funding. For any service that does experience financial difficulties, a Sustainability Fund will be in place. This new strand of the Sustainability Fund, linked to Core Funding, will be designed to provide an extra safety net for providers. This will be open to both private and community providers.
The Government is committed increasing investment in early learning and care and school-age childcare. As part of this, the new Core Funding package amounts to €221 million in full year costs (€173 million of which is new investment).
Every year a number of services close and others open. Current data on service closures and openings are not markedly different to the trend in previous years. This data also shows that services close for a wide range of reasons including retirement of owners or other personal circumstances and only a small minority relate to sustainability issues.
The €221 million Core Funding budget is distributed to services in a fair and proportionate manner, based primarily on the features that determine services’ operating costs.
Importantly, Core Funding and this significant increase in investment is the vehicle through which the Government will deliver improved pay and conditions for staff through supporting the drawing up of Employment Regulation Order for different roles of the sector by the Joint Labour Committee and through introduction new mechanisms to control parental fees.
It may be of interest to the Deputy to know that there is significant material relating to Core Funding available at www.first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/Core-Funding/. This public material was prepared in response to a number of queries received by my Department.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, educators and practitioners, and society overall.
This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
69. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being made available to youth services for young people and teenagers who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine; the additional funding that is being made available in this regard; the distribution of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28357/22]
View answerWhile no formal requests have been received, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is actively monitoring the emerging needs as the situation moves from an emergency footing to a more settled picture. This work is ongoing with the assistance of the Education and Training Boards and the national youth organisations.
At this stage, most activity by clubs and services is necessarily on a case by case basis and driven by local response coordination. Activities by youth services and clubs are generally by their nature inclusive, and this is no exception.
These activities often come within the eligibility requirements of funding for youth organisations and services. A communication confirming eligibility and coordination requirements for UBU Your Place Your Space was issued to ETBs.
Ukrainian young people are being supported across a wide range of public services, including social protection, education, training, access to employment and access to language acquisition. Youth organisation and clubs are responding where it is appropriate.
The coordination of local actions is important and the Community Response Forum in each of the local authority areas plays a vital role here. The ETBs and local CYPSCs are included in the forum memberships.
Actions being undertaken by youth organisations include access to youth clubs, signposting and information provision, providing safe meeting places, translation of information and promotional materials, working to develop local medium to long term responses. In relation to accommodation, I wish to acknowledge the willingness of youth organisations to make available facilities normally used for residential or other services. Some examples of actions supported by my Department include:
LGBT Ireland has been approved for €68,000 to support the coordination of efforts by the LGBTI+ NGO sector to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees, including young people, who are LGBTI+.
Foróige was approved to realign an existing grant to recruit a dedicated youth officer to consult and prepare a clear response to the identified needs of Ukrainian young people.
The European Year of Youth micro grants scheme managed by Leargas, some €200,000 in total, includes a priority for projects supporting youth people from Ukraine and to examine topics with young people such as democracy, solidarity or preventing disinformation.
My Department is engaged in a significant effort to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, initially on an emergency basis. I am working closely with Government colleagues to ensure that our responses are coordinated and as timely as possible.
My officials and I will continue to work closely with ETBs, NYCI, and youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation over the coming months.
70. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to Recommendation 17 (details supplied) of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection’s Proposals for a State Response to Illegal Birth Registrations in Ireland. [28405/22]
View answerIn March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration, I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March 2022 I published the report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
Recommendation 17 of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection was that a State inquiry into illegal adoptions (broadly defined) should be established on a non-statutory basis.
The question of creating an effective non-statutory inquiry is a sensitive, complex and challenging one. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges this and, in particular, notes the challenges associated with access to records for a non-statutory inquiry.
The Government remains committed to delivering on the comprehensive suite of actions set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. These actions respond to the priority needs and wishes of survivors, their families and advocates, and some actions achieve objectives of a Truth Commission as proposed by the Special Rapporteur. In March of this year, Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance. The National Centre will stand as a site of conscience and will be designed to be an enduring and educational memorial to honour all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalen Laundries and related institutions. The National Centre will be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry in Sean MacDermott Street in Dublin city centre and will have an inclusive, national and global reach.
The Centre will comprise a number of distinct, yet interrelated, areas, including a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland; and a place for reflection and remembrance. In addition, it will contain a research centre and central repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives. It is anticipated that the central repository will sit at the heart of the Centre and will ultimately be underpinned by legislation. One unique aspect of the central repository will be the intended inclusion of the personal testimonies of survivors; allowing the lived experiences of survivors to be formally accepted as part of the official record. Inclusion of the personal testimonies of survivors will ensure that the lived experiences of survivors will be captured in their own words, for publication and archiving for posterity in the National Centre.
The Government Action Plan also contains important measures which are focused on access to records.
In setting out this comprehensive suite of commitments, the Government recognises the potential for a future centralised archive of institutional records and personal testimony to support further analysis and research on these important matters.
As a consequence of all of this ongoing work, the Government will need to give further consideration to the specific recommendation on the Truth Commission. In the coming months, my priority will be to implement the Action Plan and deliver Birth Information and Tracing legislation, which will provide full, unredacted access to birth and early life information for people affected by illegal birth registration, adopted people, and anyone with questions as to their origins.
71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the discussions that he had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government regarding the need to provide funding for a higher specification for housing being built by disability organisations for tenants who have high-dependency needs under the schemes of his Department for voluntary housing; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28305/22]
View answerI consider the issue of accessible housing for people with disabilities to be of fundamental importance. This view is shared by my colleague, Minister Anne Rabbitte T.D., Minister of State for Disability. The discussions that have been held on this issue have been primarily at the level of officials.
The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 – 2027 sets out the Government’s vision for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people. The overarching vision of the Strategy is to facilitate people with disabilities to live independently and to have their housing needs met in the community. Officials in my Department provided input into the Strategy. The Strategy was a joint publication between my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Health. Responsibility for coordination of the Strategy lies with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In terms of the more general involvement of my Department in the promotion of accessible housing for people with disabilities, the National Disability Authority (NDA), which is funded and supported by my Department, operates a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD). The CEUD is dedicated to promoting the design of environments that can be accessed and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability. The CEUD is working to promote the future-proofing of housing in Ireland through the principles of universal design.
72. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for Tusla to help with the arrival of unaccompanied minor refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28474/22]
View answerSeparated children seeking international protection (unaccompanied minors), including children arriving from the Ukraine, are supported and accommodated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in accordance with the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
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 separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports, including airports.
Tusla has a significant role, as part of the State’s overall response, to support individuals, particularly women and children, displaced from Ukraine, as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is committed to balancing the needs of families in a humanitarian crisis, with its child protection responsibilities, and requirement to support families and promote the welfare of children.
SCSIP who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment. In the first instance, Tusla makes every attempt to contact relatives of the child and to reunite the child with family members or friends. If children cannot be reunified with family or friends, they are received into the care of Tusla.
These children are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster families under a Failte Foster care programme. The children are automatically entitled as children in care to a medical card and access to education services. In addition, a Social Worker is allocated to them to develop a care plan and monitor the progress of the child / young person’s care. The care plan may involve specialist English language tuition, intensive educational supports and therapeutic work in respect of trauma.
Children who arrive in Ireland outside of a dedicated refugee programme are supported in their application for refugee status.
Assisting children with reunification with their families has evolved as a key piece of the support social workers provide to those who are eligible to apply. Where relevant the process of reunification is started as soon as the children come to the attention of Tusla.
All Ukrainian citizens and third country nationals living in the Ukraine who seek international protection in Ireland will receive temporary protection status. This includes all separated children.
Since the commencement of the crisis, 146 separated children from Ukraine have been referred to Tusla. Of these, 86 were received into care/accommodation. There are currently 60 separated children from Ukraine in Tusla's care.
To date all separated children who have arrived have been accommodated within current resources. If a significant number of separated children arrive and all require accommodation, my Department will consider changes to the maximum number of children who may be accommodated together under current standards in consultation with Tusla and key stakeholders. This will be kept under review for the duration of the crisis period.
73. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Community Integration Fund will be ready for announcement; if he will outline the aims of the fund and the type of projects which have been funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28462/22]
View answerThe Communities Integration Fund arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Since its inception in 2017, the Communities Integration Fund has supported local communities nationwide with grant funding totalling €2.76m. Now in its sixth year, the Communities Integration Fund celebrates the rich cultural diversity within local communities and enables local community-based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of migrants.
€500,000 will be made available through the 2022 funding call, for which an open call for proposals was announced through a press release on 10 March 2022 and closed on 6 April 2022. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis, and organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations and schools. Successful organisations stand to receive grant funding of €1,000 – €5,000 to support local integration initiatives.
Assessment of applications is in progress and it is anticipated that successful applications will be announced in the coming weeks.
74. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres that have been closed since the publication of the White Paper For Ending Direct Provision. [28428/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate from statements I have made from the outset of our reform programme for Ending Direct Provision, in order to meet our legal obligations to provide accommodation and other support services for protection applicants as we transition to the new system, existing accommodation centres will continue to operate in the short to medium term; as such my Department currently utilises a mixture of state owned, commercial and temporary emergency accommodation centres.
It is our legal and moral obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants, who continue to arrive here, while their claim is being determined.
My Department is progressing a detailed implementation plan for the new system detailed in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the Local Authorities on developing the new Accommodation Model and wrap-around services for residents.
75. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare supports that are available to one parent families. [28409/22]
View answerThe 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 pre-school (ECCE) programme.
The Income Assessed Subsidy is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. It is means tested and is calculated based on individual circumstances. Those on the lowest incomes receive the highest subsidies.
The NCS is designed to be flexible and accommodate busy parents’ lives. The attendance rules for the scheme facilitate the need for flexibility and recognise that, in practical terms, parents are constrained by a range of individual circumstances.
The Scheme acknowledges that early learning and childcare needs differ widely across different families. That is why subsidies are offered on an hourly basis. The NCS allows for flexible arrangements to be made depending on the parents’ needs.
The Scheme has been designed to be flexible in its application process as well. The online application allows for the parent to complete the process at their own pace, and parents have the option of completing a paper application by post. The system caters for applications from all family types, and no one family type is in any way disadvantaged.
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 early learning and 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 early learning and childcare more affordable and, in some instances, free. In this regard, the report highlights that among claimants of the income-assessed subsidy, around a third were lone parents. It further noted that lone parents had a substantially higher mean hourly rate than couples, leading to a substantially higher mean weekly value for claims.
As part of Budget 2022, Minister O’Gorman 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, introduced in May of this year, ended the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children.
Finally, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, 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).
2022 will see up to €73m being made available for Core funding, which equates to €221m in full year costs. It will require a commitment not to increase fees to parents from September 2021 rates. This feature of the scheme will ensure that parents feel the full affordability benefits of the NCS and ECCE.
Once core funding is embedded and the concurrent changes to ECCE and NCS take effect, my Department will be looking to build a wider strategy targeting disadvantage informed by the work of the Expert Group across ELC settings. This strategy will aim to provide for a proportionate mix of universal supports and for targeted supports to support services and families who use them in alleviating the effects of socio -economic disadvantage.
76. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the recent case of 60 Ukrainian refugees, including children attending school that were given less than 24 hours' notice of being transferred from their accommodation in Dublin to Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28426/22]
View answer324. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that Ukrainian refugees who are currently being accommodated in hotels around Dublin are able to stay in situ until the end of the academic year to allow their children some sense of stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28776/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 324 together.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my department is temporary in its nature.
Given the number of people arriving for which accommodation is being provided, over 23,00 to date it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families in this time of acute need.
In almost all circumstances, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are moved from hotels only where contracts are coming to an end or where they have been in accommodation reserved for International Protection applicants.
In some instances, they have been placed temporarily in accommodation reserved for international protection applicants who urgently need this accommodation.
The State is currently in an emergency response to the ongoing crisis and such moves are necessary to ensure that applicants for international protection and all those fleeing here from Ukraine can be accommodated.
I understand that those who arrived in the State have made connections in the area in which they were placed, however, in seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
77. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that his Department will take to tackle the weaknesses of Ireland’s operating model regarding the care of children following a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28491/22]
View answerOn 29 March 2022, Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model that a dedicated State agency is the optimal operating model for the ELC and SAC sector for the years ahead. It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City/County Childcare Committees (CCC), as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.
The Review, carried out independently by Indecon International Consultants, identified a number of strengths and weaknesses within the current operating model. The Review was informed by consultation with stakeholders and by national and international evidence. The weaknesses identified include fragmentation and duplication within the existing model, resulting in complexity, confusion and administrative burden for ELC and SAC providers and for families. The Review also found that there is an insufficient level of engagement with families within the current operating model. Notably, Indecon highlighted that the multiplicity of organisations, their structure, their size and their varied internal governance also presents challenges in meeting requirements in respect of governance and accountability regarding publically funded organisations.
A reformed operating model will address these gaps and weaknesses, whilst harnessing the very many strengths identified as part of this review. Among the strengths identified within the current operating model is the experience and expertise of staff, their flexibility to changing needs, their local knowledge and their commitment to continuous improvement.
A dedicated State agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC at national and local level, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
My Department has now commenced a further phase of detailed analysis and open planning, consultation and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This phase will include, inter alia, a detailed design of a new operating model, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and an examination of associated costings. In parallel to this ongoing work, and taking account of the weaknesses of the existing model, this phase will also involve an examination of how these weaknesses can be addressed pending the establishment of a dedicated agency.
I look forward to bringing a further report to Government next year following the completion of this phase of what is a significant and transformative reform project.
78. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a lack of respite foster placements in the south-east; if his attention has been drawn to families being unable to get such placements in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28536/22]
View answerFoster care placements is the preferred type of placement for children in care. The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, therefore seek to prevent the breakdown of these placements through offering a range of supports, including respite care. Tusla define respite as a short-term measure whereby a child or young person, in response to an identified risk of placement breakdown or children and young people at risk of coming into care, is placed in a respite setting away from their identified placement or home for a defined period of time. Following a period of respite, it is intended that they return to their identified care placement or home.
In relation to the south-east region specifically, Tusla has informed me that requests for respite for foster carers in the Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary region are processed through the formal structure of the placement committee or the emergency duty service. I have been informed that such requests by foster carers are made through the foster child’s social worker.
Tusla has informed me that every effort is being made in the region highlighted by the Deputy to provide respite to those foster carers who seek it. I have also been advised, however, that at times there may be cases where the service is not able to meet demand or provide respite which meets the specific needs of the child. In some circumstances the area seeks additional supports through private providers or other community supports.
Tusla’s recently published Residential Care Strategic Plan 2022-25 outlines Tusla’s aim to improve data collection on placement breakdown, and increase public residential capacity, including respite capacity, in specific regions of the country. Tusla are currently working on an implementation plan to progress the recommendations in that plan.
79. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being put in place by his Department to help persons who are displaced by the war in Ukraine to integrate in Ireland. [28270/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing immediate, short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. In excess of 23,000 people have been referred to my Department for accommodation to date.
As a country, we have responded well to assist those relocating to Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine, and we will continue to do so.
This is a cross-government response with each Department and relevant agency involved. Supports to those arriving from Ukraine are coordinated at local level by the Community Fora.
Building on structures and relationships which were highly effective during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Response Fora enables all those involved to work together under the stewardship of the local authority. The role of the Community Response Forum is to provide a co-ordination point for the community and voluntary response in their area. Supplementing the supports and services being provided by government agencies a local level, the fora provide for communication and information sharing in the coordination of local community and voluntary actions in providing community supports to the new Ukrainian communities.
Through the efforts of local volunteers, community workers, public bodies and private sector contributions, many recent arrivals are being supported with basic needs such as clothing, access to the internet, transport, English classes and information on how to access local services such as childcare, healthcare and education.
Other areas of my Department are also actively supporting arrivals from Ukraine.
The Early Years Division in my Department has taken responsibility for a number of actions supporting Ukrainian parents and children, allowing them to access preschool and ensuring children’s wellbeing. These actions have included the development and translation of introductory information on the Irish early learning and care sector. A capacity analysis across the country identified vacant preschool places and work is ongoing to match children to the vacant places and to create additional early childhood care and education, ECCE, places, where possible, in areas of high demand. Information on the access and inclusion model for children with disabilities accessing preschool has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian.
Tusla has also put additional staff into its services around educational welfare too in order to support the work of linking students to school places.
80. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of the autism innovation strategy, including measures in place to facilitate the meaningful input of those most directly affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28470/22]
View answerAs part of Autism Awareness Month, in April 2021, I announced the Government’s intention to launch an Autism Innovation Strategy to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by people with autism across Ireland.
I want to ensure that people with autism are given the opportunity to participate in all stages of the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy, from inception to launch, and on into monitoring implementation of the Strategy thereafter.
As the first step in developing the Autism Innovation Strategy, a public consultation process was launched on 29 April this year. Submissions were invited from people with autism, their families, friends, representatives and supporters.
The second phase of the development of the Strategy will comprise an expression of interest process for membership of a Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, which Minister Rabbitte will chair. This process will be launched in the coming weeks. The Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group’s main role will be to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the Strategy. It is intended that membership of the group will prioritise the representation of those with a lived experience of neurodiversity and Disabled Person's Organisations (DPOs), as much as possible.
Following the conclusion of the public consultation and the establishment of the Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, my Department will lead efforts to develop a draft strategy text. Once the Strategy has been drafted, there will be a second public consultation to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the finalisation of the actions adopted by Government.
Once published, the Autism Innovation Strategy will utilise the key themes of innovation, empowerment and awareness raising to shape future policies and strategies that are adopted to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.
