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Tuesday, 21 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 630-643

Children in Care

Questions (630)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

630. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birth mothers of children in State care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who took their own lives after their children were taken from them. [32053/22]

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Written answers

As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.

Children in Care

Questions (631)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

631. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were taken into care under a voluntary care order. [32054/22]

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Written answers

As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Funding

Questions (632)

Michael Ring

Question:

632. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will now be provided by his Department towards accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32056/22]

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Written answers

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.

DCEDIY is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 35,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.

While DCEDIY remains focused on the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis. The Government is committed to supporting those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The cross-Government response is being supported by the Community Response Forum, a Local-Authority led programme providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

The team procuring accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection have contracts in place with a wide range of accommodation providers across the country.

These contracts are negotiated directly with the provider according to specific terms, rates and conditions, and for an agreed length of time.

In some cases, the local authorities procure accommodation for the Department according to an agreement that we have with them and under the same terms.

Accommodation procured outside these arrangements, or booked directly by beneficiaries of temporary protection or on their behalf are not funded by the Department. This is to ensure that only suitable accommodation is procured in line with public spending rules.

The Candle of Grace Charity brought a large number of people from Ukraine to Ireland, including over 100 minors, without any contact in advance with my Department.

There was no agreement in place between my Department and Mayo County Council in relation to the procurement of accommodation for this group.

The accommodation arrangements that were made by the charity directly, or with the local County Council is not covered by the Department’s accommodation procurement rules, and the County Council was informed that these costs would not be covered.

It has now been decided that my Department will cover the accommodation cost, subject to Mayo County Council providing assurances that any unaccompanied minor is being accommodated appropriately, and that Tusla is happy with the arrangement.

My Department will not cover costs retrospectively.

International Agreements

Questions (633)

Pauline Tully

Question:

633. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the ratification of the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32286/22]

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Written answers

Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.

Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation - each year moving forward on key reforms, with the obligations arising from the Convention being met over time. Initial priority has been given to meeting legislative commitments and requirements.

I recognise the importance of the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD. As the Deputy will be aware, the Optional Protocol is an international treaty that establishes procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government, following the State's first review period before the UN Committee.

Due to delays at UN level, Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will be delayed, possibly for some time. In light of this, both Minister O'Gorman and I have indicated that we are open to earlier ratification, contingent on the State being in a position to meet its obligations thereunder. This is reflective of the State’s long-standing approach to entering into binding international obligations in good faith, and at a point where the State is in a position to meet its obligations.

In that regard, we know that commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 is required before ratification can occur, and for closer alignment with Article 12 of the Convention. It is intended that this important legal reform will be in place once the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill is passed into law.

Alongside that, ratification of the Optional Protocol requires a comprehensive review of existing domestic remedies for breaches of the Convention in order to ensure the State can meet the obligations arising from the Optional Protocol. My Department is currently in the process of examining the requirements for ratification, and my officials have had engagement with our internal legal advisors on the steps required. This work is being progressed as part of the development of the UNCRPD Implementation Plan.

Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children

Questions (634, 635, 636)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

634. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers in the State who are unaccompanied minors; the number who are in State care or fostering; and the number residing in direct provision centres. [32293/22]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

635. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors who have arrived in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [32294/22]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

636. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors in the state of Ukrainian nationality; the number who are in residential care; the number who are in foster care; and the number who are not under State care. [32295/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 634, 635 and 636 together.

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.

Unaccompanied children, 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 either received into the State care, or, if older and in line with their needs, are fully supported by Tusla in having an appropriate placement, education and other assistance.

Young people in care, and those being supported by Tusla, are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster families under a Fáilte Foster care programme. Social Workers and social care workers are allocated to support and monitor the progress of the child / young person. 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 unaccompanied and separated children.

From January 2022 to date, 340 unaccompanied minors were referred to Tusla of which 161 where from Ukraine. Currently, 164 unaccompanied minors, of which 66 are Ukrainian, are in State care / accommodation.

The Deputy is seeking further statistical information on the numbers of unaccompanied minors in care / accommodation. In that regard, and as it is an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested that Tusla provide a direct response to the Deputy in this instance.

Question No. 635 answered with Question No. 634.
Question No. 636 answered with Question No. 634.

Disability Services

Questions (637)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

637. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any grant assistance for the installation of play areas or footpaths in the homes of families with children with high-functioning autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32486/22]

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Written answers

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Departmental Communications

Questions (638)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

638. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis, as outlined in circular 25/2016. [32552/22]

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Written answers

My office may be contacted at minister@equality.gov.ie and the Office of the Secretary General of my Department at secgensoffice@equality.gov.ie.

The bodies under the aegis of my Department may be contacted as follows –

- Adoption Authority of Ireland - Corporate@aai.gov.ie

- Gaisce - info@gaisce.ie

- National Disability Authority - OireachtasReps@nda.ie

- Office of the Ombudsman for Children - oireachtas@oco.ie

- Tusla, the Child and Family Agency - tuslapad@tusla.ie

- Oberstown Children Detention Campus - parliamentaryaffairs@oberstown.com

I am informed that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is independent of my Department in carrying out its functions, will write to you in this matter.

Adoption Services

Questions (639)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) who started their adoption tracing process in September 2020 is yet to be assigned a social worker. [32576/22]

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Written answers

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Childcare Services

Questions (640)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

640. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken to reduce the cost of childcare in these inflationary times; the steps he has taken to control the increase in childcare costs in the summer months when the early childhood care and education programme is not running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/22]

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Written answers

Significant investment is being made by my Department to support parents with the costs of paying for early learning and childcare and to support providers with the costs of delivering early learning and childcare.

The National Childcare Scheme is currently supporting thousands of families to offset their costs. A recent review of the NCS showed that:

- 38% families had more than half of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS;

- 56% families had more money to spend due to the scheme; and

- 28% families were working more because of NCS, with 8% reporting that they would not be in work without it.

NCS operates year round and can vary the level of subsidy in line with differing parental needs for early learning and childcare at different points of the year.

I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability and sustainability.

An Expert Group to develop a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector made recommendations to Government in December which were accepted in full. This new funding model is now beginning to be implemented to improve quality, affordability, sustainability and accessibility of services.

The package of measures for the sector announced in Budget 2022 was informed by the Expert Group recommendations. The package includes a new Core Funding stream valued at up to €221 million in a full year. Making early learning and childcare more affordable to parents and improving services' sustainability are central objectives of Core Funding, along with improving quality including through better terms and conditions for the workforce.

A central condition of Core Funding will be that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This will give parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensure that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.

Budget 2022 also extended universal NCS subsidies for children of all ages up to 15. This change will come into effect from August. It also changed how ‘wraparound hours’ for NCS subsidies are determined and this is already in effect. The Expert Group report also recommended increasing the NCS rates and this will also be implemented for future years.

Ensuring no fee increase, in tandem with developments to the NCS, will together deliver improved affordability for parents.

In terms of costs for services, Core Funding will contribute to services’ sustainability and will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability. Core Funding will be allocated based largely on capacity. Core Funding will give providers a stable income source based on the nature of the service they deliver. A provider’s income will now consist of Core Funding, NCS and ECCE subsidies, and parental fees. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that services will have an allocation each year that will not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance.

Since August 2020, early learning and childcare services had been able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This continued to be available until the end of April. This significant level of funding to the sector has ensured that fees have remained largely static for the last two years and that providers have continued to be sustainable.

Following the tapering of EWSS and prior to the introduction of Core Funding, a Transition Fund is available to providers. The primary conditionality of the Transition Fund is an agreement not to increase fees from September 2021 levels. I am delighted to report that so far 94% of services have agreed to operate a freeze on parental fees by coming into contract for the Transition Fund.

The Transition Fund is designed to support the stability and sustainability of services in the interim period between the end of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and ahead of the introduction of the new Core Funding Scheme in September 2022.

As you can see, I am committed to putting in place a strong foundation to improve affordability for parents and sustainability for services, as well as improved quality of provision, including pay and conditions for the workforce. This foundation will allow for further developments in future years.

Health Services

Questions (641)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

641. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure the changes to the eligibility criteria policy for a primary medical certificate are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32810/22]

View answer

Written answers

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance.

Third Level Education

Questions (642)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

642. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current higher education metrics in the annual Revised Estimates Volume and the Public Service Performance Report to ensure the measure performance particularly in areas such as metrics on socio-economic diversity in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31778/22]

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Written answers

Performance and Equality Budgeting is an integral part of the current budgeting framework of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and metrics are reviewed as part of the Revised Estimates process.

DFHERIS Higher education context and impact indicators that specifically address socio-economic diversity in higher education include:

- Unemployment rate – third level as highest level of education (as a percentage of total labour force)

- Total Higher Education students studying on a flexible basis (part-time and/or remotely)

- No. of students receiving supports in the form of grants (undergraduate, postgraduate, and PLC)

Under Equality Budgeting objectives, DFHERIS has high level goals to accelerate gender balance, and to ensure that the student body entering into, participating in and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland's population. Specific metrics and indicators are:

- Number of Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) posts approved for the higher education sector

- Number of state funded institutions that have achieved Athena Swan Bronze awards

- Percentage of new entrants entering higher education with a disability

- Number of new entrants to higher education who are Travellers

The Department will continue to work with the sector to review the current higher education metrics with respect to ensuring performance is measured in areas of socio-economic diversity in higher education.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (643)

Michael McNamara

Question:

643. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with the next phase of their SOLAS apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31822/22]

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Written answers

Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.

My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If you do not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.

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