Seán Crowe
Question:130. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education if children diagnosed with Koolen De Vries syndrome are eligible for the Summer Education Programme. [33154/22]
View answerSpecial Educational Needs
Questions (130)
Written answers
Last month the Government announced the Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.
The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
The programmes on offer this summer include:
- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 week programme).
- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage
- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)
- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)
The Special Class and Special School Programme is open to all pupils attending special classes and special schools. The Primary Inclusion Programme is open to pupils who have complex needs and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
For the purposes of the Primary and Post Primary Inclusion Programmes, pupils with complex needs are defined as:
Students presenting with the most significant needs in mainstream classes in primary and post-primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the Continuum of Support (School Support Plus). This will include a small number of students with enduring needs which significantly affect their capacity to learn, to function independently and to participate in education. These students require highly individualised and differentiated learning programmes that are significantly different to their peers. These students may present with the following:
- Significant needs with physical and/or sensory functioning (including students who are Deaf or have severe to profound hearing loss and students who are blind or have a severe to profound visual impairment)
- Significant needs in cognitive functioning and independence/daily living skills (including students who have moderate to severe OR significant/profound learning disability)
- Significant needs in social communication, social interaction combined with rigid repetitive patterns of behaviour (including students with Autism)
- Students with Down syndrome
- Students with severe OR significant emotional behavioural needs to the extent that these behaviours of concern are impacting on a student’s ability to learn, to function independently and to participate fully in school life.
Children who meet the above criteria and are entering primary school in September 2022 are also eligible for the Primary Inclusion Programme.
Once places have been allocated to pupils with complex needs as outlined above, schools may offer places to pupils who they consider to be at risk of educational disadvantage.
The home-based programme is available to all pupils with complex needs where a school based programme is not available for them. Further details are available on gov.ie/summerprogramme.
State Examinations
Questions (131)
Holly Cairns
Question:131. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to provide an alternative leaving certificate exam for students who cannot sit the regular exams due to illness or medical appointments. [33177/22]
View answerWritten answers
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
School Accommodation
Questions (132)
Catherine Murphy
Question:132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will address the inappropriateness and shortfall in accommodation in respect of a Gaelcholáiste (details supplied) in Maynooth, County Kildare; the date on which a decision will issue regarding an options study; and if she will provide an update on the readiness of a site that has been identified. [33226/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, it is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school to which she refers will be met in a former school building which is in the ownership of the school patron. In order to ensure that optimal use is made of this property, and in support of the achievement of Value for Money, the patron of the school appointed a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the property concerned.
The patron furnished a copy of this Options Study to my Department and this is currently being considered. My Department will engage with the patron further when this process has been completed.
In the interim, my Department has approved funding to the school's patron to undertake refurbishment works in a property to facilitate access to additional specialist accommodation by the school. This accommodation includes science, woodwork and home economics rooms.
The delivery of the refurbishment project has been devolved to the patron for delivery and the patron has advised my Department that the works are near completion. My Department will continue to engage with the patron regarding the school's accommodation needs.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 125.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (134)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:134. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the State supports that exist for those availing of assisted living and or the providers of the assisted living schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32908/22]
View answerWritten answers
The key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises because of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, caring or unemployment. The assisted living scheme is separate from these supports and does not fall under the remit of my Department.
Disability Allowance is the Department’s main income support for people who have a disability. To be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the person must be aged between 16 and 66 years of age. The allowance is also subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
People receiving Disability Allowance may also be eligible for secondary benefits such as free travel, fuel allowance, the household benefits package, the living alone allowance and the telephone support allowance.
Carer’s Allowance, and the Carer’s Support Grant are the main income supports provided by my Department to carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment awarded to those carers who are caring for certain people who require full-time care and attention. Carers may also, subject to certain conditions, qualify for the household benefits package and a free travel pass.
In acknowledgement of the crucial role that family carers play in our society and the challenges faced by those with disabilities I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to supports provided by my Department. These include:
- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments - including disability and carers, which came into effect in January 2022,
- Increase to the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance to €7.60,
- Increase to the upper earnings disregard limit for Disability Allowance from €350 to €375 per week, effective from June 2022,
- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000 from June 2022,
- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner, also from June 2022
- Increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 to €33 per week. (The weekly means threshold was also increased by €20 from €100 to €120.) Both measures took effect from Budget day.
For those in financial difficulty, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance is also available. This is a means-tested payment available through the Department's Intreo Centres.
The Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.
I trust that the Deputy will find this information useful.
Employment Support Services
Questions (135)
David Stanton
Question:135. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the employment placement supports that are available through her Department and associated agencies in order to assist those who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine under the European Union Temporary Protection Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33026/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is working alongside other relevant departments in supporting access to the labour market and employment for those arriving from Ukraine, under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.
Intreo employment services are assisting those arriving from Ukraine as they seek employment in Intreo Offices and through jobsireland.ie. A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie has been developed providing information on employment supports and opportunities and a frequently asked questions page for newly arrived Ukrainians. This information is available in both Ukrainian and Russian and includes video tutorials on CV and interview preparation, and how to register and apply for vacancies on JobsIreland.
Ukrainians seeking employment can access the service directly, to upload details of their skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities. The resources and job opportunities available are also promoted through social media in Ukrainian and Russian. Employers across all sectors who wish to support Ukrainians through provision of employment opportunities, are requested to register on www.jobsireland.ie to advertise vacancies. This will enable Intreo Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities.
Additionally, since the middle of April, Intreo Employment Services are arranging employment support events specifically for Ukrainians - across all skills levels. These events are being arranged on an outreach basis in, or close to, current accommodation hubs and by inviting Ukrainians to Intreo centers to receive these services.
At these events, details of proficiency in English, qualifications, employment history and employment preference are provided to assist with job matching. Those attending are also assisted on site to find employment through exploring employment opportunities – via jobsireland.ie and with ‘jobs walls’ advertising local vacancies. Assistance is also provided to ensure that Ukrainians are on the correct income support payment, be it jobseeker's allowance or another payment more appropriate to their personal circumstances.
To week ending 18th June, Intreo Employment Services staff have engaged with 10,245 Ukrainians at these employment support events. Of those, many have high levels of education and professional qualifications, and have a broad range of work experience.
Where a Ukrainian wishes to practice a regulated profession in Ireland they must also engage with the relevant professional authority in respect of the recognition of qualifications. Information on relevant professional bodies are provided at the Intreo employment support events, and those who wish to seek employment with the HSE are directed towards a link to a HSE jobs portal from jobsireland.ie.
My Department will continue to work with Ukrainians to support them find employment while they are in this country.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (136)
Claire Kerrane
Question:136. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are delays in processing payments for the disability benefit following application approval; the average processing times for this payment by month as of March 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Illness Benefit scheme is designed to provide support to those who cannot attend work in the short term due to illness.
To qualify for a payment under the terms of the Illness Benefit scheme a person must be under pensionable age, satisfy prescribed PRSI conditions and be certified by a doctor as being incapable of attending work due to illness.
Details of the average processing times for Illness Benefit claims by month as of March 2022 are shown in the table below.
|
Month |
% Cleared within 7 days |
|
Mar-22 |
82.98% |
|
Apr-22 |
82.14% |
|
May-22 |
86.41% |
There are currently no processing delays for Illness Benefit applications when all relevant supporting documentation is submitted. Applications that require officer review to ensure eligibility for payment can take longer to process. My officials consistently work to clear all claims as quickly as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (137)
Claire Kerrane
Question:137. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1073 of 14 June 2022, if all recipients and applicants for social welfare payments who are requested to provide additional information to her Department are provided with pre-paid postage envelopes to do so free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33069/22]
View answerWritten answers
As outlined in the previous reply, prepaid envelopes are provided for all our social welfare schemes, necessitating 119 Free post licenses. In cases where a customer is requested by telephone to provide additional information a freepost envelope would not normally be issued, as this would lead to unnecessary delays. A freepost envelope would of course be available on request.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (138)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:138. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the jobseeker's benefit application by a person (details supplied). [33201/22]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for Jobseeker's Allowance on the 15th March 2022. The application was forwarded to a Social Welfare Inspector for full examination in relation to means from parental income. Upon receipt of the Social Welfare Inspectors Report a decision was made and the person concerned was awarded Jobseeker's Allowance at the rate of €90.70 per week. As the person concerned is under 25 an adjustment of €90.30 and means from parental income of €27.00 are deducted from their personal rate of €208.00. The person concerned applied to have his application backdated and this application was awarded also. The person concerned has been sent a decision letter with instructions to collect payment from their nominated Post Office on the 23rd June 2022. They will have the right to appeal this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office if they are not satisfied with it.
Departmental Data
Questions (139)
Gary Gannon
Question:139. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding the fuel allowance to include those in receipt of the working family payment. [33247/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each fuel season) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Fuel Allowance is a household payment and the circumstances and income of any other member of the household is taken into account when deciding a Fuel Allowance application. Accordingly, it is very difficult to provide an accurate estimate for the proposed measure. However, using certain assumptions, it is expected that it could cost an estimated €22.4 million in a full year.
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. It is not considered a long-term Social Protection payment, is not subject to a capital means test, and recipients are in full time employment. A person in receipt of the WFP can continue to receive the payment for 52 weeks even if their income increases.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Data
Questions (140)
Gary Gannon
Question:140. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of social welfare overpayments recouped after death in each of the years to 2021. [33248/22]
View answerWritten answers
Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Some payments may have issued where a customer is deceased and there may have been a delay in notifying the Department.
Where an overpayment is raised, the Department makes every effort to recover the amount overpaid. Recovery is sought over a period without imposing undue financial hardship on the customer. The Department will work with the customer and consider personal circumstances in determining a repayment plan.
Paid After Death Overpayments 2018 to 2021
|
Year |
No. of Cases |
Overpayment Amount |
Amount Recovered |
|
2018 |
10,500 |
€8.5m |
€6.2m |
|
2019 |
11,000 |
€9.2m |
€6.9m |
|
2020 |
12,200 |
€9.6m |
€7.4m |
|
2021 |
13,000 |
€12m |
€9m |
All figures rounded.
Almost 90% of all paid after death overpayments relate to state pensions.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
General Register Office
Questions (141)
Gary Gannon
Question:141. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the registration provisions for stillbirths following the consultation by the General Register Office. [33249/22]
View answerWritten answers
The General Register Office (GRO) is currently considering a range of revisions to improve the functioning of the civil registration system in the State. I expect to be in a position to consider proposals from the GRO for amending legislation later this year. I have been informed by the GRO that any proposals for amending legislation will include changes to the current criteria for Stillbirths to reflect current clinical practice and to broaden access to the register.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
State Pensions
Questions (142)
Gary Gannon
Question:142. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider removing the necessity for dependent spouse State pensioners from having to apply separately for dental and optical checks in cases in which they have already been approved by the system. [33250/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, aural and hair replacement services/products to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions and their dependent spouse, partner or co-habitant .
In order to qualify for treatment benefit when aged over 66 years a PRSI contributor must satisfy the conditions of having a total of 260 paid contributions at class A/E/H/P or S since starting work and 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax years. If a person does not have enough social insurance contributions to qualify for treatment benefit, they may qualify on the social insurance record of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. To avail of this option, the person must be dependent on their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
Each service or product supported by the Treatment Benefit scheme is available within a defined period of time. For example dental treatments are available annually while optical services and products are available every second year. Each application for a service or product is assessed to confirm the applicant meets both the contribution/dependency criteria and the frequency of use criteria. Consequently it is required that all persons, including dependent spouse State pensioners, submit a separate application for both dental and optical treatments each time they wish to avail of these treatments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Family Support Services
Questions (143)
Thomas Gould
Question:143. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the funding that was made available for family support services in Budget 2021 was distributed through a tendering process; and the reason the decision was made to engage in competitive tendering for these services. [33127/22]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla is responsibly under the Child and Family Act 2013 for funding and providing a wide range of services to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families.
Tusla commissions a range of services including family support services. The commissioning process, as set out in Tusla's Commissioning Strategy, seeks to ensure that the total resources available to children and families are applied to improving outcomes in the most efficient, effective, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.
Additional funding was provided to Tusla in 2022 to support the community and voluntary sector which delivers important services on its behalf.
Departmental Properties
Questions (144)
Gary Gannon
Question:144. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will purchase the land at Bessborough or investigate if a compulsory purchase order is possible to protect the site from development and to allow for a detailed investigation for burial sites. [33246/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 to investigate and report on a wide range of issues associated with Mother and Baby institutions, including burial practices. The Commission’s Fifth Interim report, which was published in March 2019, covered burial arrangements in the institutions. The final report of the Commission was published in January 2021.
The Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died in Bessborough are buried in the grounds but was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this. The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements and also followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials in Bessborough. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres.
Given the uncertainties regarding burials at Bessborough it would be challenging to devise a Compulsory Purchase Order scheme. Direct state intervention on private property would be potentially disproportionate if based on speculative grounds and even unconstitutional as a result.
I have engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a view to supporting local authorities, including Cork City Council, in incorporating appropriate policies on protection of burial sites into their development plans. Cork City Council's recent decision to afford protection to an area in the grounds of Bessborough is worth highlighting in this context.
It is a matter for relevant planning authorities, Cork City Council and An Bord Pleanála in this instance, to make determinations regarding planned developments in the grounds of Bessborough. I consistently highlighted that it is important to have regard to any need for further investigations by appropriate experts in relation to works commencing on a site like Bessborough. I also emphasised that any development should give adequate consideration to requests from survivors and their families for appropriate access and respectful memorialisation. In 2021, I made submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Cork City Council as part of the normal planning process in respect of two planning applications made on the Bessborough lands, requesting that due consideration be given to the sensitivity of the site and the conclusions of the Commission. An Bord Pleanála refused permission to develop the area in question because it was not satisfied that the site was not previously used as a children’s burial ground.
I will continue to raise the importance of respectful treatment of sites linked to former Mother and Baby institutions and promote engagement with relatives of the deceased, former residents and other stakeholders for that purpose.
Ukraine War
Questions (145)
John Brady
Question:145. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to accommodate in Ireland the 500 vulnerable Ukrainian refugees who fled to Moldova as was announced by Government in March 2022; the number who have arrived in Ireland to date; when they arrived; the locations in which they are being provided accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33147/22]
View answerWritten 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.
My Department 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.
Ireland has pledged to take 500 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) from Moldova. The process of identifying BOTPs interested in relocating to Ireland is being managed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Moldova. My Department and the Department of Justice are working with the UNHCR and IOM to finalise arrangements for these refugees to come to Ireland and to be accommodated here. 19 refugees have now arrived in Ireland, with a further 5 due to travel here shortly.
Ukraine War
Questions (146)
John Brady
Question:146. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees who are being provided with accommodation by the State by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/22]
View answerWritten answers
Since 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.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role 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 us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
I can advise the Deputy that the information sought is set out in tabular form showing the total capacity currently under contract with DCEDIY to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, by Local Authority area and accommodation type, including hotels, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation, and certain repurposed settings (“Other”). The data is as of 21 June 2022.
Emergency Accommodation
Questions (147)
John Brady
Question:147. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and type of premises in County Wicklow used by the State for accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers; the number in each premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that accommodation contracted directly by my Department for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is set out in the table below. My Department does not provide capacity details in each accommodation due to commercial sensitivity reasons:
|
Hotel |
Location |
Accommodation Type |
|
The Wilton Hotel |
Southern Cross Rd, Kilruddery Demesne East, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 F224 |
Hotel |
|
The Royal Hotel Bray |
Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow |
Hotel |
|
Coolnagreina |
Trafalgar Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow |
Hostel |
|
Germaines Baltinglass Wicklow Hotel |
Inisfáil, Main St, Baltinglass East, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow |
Hotel |
|
Rathmore Country House & Holiday Village |
Rathmore, Ashford, Co. Wicklow |
Holiday Village/Lodges |
|
Lough Dan Scout Centre |
Oldbridge, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow |
Scout Centre |
|
Horan’s Bar and Restaurant |
Main Street, Baltinglass, Wicklow |
Self-Catering |
|
Coolnagreina |
Trafalgar Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow |
Hostel |
In relation to International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation for international protection applicants, please see the details requested by the Deputy, with accompanying definitions, below. The figures are as at 19 June 2022, the most recent available.
|
Centre |
County |
Eircode |
Current Occupancy |
Accommodation Type |
Classification |
|
The Grand Hotel |
Wicklow |
A67 P263 |
92 |
Hotel |
DPC |
|
Rathmore Country Holiday Village |
Wicklow |
A67 KH98 |
104 |
Guesthouse, Holiday Centre, Apartment |
EAC |
|
The Esplanade |
Wicklow |
A98 A2T3 |
187 |
Hotel |
EAC |
DPC: Direct Provision Centre, EAC: Emergency Accommodation Centre
Ukraine War
Questions (148)
Holly Cairns
Question:148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the long-term plans for the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees currently staying in a hotel (details supplied). [33176/22]
View answerWritten answers
Since 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.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role 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 us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the hotel named by the Deputy is contracted by my Department to provide accommodation in respect of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to a period later in the year. The Department continues to engage with accommodation providers to secure accommodation as the year progresses.
My Department sits on the cross-sectoral and cross-departmental Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce which is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and which is leading cross government consideration and development of medium and long-term accommodation solutions. Advancing these properties will involve further engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
Due to the scarcity of accommodation available, all options remain under consideration.
Childcare Services
Questions (149)
David Stanton
Question:149. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions that he is taking to ensure that creche and childcare facilities and places for babies and children are available to families in all parts of the country; the research, if any that has been carried out to ascertain such availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33238/22]
View answerWritten answers
The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority.
Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. Every year, more than 100,000 children participate on the universal pre-school programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidises up to 80,000 children.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed an expected lower demand for early learning and childcare. This gave rise to unprecedented vacancy rates – an overall vacancy rate of 21% and vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years of 20% and 10% respectively.
In April of this year, City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) undertook a nationwide survey of capacity in early learning and childcare services. This survey was undertaken as part of the Action Plan put in place by my Department to respond to the early learning and childcare needs of Ukrainian children and their families. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13% and the vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years 14% and 6% respectively.
The network of 30 CCC across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places.
I am also taking a range of steps to address issues of under supply. Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places. Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, I have committed to opening up access to the NCS to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders, which is expected to happen within the first 2-3 years of the Plan.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings.
In addition, City/County Childcare Committees have been mobilised to engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.