Written Answers Nos. 246-260
246. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in May and June 2022 respectively; the total and individual value of each payment; the total expenditure by category and month, inclusive in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36871/22]
View answer247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of exceptional needs payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in each month in 2018 and 2019; the total and individual value of each payment; the total expenditure by category and month, inclusive in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36872/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot be expected to pay from their weekly income. It provides supports and services to help support people on low incomes and facing financial hardship.
This scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection.
The Government has provided funding of €45.75 million for the provision of Additional Needs Payment in 2022. A further provision of €5.3 million has been provided for SWA Supplements in 2022 (excluding rent supplement). The scheme is demand led and is funded accordingly. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
An additional needs payments can be a single payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income or may be made to persons who may not normally qualify for supplementary welfare allowance but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources or where an alternative is not available at that time.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 shows the number by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022.
Table 2 shows the total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022.
This represents a snapshot of claim activity taken at 4th July 2022 and is subject to change.
The payment amount, which can have a wide range value, will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed, therefore an average payment amount may not be representative of the trend in payments.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - The number by category of Additional needs payments ( ENPs and UNPs) paid by month for May and June 2022
|
Month |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Total |
|
May |
174 |
222 |
4,843 |
267 |
1,602 |
1,703 |
84 |
26 |
8,921 |
|
June |
188 |
171 |
4,747 |
250 |
1,801 |
1,810 |
118 |
54 |
9,139 |
|
Total |
362 |
393 |
9,590 |
517 |
3,403 |
3,513 |
202 |
80 |
18,060 |
Table 2 - The total expenditure by category of ENPs and UNPs paid by month for May and June 2022
|
Month |
Bills |
Child Related |
Clothing |
Funeral |
General |
Housing |
Illness |
Urgent Needs Payment |
Total |
|
May |
€113,191 |
€38,210 |
€798,276 |
€642,411 |
€345,398 |
€2,650,575 |
€12,654 |
€22,415 |
€4,623,130 |
|
June |
€122,521 |
€29,990 |
€697,212 |
€648,871 |
€444,840 |
€2,883,745 |
€19,996 |
€56,095 |
€4,903,270 |
|
Total |
€235,712 |
€68,200 |
€1,495,488 |
€1,291,282 |
€790,238 |
€5,534,320 |
€32,650 |
€78,510 |
€9,526,400 |
Note: These figures in tables 1 and 2 are taken from the Department’s ENP/UNP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs/UNPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.
248. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider modifications in the threshold for the fuel allowance, particularly in cases in which both spouses have a constrained application protocol (details supplied). [36912/22]
View answerFuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. It is a targeted payment to people dependent on specified long-term social welfare payments. The purpose of this payment is to assist those households most in need with their energy costs.
In Budget 2022, the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the Fuel Allowance scheme by €20 to €120, which enables more people to qualify for this support.
The Fuel Allowance is a household payment, and in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, an applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €600.30 per week. The €600.30 limit is equivalent to the maximum State Pension (Contributory) rate for a single person aged under 80 of €253.30, plus an adult dependent rate of €227.00 plus €120.00.
The allowable means limit ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Any decision to further increase the allowable means for the Fuel Allowance payment would have budgetary consequences and can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
249. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if discussions are expected to increase the allowance for foster carers given the escalating cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36861/22]
View answerThe Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulates that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister.
The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over.
It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments. Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the fostering allowance. Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child.
Tusla has advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of a Strategic Plan on Foster Care. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted their view that the foster care allowance should be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances.
Once the Strategic Plan on Foster Care is finalised by Tusla, it will then be considered by the Department. Any decision to review the current rate of the foster care allowance shall be informed by the Tusla Plan and the consultations that have preceded it.
250. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provision and affordability measures that are in place to assist the purchase of creches and childcare facilities, which were deemed necessary in developments given the number of units and demand in a particular area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36894/22]
View answerThe 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 lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, data captured in June 2021 found significant vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate averaging at 21%.
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 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%.
The network of CCC are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places.
To address issues of under supply in the immediate term, CCC are proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of undersupply.
A range of other steps are also being taken. The new Core Funding Scheme, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery. I am hopefully this new approach to funding will encourage services to expand, where demand exists.
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. Further details on the first pillar of NDP funding will be published shortly.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is also in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings.
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 CCC may be found on www.myccc.ie.
251. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce legislation to guarantee the right to a personal assistance service; if he will significantly increase the budget for personal assistance hours per annum going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36799/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to the development of an implementation plan to co-ordinate implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
While there are no plans for additional legislation governing the rights, entitlements and operations associated with the PA service at this time, consideration will be given when developing and implementing the UNCRPD implementation plan to cross-government actions aimed at ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the support services they require to participate in their community.
The Minister of Health holds budgetary responsibility for Personal Assistance hours, and that Department would be best placed to respond on the issue of budgetary resourcing. As Minister, I am committed to progressing disability supports in every way possible.
252. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of inspections undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority on direct provision centres to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35739/22]
View answerMy Department is currently working with the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to implement the commitment for HIQA to monitor International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against National Standards adopted in 2019 and in effect since the beginning of 2021.
Planning is well advanced on this process. My Department is currently engaging with HIQA on resources and staffing required by HIQA to undertake its monitoring role. In parallel with this process, detailed work is being undertaken by my Department, in consultation with Office of the Attorney General, to provide the necessary legal basis for HIQA's monitoring role. The aim is that this will be done by means of regulation and that it would be published in the next Dail session.
HIQA is progressing with preparations for commencement of this function. Part of the preparations include the development of the monitoring and inspection methodology. An Expert Advisory Group (EAG) has been established to inform this process and provide expert advice and feedback. This group comprises members from a range of different stakeholder organisations, service providers and service use, including the Head of IPAS and the Head of International Protection Accommodation Policy in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The first meeting of the EAG was 25 May 2022 and the second meeting was 29 June 2022.
IPAS accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections both by my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service and by an independent inspectorate company (QTS Limited).
253. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the income thresholds for the affordable childcare scheme will be reviewed given the rising cost of living being experienced by families at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36096/22]
View answer254. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is reviewing the affordable childcare scheme ahead of Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36097/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
The National Childcare Scheme represents the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare.
The scheme is designed so that those on the lowest incomes receive the greatest support.
Where parents are not engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 20 hours per week. Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 45 hours of per week.
A recent review of the NCS revealed that, as a proportion of total family early learning and childcare costs, 6% of families receiving NCS support reported that all early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS, while 38% reported that half or more of their costs were covered by the NCS.
Since the NCS review was undertaken, a further package of measures to directly address the costs of early learning and childcare was announced in Budget 2022, including:
- an extension of the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15, benefitting up to 40,000 children from September this year.
- an end to the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours from spring 2022, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families since 2 May.
- a new core funding scheme – worth €221m in a full year – to support:
- improved quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an ERO through the JLC;
- the employment of graduate staff; and
- improved sustainability and stability for services.
The new core funding scheme 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.
A new fee management system, attached to core funding, will mean no increase in fees from pre-pandemic levels for the September 2022 to August 2023 programme year, which, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver significantly improved affordability for parents.
I have committed to building on this in Budget 2023 and I aim to prioritise a reduction in the cost of early learning and childcare for parents by increased investment in the NCS.
The potential models to give effect to such a reduction are currently under consideration in anticipation of Budget 2023. The National Childcare Scheme is specifically designed to allow for rapid changes to subsidies, income thresholds and certain other eligibility criteria as Government decisions are made and exchequer funding becomes available.
255. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase the amount being made available to foster carers for the important work that they do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34836/22]
View answerThe Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulates that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister.
The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments.
Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the fostering allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised fostering allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager. Each application for an additional payment will be accompanied by supporting documentation evidencing the need.
Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly allowance may be paid in respect of children aged between 0-18 years if they require significant care over and above the needs of other children in foster care. This includes children who have been diagnosed with significant special needs and require a high level of personal care and supervision. The purpose of considering an enhanced allowance in these cases is to support foster carers in providing care to these children who have additional needs.
The foster care allowance is in respect of and for the benefit of the foster child and therefore must be used to meet the day to day costs associated with looking after the foster child. In considering any enhanced allowance the assessing social worker is required to evidence that the standard fostering allowance does not adequately provide for the cost of caring for the child.
A request for enhanced supports must certified by the Principal Social Worker and approved by the Area Manager following submission of an assessment of the child’s needs and supporting documentation. A review arrangement for the enhanced allowance must be part of the submission for approval.
In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan.
Pre-assessment and ongoing training are compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. Recognising the specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care, Tusla addresses the training needs of relatives who are foster carers separately. In addition, Tusla provides funding for the Irish Foster Care Association which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a telephone advice service.
The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs.
The rate of the foster care allowance is kept under review by officials within the Department and at present there are no plans to change the rate. However, the Department is undertaking an extensive review of the Child Care Act 1991 and will examine foster care arrangements as part of this review.
Further, Tusla has advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of a Strategic Plan on Foster Care. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted their view that the foster care allowance should be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances. Once the Strategic Plan on Foster Care is finalised by Tusla, it will then be considered by the Department. Any decision to review the current rate of the foster allowance shall be informed by the Tusla Plan and the consultations that have preceded it.
256. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide clarity and information on the provision of core funding to approved childcare and early learning facilities; and the criteria that a facility must adhere to in order to qualify for core funding. [36803/22]
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).
A central recommendation of the Expert Group report is that a new Core Funding stream should be introduced to start the partnership for the public good between the State and providers, for children, parents and families. The primary purpose of Core Funding is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and to improve affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Extensive communications on Core Funding have issued to the sector, and public information is being maintained at: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding/. This site includes the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement and accompanying frequently asked questions (FAQ) note which were published on 28th June. The Funding Agreement sets out the full detail of how Core Funding will operate in its first year, the commitment to funding and the associated requirements of Partner Services.
Core Funding, with a full year value of €221 million, equivalent to an estimated increase of 19% in the cost base for the sector. The budget for the scheme makes provision for improvements in staff pay and conditions, for additional administrative staff/time, and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs. It is important to note that both contact and non-contact time, holiday pay, sick pay and other employer costs, are all factored in to the estimated staff costs allocation in Core Funding.
There is also provision as part of the budget to contribute to supporting graduate leadership in services. This will make funding for graduates available for the first time in respect of provision for 0-3 year olds as well as supporting the employment of graduate Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services.
The allocation mechanism for distributing this funding is fair and proportionate and is related to the primary drivers of services' costs of delivery. Services opening for longer hours, offering more places and offering places for younger children will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher.
Core Funding rates are outlined in the Funding Agreement. I would encourage providers to read the Funding Agreement in full, but some of the key conditions from the Funding Agreement include:
- Participating in the Annual Sector Profile.
- Operating a fee management system, which requires no increase to fees in 2022/23 above September 2021 rates.
- Implementing practice frameworks.
- Developing, implementing and reporting on a quality action plan.
- Providing transparent and validated financial reports.
- Issuing a Parent Statement to all parents using the service outlining what they can expect.
- Offering the NCS and the ECCE programme to all eligible children.
The application process will open later this month. Applicants will define their service’s profile and their capacity in detail on an online system. On completion of the application, the service’s specific Core Funding value will be calculated and communicated to applicants, subject to final verifications and confirmations.
A Ready Reckoner is available to provide an indication of the potential funding allocation an eligible ELC/SAC service may be able to expect.
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 and I look forward to working with Partner Services under this new funding model.
257. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider establishing the rights of trans persons as recommended by an organisation (details supplied) before the Dáil Éireann summer recess given that there is no special provision for transgender persons as is already provided to sexual orientation or other categories that have been protected by such special provisions under the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/22]
View answerIn July 2021, I launched a public consultation process to inform a review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015) to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
The purpose of the Review is to examine the operation of the Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It will examine the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles that preclude or deter them from taking an action. The Review will also include consideration of commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and in the Programme for Government to review the legislation to ensure that transgender, non-conforming and intersex people have explicit protection within the equality grounds .
The response to the public consultation was extensive and submissions are currently being analysed by officials in the Department. The outcome of the consultation will be made public when this is complete and it is intended that some legislative proposals arising from the Review will be brought forward in 2023.
258. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will take action to introduce a ban to prevent the practice of conversion therapy urgently rather than waiting for the completion of a report from research surrounding conversion therapy commissioned by him in 2022. [36836/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.
In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard. It is necessary to examine the findings of this research so that any subsequent legislation will be appropriately targeted.
259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of the number of persons from Ukraine that are being accommodated at a location (details supplied); and the number of persons who have been removed and voluntarily left the centre since it began providing accommodation and related services. [36916/22]
View answer260. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any persons have been evicted and or escorted from a location (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána; the rationale for these evictions and or departures; and if he has provided persons who have left the centre with the appropriate accommodation and access to support services. [36917/22]
View answer261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department conducted a quality control and or review of the use of a location (details supplied); and the actions that he will take on foot of recommendations and observations from that report. [36922/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.
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 39,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 29,000 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 accommodation in the Emmaus Centre in Swords commenced on Friday 8th April 2022. Approximately 85 persons are accommodated in the centre.
The Department procures accommodation but the centres are run by the accommodation providers or facilities management companies. The Department contracts a company, QTS, to carry out inspections at centres where issues are raised. The Department contracted QTS to carry out an inspection at Emmaus in light of the concerns raised. All procedures were found by QTS to be in order in the centre in question.
Staff from my Department visited Emmaus Centre last week and all residents were invited to meet to provide feedback on their experience of living in Emmaus. Sixteen residents (age range from 19 to 74) took the opportunity to speak about life in the Centre, and all were very positive with no concerns raised.
Alternative accommodation was provided to one resident. I cannot comment on the details of individual cases.
