Written Answers Nos. 1326-1340
1326. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the direct provision centres to which the national standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process apply. [39669/22]
View answerThe National Standards were adopted by Government in 2019, and have been in effect since the beginning of 2021. Since then, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. All of IPAS' permanent centres are being required to adhere to the National Standards.
1327. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a policy issue raised by an person (details supplied); if he is considering any policy changes to the early childhood care and education scheme along the lines of the proposal provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39817/22]
View answerMy Department will shortly commence a 12 month review of the ECCE programme which will consider whether the programme is meeting its objectives and subject to the findings consider whether any changes need to be made. As part of this review, there will be wide stakeholder engagement, which will include an opportunity for parents to offer their views on matters such as this.
The issues of age and entry requirements will form part of this review and the concerns raised in this PQ will be considered.
When first introduced, the ECCE programme was delivered over 38 weeks in a given ECCE programme year and children were required to be between the ages of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September in the year they enrolled.
ECCE now provides for 72 weeks over two years. To enable this, a child must now have turned 2 years and 8 months on or before the 31st August of a given programme year in order to be eligible (and cannot turn 5 years and 6 months during the programme year). . This change was based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory requirements for early learning and care.
I would also highlight the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help with early learning and childcare costs. There are two types of subsidy for children over 6 months of age:
- A universal subsidy for children under 3. Children over 3 who have not yet qualified for the ECE programme are also eligible. It is not means tested. From September 2022, this subsidy will be extended to children of all ages up to 15.
- An income-assessed subsidy for children up to 15. It is means tested.
1328. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the introduction of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme Bill. [39887/22]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill is a centrepiece of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions and its enactment is a key priority for my Department.
I referred the Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth at the end of March for pre-legislative scrutiny. Officials from my Department appeared before the Committee as part of the scrutiny process. I received the Committee's report on the 12th July and I am very grateful to the members for giving the draft legislation their careful attention. As drafting of the Bill is currently ongoing, the Committee’s recommendations will be carefully considered as part of that process. It is my intention to bring the Bill to Government seeking publication early in the autumn term.
1329. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress on the programme for Government commitment under early intervention and family support, to expand the successful in-house model of therapeutic services and support to vulnerable children and carers in Tusla Dublin north central to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39944/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.
1330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39949/22]
View answerThere follows the information requested by the Deputy in tabular form:
|
Year |
Online Advertising |
Traditional Advertising |
|
2022 |
€ 10,439.89 |
€ 272,856.48 |
|
2021 |
€ 123,170.51 |
€ 637,462.68 |
|
2020 |
€ 58.65 |
€ 213,866.60 |
|
2019 |
€ 37,172.71 |
€ 820,958.45 |
|
2018 |
€ 1,082.80 |
€ 143,764.71 |
|
2017 |
€ 1,100.00 |
NA |
|
2016 |
NA |
€ 4,024.00 |
1331. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with departmental, ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39967/22]
View answerThere follows the response to PQ 39967/22:
|
Year |
Supplier |
Amount |
|
2019 |
Inventive Marketing |
€ 2,558.40 |
|
|
Pobal |
€ 20,000.00 |
|
2020 |
Ace Communications |
€ 2,397.12 |
|
|
Real Event Management |
€ 75,603.83 |
|
|
Drury |
€ 4,499.99 |
|
2021 |
Drury |
€ 4,584.78 |
|
|
Bridge Interpreting |
€ 533.50 |
|
2022 |
Bridge Interpreting |
€ 594.23 |
|
|
Ace Communications |
€ 2,200.00 |
|
|
William White |
€ 135.00 |
1332. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of legal cases brought against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39985/22]
View answerThe following list sets out the number of legal cases brought against the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the past ten years:
Cases against the Department (2012 to end June 2022)
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (to end June) |
|
09 |
09 |
3 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
43 |
11 |
7 |
72 |
14 |
Total: 186
1333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40003/22]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the expenditure incurred by my Department in the past ten years to date in 2022 towards legal costs or legal services is set out below. Legal fees as set out below, exclude any costs incurred directly by my Department's agencies.
|
Year |
Cost (€) |
|
2012 |
34,412 |
|
2013 |
392,182 |
|
2014 |
234,693 |
|
2015 |
152,978 |
|
2016 |
253,688 |
|
2017 |
288,598 |
|
2018 |
1,059,723 |
|
2019 |
614,731 |
|
2020 |
700,114 |
|
2021 |
1,234,758 |
|
2022 (to date) |
327,034 |
These costs refer to legal fees in respect of Irish Youth Justice Service, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Human Resources. Regular legal fees relating to the work undertaken by Supervisory and Documentary Counsel retained to identify the relevance and privilege status of files requested by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation have been incurred by my Department from 2016 to 2021, when the Commission concluded its work. Legal fees relating to similar work in relation to the Magdalen Laundries (which moved to my Department through the transfer of functions in 2020) were also incurred between 2020 and 2022. As a result, annual fees charged by the State Claims Agency, which manages liability on behalf of the State, have also increased over these years.
The figures to 2019 are in respect of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, whilst the figures for 2020 to date relate to the expanded remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following the transfer of functions in 2020.
1334. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40021/22]
View answerMy department has outlined the requested information in the tables provided below.
|
Year |
Office Rent |
Office furniture/IT equipment |
|
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
2011 |
N/A |
66 |
|
2012 |
N/A |
164 |
|
2013 |
N/A |
171 |
|
2014 |
N/A |
146 |
|
2015 |
N/A |
198 |
|
2016 |
N/A |
188 |
|
2017 |
87 |
310 |
|
2018 |
115 |
633 |
|
2019 |
115 |
274 |
|
2020 |
215 |
333 |
|
2021 |
953 |
340 |
|
2022-date |
478 |
90 |
1335. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times that he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip in tabular form. [40039/22]
View answerSince becoming Minister, I have taken 6 visits on behalf of the Government. The details and costs associated with my travel are detailed in the following table:
|
Location |
Reason |
Dates |
Length of Trip (Excluding Travel) |
Travel Cost |
Accommodation Cost |
|
Aman, Jordan |
Visit with IRPP to Refugee Camp, Processing Centre & Meetings with relevant Ministers |
13/11/2021 to 15/11/2021 |
2 Nights - 1 Full Day |
€ 579.16 |
€ 269.02 |
|
Brussels, Belgium |
EPSCO Minister's Meeting |
05/12/2021 to 06/12/2021 |
1 Night - 1 Full Day |
€ 361.82 |
€ 170.00 |
|
Paris, France |
Conference on EU Child Guarantee |
03/03/2022 to 05/03/2022 |
2 Nights - 1 Full Day |
€ 459.83 |
€ 558.51 |
|
New York & Philadelphia |
St Patrick's Day Programme & UN Commission on the Status of Women |
11/03/2022 to 18/03/2022 |
7 Nights - 6.5 Days |
€ 945.61 |
€ 1,841.22 |
|
Rome, Italy |
Council of Europe Conference on Child Participation in Decision Making |
06/04/2022 to 08/04/2022 |
2 Nights - 1.5 Days |
€ 157.68 |
€ 570.00 |
|
Geneva, Switzerland |
Ireland's Review under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights |
03/07/2022 to 05/07/2022 |
2 Nights - 1.5 Full Days |
€ 388.72 |
Awaiting Invoice from DFA |
1336. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that an inmate in Mountjoy Prison would be denied a personal visit from their child unless according to Tusla that they tell their child that they are in prison while other inmates are not required to tell their children but can pretend to their young children that they are at work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40098/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.
1337. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is engaged with comprehensively by the relevant redress scheme given the very complex nature of their case. [40125/22]
View answerAs a key measure in the Government's Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby Institutions, the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is a priority for my department. Pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill has now concluded and I intend to bring the Bill to Government seeking approval for publication early in the autumn term.
The Scheme is not yet established. Under the proposals for the Scheme, a person who was resident as a child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for a period of six months or more will be entitled to a General Payment and a form of enhanced medical card.
It is important to note that the Government's broader Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions has been designed to cater for the needs of all those who are affected by Ireland's complex legacy in this area. Full details of the Action Plan can be accessed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/294f6-mother-and-baby-homes/.
As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Education, is responsible for matters relating to the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme and any questions concerning that scheme should be directed to her Department for answer.
1338. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a Ukrainian refugee (details supplied) will be provided with alternative accommodation to allow them to take up employment in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40134/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
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 41,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 31,000 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.
In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations together with the need to find shelter for all those arriving on a daily basis.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are currently being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. We understand that people may wish to be accommodated in specific locations for a variety of reasons including employment however given the numbers arriving and the constraints on available accommodation the Department cannot facilitate these requests.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled to make their own private accommodation arrangements if they wish, and can avail of some supports to do so.
More information on supports available to Ukrainian people while they are in Ireland and information on how people and community groups can help can be found at the Government website: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/bc537-irelands-response-to-the-situation-in-ukraine/.
1339. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to asylum seekers; the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to refugees; the level of payments being made to hotels per person per night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40138/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
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 42,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 31,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State. The number of people seeking international protection has also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
Currently, 26 hotels are being used to accommodate persons seeking international protection. 173 hotels are currently in use to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who have fled the conflict in Ukraine.
It is not possible to provide contract values because of commercial sensitivity.
1340. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a full list of all the private hotel accommodation contracted by his Department to provide accommodation; the levels of payments being made to each hotel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40139/22]
View answerDeputy, below are two lists, a) list of all hotel accommodation providers in respect of Ukraine Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) currently in contract and, b) hotel accommodation for persons seeking international protection (IP). My Department does not provide details of payments made to each as this is commercially sensitive material.
Hotel accommodation providers in respect of Ukraine BOTP
|
No. |
Hotel Name |
|
1 |
Abbey Court Hotel |
|
2 |
Achill Head Hotel |
|
3 |
An Chúirt |
|
4 |
An Realt |
|
5 |
Anner Hotel |
|
6 |
Ashbourne Court Hotel |
|
7 |
Ashford Court Hotel |
|
8 |
Aspect Hotel Park West |
|
9 |
Barry's Hotel |
|
10 |
Bayview Hotel |
|
11 |
Bayview Hotel |
|
12 |
Beach Lodge |
|
13 |
Brandon House Hotel |
|
14 |
Breaffy Woods Hotel, Castlebar |
|
15 |
Bunk Hotel - Galway |
|
16 |
Burren Castle Hotel |
|
17 |
Burren Hotel and Housing Village |
|
18 |
Bush Hotel |
|
19 |
Carlow Rooms |
|
20 |
Carna Bay Hotel, Galway |
|
21 |
Carnegie Court Hotel |
|
22 |
Carraroe Hotel |
|
23 |
Castle Arms Hotel Durrow |
|
24 |
Castle Arms Hotel Sligo |
|
25 |
Cavan Crystal Hotel |
|
26 |
Cedar Lodge Hotel |
|
27 |
City North Hotel |
|
28 |
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge |
|
29 |
Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport |
|
30 |
Clayton Hotel Galway |
|
31 |
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown |
|
32 |
Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley |
|
33 |
Clayton Limerick |
|
34 |
Clayton Sligo |
|
35 |
Cliffs of Moher Hotel |
|
36 |
Commercial Hotel |
|
37 |
Cork Airport Hotel |
|
38 |
Creggan Court |
|
39 |
Creighton Hotel |
|
40 |
Crown Plaza Dundalk |
|
41 |
Deerpark Hotel |
|
42 |
Derrynane Hotel |
|
43 |
Dingle Peninsula Hotel |
|
44 |
Dunboyne Castle Hotel |
|
45 |
East Village |
|
46 |
Errigal Hotel |
|
47 |
Eviston Killarney |
|
48 |
Fairhill Hotel |
|
49 |
Farnham Arms Hotel |
|
50 |
Fitzwilton Hotel |
|
51 |
Flannerys Hotel |
|
52 |
Fleet Street Hotel |
|
53 |
Foyle Hotel |
|
54 |
Galmont Hotel |
|
55 |
Germaines Baltinglass Wicklow Hotel |
|
56 |
Glenoaks Lodge |
|
57 |
Grand Central Hotel Bundoran |
|
58 |
Grand Hotel Fermoy |
|
59 |
Great National Hotel Ballina |
|
60 |
Greville Arms Hotel |
|
61 |
Hawthorn Lodge |
|
62 |
Hibernian Hotel |
|
63 |
Highland hotel |
|
64 |
Hill Hotel |
|
65 |
Hilton Kilmainham |
|
66 |
Horse and Hound |
|
67 |
Hotel Clonakilty Town Centre |
|
68 |
Hotel Woodstock |
|
69 |
IBIS Redcow |
|
70 |
Imperial Hotel Tralee |
|
71 |
Inisfallen Hotel |
|
72 |
Jacksons Hotel |
|
73 |
Kenmare Bay Hotel |
|
74 |
Kennedy Boutique Hotel |
|
75 |
Kennedy Hotel – New Ross |
|
76 |
Kilkee Bay Hotel |
|
77 |
Kilkee Townhouse |
|
78 |
Lake House Hotel |
|
79 |
Lakeside Manor |
|
80 |
Limerick City Hotel |
|
81 |
Limerick Strand Hotel |
|
82 |
Lough Allen Hotel |
|
83 |
Lough Arrow Lodge Hotel |
|
84 |
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport |
|
85 |
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross |
|
86 |
Maldron Hotel Parnell Square |
|
87 |
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road |
|
88 |
Maldron Hotel Tallaght |
|
89 |
Maldron Limerick |
|
90 |
Maldron Oranmore |
|
91 |
Maldron Pearse |
|
92 |
Maldron Portlaoise |
|
93 |
Maldron Shandon |
|
94 |
Maldron South Mall |
|
95 |
Maldron Wexford |
|
96 |
Marine Hotel |
|
97 |
Mc Gettigan Hotel, Letterkenny |
|
98 |
McSorleys Killarney |
|
99 |
McWilliam Park |
|
100 |
Merriman Hotel |
|
101 |
Mulligan Hotel |
|
102 |
Mulroy Woods Hotel |
|
103 |
Munster Arms, Bandon Co. Cork |
|
104 |
My Place - Lwr Gardiner St |
|
105 |
Newbury Hotel |
|
106 |
Ormonde Hotel |
|
107 |
Park Inn Hotel |
|
108 |
Park Lodge Hotel |
|
109 |
Peachport Rosslare |
|
110 |
Peacockes Hotel |
|
111 |
Perys Hotel |
|
112 |
Radisson Blu |
|
113 |
Radisson Blu Limerick |
|
114 |
Radisson Blu, St. Helen's |
|
115 |
Riverside Hotel Killarney |
|
116 |
Rockbarton House Hotel |
|
117 |
Seven Horseshoes Hotel |
|
118 |
Shoreline Hotel |
|
119 |
Skellig Accommodation Centre |
|
120 |
Skelly's Hotel |
|
121 |
Spencer Hotel |
|
122 |
SpringHill Court Hotel |
|
123 |
Strand Hotel |
|
124 |
Taravie Hotel |
|
125 |
The Abbey Hotel |
|
126 |
The Address Cork |
|
127 |
The Address Hotel Citywest |
|
128 |
The Auburn Lodge Hotel |
|
129 |
The Bailie Hotel |
|
130 |
The Bantry Bay |
|
131 |
The Central Hotel |
|
132 |
The Clink Hotel |
|
133 |
The Clonakilty Hotel |
|
134 |
The Connacht Hotel |
|
135 |
The Corralea Court Hotel |
|
136 |
The Cross Tallaght |
|
137 |
The Danby Hotel |
|
138 |
The Earl Desmond |
|
139 |
The Eldon Hotel |
|
140 |
The Hardiman |
|
141 |
The Hotel Killarney |
|
142 |
The House Hotel Galway |
|
143 |
The Hydro Hotel |
|
144 |
The Imperial Hotel |
|
145 |
The Kilbrackan Arms Hotel |
|
146 |
The Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross |
|
147 |
The Lanterns Hotel Tarbet |
|
148 |
The Longford Arms Hotel |
|
149 |
The M Hotel |
|
150 |
The Old Imperial Hotel |
|
151 |
The Parkway Hotel |
|
152 |
The Pier Hotel Limerick |
|
153 |
The Quality Hotel |
|
154 |
The Ring of Kerry Hotel |
|
155 |
The Royal Hotel Bray |
|
156 |
The Sands Hotel |
|
157 |
The Town Hotel |
|
158 |
The Townhouse |
|
159 |
The Uppercross Hotel |
|
160 |
The Wilton Hotel |
|
161 |
Travel Lodge Waterford |
|
162 |
Travellodge Swords |
|
163 |
Treacy's Hotel |
|
164 |
Treacys Hotel Ennis |
|
165 |
Treacys Hotel Enniscorthy |
|
166 |
Treacys hotel Shannon |
|
167 |
Trinity City Hotel |
|
168 |
Tuam Hotel |
|
169 |
Upton Court Hotel |
|
170 |
Wallis Arms Hotel |
|
171 |
Warrensgrove Estate |
|
172 |
Westcourt Hotel |
|
173 |
Westlodge Hotel |
Hotel accommodation providers in respect of persons seeking IP
|
No. |
Hotel Name |
|
1 |
Airport Manor Hotel |
|
2 |
Carnbeg Hotel |
|
3 |
Clifton Court Hotel |
|
4 |
Cornerpark Lodge |
|
5 |
Court Town Hotel |
|
6 |
Dun Na Ri House Hotel |
|
7 |
East End Hotel |
|
8 |
Harry's Hotel Kinnegad |
|
9 |
Lisanisk House Hotel |
|
10 |
Riverside Park Hotel Macroom |
|
11 |
Shannon Lodge Hotel |
|
12 |
Tallaght Cross Hotel |
|
13 |
The Esplanade |
|
14 |
Travelodge Cork (52 Rooms) |
|
15 |
Travelodge Galway (76 Rooms) |
|
16 |
Treacy's Hotel |
|
17 |
Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown |
|
18 |
Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin Airport |
|
19 |
Holiday Inn Dublin Airport Clonshaugh |
|
20 |
Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport |
|
21 |
Red Cow Moran Hotel |
|
22 |
Travelodge Townsend Street |
|
23 |
Travelodge Dublin Airport Ballymun |
|
24 |
Travelodge Limerick |
|
25 |
Travelodge Phoenix Park |
|
26 |
The Address Connolly |
