Written Answers Nos. 131-150
131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to bring forward the completed anti-racism strategy soon; the way in which he envisages that the strategy will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50214/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government established an independent Anti-Racism Committee to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism. The Committee were tasked with building on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Following an extensive public consultation, including engagement with international experts, the Committee submitted its Action Plan Against Racism to me on 27 June 2022. I then brought the Committee to a close, as they had discharged their duties as per their Terms of Reference.
My Department is engaged in an inter-departmental process to agree year-one implementation plans to bring to Government with the National Action Plan Against Racism. This process will inform the way the strategy will be implemented. I intend to bring the plan to Government for approval once an implementation plan has been agreed.
132. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if youth workers can have a professional body identity similar to social care works who are regulated by CORU, in relation to their pay scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50736/22]
View answerMy Department provides grant funding to support a range of youth services which are delivered by voluntary youth organisations and carried out by both paid youth workers and volunteers.
My Department has no role in the setting of pay scales or other matters that belong properly to the individual employer. The youth workers involved are employed directly by the organisation in receipt of funding.
CORU does not come under my own remit. CORU is Ireland’s multi-professional health and social care regulator. Its role involves the statutory registration of health and social care professionals as set out in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Its role includes setting of standards, maintaining registers and carrying out fitness to practice hearings with respect to the competence of a registrant.
It is open to any sector to establish a professional body in the sense of an organisation that seeks to further the interests of a particular profession.
133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 7 July 2022, the status of the review of projected timelines for the implementation of a White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new international protection support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50721/22]
View answer147. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the plan to abolish direct provisions centres across the State. [50732/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 147 together.
Since publishing A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service in February 2021, my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made include: the recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme; the establishment of Governance structures to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee; the development of the community accommodation model including the acquisition of properties; the development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper; the advancement of our Communication Strategy to include a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made; and the initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres. A new integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants, was also launched in August. The awards will be announced shortly.
As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for the implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have been temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations including members of the White paper Transition Team. Upwards of 46,000 people displaced by the war in Ukraine have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, and over 36,000 have been accommodated by the State. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking international protection with over 10,000 arrivals in the first three quarters of 2022 alone. Overall my Department is now accommodating over 50,000 people, compared with 7,000 at this time last year. The Department is working diligently to manage the response to the Ukraine crisis whilst continuing to progress the aims of the White Paper.
In this vastly changed context, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection.
The planning assumptions underpinning the White Paper is based on average projected arrivals of 3,500 International Protection applicants per year. This review is reassessing these projections and how this impacts on key deliverables. The review is also considering whether it is preferable to prioritise the implementation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper. The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs.
An initial paper with some options and recommendations has been brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for the Department.
134. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the little book bag initiative; the number of books that have been distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50209/22]
View answerThe First 5 My Little Library initiative offered a book bag with books and resources to every 4 and 5 year old who started school in September. The children received an invitation to participate in the action through their early learning and care settings or special pre-school.
The objective of this action was that all children starting school in September 2022 would have storybooks in their home and be members of their local library. So far, of the 60,000 bags that were provided to the libraries, 51,000 bag pickups are reported. This action will continue until October half term to ensure all families who wish to avail of the initiative have a last opportunity to drop in and get their books.
The statistic really worth noting is that 20,000 children in the target age group have joined the library since the initiative started and 10,000 children have renewed their membership ensuring they have access to a lifetime of books. This figure will likely be higher by the end of October.
The books included were selected by an appropriate committee of experienced librarians, and books and bags have been procured by the LGMA. Insert resources have been prepared by invited partners to be supplemented at county level including information for parents on transitions to primary school from NEPs. The feedback from parents on the books and resources is so far very positive.
The bags are still available in English and Irish and families can select which language bag they would like.
Extra flexibility was offered to Ukrainian families where the book bag is available to all children newly arrived in Ireland starting primary school.
An evaluation of the initiative is currently underway. Any spare bags will be held by the libraries for future projects.
135. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the review taking place on equality legislation; if he can share any initial findings from the public consultation element; the timeline by which he expects amending legislation to be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50734/22]
View answerIn July 2021, Minister O’Gorman launched a public consultation process as part of the 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 review will 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 which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
The Department invited written submissions to the public consultation from in July 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation. The public were asked for their views on the functioning and accessibility of the acts; the scope of the current grounds; whether existing exemptions should be modified or removed; and whether the legislation adequately addresses intersectionality. Submissions are currently being analysed by officials in the Department, with the aim of publishing a report before the end of the year.
It is intended that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward in 2023. However, as the review has not yet completed, it is not yet possible to indicate the nature or scope of those proposals.
136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that his Department has re-organised to effectively meet the demands of the Ukrainian crisis; if he will provide the total cost of the response to date and any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50210/22]
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 51,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 40,000 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 hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I can advise the Deputy that since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, my Department responded swiftly by ensuring that resources were immediately put in place to manage the procurement and processing of accommodation required for the influx of people in need of accommodation. A new Division was created and the resource needs have been met through re-assignments from within the Department, temporary assignments and secondments from other public sector bodies, Ukraine temporary clerical officers and other staff on contract. The Public Appointments Service and other Departments have been of significant assistance in meeting the resource demands.
I can also inform the Deputy that as of 7 October 2022, total expenditure by my Department in response to the Ukraine crisis is approximately €280mn.
137. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Ukraine who are being provided with accommodation by the State per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/22]
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 51,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 40,000 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 hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
The breakdown for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) being provided with accommodation by the State by County is provided in tabular form below.
|
Total |
No |
|
Carlow |
585 |
|
Cavan |
807 |
|
Clare |
3266 |
|
Cork |
3102 |
|
Donegal |
4230 |
|
Dublin |
7304 |
|
Galway |
2921 |
|
Kerry |
4708 |
|
Kildare |
168 |
|
Kilkenny |
771 |
|
Laois |
242 |
|
Leitrim |
795 |
|
Limerick |
1326 |
|
Longford |
188 |
|
Louth |
608 |
|
Mayo |
1851 |
|
Meath |
1600 |
|
Monaghan |
93 |
|
Offaly |
523 |
|
Roscommon |
440 |
|
Sligo |
896 |
|
Tipperary |
572 |
|
Waterford |
979 |
|
Westmeath |
962 |
|
Wexford |
780 |
|
Wicklow |
1115 |
|
Unknown |
37 |
|
Total |
40869 |
138. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the transfer of functions for specialist disability services from the Minister for Health will be entirely completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50433/22]
View answer150. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the transfer of disability from the Department of Health to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50603/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 150 together.
The transfer of policy, functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services (SCBDS) from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is a very significant transfer of functions, from the perspective of improving services for persons with a disability, involving in the region of €2.4bn in funding.
The responsibility for the delivery of these services will be retained within the Health Service Executive. I will assume responsibility for financial governance and performance oversight of the HSE’s disabilities budget, once the transfer is completed. My priority is to ensure that the transfer happens in a seamless and efficient way so that services are maintained and enhanced and that all necessary and appropriate governance and financial oversight arrangements are in place.
The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 was signed by the President on the 12th of April 2022 and provides the overarching legislative framework for the transfer. In developing the legislation, and since then, there has been intensive engagement between DCEDIY and the DoH to date, to facilitate the transfer of functions.
The relevant Departments, in consultation with DPER, and working with the HSE, are finalising financial governance arrangements and addressing all outstanding policy matters, with the expectation of bringing a memo to Government in the shortest timeframe possible, to facilitate the transfer.
The Department continues to plan for the Transfer of Functions with significant knowledge transfer on-going, particularly in recent weeks with an emphasis on the estimates process and the development of the HSE National Service Plan. The Department is also putting in place the appropriate organisational structures and resources to enable a smooth and efficient progression of all matters once the Transfer takes place.
139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the way core funding has operated since coming into operation; the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract; his plans with regard to expanding the scheme in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50607/22]
View answerAffordable, accessible, high-quality and sustainable early learning and childcare is a key priority for Government. On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model will support delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model, the National Childcare Scheme and the new Core Funding scheme.
I am delighted that to date, 91% - well over 4,000 – early learning and childcare providers have signed up to Core Funding. This is a tremendous level of uptake and will make a positive impact for parents and children using these services through investment in quality and in affordability with more funding for staff and a commitment not to increase fees.
Core Funding has a budget of €259 million in full year costs for year 1 of the programme (September 2022-August 2023) to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed based on a service's capacity - the opening hours, opening weeks and the age group of children for whom services are provided as well as number of places available. This includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions, for administrative staff/time, and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs. Contact and non-contact time, holiday pay, sick pay and other employer costs, are all factored in to the staff costs allocation in Core Funding.In addition, further funding is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme. The Graduate Lead Educator Premium in Core Funding is paid as a top up on the number of hours of provision that is led by a graduate. The Graduate Manager Premium is paid as a top up on the number of hours of operation of a service whose manager is a graduate.
Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs, without additional costs being passed on to parents.
Participation in Core Funding means that fees cannot increase above September 2021 levels for Partner Services. Core Funding also requires Partner Services to offer the NCS and/or ECCE to all eligible parents to ensure that parents can avail of their full entitlement to subsidised provision. The combination of the fee freeze plus access to increased subsidies ensures improved affordability for parents which is particularly important in the context of rising prices for goods and services across the economy.
The introduction of fee management is one of the recommendations of the Expert Group in their report, Partnership for the Public Good . The fee freeze for the first year is the first step in this few management process and will be further developed in future years as more information about income and costs in the sector is analysed.
Core Funding has also supported the agreement of historic Employment Regulation Orders leading to wage increases for the large majority of staff in the sector.
There is also evidence of increased capacity in the sector, with initial analysis showing that increased child places funded through Core Funding are the type of capacity that is in highest demand relative to supply, particularly more baby and toddler place hours, as well as school-age place hours. The geographical breakdown across the country also indicates expansion in urban and commuter areas where there has been significant pressure on places.
In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €52 million to meet the cost of this increase in capacity in Year 1 of the Scheme. I also secured an additional €28 million to increase the Core Funding allocation to €287 million for Year 2 of the Scheme.
I have committed €4 million of that additional allocation in Year 2 to remove the 3-year experience rule for graduate premiums (subject to amendment to the ERO) with the remaining €24 million to introduce other developments to the Scheme – that will continue to focus on meeting the combined objectives of Core Funding - improved quality for children, including through pay and conditions for staff in the sector, improved affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Further interrogation of the new Core Funding application data is required in order to most effectively design developments in Year 2 of the scheme.
Together for Better aims to transform the sector and I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
140. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian International Protection applicants; the total number of applicants who are in IPAS sources accommodation since the crisis commenced; if he will also provide details on whether independent advocates are available to applicants to support them if they require assistance with respect to their accommodation placement or provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50211/22]
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 51,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 40,000 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 hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I can advise the Deputy that in view of the very serious accommodation pressures, and the fact that more than 40,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have sought accommodation from my Department, it is not possible to facilitate a system of independent advocates to support BOTPs with regard to their accommodation allocation. However, my Department organises a NGO Stakeholder Engagement Forum on Ukraine every three weeks where Departments brief key NGOs on their Ukraine response. This Forum provides an opportunity for NGOs to raise concerns that have been brought to them by BOTPs.
In addition, my Department has been engaging with the Community Forum and local organisations at local authority level, bringing in statutory services, such as Tusla and the HSE, and using those fora to link services to centres in the particular local authority area. My Department continues to engage proactively with the Local Community Forum in seeking to continue the cooperation and collaboration that has taken place to date.
141. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department's plans, if any, to expand the provision of youth services across County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50383/22]
View answerFunding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) administer the youth sector funding in County Clare.
The additional funding I have secured for LCETB in 2022 includes approved funding of €120,000 in June of this year for a new UBU Your Place Your Space project for the Killaloe Municipal District in Co. Clare. The project is currently operational and LCETB has advised that it has already seen engagement with young people in positive development activities. Clare Youth Service also received an increase of €15,000 for a full year to its allocation under UBU Your Place Your Space.
The total funding allocated to LCETB has increased from €3.64 million in 2020 to €4.07 million in 2022. This additional funding supports the delivery of youth clubs and targeted youth services, with a particular view to the role played by youth services in supporting mental wellbeing, fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people, including those that are disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
My officials are examining Budget 2023's allocation for youth services and programmes in advance of the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume.
142. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to engage with survivors concerning the forthcoming intervention at the Tuam site under the Institutional Burials Bill 2022. [50329/22]
View answerSince taking Office I have visited the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam and met with survivors and relatives of those who died while resident in the institution. I carefully considered the issues raised by them in the development of the Institutional Burials Act 2022.
The Act, which was signed into law in July 2022, provides the underlying legislative basis for an intervention, whereby the remains of those who died in residential institutions in respect of which a public body has or had a relevant role, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. It also provides for the identification of remains and their return to family members, where possible.
On 4 October, the Government made an Order under the Act to establish an independent Office to lead an intervention at the Tuam site. The making of the Order follows on from Resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad last month approving the draft Order that was agreed by Government in July. Progress at the various stages has been communicated to survivors and any other stakeholders who have expressed an interest in receiving updates on these issues from my Department through our dedicated mailing list.
Arrangements for recruitment of a Director to head up the Tuam Office are currently being finalised and my officials are liaising with the Public Appointments Service in this regard. Preparations are also underway for the appointment of an Advisory Board to provide advice and guidance to the Director. The legislation provides that the Board will consist of six members and will include a former resident and a family member of the deceased. The Director will be required to consult with the Board at regular intervals, including at key decision points in an intervention.
In addition, in line with the provisions of the Act, the Director will be required to provide regular updates on the intervention to family members, stakeholders and the public.
143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on establishing an independent review of the testimony given by survivors to the Confidential Committee of the Commission of Investigation into Mother-and-Baby Homes and certain related matters. [50331/22]
View answerThe Confidential Committee module was created alongside the Commission's inquisitorial process to allow those with lived experience of the institutions to provide their accounts as informally as possible. Although this was envisaged as a way to allow the truth as survivors wanted it told to emerge, I am mindful that this has not happened for many. I have always recognised the importance of these testimonies. This is why I went to some lengths to secure the audio recordings when originally they were believed to have been deleted.
Many of the witnesses who described their personal experiences to the Confidential Committee did so in the legitimate expectation that their confidentiality would be protected after the dissolution of the Commission. I know the anger and frustration many survivors felt when they saw their testimonies abbreviated, or condensed with the testimonies of others. They wanted their own words to stand as part of the historical record. This is what I want to achieve too.
I believe that a new process with the capacity to record, preserve and recognise survivors’ personal accounts, presents the most meaningful opportunity to address the concerns expressed to me. Such a process can restore choice and agency to survivors. The accounts will be housed in the National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This rightly places the lived experience of survivors at the heart of our National Archives in a visible and powerful way.
This new initiative will focus on respectful recording and acknowledgement of the lived experiences of those who spent time in institutions. The process will have a statutory basis and operate with the consent of participants. Those who recounted their experiences to the Confidential Committee will have the option of permitting the reuse of this testimony and/or offering new or additional oral or written testimony. Importantly, the process will be underpinned by human rights principles and overseen by a team with expertise in human rights, trauma and memory, communications and oral history.
In advancing our deliberations we are consulting with relevant legal and technical experts to develop the initiative in the context of work on the National Centre for Research and Remembrance. Most importantly, we will also consult survivors on their views. This initiative demonstrates the State’s willingness to hear and formally acknowledge the deeply personal accounts of survivors. I will bring specific proposals on the initiative to Government for approval by the end of the year.
144. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the implementation to date of the Gender Pay Gap Reporting Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50735/22]
View answerThe Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland. The Act was commenced on 31 May 2022.
Regulations have been made under the Act which enable reporting in 2022. The Regulations require organisations with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap in 2022. Employers were required to choose a ‘snapshot’ date in June 2022 and to base their reporting on the employees they have on that date. Employers have six months from that date to make the relevant calculations and prepare their report, which should be published on the equivalent date in December 2022. The Regulations also require employers to publish a statement setting out, in the employers’ opinion, the reasons for the gender pay gap in their company and what measures are being taken or proposed to be taken by the employer to eliminate or reduce that pay gap. Employers will be required to publish their report and statement in a manner easily accessible to the public, such as on their website.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published guidance for employers on how gender pay gap calculations should be made (www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0cb29-gender-pay-gap-information-act-2021/ ). It is also continuing to engage with trade union and employer representative bodies.
Plans are in place to develop an online reporting system for the 2023 reporting cycle.
145. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to provide capital funding for the multi-functional community hub at Tullow Road, Carlow to remedy the serious lack of community facilities such as childcare, community, youth and family in the Tullow Road area in Carlow with a key partner (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/22]
View answerIn light of the good work already done by the hub and Carlow County Council, further capital funding may be available through the Capital Assistance Scheme administered through local authorities on behalf of the Department of Housing.
In addition, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme which provides funding support to 121 Family Resource Centres across the country. In 2022, additional funding of €6.0 million was allocated to enable Tusla increase supports to the wider Community and Voluntary sector.
The commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla. Tusla’s Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary agencies. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Local Tusla Area Managers and the Tusla Commissioning Team can be contacted in relation to Family Resource Centres' planned service delivery and potential to develop services. Organisations that wish to join the Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance, with regard to the potential next steps. I understand that currently, there are no plans to expand the FRC Programme or to establish new funding schemes for the Programme, however, it would be prudent to start discussions and express interest.
Tusla is currently redeveloping St Dympna's Hospital, Athy Road, Carlow, to expand the Agency's existing capacity and service levels in Carlow.
Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations, to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.
146. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the pilot little-baby bundle initiative; when it is anticipated that the scheme will be rolled out nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50390/22]
View answerSince my last announcement on the Little Baby Bundle pilot scheme, my Department has been overseeing a complex procurement process for a Managing Agent to design the bundle, procure its contents, to handle storage and coordinate delivery.
The Request for Tenders (RfT) generated significant interest, and tenderers submitted sample bundles as part of the Open Competition.
I am happy to say that the tender process has now concluded. My Department have notified the successful tenderer, and have issued standstill letters, with a contract due to be issued imminently.
We are also concluding an Open Competition for an evaluation partner to evaluate the Little Baby Bundle pilot, to measure the impact of the bundle, and to inform future policy.
148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the disability stakeholder group; the number of times that the group has met in 2022; the dates of these meetings; if the group has considered a report (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50720/22]
View answerThe Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG) is a voluntary group of individuals with expertise and lived experience of disability. It currently comprises 25 members, representing a range of perspectives within the disability community, and includes an independent Chairperson. The current members were appointed for a three year term beginning in January 2022.
The DSG has an important role in independently monitoring the implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), which is the key framework for policy and action to address the rights of persons with disabilities in Ireland. Through its actions, the NDIS supports effective progress in implementing the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with a Disability (UNCRPD).
Meetings of the DSG occur quarterly. These occur after the Departmental Consultative Committee meetings and before meetings of the NDIS Steering Group, which I chair as Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability. To date in 2022, the DSG have met on four occasions. February 1st, March 16th, June 7th, and September 8th 2022. The February meeting was an introductory meeting for the newly appointed DSG, and the other three meetings were part of the NDIS monitoring process. The next meeting of the group will take place on November 29th . Minutes of these meetings are published on the DSG website. Selected Members of the DSG attend Departmental Consultative Committees and all may attend the NDIS steering Group meetings.
In relation to the Report the Deputy has referred to, the Department of Social Protection commissioned Indecon to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland. The report produced by Indecon was published in November 2021. It provides an analysis of a range of additional costs faced by people with disabilities in Ireland. The Cost of Disability Report was referred to the NDIS by Government decision and presented to the Steering Group in December 2021.
The Programme for Government commits to the use the research into the cost of disability incurred by individuals and families to inform the direction of future policy. The findings have implications for many areas of public policy including the delivery of care services, health, housing, education, transport and income supports. This is why a whole-of-Government perspective is needed. Matters relating to the Report are a standing item at meetings of the NDIS Steering Group. DSG members have an opportunity to comment on the progress of Government Departments in this regard at meetings of the National Steering Group.
