Tuesday, 15 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 419-435

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (419)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

419. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in each county who will receive a €500 carer’s support grant in November 2022, in tabular form. [56754/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Budget 2023 included a very comprehensive package of measures to be implemented over the rest of 2022 and for the early part of next year to help households, businesses and civic society cope with the increased cost of living.  As part of this package a €500 lump sum payment will be issued to people in receipt of the carer’s support grant.  The county breakdown of those in receipt of the carer’s support grant at the end of October 2022 is shown in the attached tabular statement.  Note that these numbers are subject to change given that the payment will be based on those awarded and in payment in November 2022.

County	Recipients of the Carer's Support Grant at end October 2022
Clare	2,956
Cork	14,120
Cavan	1,961
Carlow	1,849
Donegal	5,031
Dublin	26,348
Galway	6,006
Kildare	4,780
Kilkenny	2,385
Kerry	4,096
Longford	1,398
Louth	3,545
Limerick	6,272
Leitrim	939
Laois	2,447
Meath	4,187
Monaghan	1,439
Mayo	3,628
Offaly	2,729
Roscommon	2,005
Sligo	1,687
Tipperary	5,178
Waterford	3,040
Westmeath	2,734
Wicklow	3,266
Wexford	4,767
County unknown or not specified	150
Total	118,943

International Protection

Questions (420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 444)

James Lawless

Question:

420. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the exact process by which a centre (details supplied) was brought to his attention as a potential site for housing refugees or displaced persons through the IPAS system or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56103/22]

James Lawless

Question:

421. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a centre (details supplied) as a potential site for housing refugees or displaced persons through the IPAS system or otherwise; the way in which this site was selected; the criteria that were applied; the consultation that took place with the local authority, local public representatives and the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56104/22]

James Lawless

Question:

422. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the significant concerns raised by senior planners in Kildare County Council regarding the proposed use of a centre (details supplied) to accommodate refugees both in terms of the site’s isolated location, lack of proximity to public transport or support services, as well as detailed concerns regarding the site itself and the proposed design which lacks natural daylight, adequate communal areas, the fact that housing was previously rejected by planners at this site, and many other issues; his views on whether the project should proceed at this location regardless; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56105/22]

James Lawless

Question:

423. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has engaged with Kildare County Council with regard to proposed sites for accommodation of refugees; if his attention has further been drawn to reports that Kildare County Council has identified and proposed several sites to date which it has deemed suitable, which his Department has not engaged upon; the reason for this lack of engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56106/22]

James Lawless

Question:

424. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether a site identified by the local authority, deemed suitable by those with local knowledge and professional expertise, which enjoys the support of key stakeholders, would be preferable to a privately procured “brownfield” site with legacy issues, with a view to accommodation for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56107/22]

Réada Cronin

Question:

425. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the decisions taken on the proposed refugee centre at the equestrian centre in Kill, County Kildare to include information on identification of site; the various bases for same, for example, suitability of site and facility services and amenities; and the dates of each and all stages of the process. [56151/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

444. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 797 of 8 November 2022, if he will clarify the way in which the building referenced was identified and or the way in which the attention of his and his Department was drawn; if he and or his Department were offered use of the premises by the owner or by a third party; and if he and or his officials will provide minutes of meetings and or conversations that were had with the owner or persons acting on their behalf [56710/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 425, inclusive, and 444 together.

The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union’s overall response. The scale of the response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support, in their welcome for beneficiaries into their communities, and in pledges of accommodation.

In the context of this crisis, the State is availing of offers of accommodation from multiple sources in order to address the accommodation shortfall. Demand for emergency accommodation remains high, with new arrivals to the State daily from Ukraine.

Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputies that multiple sources of offers of accommodation are considered. Full assessments are undertaken of the suitability of sites and structures offered. Offers of accommodation are brought to the attention of my Department and can be submitted to [e-mail]. Upon receipt, officials in my Department review such offers through applying criteria and assess the suitability of each accommodation offer in terms of providing suitable accommodation to the short-term needs of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. My Department does not engage in procuring private residential houses and private apartments and for logistical reasons, offers of accommodation must exceed 15 bed spaces for a review to be conducted.

I can confirm that emergency centres have been opened in other parts of the country. Similar centres are open and operating successfully in Ballyogan, Dublin and Millstreet, Cork. If confirmed for use, this accommodation is intended to house people displaced by the war in Ukraine who have claimed temporary protection in Ireland. This accommodation is intended only for short term use. As more suitable accommodation becomes available – e.g. hotels, guesthouses or pledged accommodation – families will be moved as soon as possible.

Discussions are ongoing about the potential use of the site to which the Deputies refer to and the matter is still under consideration. A briefing with Public Representatives has been provided for on this subject.

Question No. 421 answered with Question No. 420.

Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 420.

Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 420.

Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 420.

Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 420.

Care Services

Questions (426)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

426. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential care centres provided by each private for-profit provider; the location of each centre; the costs of this provision; the bed placement capacity of each centre in the years 2020 and 2021; the average occupancy level for each centre in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56176/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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

Care Services

Questions (427)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

427. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential care centres provided by each voluntary NGO provider; the location of each centre; the costs of this provision per centre for the years 2020 and 2021; the bed placement capacity of each centre in 2020 and 2021; the average occupancy level for each centre in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56177/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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

Care Services

Questions (428)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

428. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and type of residential care centre provided by Tusla; the location of each centre; the cost of this provision per centre for the years 2020 and 2021; the bed placement capacity of each centre for 2020 and 2021; the average occupancy level per centre for 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56178/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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

Detention Centres

Questions (429)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

429. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total bed placement capacity in the Oberstown centre; the average occupancy level in the centre in the years 2020 and 2021; the costs of this provision in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56179/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Oberstown Children's Detention Campus is the sole detention facility for the remand or committal of children following a court order. Under Section 195 of the Children Act 2001 the Minister is required to certify the maximum number of children who may be detained in Oberstown and under Section 196 the sex and ages of the children that may be detained.

In November 2017, that Certificate set the number of beds at 54 - 48 boys and 6 girls. The Certificate was revised on 10th March 2021 to provide for 38 beds - 37 boys and 1 girl - given the impact of Covid-19 on the operation of Oberstown.

In May 2021 following consultation with the Oberstown authorities the Certificate was amended to increase the ceiling to 46 beds, comprising of 40 boys and 6 girls. This means that Oberstown will be in a position to operate five 8 bedded Units for boys and one 6 bedded Unit for girls. The revised ceiling of 46 reflects the maximum capacity available in Oberstown following the closure of the dated Units in Trinity House School which were deemed to be below standard relative to the newer units. This Certificate remains in place.

In 2020 there were 122 individual young people detained on the Campus with an average daily population of 36. In 2021 there were 102 individual young people detained on the Campus with an average daily population of 31.

The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service provided the following allocations for the operation of the Campus (in '000s).

2020 - €23,816

2021 - €24,503

Departmental Funding

Questions (430)

Emer Higgins

Question:

430. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will consider providing sponsorship for the Christmas lights in Saggart, County Dublin, under his Department's integration remit given that Saggart hosts Ireland's only reception centre for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56189/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

At present, there are no funding calls for proposals open in my Department to fund Christmas lights. My Department has held calls for proposals under two integration funding streams: the Community Integration Fund and the National Integration Fund.

The purpose of the Communities Integration Fund is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants. Annually a total of €500,000 is made available to local community-based organisations to carry out integration projects in their local areas. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations, and schools.  Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis. This funding is used both for once-off initiatives and short- to medium-term projects.  Projects typically take an inclusive approach, aiming to bring migrants and host communities together, and are not directed solely to any one particular ethnic group or nationality.

The National Integration Fund arises from Action 6 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to promote positive action initiatives to address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society. The purpose of the National Integration Fund is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants at both a regional and national level. There will be another  funding call launched in 2023.   

State Pensions

Questions (431)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

431. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has plans to ensure that families who provide the wonderful service of a foster family to children in need will be given stamps towards their pensions (details supplied). [56289/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am aware that eligibility in respect of the State Pension (Contributory) is an issue of genuine concern for foster carers. The Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster carers are entitled to the benefits of this scheme, on the same basis as other carers, once certain qualifying criteria are met.

Further, the Report of the Pensions Commission contains a recommendation in respect of long-term carers.

Specifically, the Commission recommends that long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years) should be given access to the State Pension Contributory by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer when approaching pension age for any gaps in their contribution history arising from caring.

The Report goes on to state that the contributions would be exclusively for State Pension Contributory purposes, and would be recognised as paid contributions both for the purposes of the qualifying for the State Pension Contributory and for the purposes of calculating pension rate entitlement under the Total Contributions Approach.

I can advise that officials from my Department have been engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Social Protection in respect of this recommendation, in relation to the inclusion of foster carers within the cohort of long term carers.

I will continue to work with my Government colleagues, Tusla and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to improve the supports available to foster carers.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Questions (432)

Joe Carey

Question:

432. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a report on the establishment of a UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56360/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The development of a UNCRPD Implementation Plan is an important commitment in the Programme for Government and one which I and my colleagues across Government fully support.

As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I am committed to the continuous advancement of the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland. Since ratifying the UNCRPD in 2018, we have made progress in implementing the Convention through two national cross-Government strategies: the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES). The NDIS contains over 120 actions to support effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the UNCRPD while the CES is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. The programme of work set out in both of these strategies provides for continuous progress in advancing disability issues and rights under the UNCRPD. The UNCRPD Implementation Plan will ensure that we continue to drive forward such progress.

I can confirm to the Deputy that work is ongoing to develop the UNCRPD Implementation Plan. The NDIS Steering Group, which I chair, has discussed a number of concept papers since June 2021. Most recently, in September 2022, the NDIS Steering Group received presentations from the NDA on examples of other international models and options for the effective design and implementation of the strategy. A presentation was also delivered from my Department on the design of an inclusive and meaningful public consultation process to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities and their representative organisations inform the development of the Plan, as required under the UNCRPD.

Preliminary discussions have also taken place between my Department and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) to ensure that representative organisations are involved in the design of the public consultation process itself. This will ensure that we adequately and appropriately value and prioritise the perspectives of DPOs, as advised by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in their General Comment No. 7 on the the participation of persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organisations, in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention.

I support the important work that is continuing to take place within my Department and across Government to inform the development of the UNCRPD Implementation Plan. The phrase "nothing about us without us" is important in that regard and I am determined to ensure that the rights and needs of people with disabilities are placed at the heart of this new strategy.

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (433)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

433. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to the United Nations statement issued on 23 September 2022 which concluded that children of African Irish descent were subjected to racial discrimination and systemic racism in Irish childcare institutions, if he has considered listing online and in the Oireachtas library, all paragraphs relating to racial discrimination in the executive summary of the commission's report, which mixed race survivors are of the belief do not accurately reflect their own lived experiences and testimony; if not, the reason; if he intends to attach the UN statement to the commission's report maintained online and in the Oireachtas library as the official and historical record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56404/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

In establishing the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in February 2015, the then Government sought to ensure an independent and thorough investigation of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 to 1998. Notably, the Commission was specifically tasked with investigating concerns related to systematic discrimination within these institutions. Although the Executive Summary of the Commission's Final report touches on racism and discrimination, it should be read in conjunction with Chapter 31 which is dedicated to this strand of the Commission's investigation.

Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, the Taoiseach offered a formal apology on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to all those who spent time in these institutions. In this apology, the Taoiseach acknowledged the failings of the State, over many decades, to protect vulnerable citizens, and to uphold their fundamental rights. The State apology recognised the “additional impact which a lack of knowledge and understanding had on the treatment and outcomes of mothers and children with different racial and cultural heritage, those who faced mental health challenges, or those with physical and intellectual disabilities”.

It was further acknowledged that “such discriminatory attitudes exacerbated the shame and stigma felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially where opportunities for non-institutional placement of children were restricted by an unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families”.

This State apology marked a starting point for further measures designed to address the needs and concerns of survivors and their families.

I understand that some survivors consider that the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation does not adequately reflect their lived experience of the institutions. Some are also unhappy with the treatment of their testimony, and the record made of that testimony.

As I have previously stated, the Commission of Investigation conducted its work independently of Government, within the legal framework of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and the terms of reference provided to it by the Oireachtas. It is not open to Government to retrospectively seek to amend or to unilaterally append statements or declarations to the independent Commission's report. However, I would note that the UN statement and the State's response are in the public domain and, therefore, available and accessible to all. I would also note my commitment to advancing an initiative to ensure that the accounts of survivors of Mother and Baby and County Homes Institutions are formally recorded and recognised as part of the official record of Ireland.

International Protection

Questions (434)

Alan Dillon

Question:

434. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied). [56469/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As of 6 November 2022, the position is as set out below.

Regarding abbreviations, please note that BOTP refers to Beneficiaries of International Protection, or those fleeing the war in Ukraine. IP refers to applicants for International Protection.

Breaffy Woods Hotel and Apartments

Total BOTP Residents	453	288 Adults75% female25% male	165 Children
Total IP Residents	48	22 Adults50% female50% male	26 Children
Overall Total	501

Breaffy Woods Arena

Total BOTP Residents	23	15 Adults67% female33% male	8 Children
Total IP Residents	183	132 Adults70% female30% male	51 Children
Overall Total	206

N5 Building

Total BOTP Residents	0	N/A	N/A
Total IP Residents	23	7 Adults100% female	16 Children
Overall Total	23

Magdalen Laundries

Questions (435)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

435. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 20 October 2022, when a full reply will be issued. [56495/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The table below sets out a breakdown of the applications to date to the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Redress Scheme by country of residence, and the number of successful applications to the scheme by country of residence.

-			Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Redress Scheme
Country of residence	No. of Applicants	Qualified	Did not qualify
Ireland	699	641	58
Australia	5	3	2
Cyprus	2	2	0
England	186	164	22
Northern Ireland	6	6	0
Scotland	2	2	0
Spain	1	1	0
Switzerland	1	1	0
USA	10	9	1
Wales	3	3	0
Total	915	832	83