Written Answers Nos. 402-421
402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way arrears for disability allowance and carer's allowance have been calculated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3162/23]
View answerI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 15 September 2022 and an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 20 September 2022.
The person concerned has been awarded full rate carers allowance with effect from 22 September 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 25 October 2022. The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 03 November 2022.
The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 21 September 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 01 December 2022. The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 11 January 2023.
If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment, excluding unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance, and satisfies the conditions for carers allowance, half rate carer's allowance is payable alongside their existing payment.
As the person concerned was awarded DA from 21 September 2022 their CA claim had to be re-rated to half rate from that date which resulted in an overpayment.
The arrears were less an adjustment applied in respect of an overlapping payment of carers allowance as the person concerned was being paid a full rate for the respective period 22 September 2022 to 18 January 2023 and for an overlapping payment of supplementary welfare allowance as the person concerned has been paid this for the respective period 22 September 2022 to 09 November 2022.
Arrears of disability allowance of €502.70 due from 21 September 2022 to 10 January 2023 issued to the person concerned on 18 January 2023 by her chosen payment method. A letter notifying her that arrears would issue was sent to her home address on 12 January 2023.
Arrears of carer’s allowance of €1,568.00 have issued to the person concerned on 20 January 2023. This amount consists of full rate CA (€224.00 per week) for the period from 22 September 2022 to 2 November 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
403. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if the rules in relation to the invalidity pension will be changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3164/23]
View answerInvalidity Pension is an income support payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if:
- For the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application the person had been continuously incapable of work and a Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the person is likely to continue to be incapable of work for at least another year, OR
- A Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the likelihood is that the person will be incapable of work for life.
Partial Capacity Benefit allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension, but who is no longer permanently incapable of work, to enter or return to employment or self-employment and to continue to receive a partial or full payment. Following a medical assessment, if a person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound they can receive a Partial Capacity Benefit payment at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous Invalidity Pension rate while they are in employment/self-employment.
The person concerned was in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit from 20 February 2020 until 28 September 2022 and he reverted back to Invalidity Pension from 29 September 2022 as his employment had been terminated. If he wishes to move back into employment, he must contact the Partial Capacity Benefit section of my Department with the details of his proposed start date. His Invalidity Pension will then stop and he will move back to Partial Capacity Benefit.
Under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and Pathways to Work strategies, my Department has committed to developing and consulting on a strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. Work is currently underway within my Department on the strawman, with a public consultation expected to be undertaken later this year. Any future proposals for reform of Partial Capacity Benefit will have to be considered in the context of the strawman process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
404. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will immediately arrange a date to meet the WRC in relation to the pay claim that community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors have submitted through their respective unions; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been no wage increases for these workers since 2008 and in view of the substantial increases in cost-of-living, these workers need an urgent wage increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3171/23]
View answer405. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement she has had with Department officials to resolve the issue of pay increases for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3186/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE supervisors/assistant supervisors provide in running CE schemes in delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.
CE supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of individual CE schemes, which are funded by the Department. The Department is not the employer of this group of workers. It is role as funder of CE, my Department regularly meets with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors to discuss issues of common concern.
As the funder of CE schemes, the Department received correspondence last year from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Fórsa and SIPTU subsequently referred this pay claim to the conciliation service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC issued an invite to the Department to take part in a conciliation process in December 2022. Following Government approval, the Department responded to the WRC indicating that it will engage with a WRC conciliation process, in its role as funder of these schemes. While the organisation and timing of the conciliation process is a matter for the WRC, it is expected that the process will commence in the early days of February.
Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer. Given these budgetary implications, and the possible referral of other similar claims to the WRC, the Department will also continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during the WRC process. If there are budgetary implications arising from the WRC process - these will need Government approval.
Minister Humphreys and I are fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve CE for the benefit of the supervisors and participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matters.
406. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3192/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered by that Office on 12 January 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has confirmed that the documents provided by the Deputy along with his question had already been received by the Appeals Office and were provided to the Department as part of the process set out above.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
407. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application by a person (details supplied) for a basic supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3224/23]
View answer408. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application by a person (details supplied) for rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3225/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system which helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Rent Supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). A HAP application can be submitted to the local authority in conjunction with a RS application.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned currently has pending applications for a basic SWA and Rent Supplement (RS).
The person concerned applied for a basic SWA application with effect from 11/01/2023. A Community Welfare Officer (CWO) contacted the person to request further information in support of his application. When this information is received the person’s basic SWA application will be progressed.
The person concerned applied for a RS application with effect from 05/12/2022. A letter subsequently issued to the person requesting further information in support of his application. On receipt of the requested documentation the person’s RS application will be progressed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
409. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3229/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22 November 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 3 January 2023 and referred on 17 January 2023 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. On 20 January 2023 additional documentary evidence received was also forwarded to the Appeals Officer for consideration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
410. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3230/23]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The Department received a claim for IP for the person referred to on 15 November 2022. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 19 January 2023 informing her of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
411. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a fuel allowance application was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3232/23]
View answerFuel allowance is a means tested payment payable to people who either live alone or only with certain other qualified people.
The person concerned submitted an application for fuel allowance on 06 October 2022.
Based on the information provided to the Department, the person does not qualify for the allowance as their household consists of people who are not in a qualifying category.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 26 October 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
412. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of personal public service numbers issued between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, broken down by the nationalities to whom they were issued, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3242/23]
View answerFor the period, 1st January to 31st December 2022, an overall total of 305,889 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) have been issued by my Department.
Of this overall total, 56,954 PPSNs were allocated for children whose births were registered with the General Register Office.
Details on PPSN allocations by nationality to the end of December 2022 can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/collection/a78027-statistics-on-personal-public-service-pps-numbers-issued/#2022
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
TABLE 1 – PPSNs Allocated in 2022 by Nationality
|
AFGHANISTAN |
1,076 |
|
ALBANIA |
210 |
|
ALGERIA |
1,488 |
|
ANDORRA |
2 |
|
ANGOLA |
36 |
|
ANTIGUA |
3 |
|
ARGENTINA |
1,083 |
|
ARMENIA |
44 |
|
AUSTRALIA |
1,223 |
|
AUSTRIA |
343 |
|
AZERBAIJAN |
45 |
|
BAHAMAS |
2 |
|
BAHRAIN |
26 |
|
BANGLADESH |
613 |
|
BARBADOS |
4 |
|
BELARUS |
150 |
|
BELGIUM |
530 |
|
BELIZE |
1 |
|
BENIN |
11 |
|
BERMUDA |
3 |
|
BOLIVIA |
976 |
|
BOSNIA |
54 |
|
BOTSWANA |
434 |
|
BRAZIL |
16,414 |
|
BRUNEI |
6 |
|
BULGARIA |
3,007 |
|
BURKINA FASO UPPER VOLTA |
2 |
|
BURUNDI |
12 |
|
CAMBODIA |
29 |
|
CAMEROON |
83 |
|
CANADA |
1,099 |
|
CAPE VERDE |
3 |
|
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC |
1 |
|
CHAD |
2 |
|
CHILE |
1,996 |
|
CHINA |
3,012 |
|
COLOMBIA |
200 |
|
CONGO |
3 |
|
COSTA RICA |
252 |
|
CROATIA |
1,823 |
|
CUBA |
17 |
|
CYPRUS |
101 |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
948 |
|
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF KOREA |
3 |
|
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO |
218 |
|
DENMARK |
297 |
|
DJIBOUTI |
1 |
|
DOMINICA |
1 |
|
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
21 |
|
EAST TIMOR |
12 |
|
ECUADOR |
23 |
|
EGYPT |
798 |
|
EL SALVADOR |
336 |
|
ERITREA |
42 |
|
ESTONIA |
179 |
|
ETHIOPIA |
133 |
|
FIJI |
6 |
|
FINLAND |
312 |
|
FRANCE |
4,759 |
|
GABON |
2 |
|
GAMBIA |
21 |
|
GEORGIA |
2,529 |
|
GERMANY |
2,630 |
|
GHANA |
270 |
|
GREECE |
813 |
|
GRENADA |
2 |
|
GREENLAND |
1 |
|
GUATEMALA |
90 |
|
GUINEA |
25 |
|
GUINEA-BISSAU |
3 |
|
GUYANA |
6 |
|
HAITI |
5 |
|
HONDURAS |
135 |
|
HONG KONG |
89 |
|
HUNGARY |
1,114 |
|
ICELAND |
23 |
|
INDIA |
21,471 |
|
INDONESIA |
146 |
|
IRAN |
322 |
|
IRAQ |
139 |
|
IRELAND |
69,070 |
|
ISRAEL |
285 |
|
ITALY |
6,671 |
|
IVORY COAST |
17 |
|
JAMAICA |
12 |
|
JAPAN |
422 |
|
JORDAN |
122 |
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
74 |
|
KENYA |
311 |
|
KOSOVO |
25 |
|
KUWAIT |
65 |
|
KYRGYZSTAN |
35 |
|
LAO PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC |
4 |
|
LATVIA |
1,072 |
|
LEBANON |
167 |
|
LESOTHO |
21 |
|
LIBERIA |
7 |
|
LIBYA |
48 |
|
LIECHTENSTEIN |
1 |
|
LITHUANIA |
1,494 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
73 |
|
MACAO |
1 |
|
MADAGASCAR |
4 |
|
MALAWI |
98 |
|
MALAYSIA |
791 |
|
MALDIVES |
4 |
|
MALI |
2 |
|
MALTA |
211 |
|
MAURITUS |
122 |
|
MEXICO |
2,335 |
|
MOLDOVA |
486 |
|
MONACO |
1 |
|
MONGOLIA |
919 |
|
MONTENEGRO |
5 |
|
MOROCCO |
285 |
|
MOZAMBIQUE |
12 |
|
MYANMAR |
25 |
|
NAMIBIA |
22 |
|
NEPAL |
260 |
|
NETHERLANDS |
1,094 |
|
NEW ZEALAND |
209 |
|
NICARAGUA |
91 |
|
NIGER |
1 |
|
NIGERIA |
2,687 |
|
NORTH MACEDONIA |
18 |
|
NORWAY |
285 |
|
OMAN |
53 |
|
OTHER |
124 |
|
PAKISTAN |
2,303 |
|
PANAMA |
254 |
|
PARAGUAY |
133 |
|
PERU |
62 |
|
PHILIPPINES |
2,126 |
|
POLAND |
5,350 |
|
PORTUGAL |
4,311 |
|
QATAR |
4 |
|
REPUBLIC OF KOREA |
255 |
|
REUNION |
1 |
|
ROMANIA |
15,581 |
|
RUSSIA |
1,216 |
|
RWANDA |
18 |
|
SAMOA |
1 |
|
SAN MARINO |
1 |
|
SAUDI ARABIA |
212 |
|
SENEGAL |
18 |
|
SERBIA |
74 |
|
SEYCHELLES |
20 |
|
SIERRA LEONE |
100 |
|
SINGAPORE |
76 |
|
SLOVAKIA |
999 |
|
SLOVENIA |
75 |
|
SOMALIA |
1,705 |
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
2,508 |
|
SPAIN |
9,310 |
|
SRI LANKA |
375 |
|
ST HELENA |
3 |
|
ST KITTS & NEVIS |
3 |
|
ST LUCIA |
1 |
|
ST VINCENT |
1 |
|
SUDAN |
618 |
|
SWAZILAND |
63 |
|
SWEDEN |
943 |
|
SWITZERLAND |
244 |
|
SYRIA |
362 |
|
TAIWAN |
139 |
|
TAJIKSTAN |
23 |
|
TANZANIA |
47 |
|
THAILAND |
355 |
|
TOGO |
41 |
|
TONGA |
3 |
|
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO |
28 |
|
TUNISIA |
125 |
|
TURKEY |
2,812 |
|
TURKMENISTAN |
5 |
|
UGANDA |
174 |
|
UKRAINE |
68,884 |
|
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
20 |
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
12,917 |
|
URUGUAY |
203 |
|
USA |
3,830 |
|
UZBEKISTAN |
29 |
|
VENEZUELA |
84 |
|
VIETNAM |
399 |
|
YEMEN |
63 |
|
ZAMBIA |
62 |
|
ZIMBABWE |
1,835 |
|
TOTAL |
305,889 |
413. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no walk-in service is available at an Intreo office (details supplied); when a walk-in service for the public will recommence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3292/23]
View answerMy Department has three Intreo Centres in County Wicklow situated in Bray, Arklow and Baltinglass. The Department’s office in The Murrough is not an Intreo Centre.
Wicklow Town and the surrounding catchment area is serviced by the Social Welfare Branch Office, located in Unit E6 The Enterprise Centre, where clients can make and/or update their Jobseeker’s and One Parent Family claims during business hours.
My Department’s location in The Murrough, which is adjacent to the Branch Office provides the following services:
- Public Service Card – every Tuesday.
- Community Welfare Service (CWS) – every Thursday.
- Public Employment Services – by appointment on request.
Information on all of the schemes and payments administered by my Department is available at www.gov.ie. The quickest and easiest way for a person to apply for most income supports and payment statements is online at www.mywelfare.ie. A person can also call the National Intreo Contact Centre freephone number at 0818 40 50 60.
While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the community welfare service it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) to make an application and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National Contact Phoneline for CWS at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO.
An appointment can be arranged within a short time of the person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at their home. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. CWOs working on the phoneline are dealing with approx. 1,700 callers per week. This service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas, including areas in Wicklow, who can have their needs met without the requirement to travel.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
414. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a decision to remove a free travel pass from a wheelchair user who requires a personal assistant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3339/23]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State and people under age 66 on certain qualifying social welfare payments who reside permanently in the State. The scheme allows recipients to travel free of charge on most CIE public transport services, LUAS and Local Link, as well as on transport services provided by some 73 private operators countrywide.
The eligibility of the person concerned was linked to their previous entitlement to Disability Allowance, which is a qualifying payment for Free Travel. Their entitlement to Disability Allowance ceased in November 2017, when they returned to employment. Under the Make Work Pay initiative, a person who was in receipt of Disability Allowance may have their entitlement to Free Travel extended for a period of five years after taking up employment. In the case of the person concerned, the five year extension period has expired, resulting in the consequential cessation of their Free Travel entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
415. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the policy preventing access to the working family payment for persons who are self-employed; and if she has plans to broaden access to the payment. [3348/23]
View answerThe Working Family Payment is an in-work support which is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are approximately 47,000 families with 102,000 children currently in receipt of the Working Family Payment. Estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2023 is €362 million.
To qualify for the Working Family Payment a person must be engaged as an employee in full time paid employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification requirement. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is part of a family supported by them. In addition, the person's income must be below the relevant threshold for their family size.
It is possible for the household of a self-employed person to receive Working Family Payment where the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the self-employed person is an employee who meets the qualifying criteria.
My Department has several schemes available to self-employed individuals including:
- The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme which encourages people in receipt of certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. If a person takes part in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme they can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.
- The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance gives support to people who have lost their job and want to start their own business.
- The Back to Work Family Dividend helps families to move from social welfare into employment or self-employment, by retaining their qualified child increase for up to two years.
There are no plans to extend the Working Family Payment to the self-employed at this time. Any such extension of the scheme could only be considered in the overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
416. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3366/23]
View answerThe person concerned applied for Jobseeker's Allowance in February 2022. This application was disallowed as they did not qualify under the Habitual Residence conditions. The person concerned appealed this decision and in August 2022 their appeal was disallowed.
The person concerned does not have a current pending application with the Department of Social Protection.
If the person concerned is still experiencing financial difficulty, they may submit an application for Jobseeker's Allowance through their MyWelfare.ie account or through their Local Intreo Office. They may also apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means tested payment based on household income while awaiting their Jobseeker's decision.
417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by her Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3389/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Social Protection funds a range of initiatives to support unemployed people entering into employment. The work required to establish the total payments made in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 will take some time to complete. The Deputy has been made aware of this and accepts that my officials will respond directly to her as soon as possible with the information sought.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to build modular homes for Ukrainian refugees of war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3266/23]
View answerThe Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. The OPW is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department. The objective is to install 500 units by March/April 2023.
All the sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a playground and green spaces fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The rapid build homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60-year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area.
After a programme of engagement with Public Representatives and Local Authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites in Cork, Cavan, Claremorris, Mallow and Thurles. Following further engagement and the completion of further suitability assessment work further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks.
Local Representatives in each constituency where the first phase rapid build homes are planned received a full briefing from officials in my Department and the OPW. This briefing of Local Representatives is continuing as more sites are identified. My Department and the OPW are also engaging directly with Local Authority officials in respect of each site and community information sessions have been held in some areas where requested.
My Department is working with other Departments and Agencies to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place. We work closely with the Department of Health in relation to the healthcare needs of displaced people from Ukraine. The HSE is being notified of the proposed number of residents for each site and associated potential healthcare needs. The Department of Education is planning for the extra school places that may be needed and have advised that, if the local school does not have enough places, alternative arrangements will be made to bring occupant children to schools close by.
The Community Response Forum of the county in question will be responsible for coordinating the integration of refugees into local areas. My Department is funding additional workers in each local authority to support the integration of new arrivals into the local areas. The Government is also providing funding for community initiatives to support persons displaced by the war in Ukraine.
419. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of equipment issued under AIMS in 2022; the number of applicants for equipment; the type of equipment issued and the time it took for the said equipment to be issued to educational providers, by county, in tabular form; and the amount spent in 2022. [2719/23]
View answerAIM level 5 makes available funding to pre-school providers towards the cost of minor building alterations or the installation of specialist equipment or appliances, which may be required depending on an individual child’s needs.
The amount spent on equipment in 2022 was €553,732.73.
Information on delivery time is provided in the table below. The equipment is delivered to a service by third parties under contract to Pobal.
Much of the equipment listed below needs to be tailored and built to an individual child's needs and these make take longer to build and deliver. This can mean a lead-in time to build and/or adjust in consultation with key specialists. The longer times for these items affect the overall average between approval and delivery.
|
County |
No. Applications Received Jan-Dec 2022 |
No. Applications Approved Jan-Dec 2022 |
No. of Items Delivered Jan-Dec 2022 |
Average No. of Network Days between approval and Delivery |
|
Carlow |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
5 |
5 |
5 |
59 |
|
Clare |
21 |
21 |
16 |
51 |
|
Cork |
64 |
63 |
46 |
50 |
|
Donegal |
14 |
14 |
13 |
51 |
|
Dublin |
63 |
62 |
55 |
45 |
|
Galway |
12 |
12 |
14 |
49 |
|
Kerry |
16 |
16 |
13 |
32 |
|
Kildare |
13 |
13 |
8 |
35 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
5 |
5 |
39 |
|
Laois |
6 |
6 |
9 |
82 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
5 |
5 |
27 |
|
Limerick |
17 |
17 |
22 |
58 |
|
Longford |
4 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Louth |
21 |
19 |
10 |
40 |
|
Mayo |
16 |
15 |
20 |
37 |
|
Meath |
13 |
13 |
24 |
83 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
4 |
3 |
34 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
2 |
71 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
4 |
4 |
21 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
4 |
5 |
35 |
|
Tipperary |
21 |
21 |
14 |
54 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
4 |
5 |
53 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
4 |
5 |
36 |
|
Wexford |
16 |
16 |
15 |
45 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
8 |
5 |
56 |
|
Grand Total |
362 |
357 |
325 |
50 |
The type of equipment issued by county is set out in the table below.
|
Equipment Type by County |
No. of Equipment orders issued |
|
Cavan |
6 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
2 |
|
Toileting Supports |
3 |
|
Clare |
21 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
3 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
2 |
|
Other |
2 |
|
Positioning Supports |
4 |
|
Specialised seating |
9 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Cork |
53 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
8 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
5 |
|
Gait trainers, standers and standing frames |
2 |
|
Hoists and slings |
1 |
|
Other |
2 |
|
Play & learning material |
1 |
|
Positioning Supports |
4 |
|
Specialised Play Equipment |
3 |
|
Specialised seating |
24 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
1 |
|
Toileting Supports |
2 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
7 |
|
Wall-mounted changing units |
1 |
|
Dublin |
64 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
25 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
4 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
5 |
|
Hoists and slings |
2 |
|
Positioning Supports |
5 |
|
Specialised seating |
18 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
2 |
|
Toileting Supports |
3 |
|
Galway |
22 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
8 |
|
Other |
1 |
|
Positioning Supports |
3 |
|
Specialised seating |
8 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
2 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
3 |
|
Positioning Supports |
1 |
|
Specialised Play Equipment |
7 |
|
Specialised seating |
7 |
|
Kildare |
9 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
4 |
|
Specialised seating |
4 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
3 |
|
Play & learning material |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
1 |
|
Laois |
10 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
2 |
|
Portable ramp |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
1 |
|
Other |
2 |
|
Positioning Supports |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
1 |
|
Limerick |
19 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
3 |
|
Positioning Supports |
10 |
|
Specialised seating |
5 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Louth |
18 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
2 |
|
Gait trainers, standers and standing frames |
1 |
|
Hoists and slings |
1 |
|
Positioning Supports |
2 |
|
Specialised seating |
6 |
|
Toileting Supports |
3 |
|
Wall-mounted changing units |
1 |
|
Mayo |
19 |
|
Acoustic Treatments |
4 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
9 |
|
Specialised seating |
5 |
|
Wall-mounted changing units |
1 |
|
Meath |
25 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
3 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
8 |
|
Specialised seating |
13 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
1 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
1 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
1 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
|
Acoustic Treatments |
2 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
3 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
1 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
17 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
4 |
|
Free-standing changing units |
1 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
2 |
|
Other |
3 |
|
Positioning Supports |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
5 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
1 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Specialised seating |
2 |
|
Toileting Supports |
1 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
|
Assistive Technology/Equipment |
2 |
|
Gait trainers, standers, standing/walking frames |
1 |
|
Positioning Supports |
6 |
|
Specialised Play Equipment |
1 |
|
Specialised seating |
2 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
Specialised seating |
4 |
|
Specialised table/desk |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
366 |
420. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement he has had with Tusla - the Child and Family Agency in relation to the lack of step-down places, resulting in children being kept in secure units for longer than is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2725/23]
View answerAt the end of October 2022, there were 5,810 children and young people in the care of the State. Of these, 5,171 (89%) were in foster care, 432 (7.4%) were in Residential Care, and 14 (0.2%) were in secure special care.
While a majority of children in care are in foster care, there are some circumstances where foster care is not an option, including where a child has specific therapeutic needs that are best met in residential care. In these cases, a child may be placed in residential care.
Where a child's behaviour is deemed a serious risk to themselves, the Child and Family Agency (CFA) may apply to the High Court for a special care order in respect of that child. Special care is used to address the risk of harm that may be caused to a child’s life, health, safety, development or welfare by their behaviour. Children are admitted to special care following a successful application to the CFA’s Special Care Admissions Committee, and upon the granting of a special care order by the High Court.
The decision to detain or extend the detention of a child is not one that is taken lightly. The Child Care Act 1991, as amended, provides the statutory framework governing special care and contains significant statytory protections in this regard. Part IVA of the Act sets out the specific processes for a child's placement into Special care, which includes a determination by the CFA that a child requires special care (23F), and the criteria which must be met for the High Court to make a special care order (23H). The Act also sets out specific criteria which must be met in order for the High Court to extend a special care order, and places a statutory limit on the maximum duration that a child may remain in special care. In addition, the Act provides that the High Court shall carry out a review in each 4 week period for which a special care order has effect, and that the High Court shall, when carrying out such reviews, consider whether the child continues to require special care.
The Department and the Child and Family Agency engage on a regular basis regarding issues impacting on children in the care of the state, including those in relation to special care and residential care. In 2022 the CFA published its Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025. This Strategic Plan outlined how the Agency has been required to meet growing demand for the residential care service, including a growing number of children and young people requiring ‘enhanced’ or more specialised service types to accommodate their complex needs. The Plan outlined a number of key actions the Agency proposed to undertake to alleviate these pressures, including the expansion of statutory residential capacity on a phased basis and the provision of new step down facilities over the coming years.
Both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care.
421. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to add socio-economic status as a tenth ground of discrimination to relevant legislation. [2733/23]
View answerIn July 2021, I 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 purpose of the review is to examine the operation of the Acts to assess their effectiveness with regard to those taking claims under their redress mechanisms. It is examining 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 also includes consideration of Programme for Government commitments to examine the introduction of a socio-economic ground for discrimination and protections for gender identity under the current legislation. The Department was pleased to receive an extensive response to the public consultation. Submissions were analysed by officials in my Department and I hope to publish a report on the findings of the consultation early this year. It is expected that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward in 2023, however, the nature of these proposals will be dependent on decisions around further consultation and research.
