Written Answers Nos. 177-190
177. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the alternative accommodation that has been sourced to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection and applicants for international protection to replace accommodation capacity provided by County Clare hotels that will not be renewing their contracts with the Government beyond March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11808/23]
View answerMy Department is now accommodating in excess of 76,000 people, including both those fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking International Protection. We have contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Government decision of 28 October 2022 agreed that a move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach is appropriate in light of the high numbers of arrivals, both those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and those seeking asylum. The high level of demand requires us to maximise all existing capacity, to bring greater consistency and to ensure equity for all who rely on State supports. This includes taking account of the level of income supports being provided by the State in addition to accommodation and access to a range of State services. The decision involved moving to a more standard offer of accommodation, with more Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection utilising existing state income supports or income from employment to pay for their own food and day-to-day expenses.
To give effect to the Government decision, my Department is in ongoing negotiations, as contracts expire, with a significant number of hotels who have previously been accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPS) on a full board basis.
The Department will continue to work with accommodation providers to ensure there is an adequate supply of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine. In this regard we are currently renewing contracts with our existing providers in chronological order.
We are also working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and Local Authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can continue to be met. In this regard, my Department is availing of all suitable offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of hotels, office buildings, and sports centres, to address the accommodation shortfall.
In respect of the above Government decision, it should be noted that regular meetings have taken place between my officials and the relevant Department and Fáilte Ireland officials to share learnings and discuss issues as we continue to respond to the challenge of procuring enough accommodation to meet demand. My Department is grateful to the support of those in this sector in responding to date to this unprecedented challenge. Communities across the country have welcomed those from Ukraine during their time of need and this is very much appreciated.
My Department is also very aware of the concerns shared by some communities around the absence of tourists in some areas with the consequent impact on local spending. To respond to these and other issues, we continue to work alongside both Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Tourism as we work together as part of a whole of government response, ensuring that key stakeholders have had the opportunity to feed into solutions under development.
I also wish to advise that, as part of the whole of Government response to the increased arrivals, the State is also committed to delivering accommodation solutions beyond tourist accommodation. For example my Department is working with the Department of Housing to deliver accommodation in certain refurbished buildings. The Department of Housing has made a call for unoccupied homes to be made available for BOTPs, and we are working with OPW on the rapid build homes programme. This work will continue.
Furthermore, in light of the acute and growing pressures, the Government is stepping up action to maximise the pace and scale of delivery on the accommodation strategy. An Accommodation Working Group has been established to support the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW in the agile delivery of accommodation required.
An expanded programme of work has now been agreed by Government that will allow consideration of commercial properties and sites for development, refurbishment or purchase and the use of alternative modular buildings.
This work will be progressed by all of the State actors working together as part of the Accommodation Working Group and a National Coordination Unit will be established in the Local Government Management Agency to ensure delivery on the expanded workstream at local level.
Work is also ongoing across Government to intensify Communications and Community Engagement on the humanitarian response.
The government will continue to keep its response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.
178. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of hotel accommodation capacity in the State currently accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection and applicants for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11809/23]
View answerDeputy, My Department is currently providing accommodation to almost 20,000 international protection applicants (IPAs) and almost 60,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protections (BOTPs) who are fleeing the war in Ukraine.
In relation to the number of hotel beds currently contracted to My Department, there are 19,900 hotel beds contracted to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and 6,014 hotel beds contracted to accommodate international protection applicants (IPAs).
The percentage of hotel accommodation capacity in use in the State which currently accommodates both BOTPs & IPAs is 26.05%.
The Department has had strong support from the hotel sector in 2022, even during the tourist season, and will continue to engage with stakeholders across this sector. While managing the current challenges in accommodating so many people, the Department is also working hard on other solutions that will allow us to provide accommodation and shelter to those who need it in the time ahead.
179. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what tender process is in place to allow local suppliers and facilities management companies to apply for tenders for upcoming contracts of catering and cleaning of IPAS centres; if consideration will be given to a company (details supplied) that cannot access the tender process , and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/23]
View answerThe Department is responding rapidly to service requirements in emergency accommodation centres that are being brought into use. At end of February 2023, my Department has contractual arrangements in place with 126 emergency accommodation centres and 47 permanent IPAS accommodation centres. These providers engage their own in-house catering or subcontracted services.
In addition, my Department has a number of facilities management service providers in place that typically include catering, cleaning, resident support and security services.
The Department employs a request for tender process for its permanent centres and advertises on national newspapers for emergency accommodation providers.
In certain instances the Department has been forced to employ rapid response Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) processes, for international protection accommodation only, to ensure a service from an experienced provider can be employed quickly in an emergency setting.
The Department is currently progressing a wider facilities management Request for Tender process. The RFQ process above is being utilised in the interim.
Should the named provider wish to apply for the RFQ/RFP process for further possible locations, they can send their details to IPPS@equality.gov.ie and they will be afforded the opportunity to quote.
The RFT for Facilities Management, once finalised, will be published on e-tenders.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Pobal in respect of reported breaches of core funding for both the underpayment of wages under the agreement, and the failure to implement a fee freeze for clients, in tabular form; the number of disputes which have been resolved for both the underpayment of wages under the agreement and failures to implement a fee freeze for clients; and the number of adverse findings made in respect of the underpayment of wages under the agreement, and failures to implement a fee freeze for clients. [11875/23]
View answerIn September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and Core Funding , with a fourth programme under development - Tackling Disadvantage.
All Partner Services who participate in Core Funding must operate their early learning and childcare service in line with the terms and conditions outlined in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement - publicly available here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Core-Funding-Partner-Service-Funding-Agreement-09.08.22-Final-revised-clean-PDF.pdf
In relation to wages, as the State does not employ early year’s educators or school-age childcare practitioners, my Department has no role in the employment relationship between employers and employees in the sector. The Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) agreed by the Joint Labour Committee govern minimum rates of pay for workers in the sector. These EROs are entirely independent of my Department and any breaches of EROs may be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). As with employees and employers in other sectors, those in the early learning and childcare sector can avail of employment supports provided by other State bodies. One of these supports is the Mediation Service provided by the WRC. The operation of this service, including the appointment of mediators, is a matter for the WRC, which is an independent body.
The Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement is contingent on EROs being in place for the sector, and provides funding to Partner Services to contribute to costs, including staff costs, but does not contain contractual obligations governing pay. Neither my Department nor Pobal are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the EROs. To date, my Department has not received complaints on pay being below the ERO minimum.
In relation to fees, Partner Services must uphold their contractual obligations regarding Fee Management as laid out in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. In its first year, Core Funding requires Partner Services not to increase the fees charged to parents from those charged in September 2021.
As of 7 March 2023, Pobal are considering 6 cases raised with them that involve a potential breach of Fee Management. In the case of a potential breach of Core Funding Fee Management, an individual may seek to have this examined through the Core Funding Fee Review process operated through City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs), Pobal and the Department. I would advise any parent or person with concerns or questions about fees to contact their local CCC for support and guidance.
181. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Tusla in respect of reported breaches of required child to staff ratios in early childhood education and care facilities in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023; and the number of adverse findings made by Tusla in respect of same in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023. [11876/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
182. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Tusla in respect of unqualified staff caring and educating children in early childhood education and care facilities in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023; and the number of adverse findings made by Tusla in respect of same in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023. [11877/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will fund exclusive free courses in each ETB on how to use iPhones, android tablets and so on for older persons with little or no experience in the usage of these devices. [11697/23]
View answerThe 16 Education and Training Boards, funded through SOLAS, provide a range of programmes to cater for the literacy needs of adults. These adult literacy programmes are responsive and student-centred, providing classes in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. Digital skills in using devices as well as other practical digital skills such as learning how to use the internet, cloud services, and applications are all areas that have become a priority for delivery by Adult Education Services, including for older adults. The local Adult Literacy Organiser in any area is the best person to contact for full details on classes and to request support. The Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy aims to reduce the share of adults in Ireland without basic digital skills from 47% to 20% by 2030. Key deliverables for 2023 under the ALL strategy include a specific focus on literacy and digital skills and older people. Following Budget 2023 there is an overall allocation of €5million to support the ALL strategy this year.
Digital inclusion is also promoted under the REACH Fund, operating across the ETBs. Community Education providers can apply for funding across several categories including digital supports. The Fund can support, in line with the ALL strategy, specific actions that directly address those experiencing unmet literacy needs or target funding on access to technology and devices or expand community access to Wi-Fi and broadband resources.
184. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery and bricklaying, stone laying apprentices, respectively, waiting to progress their off-the-job training in phase 2, phase 4 and phase 6, respectively, across Solas and the higher education sector, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11806/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the numbers waiting to progress their off-the-job training is being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time, in months, for applications currently being processed in 2023 by the undocumented unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11640/23]
View answerThe Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme opened on 31 January 2022 and closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship. The scheme was only open to those who did not have a current permission to reside in the State and enabled eligible applicants to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.
In total, 6,548 applications were submitted in respect of 8,311 people under the scheme. Of these 5,654 (86%) were Single Applications and 894 (14%) Family Applications. As of 6 March 2023, 5,865 people who applied to the scheme have been issued a decision, of which 5,372 (91%) are positive decisions, 391 (7%) are negative decisions, and 102 (2%) applications have been withdrawn by the applicants for various reasons.
The average processing time for cases processed in 2023 by the Undocumented Unit is 9.4 months.
Applications continue to be processed and processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application; whether it is a single or family application; the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made in the determination of an application as part of the recent undocumented scheme in the case of a person (details supplied), who is now facing homelessness since they are unemployed due to work injury, who has paid their taxes and cannot obtain any interim support due to their status and is now at risk of losing their home due to the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11660/23]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 23 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
The processing times of applications will vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order will require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
187. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total number of instances where a fee of €300 was paid for the issuing of an IRP (formerly GNIB) card including both registration and renewal, by year, from 2013 to date; and the total income from this activity. [11680/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Year |
Income |
Cards |
|
2013 |
€19,974,800 |
66,583 |
|
2014 |
€21,170,530 |
70,568 |
|
2015 |
€22,583,590 |
75,279 |
|
2016 |
€23,680,510 |
78,935 |
|
2017 |
€28,038,751 |
93,463 |
|
2018 |
€32,080,900 |
106,936 |
|
2019 |
€39,342,750 |
131,143 |
|
2020 |
€32,113,426 |
107,045 |
|
2021 |
€35,270,125 |
117,567 |
|
2022 |
€58,162,220 |
193,874 |
|
Jan 23 |
€6,028,500 |
20,095 |
|
Grand Total |
€318,446,102 |
1,061,487 |
188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been secured in 2023 to increase the number of horses in the garda mounted unit. [11703/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Commissioner, as the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Act, is also responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources.
The Deputy will further be aware that funding for the Garda Vote is sought as part of the usual budgetary process. Budget 2023 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2.14 billion of funding to the Garda Vote. The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras An Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. I am informed that there are currently 12 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. I am further advised that funding is made available to purchase horses as the need arises when a horse is retired and a new one is required.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice when the current contract for the provision of garda public order unit equipment and uniform is due to expire. [11704/23]
View answerAs you will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources. I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been informed by Garda authorities that the current contracts for the provision of Garda public order unit equipment and uniform are due to expire on 1 December 2023.
190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the dates to date in 2023, when new recruits entered the Garda College. [11705/23]
View answerThe unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána under Budget 2023 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Gardaí have the resources they need to carry out their vital service. This level of funding will support the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda members and 400 new Garda staff this year.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
The first intake of new trainees into the Garda College in 2023 was on 20 February. The next intake scheduled to take place in May.
